Aurora’s Pov I felt like a new born who was just seeing the world for the first time. I could not help it, after being blind for three years, it was a privilege to see again. I held the cake I had bought to celebrate the recovery of my sight with my fiancee Nathan. He had been supportive to me for the past three years and I wanted to show him how grateful I was. It was also his birthday so it was a double celebration for us. “You seem to be in high spirit ma’am,” The cab driver commented as he stopped in front of the estate Nathan and I shared. “Yes I am,” I answered as I gave him his money and came outside. The weather suddenly changed and it started drizzling. I quickened my footsteps as the drizzling rain turned into a downpour. I got inside quickly and opened the door with excitement. I rushed in happily but the scene I met stopped me in my tracks. My mouth fell open as I continued to stare at the scene in front of me. I blinked several times to check if I was hallucinating but no matter how much I close my eyes and opened them, the scene never changed. Right before my eyes was my fiancee kissing and smooching another woman. My hands clutched tightly to the cake. My clothes were drenched from the rain because I had used them to cover the cake so it would not be ruined by the rain. I stood there motionlessly until Nathan finally noticed me. He looked at me with desires in his eyes but they were not for me. “Aurora is here, let’s reduce our noise,” He said in a teasing tone to the woman as he crushed his mouth to hers. I knew I could not tell him the goodnews because of what I had witnessed so I continued to act blind while I watched painfully as they continued their romance. After a while, the woman detached herself from Nathan and sighed. “Relax babe, Aurora is blind so there is no need for us to be careful because she won’t be able to notice anything,” The woman whispered to Nathan but I could still hear it. Hearing her voice, I then knew who she was. Vanessa Sinclair. She was Nathan’s business partner. She often visited so while I could recognize her voice, I could not recognize her face because I was blind. Nathan reluctantly let go of her and faced me. He thought I was still blind so he pretended to see me for the first time. “Aurora! How are you doing? Why is your clothes wet and what are you doing here? I thought you went abroad for treatment and would not be coming back anytime soon?” He asked faking concern into his voice. Vanessa scoffed and went to sit on a chair as she watched us. I felt like plucking out his eyes but I had to reign in my emotions. There was too much at stake so I could not act rashly. “I came back early so I can celebrate your birthday,” I answered forcing a smile on my face. “Oh, you should not have bothered, it’s not a big deal, getting your eyesight back is more important,” He said. “What happened to your voice? Why are you sounding like this?” I asked with fake concern as I noticed the hoarseness in his voice. “I caught a cold,” He stated coldly. I could see that he was already getting impatient with me because he could not wait to continue his romance with Vanessa. I was about to say something when he spoke again. “You know what, why don’t you help me get my cold medicine from the coffee table,” He instructed. I saw Vanessa stifle her laughter and I wandered what was amusing to her until I reached the coffee table and understood why. There was no medicine on the table. Instead, what I saw was a box of condom. I gritted my teeth and balled my hands into a fist. The bastard! He was testing me to know if I was truly blind. I smiled bitterly to myself. I will make him believe that I was still blind to make him lower his guard so I can plan my next move. My hand trembled as I picked up the box and gave them to him. “Thank you Aurora,” He said with mockery in his voice while Vanessa could barely contained her laughter. “How did you get a cold?” I ask. “I don’t know, the weather maybe,” He answered dismissively. “Oh, okay,” I replied. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with, I just need to rest,” He said and gestured to Vanessa. She stood up and walked to his outstretched arms. He carried her in bridal style while she giggled quietly. I watched him carry her into the bedroom, our bedroom. He got to the door and turned back. “You need to rest Aurora, I don’t want you to fall sick and don’t worry, we will celebrate the birthday together later at night,” He informed me and walked inside the room. I slumped on the floor as I heared the door click shut inside. The tears came swift and fast and I clutched my chest tightly. Three years ago, I had lost my eyesight in an attempt to rescue Nathan when he was kidnapped. He had promised to take care of me and be the eyes I would use to see. To prove his loyalty, he had taken it upon himself to take care of my mother’s hospital bills. I had believed him, I had trusted him but here he was, cheating on me without remorse. I wanted to expose him but when I thought of my mother and the fear of him retaliating, I knew I had to calm down and bid my time. I cleaned my eyes and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I washed my face and cleaned it with tissue. I was about to discard the tissue in the waste bin when my eyes fell on something inside. I picked it up and saw that it was a pregnancy test strip and it was positive. I covered my mouth in shock at the realization. Vanessa was pregnant!
