Chapter 2- Normal Is A Lie
The nineteen-year-old girl descending the stairs is undeniably stunning.
Her long, straight, deep red hair cascades down her back, following her every move. Straight-cut bangs fall across her forehead, framing her pretty face and piercing almond-shaped eyes that gleam with a hint of mystery.
She doesn't look friendly.
She's dressed in black.
All black.
When she enters the dining hall, her parents don't even look surprised.
"Morning," she says simply, dropping her black bag and sitting down.
"Morning," her father, Melvin, replies from the head of the table.
"Auri, are you still upset with us for bringing you back here?" her mother, Gemma, asks cautiously.
"I'm fine. A few sleepless nights won't kill me," Aurora replies coolly, starting to eat.
"We just want you to face your fears. You can't keep running or hiding forever," Melvin says.
"Like I said, I'm fine," she repeats flatly.
They don't push further. They already know how that ends.
"You almost woke up late," Gemma comments.
Here we go...
"Don't start," Aurora mutters as she eats.
"It's a habit now," Gemma continues.
"A bad habit."
"Mom..."
"This is too much, Auri." Gemma sighs. "I just want you to be the happy girl you used to be."
"Well, too bad. Every day is Halloween for me," Aurora replies.
"Try to make some new friends. Not everyone betrays," Melvin adds.
"Hm." It's all she says.
"And for the love of God-don't. hurt. anyone," Gemma says firmly. Aurora rolls her eyes, sipping her juice.
"Champagne would've been better," she mutters, frowning at the drink.
"Who even taught her how to fight?" Melvin asks Gemma.
"I don't fight, Dad," Aurora mutters.
"I beat people up."
Gemma sighs in frustration.
"Well, don't beat anyone up."
Aurora changes the subject before she gets pissed.
"What about your paint shop?" she asks Gemma.
"Art gallery," her mother snaps.
"Yeah, sure."
"Your sarcasm is getting worse," Melvin chuckles.
"She knows what she's doing." Gemma glares at Aurora. She just smirks.
"Getting me a nanny wasn't necessary," Aurora says.
"She worked for us when you were little," Melvin replies. "Since we moved back to New York, we called her again. She always understood you."
"That was then. I'm not the same. She'll get angry and quit, one way or another."
She stands up.
"I was supposed to live alone. I stayed to avoid being followed by bodyguards, but now I regret it."
"I'm leaving." She grabs her bag and walks off.
"Bye," Gemma says.
Melvin says nothing.
"What if we tell her about her childhood sweetheart?" Gemma whispers.
"It's no use. She doesn't like boys," Melvin replies.
Just then, Aurora's phone rings.
She swipes green immediately.
"Babyyyy..."
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TBC