"I put on makeup to express myself. I could care less about my so-called insecurities."
Aura Chandler was so sure she had her life figured out. After securing a photoshoot gig with up-and-coming musician Lacey Redd, she was convinced she would get d...
AURA STRUGGLED TO PUSH him off of her. His hands touched her every curve, grabbing and squeezing her as they went. He pressed hot kisses down her throat, leaving her a panting mess.
"Zachary," she mumbled. She tried to shake him off, but he kept insisting. She repeated his name over and over again, but she feared he took it as her liking it.
"Wait!" She exclaimed just as his hands were starting to touch her thighs. He stopped his advances and stared at her in question.
"What is it?" He asked, his eyebrows scrunching together.
Aura didn't know how to tell him that she wasn't interested in him at all. The thrill that ignited when they first met had been long extinguished. His kisses only affected her body somewhat, but not her soul. And she finally knew how to tell the difference.
"I... just really want to use the bathroom," she muttered. Zachary frowned, but got off from her.
"It's the first door on the left of that hall," he pointed. He cleared his throat after, looking away as he pressed a throw pillow on his crotch. She gulped and stood up, fixing her crooked dress as she went.
Once she was alone, trapped between four walls, she fell on her knees and bawled her eyes out. She hurriedly took some toilet paper and dried her eyes without ruining her makeup.
She practiced breathing exercises for a few minutes, still crouched on the floor. She focused on the white and gold marble, laboring her breathing. She bit down on her lip, pushing her hair behind her shoulders.
Her hands shook as she went for her bag, which was still hanging from her body. She pulled out her phone, noticing the myriad of notifications that covered her front screen. When she saw Tyson's name on multiple occasions, her eyes teared up again.
Did he know where she was?
She scrolled through his multiple missed calls, and then stopped to read his text messages.
Tyson: Hey, I got those clients on board! Was thinking maybe you and I can go to dinner to celebrate and get you out of the house? Call me
Tyson: I hope you're not mad that I couldn't take you out during the day. I really couldn't. I wish I could, but I promise to make it up to you with dinner ok
Tyson: I've been calling you for a bit now... if you're still down for dinner, please call me
Tyson: I tried to find you at Ruby's...but it doesn't look like anyone's home? Were you able to go out w the fam?
Tyson: I'm assuming you're out w the fam... but my dinner offer still stands until nine o'clock :) miss you
She checked the time stamp and it was thirty minutes after nine. She cursed herself for going to that dumb party. Maybe she could still make it to Tyson and get something to eat? Or maybe just hang out on their own. They could sit outside and watch the stars for all she cared; all that mattered was being with him.
God, I'm turning into a sap because of this man...
Standing up, she faced her reflection. Her makeup was patchy, so she dabbed her face with her fingers, blending in any creases she had. Her stare was wary as she brushed her hair with her hands. Laboring her breathing, she decided to text Tyson.
Aura: I'm down to go out..I know u probably already ate by now, but how does dessert sound?
She took a shaky breath and reached for the door. Her phone vibrated in her hand with a new notification.
Tyson: Sounds good! Pick you up or?
Aura: I'll get u ;)
Tyson: Alright, Miss Chandler, I'll be waiting for you
Aura forced her smile down and placed her phone inside her bag. She needed to get out of there as soon as possible. All she needed to do was get away from Zachary and try not to stumble into any of his friends, especially Millie or Iris.
She stepped out of the bathroom just as Zachary rounded the hallway. He breathed out in relief and buried his fingers in his blond hair.
"Is everything alright?" He asked. His voice was oddly leveled, as if he was forcing himself to stay calm and neutral.
Aura managed a nod, holding her bag closer to her body.
"Did I do something, Aura?" He continued, stretching an arm to her. Without even asking, he stepped into her personal space, softly touching her waist. "Do you not want to...?" He trailed off and proceeded to trail kisses on the side of her neck.
She put a hand on his chest, not wanting him to continue his advances. Her protests were swallowed down her throat as someone burst into the room, yelling for Zachary.
He cursed under his breath and walked away from her. She released a breath she was holding, and followed him into the open. Parker was there, concern etched on his face.
"Dude, it's bad. You need to come down now," Parker told Zachary. "They broke a few things."
Aura turned back and hid behind the wall. She heard Zachary curse. Before she could check what was happening, the two shuffled out of the room. She frowned and walked back out, staring at the empty space in front of her.
That was the third time Zachary left her like nothing.
She turned her frown into a smile. Perhaps dancing around with Millie and Iris was fun for a while, but Zachary was being weird all around. For the first time ever, Aura wasn't in the mood to have his type of fun. He didn't seem to enjoy her lack of want, but whatever was happening at the party had saved her ass.
Now she could go where she actually wanted to be: with Tyson.
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