Aurora’s Pov I staggered back to the sitting room and sat on the floor. I was too shocked and heartbroken to think. Just then, Nathan came out of the bedroom half naked. His body was covered with kisses marks and bruises and I did not need anyone to tell me what had occurred in the bedroom. Vanessa followed closely behind him completely naked. She held his arms smiling contentedly. It was obvious they were no longer trying to hide their affair. They thought I was still blind so they did not see any reason to hide it. I was too dazed to say anything. I just watched them in silence as my heart kept breaking into tiny pieces. They noticed the way I was looking and Nathan approached me. “What is wrong Aurora? You look pale, are you okay?” He asked. I knew he was not being sincere but seeing him act all loving, I felt repulsive. I didn’t say anything and he tried to touch me but I quickly pulled back. I could not bear the feeling of his dirty hands on me. Those hands that had once filled me with pleasure now made me want to throw up. “Aurora, is everything alright?” He asked again. I noticed the awkwardness and pulled myself together. I decided to bait him. “I’m fine but when are you going to announce our engagement?” I inquired. He was taken aback by the sudden question and was at lost for what to say. “I.. I…well, I am not yet ready, there is no rush,” He stammered as he spoke. I smiled bitterly in my heart at the lie. I had already seen the condescending look on his face and that was when I knew that he had always looked at me like that, I was blind then so I could not see it. He was no longer hiding his reaction in front of me because he thought that I could not see him. He was already cheating and she was pregnant, so there was no reason for him to announce a blind girl to the world as his fiance. “Alright, I understand,” I answered with forced smile. “There will be a grand party tonight to celebrate Nathan’s birthday so prepare,” Vanessa informed me with mockery in her tone. *** I had thought it was going to be a small party but Vanessa was obviously not playing when she said it was ‘a grand’ party. They were influential people in attendance and from the look of things, it was obvious that they were aware of Nathan’s relationship with Vanessa. I was the only one in the dark. They had gone public with their relationship. No wonder Nathan did not want to announce our engagement. When people asked him who I was at the party, he told them I was his adopted sister. Vanessa even wore my clothes and jeweleries since they were certain that I was blind. “Oh, it’s such a pity that you are blind, this banquet is everything!” Vanessa gushed beside me. I could not understand what her problem was but I was not in the mood to answer her. “Yes, it would have been a fine sight to see,” I answered dryly. It was obvious that my reaction was not what she was expecting as I saw anger flashed in her eyes. She smiled coldly and touched my necklace that she was wearing. “And you won’t believe how perfectly well this necklace suit me. If only you could see it.” She said but I only smiled at her. I understood now that she was trying to provoke me. I did not know what she hoped to achieved by that but I was not going to fall for her schemes. “You know, this necklace is actually for you and even the clothes I’m putting on. Alexander told me to wear them because it would be a waste to leave them for you because you will not be able to appreciate their beauty due to your blindness,” She added. I knew she deliberately mentioned Alexander’s name to get me worked up but I was already too heartbroken and feeling betrayed to care anymore. Vanessa became frustrated when she saw that I still remained calm despite her best effort to get me rilled up. She looked at me with a knowing smirk in her face and I knew she was up to no good. I wondered what she was going to do when she clicked her glass slightly, drawing everybody’s attention. “I have an announcement to make everyone,” She said and the room fell silent. “Nathan and I are expecting a child! I’m pregnant!” She announced with exaggerated cheerfulness and I almost choked. I saw Nathan cast a worried glance at my direction but it was brief as he was surrounded by people congratulating him. I took this as a good opportunity and went to meet Nathan. “Nathan, why don’t we break off our engagement because there is no need to keep this up between us and nobody even knew in the first place that we are engaged,” I suggested calmly to Nathan who was still shocked by Vanessa’s sudden announcement. He turned to me and the shock on his face changed to rage. “What are you thinking?” He asked me coldly. “Nothing, I just want to make things easier for you and Vanessa,” I answered in the same calm tone. Nathan ruffled his head in frustration as he tried to calm himself down. “Look Aurora, it’s not what you are thinking, Vanessa is lying, just believe me okay, I don’t know why you would ever think that I would leave you for another woman, you are supposed to trust me,” He said trying to gaslight me. I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to guilt trip me into believing him but I already saw the evidence of Vanessa’s pregnancy so there was no need. I almost laughed at his pathetic act but I knew I was powerless to confront him head on. “Nathan, it’s okay, I’m not angry, I just want what’s best for you,” I told him. He let out an exasperated sigh and was about to say something when the door opened. A powerful man entered the banquet hall and everyone became stunned.
