Chapter 12 #2
“I know, and I’m very sorry for having separated you from her. I was wrong, I’m sorry. Aurora has missed you a lot, when she wakes up and sees you she’ll be very happy,” he stated, and the warmth in his tone of voice surprised me again.
“I’m sure we’ll have fun,” I said, smiling as I imagined her little face when she saw me.
“I have no doubt. I wish I could be there with you both,” he maintained, which left me perplexed and I didn’t know what to say, so I remained silent and he added, “I’ll let you rest, good night, Devon, and thank you again for your help.”
“Good night.”
I ended the call and realized my hands were shaking.
He always managed to alter my pulse in a way no one ever had before.
For a few minutes I sat thinking about our conversation and the crazy idea crossed my mind that he had been flirting with me, but that was impossible because after our last conversation I had made it clear to him that I didn’t trust him for a relationship and he had been offended.
I shook my head. That man was going to drive me crazy.
I got up and headed toward the bedroom area.
I opened the door to the one across from Aurora’s.
It was a very nice bedroom, decorated in subdued colors but with modern furniture, and it was evident that no one used it, so I decided I would stay there.
I left Aurora’s bedroom door open and mine as well so I could hear her.
I didn’t undress because I hadn’t brought any sleepwear, so I lay down on top of the comforter.
It was an extremely comfortable bed and, within minutes, I fell asleep.
I was awakened by some light knocking on the door. When I turned and opened my eyes, I found Delia, the lady in charge of the kitchen. I had met her during previous visits and she had seemed like a very nice lady. Delia was a little over 60 years old and cooked wonderfully well.
“Good morning, doctor.”
“Good morning, Delia,” I greeted her, sitting up in bed.
“Excuse me for bothering you. I wanted to let you know that breakfast is ready. Alba told me you would be staying with us,” she said, with a big smile.
“Just for today. When Aurora is ready we’re going to go to my apartment.”
“I’m sorry, doctor, I had understood that you would be staying here,” she commented, surprised, and I assumed it was because of the fact that Cavaller was allowing Aurora to stay somewhere else.
“Don’t worry, and please call me Devon. Is Aurora still sleeping?”
“Yes, she’s still asleep. When she sees you she’ll be very happy.”
“I hope so,” I said, smiling, and stood up.
“I’ll leave you to get up in peace,” she said, and left.
“Thank you.”
I went to the en-suite bathroom of the bedroom and, when I was ready, I headed to Aurora’s room. I sat on the bed and began to caress her small, angelic face.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
Aurora slowly opened her eyes and, when she focused them on me, she sat up in bed with a big smile.
“Divooon.”
I stretched out my arms and she threw herself at me. I hugged her tight and covered her face with kisses while she laughed happily.
“How is the little princess of the house?”
“Good,” she replied, with a big smile.
“I have a surprise for you. Would you like to come to my house and stay with me for a few days?”
“Yiiiiiii.”
“Then, now we’re going to have breakfast and then we’ll go to my house and these days we’re going to have a lot of fun. Do you agree?”
“Yiiiiii.”
“Perfect. So now we need to go to the bathroom. Let’s go,” I said, taking her in my arms while she hugged me tight.
The tenderness that this child inspired in me was something I had never felt before. I adored Aurora and I knew she was very fond of me because she showed it with enthusiasm and wonderful sweetness. At that moment I understood how much I had missed her and how important she was to me.
We had breakfast peacefully and at 10 in the morning we left the house and set off for mine with a suitcase full of clothes and toys.
She was delighted and didn’t stop talking the entire trip.
I had already called the clinic requesting a few days of leave for a family matter and they hadn’t given me any trouble.
They knew that I had always been available to cover shifts and days that nobody wanted and my vacations were scarce, so they didn’t put any obstacles in my way and, initially, I was going to take a week or ten days off.
I had to solve the bed situation for Aurora, so I called Sylvia to guide me on where to buy one. Aurora was sitting on the couch playing with several of her dolls and, every so often, she would bring them to me and show them to me.
“Hello, Devon.”
“Hello, Sylvia. Can you talk?” I asked, as soon as she answered.
“Yes, I’m at home. I have the night shift today. How have you been?”
“Very well, thank you. I’m calling because I need some advice.”
Sylvia was aware of my last conversation with Cavaller, so I proceeded to tell her everything that had happened the night before, and about my new roommate for a few days.
“Where do you think I could get a bed for Aurora?” I asked, after finishing my story.
“Devon, are you aware that this situation brings you closer to her father again and that he’ll probably insist on sleeping with you?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because it’s more than obvious that the guy is crazy about you.
Just seeing him that day we ran into him at the restaurant was enough for me to realize how possessive he is with you and how he takes care of you.
I hadn’t told you this before, but since you’re going to see each other again, I don’t think I can keep quiet about it anymore.
I think you two are in love,” she finally said.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“I’m more sane than ever. That man feels something for you, and I’m sure you feel something strong for him too.”
