The Choice

51) Omer

He raises his brows when I laugh, I can't help it. I laugh more. And more.

"a shame." I say shaking my head still laughing.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" he says and I sober up hardening my jaw and clench my fists so I won't collide them with his face.

"Maybe yes, maybe no." I speak.

He frowns assessing me.

"I asked a question. Why are you here?" I ask.

"To see Miss Soliman."

"Why?"

He cocks a brow and I take a step. He glances at my feet. Nervous. Good.

"To ask her some questions."

I clench my jaw, "and you happen to come to women's' thresholds to ask questions normally?"

He hesitates, "I- I know her."

Stuttering. Afraid. Oh, dear father.

I raise a brow, "Who are you to her?"

"I'm her father's friend."

I narrow my eyes and nod taking a few more steps until I'm face to face with the man that turned my life upside down. And he looks up at me with zero percent recognition.

I knock on Aurora's door. Please don't open, dove.

"Miss Soliman?" I call.

"Y-Yes?" I hear her muffled frightened voice; I clench my jaw. He's fucked, but later. Not when Aurora's around, she's freaked out enough.

"I happen to encounter a strange man in our building, he says he's your father's friend. Do you know him?" I ask feigning clueless.

"No, Sir." She says playing along. Good job, dove.

I raise a brow in his direction leaning against her door as a physical shield.

He senses it, that I won't leave. So, he leaves without another word.

I wait till he leaves and turn to knock on Aurora's door when her door flies open and she's in my arms instantly. I cradle her head wrapping my arms around her closing my eyes in relief. I lead us into her place and push the door closed behind us.

I crush her body against mine kissing the side of her face, I push away the wet hair sticking to her face and kiss all over her face, "God, I was so scared about you, Omer."

I shake my head, "No one's going to scare you, my love."

We freeze when the doorbell rings again. Her eyes widen in panic,

"belle?"

I let out an exhale opening the door to reveal a puzzled Joe and Dionne by his side.

"What happened?" Dionne asks overlooking Aurora.

I look at Joe and tell him quietly, "father knew our place."

The girls stand together and Joe thrusts his fingers through his hair sucking on his own breath.

"belle, are you okay?" he asks her and she nods, "he rang the bell to my door but I didn't open. I called you and Omer so you won't come. But Omer did anyways. God knows what would have happened if he recognized him."

Joe frowns at what she said and looks at me. I purse my lips, "You met him? he didn't know you?" he asks.

I give a shallow nod.

He lets out a laugh that sounds like a scoff, "such a perfect daddy."

I take a deep breath, "let's not focus on that. We don't need him revolving around us. We need a way to get rid of him. It's obvious he knows Aurora and that we're related."

Joe nods and strides inside. Dionne glances between me and Aurora, I nod at her and she leaves after him while I take my spot beside my girl wrapping my arms around her frame.