Aurora’s Pov I was stunned just like everyone by the man’s presence but for a different reason. I was stunned by the sheer handsomeness of the man and the confident way in which he carried himself but when I looked around, I saw the fear on everyone’s face. I could not help but wonder who this powerful strange man was that had the power to make a room full of influential people to become suddenly quiet. I glanced at Nathan and saw the fear in his eyes. So there was finally someone who the great Nathan Wolfe was afraid of. This was becoming more interesting. I was grateful at that moment for the blind act I was putting on. It made me able to observe things without being noticed. “What’s going on here? I was told this is a birthday banquet but it’s feeling more like a funeral,” The strange man said. His cold voice boomed inside my ears sending shivers down my spine. There was authority and power in the way he spoke. Everyone still kept looking at him in fear including Nathan but after a few moments, he regained his composure. “Matteo Moretti! What are you doing in my party?” Nathan asked. I knew he was trying to act courageous but deep down, he was shivering with fear. The strange man Matteo seemed to noticed and he only smiled but the smile did not reach his eyes. “What? Am I not invited,” He asked Nathan in an almost teasing tone. There was tension in the room but Nathan quickly smiled to easy the tension. “Of course you are welcome, it’s just that I was not expecting a man of your importance to grace my small party,” Nathan answered and burst into laughter. The rest of the people also joined in the laughter. “It’s a privilege to have you at my birthday banquet,” Nathan said and Matteo smiled. “Thank you! Now let’s have fun!” He intoned. The tension seemed to dissipate a bit as everyone started moving slowly again. I heaved a sigh of relief and bent my head. I was still thinking about who the stranger was. I had not heard that name Sebastian Hale before. Had the world really changed in the three years that I was blind? I was lost in my thoughts when I felt someone staring at me. I raised my head up and was startled to see Matteo’s cold blue eyes boring into my face. I flinched and tried my best to pretend that I could not see him but somehow, I felt he knew that I could see him. “Who is that?” I heard him asking Nathan. “Oh, her name is Aurora, she is my adopted sister,” Nathan answered as he turned to me. “She is blind so she is not able to see you,” Nathan quickly explained to cover up for my silence. “Really? That’s interesting,” Matteo noted and gave me a knowing smile. I swallowed hard and was wondering what I should do next when Vanessa stepped in. I was almost grateful for her interference until I heard what she had to say. “Matteo, why don’t we make the party fun again by asking Aurora to dance for you,” She suggested. Heat burned into my face and I blushed in embarrassment. I knew Vanessa was not happy with things being out of her control so she was using me as a scapegoat. “Yes, we need the entertainment and Aurora can provide that,” Nathan readily agreed. I could see that he did so because he was still angry with me for having the audacity to tell him to break our engagement. He was trying teach me a lesson so that I will know that he is the boss. I knew that Nathan was not angry because I suggested we cancel our engagement, in fact, I knew that was what he wanted but he was angry because I was the one who suggested it and not him. I had always known that Nathan could be ruthless when he want to be but he had always been acting nice to me so I almost forgot this side of him. He was pained that I could think of leaving him when he was the one who was supposed to leave me. It was too much for his overinflated ego to take. “Wow, won’t she be shy?” Matteo asked clearly enjoying the drama. “She is blind anyways, so there is no need for her to be shy since she can’t see anyone,” Nathan answered. He knew I could not refuse because I was a nobody here and that no one would stand up for me. “Aurora, come and dance for our guest!” Vanessa ordered. I almost cried at this point. They were doing everything to humiliate me and I could see the disgusting looks the people around were giving me. With no