Aurora [H.S AU]

Chapter 45

Say that you want me just to want somebody
Tell me you need me 'cause I need somebody
None of these lines will ever make you love me
Hurts good to want ya
Crave the pain I get from you

Song: Hurts Good, by R5

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2019, October, 17th - Thursday | 7 pm

Aster's P.O.V.:

For the first time in my life, I took a sick day off work.

Even though I'm definitely not sick. I'm not even hangover, I just didn't want to go to work and face my father later at his party. There's only enough of role play I can do, apparently, and I felt like going to work would be wasting energy I don't have to spare.

I could've simply worked from home, but honestly, I didn't feel like it. I have a good team back in S&L and they can totally go through a day without me. This is not at all how I used to think about my job, but hey, I didn't know half of it anyway.

It was a good day, today. I swam, practiced yoga, even cooked a bit, making myself lunch and pre-cooking two other meals. Then I spent most part of the afternoon just taking care of myself, did some skincare, read a book, washed and blow dried my hair, and drank a lot of wine - two bottles of rosé were completely gone by the time I entered my closet to sort out an outfit for my father's birthday party, makeup and hair already done.

If discovering the business I'm going to inherit one day is a multi-millionaire illegal drug industry didn't make me lose my mind, it will surely turn me into an alcoholic.

For a moment, I consider trying a colorful look, not entirely sure if I really want it or if it's just to prove a point, but ultimately I end up deciding against it - first because I shouldn't feel like a need to prove something and second because just thinking about that nightmare I had makes my skin crawl, and I don't want anything that could even slightly resemble it to happen this night.

So, after trying a few combinations, I end up going with the basics - a simple black dress with a high neck. Simple, but effective. I've always loved dresses because they're such practical pieces of clothing, just thrown them with some nice shoes and there you go, ready for almost any occasion without looking underdressed.

I keep my hair loose, the soft curls I've tried doing this afternoon surprisingly resisting the gravity work, which is a first - my hair is super thick and usually, it just goes back to its naturally straight state after a couple of minutes.

I wonder if Rickie is going to escort me tonight. He said last night Harry would be the one taking me to my father's, but it's almost time to leave and he hasn't said one word to me all day, not even answering the texts I sent him earlier today. I'm guessing he had a really late night and now is too tired, he probably won't even go to my father's, but he could've had the courtesy to let me know, right?

Looking on the bright side, maybe if anyone comes, I'll have the perfect excuse not to go to my father. I mean, he can't know I know about being in danger or whatever, but I can always come up with a tragic story and--

Oh, nevermind. The doorbell.

As always, Tate beats me to the front door, barking warningly, ears high in alert, his whole body posture tense. Once I get to him, I tell him to sit, using my fingertip to unlock the door with my digital and opening the door, part of me expecting to see Rickie on the other side.

But for the way my heart jolts inside of my chest, almost jumping out of my mouth makes me realize it's not Rickie even before my brain registers Harry standing at my doorstep, hair pulled back on a perfect quiff and a soft smile playing on his lips.