Aurora
Fouryears later
"Mommy, mommy! I want chocolate cake not strawberry!" Raphael screams.
I try to pacify him, "Sweetie, we have lots of chocolate cakes at home, this one strawberry cake won't harm us," I explain, cupping his face.
"But.. noo," he whines, jumping around and throwing a huge tantrum.
I just stand up, and head to the counter, paying for the strawberry cake. When I'm done there, I grab a screaming Raphael and lead him out of the mall.
"Raphael stop this nonsense now!" I make my voice sound a little firm.
"But I don't want a strawberry cake!" He screams.
Frustration, and anger rush towards my head, "You want to play stubborn? Alright then, stay here and continue throwing tantrums, I'll just leave you here and go back home," I shrug, heading towards the main entrance.
He screams, "Mommy, no! I'm sorry! Wait."
I pretend to ignore him, and continue walking towards the door.
Gosh, raising a three year old has just been turbulent. From the annoying tantrums, the unexpected sobbing, the moments he just disappears and I panic looking all over for him.
Ugh.
A tiny hand wraps around my legs, and I look down to see Raphael pleading with me not to leave him alone.
"If you don't want me to do that, keep quiet, stop throwing a tantrum, this isn't your house, it's a public place, a mall," I warn him.
He nods his cute little head, and I hold his hand, feeling satisfied.
Yes, it's been three years since I left Bluemoon pack. I had to fight tooth and nail to get where I am today. I remember the sleepless nights, the days I cried with hopelessness, all because I didn't want my baby to suffer.
I guess it all paid off. I mean, look who's the third most richest female CEO across the seven packs.
A small smile curls up at the corner of my lips as we head towards my car.
"Okay, Raphael, come here," I pick him up, and place him on the car seat.
"Let me go drop these things in the booth, then we'll leave, okay?"
He nods, and settles down.
I hurriedly rush to place all my items I just bought in the booth of the car. I'm feeling so burned out already, nut unfortunately I don't get to rest anything soon.
Just as I'm about to return to where I left Raphael, my eyes lock with his.
Zuriel.
I freeze on the spot, my heart skipping beats. He hasn't changed so much, he still looks the same, except he does look worn out. Alisha stands beside him, her hands wrapped around his arm.
My heart races when I remember the car door isn't closed, and Raphael is still sitting there.
"Oh no," I bite my lower lip, slowly towards Raphael's side as though I didn't just see him.
"Aurora? Is that you?"
I hiss as he says those words, and I eventually reach Raphael's side.
"Sweetie, we have to leave immediately," I strap his seatbelt over him, and close the door.
I'm about to retreat to the driver's seat, but I turn around too quickly, bumping into something hard. The shock of it makes me gasp, and almost lose my balance.
Fuck it! It's him again.
I don't want to create a scene where my child gets to see me fight with someone.
"Aurora, it's.. been three years."
I roll my eyes pushing him away to create some distance between us.
"Yes it has. Nice to see you again."
"Zuriel? What are you doing? You do know I'm here right?" Alisha snaps at him, but he doesn't flinch, doesn't acknowledge her presence, his eyes are still on me.
"Is that my.."
"No!" I cut him off too quickly.
Ain't no way he's about to claim who he had outrightly rejected.
"Aurora.. I.. please we need to talk," he clasps his hands together, giving me a small faint smile.
"I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry. I have some matters that I want to attend to."
"I know you're mad at me, but please hear me out."
I hiss in annoyance. Of all the things to deal with, this isn't what I wanted to deal with at all. I can't have my ex husband trying to play innocent all of a sudden.
"Mommy?" Raphael peeks his head through the window, "Why haven't we left?"
I look over my shoulder, "Oh honey, we'll be out of here in a minute, just give me some time, okay?"
"Listen to me Zuriel," I push him further away from the car so Raphael can't hear us.
"I'm not in the mood for your acting today. Please stay away from me, and let me be," I warn, then turn on my heels ready to walk away.
Have I ever mentioned Zuriel is shameless? If I haven't, I'm saying it again, this motherfucker is so shameless, it hurts.
The next minute, he drops to his feet, and wraps his arms around my leg.
"Aurora you can't do this to me!" He yells, clinging onto my leg.
"Excuse me?"
"Please just let me talk to you, just once!" He keeps screaming, and yelling like a child.
Ah, it is quite miserable Raphael had to take tantrums from him.
His yelling attracts some curious looks from some passersby
"Zuriel what the fuck?" Alisha rushes to his side to get him away from me, "Why are you begging her all of a sudden?"
"Yes, why are you begging me all of a sudden? We don't have anything in relation."
"Please, I know I have messed up real bad, I'm sorry, and I'm asking that you should please just listen to me," he presses his face against my thighs whimpering.
"Mommy?"
Oh no, this is what I wanted to avoid.
"Zuriel let me go," I pull away as hard as I can, but he stubbornly clutches onto my leg.
"Let me see my son, just one time before you leave."
A laugh escapes my lips, "Is this some kind of joke? Your son? Don't make me angrier than I already am, young man."
This little scene has now attracted a decent number of people around. Alisha seems embarrassed, and distressed by what's happening, so she just covers her face with her palm.
"Get him away from me, aren't you girlfriend?" I shout in frustration.
I have a board meeting in forty five minutes, and my company is a thirty-minute drive from here! What kind of trouble have I brought myself into now?
Alisha tries again to pull him away from me, but he pushes her away so hard, she lands on the ground like a piece of paper.
"This man you're crazy!" I gasp.
The people around begin to murmur as they see what's happening. And I'm sure I hear some ladies there calling me a witch.
Zuriel, being Zuriel, probably takes advantage of this, and continues yelling.
"Don't be cruel, and take my son away from me, let me see my son!" He rocks me back and forth.
"For the last time, he isn't–"
"Is he bothering you, ma'am?"