hope in sight, I walked to the stage as my last shred of dignity shatter. Just as I was about to climb the stage, Matteo’s voice stopped me. “I don’t mind dancing a duet,” He said and the room fell silent. Everyone watched in shock as Matteo walked to me and held my hands. I recoiled instinctively but he held me tightly and drew me closer to himself. “You better dance!” He whispered in my ears. His voice was as cold as his icy blue eyes. I knew I had to choice but to dance with him. He was already saving me from embarrassment so this was a way of paying him back. The music started and we began to dance. Matteo was a good dancer, I would give it to him. All through the dance, he held me close and I felt warmth as our body touched. It was a feeling I had never felt before. I felt my legs wobble but Matteo was quick to hold me. His movements was perfect and swift. After the song ended, everyone started clapping. “Thank you sir,” I said to Matteo and I was about to go when he drew me back. My head landed on his solid chest and my heart raced. He lifted my face to him and before I could comprehend what was happening, he crushed his lips to mine and kissed me.
Aurora’s pov I heard the people gasped in shock and I tried to pull back but Sebastian did not let go. His mouth took mine in a possessive manner. There was nothing calm about the kiss. It was hungry, bruising and obsessive. He only stopped when he noticed that I was beginning to gasped for breath. He released me in a gentle manner that was the direct opposite of the kiss. I felt dizzy and has to hold him for support. When I finally steadied myself, I saw everyone looking at us still shocked and I almost wished for the ground to open and swallow me. “What was the meaning of that Sebastian? How could you do that?” Nathan shouted angrily. “Why can’t I do that?” Sebastian questioned. “Besides, she belongs to me now so I’m taking her with me!” He announced. I gasped in shock, same with everyone in the room. “No! You are not taking her with you!” Nathan objected. Sebastian did not look fazed by Nathan’s refusal. He simply flashed that same cold smile. “Why not? You told me she is your adopted sister and besides, you already have your woman who is pregnant with your child,” Sebastian calmly reminded Nathan. Nathan was speechless and did not know what to say. “Good! I don’t think there should be any objections,” He simply said and dragged me away. I tried to stop him but compared to Sebastian, I was like a small fly. “Stop! Let me go!” I protested. It was as if I was talking to a stone. He did not even behave like he heard me. He kept dragging me until we got to a door, he opened it and threw me inside. I could no longer pretend to be blind, fear gripped my heart as I realized that it was only the two of us in the room. “What do you want from me?” I asked him scared. If I thought Nathan was scary, Sebastian was a hundred times worse. He walked towards me but I moved back. He kept walking towards me and I kept moving back until my back touched the wall and I knew I had met a dead end. He got closer and I recoiled. “Let me go please! I’m just a poor blind girl with nothing to offer you sir,” I pleaded with my eyes closed. Sebastian burst into laughter and my eyes flew open. “Blind? Really? Let’s see how true that is,” He said and rushed to me. I screamed and closed my eyes in fear as he placed his hands on the wall above my head. “Look at me!” He ordered and my eyes flew open instantly. “Are you really blind?” He asked with dead coldness. “Yes..sir..I…am..” I stuttered as I lied. Sebastian scoffed in mockery. “Since you insist on lying, why don’t I put my fingers into your eyes and see your reaction,” He suggested in an almost playful tone. “Ah! Sir! Please no!” I shouted but Sebastian held my two hands with one hand and placed them on the wall above my head. He brought his other hand forward towards my eyes. My heart began to beat faster. I had just regained my sight. There was no way I was going to lose them again just because I was trying to put up an act. From the look of things, Sebastian was not a man to joke around. If he said he was going to poke my eyes, he was really going to. I had no choice but to tell him he truth. “I’m sorry sir! I’m not blind