The Promise

54) Omer

Blood freezes in my veins as I see her fall from above the rail.

The distance from my spot across her feels like miles away as I start after her.

She gets scared. She doesn't like the sea when it's dark.

I can't hear anything from the screaming of my blood in my ears as I reach the water swimming after her.

I grab her body and surface again, she hasn't gone too far into the water, but her body is limp into my arms.

"Aurora." I panic trying to wake her up. "Dove, I'm here. wake up, my love. Open your eyes."

"Aurora, open your eyes." I swim closer to the yacht.

"Mughrabi, the lifeboat is stuck!" I hear Crew yell and she starts moving.

She sobs with her eyes closed, "I'm here, Aurora. I'll get you out of here. Just hold on."

She pries her eyes open; I smooth her hair back. "I can't stay awake." She whispers, "The juice. Dareen."

I start fuming as I understand, "Don't think now, dove. We'll get out of here." she shakes and holds onto my neck.

Her breath quickens and her sobs raise as she looks behind me, "Hold on, dove. The boat is stuck. I have to climb the yacht, hold onto me." I urge her face to look at me and she nods once and her eyes roll back again, "No, dove. Stay awake!"

"Omer." She breathes and her body goes limp again as she loses conscious. I place my hands on her thighs as I carry her with a hand and climb the gaps of the yacht as I reach the stairs.

I lift her up as Dionne grabs for her and climb right after her with Crew helping me.

I rush for her, grabbing her body. "She needs CPR?" Dionne panics. I shake my head carrying her body. "She's drugged." I rasp as I head for an empty cabin.

I enter the cabin with her in my arms and place her on the bed. Her face is pale and she's freezing. I look around for any duvet or blanket. I rummage through the closet and drawers where I find one and wrap her in it.

I push back my wet hair releasing a frustrated sigh when a small hand is placed on my shoulder and I back off causing Dionne to flinch.

"Can I help? Please." She pleads with a small voice. She looks like a mess too with her makeup smeared. Her attire reminds me of the day Aurora disappeared.

I nod as if she took the permission, she rushes to her side hugging her. She looks up at me, "We're way far from the hotel."

I nod, "I told them to head back, stay here don't move. I'll go get her something to wear." She nods and I head outside and catch a glimpse of Crew.

He comes to my side, "Do not let Dareen get away from under your radar." I demand voice chilly. He nods then asks jerking his chin at the cabin, "is she okay? You said she's drugged."

I clench my fists, "Dareen's old-fashioned way of disabling people." His jaw hardens remembering too, "I won't let her go this time." I look at him, "No, leave her to me this time. Just don't let her escape, Crew. This time is personal."

His face softens for a bit then nods disappearing from view as we reach the shore.

I head inside the cabin again. Dionne is holding her hand and she's still as a rock, I can her breath not steady from here. my heartbeat quickens as I reach for her.

I pick her up and board the yacht not looking anyone's way with Dionne after me. I reach my room at the hotel; I spin facing Dionne. "She's staying with me tonight. Can you just come help me change her clothes?" I tell her and she nods without arguing.

We enter the suit and I place her in the tub and open the hot water. She starts shivering and we rub at her arms and legs as she starts letting sobs out gaining conscious.

"I saw her push her in." Dionne whispers tears sliding down her face. "I couldn't do anything." She pauses sniffing, "Too far, too weak. I always couldn't do anything."

I stay silent as I listen to her, "Stay here, I'll get her something to wear." I say softly and she nods and I see her hug Aurora's limp form from behind under the water with her.

I get a t-shirt and some pants and go back again, "I got her something, but" I trail off and she nods. "Stay, warm her up. I'll go get her underwear."

She leaves the room and I lean Aurora's body on my lap and against my chest. "Rory, wake up." I murmur in her ears rubbing at her arms and chest trying to get the heat flowing into her body again.

Her limp form gets back awful memories in my head. I feel pressure at the back of my head and eyes. I tighten my grip on her a I remember and realize I'm squeezing her harshly when she lets out a whimper.

I loosen my grip and plant kisses all over her side of face and neck and arms.

I grip her face looking into her pale face, I can't help the tears from falling. I don't know what is she experiencing right now, but I know the feeling of losing control over the body so damn well.

I pull her face closer and kiss her lips. They're freezing, I pull away when I find Dionne standing frozen at the doorway. She blinks and rushes, "Sorry, I knocked but you didn't hear me." I nod and she smiles softly, "You love her, Mughrabi." She murmurs

So. Damn. Much.

I look at her letting a tear spill, letting my vulnerability show because yes, I am in love and she's my vulnerability now.

Her face softens as tears spill from her eyes as well. I nod, "Yes, Dionne. I love her. I love Aurora. With every ounce of my body."

She lets out a laugh then covers her mouth. My face softens, "Don't cry, Di. She wouldn't like it." she laughs between her tears again and nods.

"Let's get her changed before she turns into a mermaid from the water." I smile and let her change her clothes standing outside the door in case she needs any help.

She opens the door after a while, "The pants are too damn long, the tee already reaches her mid-thigh. Let her under the covers like that. She doesn't like wearing pants while sleeping as well."

I nod and carry her to the bed and Dionne sits next to her to comb her hair, but I stop her. "No, I'll do it. You go rest, she's with me don't worry."

She smiles again and kisses her forehead and both cheeks then heads for the door, "Good night, Mughrabi. If anything happened, please call me. I'll be up in case you need anything." I nod and she leaves the room closing the door with a click.

I grab a brush and sit behind her gathering her hair in my hands. An image flashes through my mind; of me helping Joe shower then brushing his hair as I tickle him. He laughs so hard; Joe has always been ticklish. He had long hair too when he was young.

I smile as I brush her hair leaning catching a whiff of its scent. I close my eyes burying my nose in it a I rest my forehead in the back of her head, "Fuck, dove. You made me know what a death scare is now."

I finish and tuck her under the covers. Her body temperature is sliding back and her breath evens out. Now she just needs to rest. I'm not worrying to get a doctor because it's a lame drug in a juice she said, Dareen didn't cause the same damage again and Aurora already is getting better.

I looked up how to help in these conditions throughout the years. Just in case I witnessed someone in my place again. Another tear slides, I didn't realize that this someone would be the woman I love.

I sigh standing and going for a shower as well. I didn't realize that I'm soaking wet too till now.

I finish and climb in next to her on the bed as she shifts closer, snuggling into my side. I smile and I tuck her into my embrace kissing her temple as she sleeps the night off.