Aurora

chapter 6

Checking time on my wrist watch, I sat under a tree with large tree trunks on a bench and exhaled a heavy breath. Birds chirped nearby, adorning an already beautiful day. People walked by, filtering the environment with their whisperings. Life of Boston. Unstoppable.

It was six in the evening, sun already on its way to set down. Layers of orange and yellow dyed the blue sky, making it an exquisite sight to behold.

I remember the day I first got mugged on the streets. Being at the tender age of sixteen, and returning from work late that night, I regretted not carrying pepper spray.

A blond guy entered my line of sight out of nowhere, and captured me in his burly arms. When he mad sure I was relentlessly defenseless, he shouted at someone and a blond girl emerged from the bushes and started tapping on my jeans pockets. They mugged me of all the cash I had, of the tips I'd gained that day at the restaurant all day.

After they left, I'd decided not to cry. Losing money was nothing to cry over. Sure, I was upset that was all my hard earned and I had promised a big birthday treat to my baby brother, but money would always find its way back if one was ready to work hard. That's when I collided into Dean, that night upon returning home. Found my brother and him on our threadbare sofa, their hands attached, mouths hanging open with chips splattered on their laps. Some movie played nonstop on the TV. Asleep in such noisy place. Dean was my brothers best friend and had connections with some real goofy computer hackers. The guy was himself a computer geek through and through.

So when I called Dean after my boss left my office requesting some hackers assistance, he forwarded me contact number of some guy named Mark Suez. Mark promised to meet me quarter past six, at the central park, with some necessary documents.

I checked my watch again, Mama's watch. God, the possibility of her being alive set my excitement on whole new level. After I was done dealing with this mess, I'd visit Cali to see my mother, bring her—

"Hey, Aurora Le-blanc, right?", a thick voice interrupted my thoughts, causing me to gaze up.

Who stood before me looked like Tom Holland. With add ons such as rimmed glasses, an ear piercing, and a ring of tattoos staring from the neck and ending at right forearm. Broad shoulders, toned skin clad in black tee and jeans. Wow.

Just wow.

Funky and sexy af?

"You must be Mark Suez", I stood up, jelly on my legs.

What I expected of Mark guy was a high school kid. What? Dean was high school kid. I didn't expect this handsome funky guy.

He smiled at me, jutting out his hand.

I took it, shaking it firmly.

"Should we head to the cafe down the street to run over things?", he asked, pocketing his hands in his jeans pockets.

I picked up my bag, "yea sure, lead the way please."

We walked around for ten minutes or so, talking about life and best coffee places in Boston.

To be honest, this guy made me laugh a lot. I nearly forgot the way as we walked, and he had to hold my elbow to stop me face print on the concrete.

Jeez, very clumsy.

Mark was a computer engineer working for one of the best companies in Boston. He'd completed his studies from Texas, and eventually moved here for job. Belonging to a rich household, he didn't have to face any difficulties to pay for tuition and his younger sister was studying English in the UK.