please! I was blind three years ago but after getting treatment recently, I was able to see. I didn’t want Nathan to know I caught him cheating with Vanessa so I decided to continue to act blind, please sir, forgive me for lying,” Tears streamed down my face as I exposed everything. Sebastian stopped with his finger midway to my eyes. He smiled coldly. “Now, that’s better, you should learn that Sebastian is not a stupid man, I can tell truth from lie from a distance,” He boasted. I was too drained to say anything, I only nodded my head in silence. He released my hands and I slumped to the floor. My legs were too exhausted to keep me standing straight. “Stand up! We have things to discuss,” He ordered. I did not wait for him to repeat himself before I forced my already tired legs to stand. The room was silent and the tension was so thick that a knife could cut through it. “So, sir, would you have really poke my eyes if I had refused to say the truth?” I managed to ask trying to break the silence. Sebastian smiled coldly at me. “Yes,” He answered simply. I instantly went pale, he noticed my reaction and laughed. “Don’t worry Aurora, we are going to spend a lot of time together and you will come to know who Sebastian Hale really is and how ruthless he can be,” Sebastian told me. I could hardly believe my ears, was this man really boasting about being ruthless and heartless? Who exactly was he? “Who are you sir?” I dared to ask him. “You will find out soon enough,” He answered dismissively. I was not happy with the way he was treating me and how he was putting me on suspense. “What do you want from me sir?” I asked him. “Simple! You are going to be my wife,” He answered. “What?” I shouted in shock. “Yes,” He continued without even acknowledging my shocked reaction. “We are going to get married but it will be just for six months. It’s a contract marriage and trust me you will be well compensated.” He said but I was still too shocked to say anything. “You will be treated with the respect that comes with being Sebastian Hale’s wife and I will help you bring those that humiliated you like those two under your feet but there is a condition,” He explained. “What condition?” I asked after I finally found my voice. “You must keep up your act of blindness in public!” He answered.
Aurora’s Pov “What?” I asked in disbelief. “What is the problem? You are already pretending to be blind so you should not have an issue with continuing the act,” He answered. “No, please sir, I don’t want to marry you,” I pleaded. He looked at me and shook his head. “Aurora, we are going to get married so you are going to address me as Sebastian and not sir!” He instructed. Was this man being serious? Fear gripped my heart and I found myself moving back. “Please sir…” I started to speak but he cut me short. “Aurora!” He snapped and hit the wall. I almost collapsed from fear. “This will be the last time I will warn you! Call me sir again and you will regret it!” He warned. I nodded my head and swallowed hard. “And another thing, when I say something or ask you a question, I expect you to answer and not nod your head like a lizard,” He said. “Is that clear?” He asked. “Yes..si.. Sebastian!” I answered quickly and quietly. “Good!” He said and smiled at me at bit warmly. “But why do you need me to be blind?” I asked him. “That’s because, marrying a blind girl would be good for my image,” He answered with the warmth still in his voice. I decided to take this little opportunity to say my mind. “Please Sebastian, let me go home and think about it,” I suggested. “This isn’t a negotiation Aurora, go home and pack your things because I will be coming to pick you up tomorrow,” He said in a voice that left no room for arguments. I was furious and could not help but curse my bad luck for meeting him but there was nothing I could do. *** When I got back to the estate, I met Nathan alone. Vanessa had not come back with him and I wondered why. Was he angry with her for announcing her pregnancy and exposing their relationship to me? They were the least of my concern at this moment. It was hard to believe that just few hours ago, I was thinking of how to escape from Nathan now, I’m thinking of how to avoid the man that even Nathan was scared of. Whoever was