The sun strikes some rays of light that diffracted through the window. Aurora let out a loud yawn as she stretched her arms; it was already past 10AM.
She tightened her gown softly then staggered her way to the door, yanking it open, she's greeted by Alex, in his hands was a banquet of flowers with dollars entrapped at every corner.
She paused in bewilderment, eyes flashed open, brushing her hand through her hair.
"Oh no !," she melted, a short gasp escaping her lips.
"I also brought you gifts." Alex said wearing a gorgeous smile but Aurora had a tiring grumpy look folding her hands, face down as she played with her front hair.
"I'm sorry about yesterday, I'm sorry I over reacted, please…"
She quickly backed him, her eyes void of any smile.
Alex paused before exhaling out softly, slowly he walked towards her, whispering to her ears.
"You look more like a Chinwawa with that grumpy look you're wearing, cheer up , it's boxing day remember and you know how you've always wanted us to go boxing." He recalled, his eyes rolling in circles but no response came from Aurora.
"I got you a purple dress.." He finally revealed, his brows arched eager to get a response but she still remained unphased.
Alex swallowed hard then gave a light whisper to her ears.
"Don't you think it will be hard for the family to see you like this, in this state?
It's totally fine to be furious…. but I will drop everything here at the door, everything for you. "Happy Boxing Day Aurora." He retired, turning his back to leave, a hand pulled him from behind.
"Don't go Alex, I need you."
"You were crying?." He replied in surprise.
"I couldn't hold it back, I melted when I saw you but… the thought of Peter, your half brother only made me feel I had betrayed his trust." She sobbed,her tears falling freely. Alex hesitantly pulled out a soft cloth in an attempt to wipe her eyes as both gazes met each other. Aurora pressed on his palm on her cheek. "Thank you Alex for making my first day of holiday here a fun one."
"It's fine Aurora, just like I would always say, you deserve to be happy and I will do anything to make sure you are okay." He confessed.
She blushed, blinking her eyelids.
"It would be my pleasure to go boxing with you today." He demanded, a hand brought out in anticipation.
She chuckled before placing her hands on his palm.
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I've got a bigger surprise for you at night." He revealed as he hugged her passionately.
In a few hours, exactly 5pm in the evening, fleets of cars and a circle of friends and loved ones trooped in, in their numbers. Alex and Aurora were already dressed ready for the night party.
For every moment Aurora's gaze remained fixed on the clock and for some weird reasons Alex had a wide grin on his face like though Peter was an easy nut to track and wouldn't be much of a burden to him.
After a few minutes, they both decided to take a walk to help Aurora escape the tension that grew stronger in her heart.
As they walked through the dazzling hall holding arms heading straight outside, a sleek Lamborghini pulled over with Peter.
Alex and Aurora stared at each dumbfounded as they behold Peter in his white apparel.
"Aurora …" Peter let out
"Alex.., aren't you supposed to be inside the banquet hall bonding with the family.
He asked curiously, eyes blazing in fiery.
"Hmm, Well…," He shrugged then came closer to him.
"That's why I came with my friend," He said, pointing to Aurora, a mischievous grin playing across his lips. Aurora softly lowered her face to the ground trying to avoid eye contact.
"Wait a second Aurora so you're aware of this." He said, with arched brows.
Aurora tried to speak but completely went numb as the words felt stuck on her throat.
"Is it now an offense to keep her company while you are away?"
"Don't you dare! don't even say that again, you stand in my face and tell me that you are keeping my own fiancé company!" Peter smacked, his hand pointing towards Alex.
"And who are you to order me around?You seem to have forgotten your place."
Alex fired back, this time they were a few inches away from each other's face.
"You succeeded in monopolizing the family company and here you are practically doing the same to my woman."
Peter snapped, with a clenched fist, eyes;puffy and red.
"You better bring that hand down before I break it, you're not ashamed, you think I'm not aware of the way you treated her ... .huh!" Alex yelled, as anger bubbled in his heart.
"Oh I see where this is driving too." He nodded as his gaze completely flashed to the spot Aurora was standing. Her feets shaking as her heart pounded.
With furrowed brows, he gestured at Aurora in a soft calm tone.
"So this was the reunion we promised each other, you couldn't wait for me, you already got entangled with a total stranger, shit! I hate to admit it, even after everything I went through to set everything aside and be here for you!."
Peter snapped,coming close to Aurora, with piercing eyes, his voice; loud and rebuking.
"You wouldn't blame me, I never knew he was your half brother, we were to be here earlier on and we bonded and when I learnt that you both were related, I felt a heavy weight hit me." She broke out in tears ,trying to clear the air.
"Aurora, you shouldn't be crying for this lunatic!, can't you see that he has completely lost his senses? I thought he came for a reunion but he's already raising his voice at you, is this the man you want to be with?."
Alex plunged in, his words; strong and piercing. Peter's eyes widened as his fist kept on vibrating like he was going to throw a punch but Aurora rushed into the middle.
"Enough!, enough already!." Her voice ; weak and sorrowful.
"Can you both just stop!, you're half brothers and we are all here to bond and enjoy the goodness of the holidays, not to keep bickering." She yelled, her eyes went pale, her pain eschewing from inside.
Both half brothers stood speechless staring closely at each other.
"Please, I need some time to cool off alone please." She said, her voice below a whisper as she walked timidly from their presence.
"Don't think it's over!"
Peter said, before entering his Lamborghini.
Alex fired back "Pathetic loser, she would never be yours!" He bragged, his words gaining momentum as it came out, with a last sinister glance he turned to leave.
Alex knew exactly where Aurora could be and for some weird reasons he was already heading to her knowing deep down that Aurora was one of those ladies who wants your presence indirectly even when she demands to be left alone and this was one thing Alex was aware of. Peter on the other hand drove to the family banquet trying not to make his woman upset, for him, he believes in respecting their opinions but his half brother sees it as her weakness; a hole that needed to be fixed.
Both Alex and Peter were brought up by the same mother so this affects their ways of thinking, reacting and even dealings with people.
About two and half decades ago, Alex's mom, Carlin, had a secret affair with their father, a billionaire don. Being a promiscuous lady that sucks major balls for money. She wasn't interested in parenting but affluence, so she never settled down with her sugar daddy, instead she eloped with her unborn baby which was Peter at that time after conceiving Alex for the billionaire don; her supposed sugar daddy.
Due to this, Peter ended up growing up in an average city where he must learn to strive irrespective of the level of exposure in the city. Few years later, he reunited with his father- the billionaire don.
These life experiences made him care less about people even when he tried to act it up, the misbelief still came hunting him- a past he now welcomes in his mind.
Peter drove to a bar just to cool off and after taking two shots of champagne he got into his car, took out his sunshade, as he stared sinisterly at some graphical contents; a wicked grin playing on his lips
"By tomorrow Aurora would be mine and mine alone." He whispered, desperation edged at the line of his expression as he stared at some concealed content with the subject line"Peter" right there in his phone-a wicked grin playing across his lips.