“You’re wrong. I won’t deny that I’m very attracted to him and that... you know... I desire him,” I whispered, as if Aurora could understand anything we were talking about, “but there’s a huge gap between that and being in love.”
“No gap at all, you can’t fool me. You have strong feelings for him. And, to be clear, I think that’s fine, as long as you’re sure you won’t get hurt,” she pointed out.
“And how can I be sure of that? It’s impossible to be sure, but I’m not in love with him.”
“Alright, let’s leave this topic for now. Would you like me to go with you to buy the bed for the little girl? That way we can see each other and chat for a while. I start work at six in the evening.”
“Perfect, I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The time we spent with Sylvia was wonderful.
She and Aurora got along right away, although Aurora was shy and wouldn’t leave my side.
At that moment I understood why everyone else had been so surprised by her relationship with me; it was obvious that she was a child who didn’t open up much to strangers and was rather shy, but with me she had gotten along wonderfully from the moment we met.
We had lunch and then visited several places looking for a bed that would be safe for her.
I ended up buying a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, and all the necessary bedding.
Later, after dropping Sylvia off at the clinic where she worked, we went for ice cream and then stopped by a toy store to buy some toys.
The furniture would be delivered the next day, so Aurora would have to sleep with me that night.
When we got to my apartment, I noticed she was tired, so I prepared something for her to eat, gave her a bath, and put her to bed. I only read a couple of pages before she fell asleep.
I went back to the living room to gather all the toys that had been left on the floor and then sat down to reflect.
Spending the whole day with that little girl had been incredible.
I was clear that Aurora awakened my maternal instinct, and that was very dangerous for me, but I preferred to suffer rather than abandon her.
That small, fragile, and vulnerable child needed me, and I wasn’t going to fail her, even if I later paid the consequences with a broken heart.
My phone started ringing, pulling me from my thoughts.
It was Cavaller. He had called in the afternoon, and I had spoken very little with him because I had immediately passed the phone to Aurora.
Just to reassure him, I had only mentioned that my work situation was resolved, and I had preferred that he speak with his daughter.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hello, Devon. How has your day been?” he asked, very delicately.
“We had a very nice day. She’s sleeping now.
But don’t worry because she’s doing very well.
She likes my apartment and is fascinated with the toys we bought today,” I told him, but I didn’t want to say anything about buying the furniture because I was aware that it might give him the impression that I wanted Aurora to come stay with me often, even though that was what I truly desired with all my heart.
“I have no doubt how happy she must be, and thank you very much for taking the trouble to buy her toys.”
“It was no trouble at all, I’m also enjoying Aurora’s company.”
“I would have liked to call earlier to wish her goodnight, but today was a complicated day,” he said, and I could tell from his voice that he was really tired.
“Don’t worry. She’s fine and hasn’t asked about you,” I said, though I immediately regretted it because knowing that his daughter didn’t miss him might not please him much.
“That, believe it or not, puts me at ease and makes me happy. I wouldn’t want to know that she’s not having a good time, but I’m clear that she’s happy with you,” he affirmed, surprising me.
“Have you heard anything from Alba? I sent her a message, but I haven’t had a response,” I asked, to change the subject.
“I spoke with her and she was organizing everything for when they discharge her son. The surgery was a success and the boy is doing well. She was very emotional about being there.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
“Devon...” he said, but didn’t finish whatever he was going to say.
“Yes?” I said, encouraging him to speak.
“Nothing, nothing. We’ll talk tomorrow. Sleep well.”
“You too.”
When we finished talking, I sat staring at the phone.
We had such calm and warm conversations that there were moments when I was left speechless.
I knew it was because he needed me, but the situation we were experiencing showed me a facet of his personality that I hadn’t known before and made him seem more human in my eyes.
I didn’t want to think about the possibility of having something with him again, but the mind is treacherous and, without wanting to, I found myself questioning whether this situation could bring us closer and allow us to be together again.
I really didn’t want to think about it because I had been the one who told him I didn’t want a relationship with him, but in those days I had longed for him so much that I was very confused.
With all that spinning in my head, I went to bed.
Having Aurora by my side didn’t help me stop thinking about Cavaller and a possible. ..
No, Devon! Don't think about that because you know it's impossible. You can't aspire to that!, I told myself.
I was clear that having a family was something that would never happen for me. I had to banish William from my thoughts.
I gave Aurora a kiss on the forehead, rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes trying to sleep.
Aurora snuggled up to my body and hugged me.
I stroked her little head feeling my heart exploding with tenderness, but, without realizing it, a great anguish began to grow inside me and didn’t stop until I burst into tears.
I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to contain the crying.
I couldn’t cry, I shouldn’t cry. I lay staring at the ceiling feeling the warmth of Aurora’s little body and inhaling her scent, a mixture of innocence and baby.
I don’t know what time sleep took hold of me.