writing the story of my life was certainly a wicked person with no iota of love for me. “Aurora! Thank God you are back, I was already getting worried,” Nathan said as he rushed to me but I pulled back. He noticed my reaction and his expression softened more. “Look Aurora, I know you are angry with me because of Vanessa and I’m really sorry, she was the one who seduced and forced herself on me, I’m really sorry,” He apologized sounding all regretful but I know it was all an act. Nathan was such an animal. He had suddenly turned around to put the blame on Vanessa. If I had not caught him with Vanessa before, I would have believed him with the way he was sounding but I knew better. “Nathan, like I said before, I don’t have an issue with your relationship with Vanessa, in fact, I’m happy for you which is why I wanted us to go our separate ways,” I explained calmly but inside of me was a raging storm. “Can you just stop being stubborn! What is your problem? I already apologized to you, what else do you want?” He shouted. He was already losing his cool. He could not keep up with the regretful act anymore. “Nathan, my response still remain the same and nothing will change it!” I told him. He started laughing as he began to pace around. I became scared because I did not know what his next reaction will be. “I think I know where your sudden confidence is coming from.” He finally spoke after turning around for a while. “It’s because of Sebastian Hale right? Because he kissed you and tried to claim you as his own but let me tell you, you don’t know who he is, a blind, pathetic girl like you will not be able to survive a week by his side,” He hissed in anger. “Look Nathan, Sebastian or no Sebastian, I will still stand by my decision,” I told him totally unfazed by his talks. Looking at Nathan now, I wondered what I had seen in him to have chosen him. To think that I was once madly in love with him made me want to throw up. He appears all cool and good and calm in public but in reality, he was just a decorated beast with money. “I see you are still adamant but don’t forget that your mother’s life lies in my hands,” He boasted. He had threatened me with the one thing he knew I held most important in my life. Fearing for my mother’s life, I quickly left the estate and went to the hospital to check on her myself. I sighed in relief when I noticed that she was still okay. I was too scared to leave her so I spent the night there with her but I could not sleep. The next morning, the door to my mother’s hospital room was flunged open and I saw Nathan come in with a smug look on his face. I became scared and stood in front of my mother. I didn’t know what he had planned but I will never let him harm her. I knew from the look on his face that he was sure he had backed me into a corner and there was nothing I would be able to do. “Don’t you dare touch my mother!” I warned him as he took a step closer. I was silently praying for help to come when I heard noises outside. Before Nathan could say anything, Sebastian walked. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or alarmed because choosing between Sebastian and Nathan was like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. “Nathan! You have no right here because I have taken control of the entire hospital, it’s mine now!” He announced loudly. Nathan was speechless and felt humiliated and he left angrily. A small crowd had gathered around when Sebastian walked in. “Come with me, the nurses will take care of your mother,” Sebastian ordered and without waiting for my response, he took my hand escorted me out of the hospital with everyone watching us. He led me to his car and drove off to his estate. It was two times bigger and better than Nathan’s own. He led me to his home office and gave me a document to fill. “This is the contract form, fill it now!” He said in a voice that left no room for arguments. I knew I could not refuse even if I wanted to. I needed someone to protect my mother and I against Nathan and Sebastian was the best bet. Even if he was like the deep blue sea, I was ready to drown in it if it would keep my mother safe. With my resolve harden and my hands steady, I signed the contract and in that moment, I knew a new life had begun for me.
