Imani sat on the couch as he looked at three empty boxes of pizza. Aurora had her hands on her knees as she just didn't know where to look. Drake had opened a can of beer and took a big gulp.
"So..how were you able to afford this place?"
"I'm not paying for it"
"Say what? Then who is?"
"I asked for someone's help"
"And that someone is?"
"I'm not saying names. But Aurora, did you pick a room for yourself?"
Aurora looked up and nodded her head. Imani hummed before crossing his arms and going onto his phone.
"Um..thank you for putting me under witness protection and.."
"It's nothing. I only wished for the best"
"Um, Mr.Imani I wanted to.."
"It's getting late. I'm heading to bed. Good night"
Imani got up from the couch and headed to his bedroom. Aurora kept her mouth shut as she watched the male leave the living room. Drake sighed.
"Get used to it. Imani is kinda quick-witted when it comes to conversations. But don't worry he'll warm up to you soon."
Aurora nods. Drake got up from his place bid his byes to her and headed off to bed. After Drake went to bed, Aurora got up and turned the lamp off before going into her bedroom. She plopped onto her bed, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Niccolo put his cigarette out as he watched the bedroom light turn off. He jumped down from where he was and put his mask on. He moved his crowbar to the side as he slowly walked to the window that was cracked open. Climbing in slowly, he quietly walked around before walking to the bedroom. As he slowly opened it only to a place empty. Confused, he went to the next-door bedroom to find it empty. He dialed the number waiting for it to finally pick up and once it did.
"What?"
"She's not here."
"What?"
"She's not here. This place is empty."
"Are you positive?"
"Yes Father, I am positive. It's empty."
"Damn it! Are you sure you killed that bastard detective?!"
"I shot him three times, father. He shouldn't be alive"
"Well, he has to be if she is gone now!"
"Calm down. I'll get to the bottom of this"
"You better!"
As the dial had hung up. Niccolo just sighed as he rubbed his temples. Not for him to notice someone standing there. Hearing a small creek, he looked up to see the landlord staring at him. The landlord was rather paralyzed as Niccolo was quick to grab the landlord and pull them in. The landlord tried to scream but he didn't let that happen as he tightened his hands around their neck. They were doing their best to fight but Niccolo had the upper hand as he continued to strangle the person until their last breath. As he saw the hand go down, he knew they were dead. He huffed as he grabbed his crowbar and jumped out the window leaving the scene.
------------------------------------
It was the next morning. Aurora woke up feeling refreshed as she was getting ready for school. Imani was in the shower as Drake was sitting at the counter having breakfast. When Aurora came out from her bedroom and greeted Drake before leaving off. Drake continued to eat his breakfast. It was very peaceful for Aurora, she waited for the bus and when the bus came. She got on and started to check her messages seeing that her friends made it home safely.
The class has started for Aurora. For Drake, he got ready for work and told his friends that he was heading out. Imani was forced to stay home by Drake but also his boss had told him to. So he did paperwork at home while looking for connections with the other murder cases related to Smiley Face. It was passing periods as Aurora was walking to her next class. She greeted her professors but when she saw Niccolo.
"Good morning Aurora"
"Morning professor!"
"You seem a bit cherry"
"Oh! I just uh moved to a different dorm place"
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, well since Ha-Eun had passed, I decided to look for new roommates and I moved in with them!"
"Well that's quite nice"
"Yes it is"
She smiled. Niccolo bid him bye since it was almost time for class to start. Aurora noticed the time and hurried off to her next class. Once she made it, she did her best to calm herself down. She still couldn't forget what had happened between her and Niccolo.
A couple of hours had passed by. Aurora was done with her classes. She decided to hang out with Lucia and the others at Crazy Cat Cafe. They planned to do homework today and well for Aurora, she promised Lucia that she would help her with her project so she did that. Once she was done, it was time for her to head to work. Lucia was willing to take her to work so she followed her friend out. Once Aurora was dropped off, she bid her goodbyes before entering her workplace. Aurora greeted Matheo before heading into the changing room. After she changed and slipped her scrubs on. It was time for work to start. It was rather a hard day for her, one of her patients had bullied another over a board game. Another threw food and one had shit in their pants. Aurora only could groan in pain with the seniors but money is money.
When the night came. Aurora had texted Drake that she was still at her workplace. Drake only had left a thumbs up. Waiting for Drake to arrive, she noticed that Matheo hadn't left. She decided to chit-chat with him before her ride came to get her. She and Matheo had a long conversation before she heard her phone buzzing. She said her goodbyes to Matheo and left the center. Getting into the car and closing the car door.
Drake was rather playing R&B in the car. Aurora told Drake that she and him had similar tastes in music. And when Keisha Coles started to play, they sang their hearts out to the song. Aurora was getting along with Drake quite well, she enjoyed the bubbly personality that he had. To the penthouse, they sang their hearts out. Once they arrived home.
They were still chatting up a storm. As they entered together, they noticed a pair of shoes at the doorway. Curious about who it was, both started to investigate where this mysterious person could be. Drake heard creaking noises coming from Imani's bedroom. Shocked, he covered his mouth before waving to Aurora to come over. Aurora was quick on her feet as she made her way to Drake. Drake slowly opened the door and peeked his face in.
"Move. I want to see it too" Aurora whispered.
As they both peeked their heads in. The only cockblock was that Drake's phone slipped out of his pocket. And Imani and the person he was with both looked over to the culprits.
Drake only let out a cheesy smile as for Aurora, she had sweat coming down her face. Imani was fuming in anger and he shouted.
"GET OUT!!"
Drake was quick to close the door and ran off laughing. Aurora couldn't help but laugh and followed Drake. Aurora hid in the bedroom with Drake as they continued to laugh together. Despite how close they were. Aurora couldn't help but admire Drake's features. Seeing that when he smiles or laughs, you could see a dimple popping in. She felt..safe in a way with him. She let a fond smile appear on her face as told him that she was heading to her bedroom. Drake waved as she left. Once Aurora reached her bedroom, she lay on her bed. Letting time pass as she falls asleep.
