Better The Devil You Know

One Question: What the Hell?

It had been three weeks since Aurora's “incident”.

Valentina had yet to bring it up again on their frequent phone calls which Aurora was thankful for, only calling daily to gossip and catch up.

Aurora had seen Nathanial a few times, they had a business dinner the previous week where they spoke to old “clients” as Nathanial called them. He was often busy so Aurora steered clear of him, getting a headache at the thought of yet another fight, and often just checked in with Sarah when she left the house.

Having lived there for four months, Aurora had now settled in London. Her favourite coffee shop was only 20 minutes from the house and she often went there to do some studying. With very little to do at home Aurora spent many days exploring the ins and outs of the capital city and had visited all the tourist attractions and spent far too much money exploring all the shopping streets and centres.

To say she was happy with her new life would be a stretch, but Aurora had made peace with it.

🖤

It was a Monday and she was busy planning the annual Romano Halloween Party that was on Wednesday.

Organising was Aurora’s glimpse of heaven.
With plenty of spare time, her wardrobe had been completely converted to Autumnal sweaters and scarves and all summer decor had magically gone only to be replaced with dark reds and warm orange tones to match the gardens outside.

Having spent the morning double checking the venue, the guest list and catering requirements as well as getting Mani/pedis with Isabella and Emilia, Aurora was now planning out where her family would stay in the house. She had gone up to visit them two weeks before, back when her mother’s calls were hourly, and had spent the night but it would be their first time seeing the house.

‘So if you make up these three rooms by Wednesday morning that would be great,' Aurora said to Linda, head of housekeeping, whilst pointing at the three rooms.

Walking out of the guest wing Aurora smiled at the thought of having a fun party with her family. Samantha and Lucy couldn’t make it as they had an early lecture the next day, but Aurora didn’t mind to much as they were coming over to stay at the weekend.

🖤

By 6pm it was dark and dreary outside so Aurora decided to call it a day. She was sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by her laptop and pieces of paper with party details and catering receipts and had just downed the rest of her pumpkin latte like the basic bitch she knew she was.

Feeling suddenly active Aurora decided to go for a run, if only to kill time. Changing out of her sweater and into leggings and a tank top, Aurora grabbed her headphones and walked out into the entrance hall.

The double doors were open, a black limousine waiting outside underneath the pouring rain. Slightly jumping, Aurora bounced down the stairs, scrolling through her Spotify playlists.

Plugging her headphones in, Aurora was about to take a step out when she heard that blood-curdling, heart-wrenching voice that stopped her in her tracks.

‘Aurora?’

Milliseconds or hours later, Aurora couldn’t tell, a hand pulled her elbow back so she was facing him.

‘Fancy seeing you here!’

His smile was the same. His dimples poking out, his green eyes shining in that warm, kind way, making Aurora want to crawl back into his arms.

'What are you doing here?’ Aurora’s voice was cold, emotionless, void of all feeling.

'I'm doing business with Nathanial Romano. How are you? My car’s here, want to go out, catch up, reminisce on the good ol' days?’ His face was so warm and gentle and welcoming that for one second Aurora questioned herself.