Aurora’s POV I watched as the hair stylist added a few retouches to my hair, tying it stylishly with a ribbon. To the hair stylist, I was blind. No one else knew I could see except Matteo and his right-hand man. According to Matteo, we could not risk adding extra people to the circle. Tonight was the official engagement party that would tell everyone that we were on the path to marriage. “Your hair looks so nice,” the hairstylist said. “I wish you could see the masterpiece I just worked out with your hair,” the woman added. I could see it. She’s just not aware that I could, and it was meant to be that way. Her work on my hair was truly a masterpiece. I wish I could take an image snapshot, but apparently, that seems to be the last thing on her mind right now. “Thank you, uh….” I trailed off. “Fatima,” she chirped. “Thank you, Fatima,” I replied. She smiled and she left. Waiting a brief moment, I grabbed my phone from the table and took a few selfies. I can’t afford to let these precious moments go to waste. I was going through the selfies when the door opened and Matteo walked through with a man. I remembered him introducing him to me the first day I landed in his estate. “What the hell are you doing?” His face darkened. I met his reflection in the mirror. “Nothing really.” My face was flushed white, and he could see right through me that I was up to something. “What’s that thing in your hand?” He growled. Hesitating, I lifted it slowly until the light caught the black rectangular brick. His reflection in the mirror raised a brow at me, but the other man’s face remained stoic. The first time I saw him, it was easy for me to mistake him for a mannequin until I saw him walk. Now, he was doing it again. Matteo walked towards me and plucked the phone from my hand. I sprang up to my feet to protest when he gave me a look. I stilled, and he dragged his eyes back to the screen. A chuckle spilled from his lips. “Pictures, huh?” His eyes darted between me and the device he was holding. “You really are a beautiful lady, Aurora.” His eyes were glinting with mischief. “But you don’t have to worry. I’m committed to keeping our contract.” I didn’t reply to him. He made a simple face before tossing my phone to the floor. It landed and cracked. I looked sharply at him in shock. “What are you doing?” I almost shrieked. “What I should have done all this while,” he closed the gap between us. “As my wife, you can’t be seen using that cheap thing. I’ll make arrangements for my men to get you a device befitting of who you are.” “But…but the pictures?” I stuttered. “Need not worry,” he croaked. “My cameramen are going to snap you so much that you’d have to beg them to stop.” “Now, if you don’t mind, the engagement gala is not going to attend itself.” He added. I picked up the dark glasses on the dressing desk and slipped them over my eyes before I took his hand. “Whenever I’m not with you, stay close to Arturo as much as possible,” he gestured to the scowling-faced man with him. I nodded. I spared him a glance and I almost fell into the trap of nodding. Regaining my composure, I answered. “Yes, of course.” He tilted his head ever so slightly to the side and added. “That was better than the first time.” When we entered the ballroom, everywhere was filled. This was my first time seeing this number of dignitaries gathered together in one place. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that the game was on, and I slipped into my best acting mode. Matteo was commanding the room as he walked in. While the music still played, everybody respected themselves. Voices started to murmur within the hall, the ones behind me more pronounced that the rest of the voices in the hall. “She’s the blind one,” a male voice hushed behind me. “I heard it was an accident,” another man hushed. “No, it seems like….” Matteo had turned around when the voices stopped in an instant. His hands on me were possessive and commanding at the same time, and he dished out subtle instructions as we continued through the party. At some point, I glimpsed Nathan standing with one of the guests, fuming for no reason. I wondered. If he had done the right thing, Matteo wouldn’t have attended the ceremony to whisk me away. Either way, if Matteo hadn’t come for my rescue, the truth of the matter was that we were done. He made his choice, and I made mine. All we need to do now is live with our choices. “Smile,” he commanded as he led me onto the dance floor. I forced a smile on my face. From the way Matteo led me across the dance floor, every head was turning occasionally in our direction. I could interprete from the current situation that the ladies wished they were the ones in my position, judging from the number of glares they threw my way. I was, however, unbothered. This was a contract. Once the details of the agreement were satisfied, we’d all go our separate ways. And they can be free to have him if they want to. As the song ended, Matteo led me off the dance floor to a side of the hall. While we stood there, he greeted a few special guests who walked up to him. I took note of every single face while keeping up with the blind act. Some of the ladies spoke about how I was beautiful I looked. Some of them emphasized that I didn’t deserve the blindness, but the world was against me. I ignored them. “Oh, crap,” Matteo growled. I almost spun around to look at him, but I managed to suppress the action. I followed his gaze to notice a younger man than him who seemed to share the same facial features. I stilled, too.
Matteo’s POV The last person I expected to be at this party was in this ball. Plastered on his face was a smug smile that stretched across his lips. Aurora herself seemed not to be a total loser. She had stiffened as I did. Either she was quite aware of who Leo was and what he was capable of, or she’s got something up that skull of hers. Still, I didn’t think it was worth the risk. Lettting Aurora assume things around here isn’t exactly the smartest of ideas. I should let her know what was going on. “That’s Leo,” I mumbled under my breath. “The only flaw I never take care of, but usually appears at random times to ruin the day. He can notice something wrong a few feet away. You’re going to need to do extra work to convince him,” I added. Aurora didn’t reply. She didn’t even mumble back. She squeezed my hand briefly. I didn’t know her reason for doing that, but at least it was better than nodding like an agama lizard or turning in my direction to meet my eyes subtly. “Leo,” I breathed his name with disgust as he approached. Leo ignored me and turned to Aurora. “Aurora, hmm, you seem…different, unlike what the tabloids say.” “As much as I want to agree with you,” I told him. “I must say, Leo, you’re the last person I expected to see around here.” He spared me a glance. “I know, brother. You always look down on me. Always in the business of underestimating me. What makes you think that I shouldn’t be present at your engagement party?” “You always were weird,” I shot back with a low growl. “I didn’t want to have that kind of suspense around me.” “You do agree with me that suspense is fun,” he croaked. Gently, he picked Aurora’s hand and kissed it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aurora. I believe there are yet many more things I’d come to learn about you. You seem like an interesting subject.” “Careful,” I grumbled. “She bruises easily.” Aurora played her part perfectly, such that if I didn’t know better, I might have been fooled myself. Turning her face to an angle slightly away from where Leo stood, she let a small smile have its way on her lips for a moment. “It’s good to meet you, Mr—” “Leo,” he answered sharply. “Leo Moretti. I’m your husband’s little brother—well, husband to be, I guess.” He turned to me as Aurora nodded like a hypnotized idiot, the smile on her face growing lightly. I frowned at him. He shot a cool smile in my direction, unfazed and unbothered by anything. His hands still held Aurora’s, and I was waiting for him to let her hand go. After a long, lingering moment, he finally let go of her hand. “I shouldn’t be the asshole here, Matteo,” he took a step back. “But I must give it to you, blind or not, she’s lovely. You’ve got good taste, man.” “Back off,” I growled. He shrugged. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he stalked away triumphantly. I watched him disappear into the crowd. “Is he always like that?” Aurora breathed, so low that only I could hear her. I spared her a glance. “Don’t think about it too much. My junior brother can be an asshole when he wants to be. He’s also the last person you want to be messing with. The young man is a mess.” From Aurora’s eyes, I could tell she had more to say, but she swallowed her words. Smart. Like I concluded the other time, she wasn’t a total loser after all. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I judged this one by the cover. During Nathan’s party when I saw her. She wasn’t doing an excellent job of deceiving those fools, but she wasn’t messing around. And right now, with some raised stakes, she was still handling the job nicely. She could play the role like a pro. At least, I was not wrong in choosing her. The party continued in a blur—I was not a fan of parties. I just realized that sometimes, it helps to get the job done. It saves you from going the long route sometimes, and it meant that most people can use it to assert control. Right now, I was using it to tell everyone that Aurora was mine, at least for the time being. I met Nathan in the crowd, who seemed to have huge trouble finishing a glass of drink. His eyes were directed in our direction. I squeezed Aurora’s hand lightly. “C’mon.” As everything was winding down, I led Aurora to my car with Arturo following closely. Letting her inside, I stopped to have a few words with Arturo. “Did you have any idea that my brother was going to show up today?” I asked. “We made our research,” Arturo’s lips moved, eyes slightly narrowed. “He didn’t look like he was going to show up. Apparently, his flight to the British Isles was delayed a little.” I nodded. “Fine. Right now, you have one mission.” His gaze was laser-focused on me. I met his gaze with the same intensity. “Whatever it will cost,” I said. “Your current life’s mission is to ensure that nothing happens to her.” He nodded once, twice. I gave him a nod and turned away. Joining Aurora in the car, she shot her question without hesitation. “What the hell is going on? Why is your brother acting weird? Why does your conversation with your brother sound like a threat to each other?” I didn’t answer. I didn’t spare her a glance. There was no need to answer all those questions, at least for now. She just needs to do her job, and both of us will be fine. “Why did you let him touch me like that?” She asked. I didn’t want to answer that question. Hesitating, I spilled. “Leo likes to test boundaries. He did that with you.”
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