Chapter 67
1397words
Aurora mustered the courage to check the internet and her Instagram was already flooded with dozens of messages, post and videos. The amount of backlash she got was overwhelming, while some supported her, others were outraged that she would expose herself like that, some with the good sense were questioning who and why anyone would take such photos and demanded that she sue them.
But one question remained; who was the mysterious guy?
Aurora snapped her phone shut and threw her head against the headrest, shutting her eyes tightly,
"Is it that bad?" She heard Louisa asked and a weary sigh escaped her lips.
"It's worse," She replied tiredly.
Louisa hummed, drumming her fingers against the wheel, "I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of. If anything, your tits looks really great."
Her eyes flew open and she snapped her head to the side, the motion was so quick that it shocked even her,
"What?" She tried her hardest to bite back a scoff.
Louisa shrugged a shoulder, "I saw some comments like that, about how they envy your tits."
Aurora scoffed, running a finger through her hair. The only thing she had to be grateful for was that her breasts, which was the only part of her that was exposed asides Ryan's ass, was blurred out but anyone with good eyes could put two and two together.
Another wave of nausea rushed through her and she ordered Louisa to stop the car. The moment the engine died, she threw the door open and vomitted on the fresh grass, heaving as she did so.
"Oh shit," She heard Louisa curse and rushed towards her, "I'm so sorry, I didn't think before I spoke and-"
She raised a finger, silencing her, "Water," She gasped, spitting onto the grass, "I need water."
"Oh, right."
She ran to the car and just as quick returned and handed her a bottle of sealed water. Aurora popped the cover open and poured a generous amount into her mouth, swishing it left and right to get rid of the rancid taste on her tongue. When she spat it out, she felt a little bit relieved.
"Thank you."
They returned back to the car and Louisa resumed driving, falling into silence. Aurora's eyes were fixed on the road and she stretched a finger,
"Turn to the right."
Louisa nodded and obliged, steering the wheel over to the right. She could feel the side of her face burning and let out an irritated scowl,
"Spill it out and stop looking at me like that," She said in a bored tone and Louisa sputtered, her cheeks reddening.
"H-How did you know?"
She turned, giving her a deadpan look and Louisa smiled sheepishly. Her face suddenly turned serious, lips turning flat,
"It's him, right?" Louisa paused before adding, "The male in the picture, it's Matt, isn't it?"
Aurora faced the road again, her heart thumping gently, "What do you think?"
"What?"
"Stop here."
The car screeched to a sharp halt, nearly throwing her off her seat and she scowled at Louisa who waved in apology. She shook her head, grabbing her phone and made to step out when Louisa spoke again,
"If you say that that person is Matt then nobody would blame you, the person who'll receive the backlash would be the photographer," Aurora paused, listening intently, "But if that person isn't, then..."
She trailed off but Aurora knew what she meant. Rather than responding, she muttered her appreciation and dropped down the car, walking towards the pathway that led to her house.
Louisa was right and Aurora knew it was Evan's plan, she had just dumbly played into it. Somehow, he'd known about her engagement and planned everything beforehand.
He was giving her a choice, a very deadly one. Neither of them had a good prospect and both of them would cost her her happiness.
'Be prepared, princess.'
It felt like she was hearing him say it all over again and it caused chills to run down her spine. When she got to the front door, she paused wondering if any of her parents were home.
She didn't have the energy to deal with any of them now and the last person she wanted to face was her mother. But today must've been a very unlucky one for her because the moment she stepped into the hallway tha led to the living room, she spotted both her mother and Aunty Clara.
They both didn't look happy and she instantly knew that they had seen the photo. She drew in a sharp breath, taking tentative steps towards them stopping a few meters from them,
She glanced towards the table where different magazines and a tray containing a pitcher, some biscuits and two coffee cups lay. None of those things interested her except from the brochure that showcased fancy wedding dresses.
"Mom, I-"
A heavy slap landed on the side of her face and Aunty Clara yelped in surprise. Her face stung from the aftermath and she allowed her eyes remain fixed on the floor,
"Miriam!" Aunty Clara squealed, "Are you crazy? Why would you do that!?"
Her mother took a step forward, "Stay out of this, Clara. I'll handle my daughter in the way I see fit."
"She's also my daughter," Aunty Clara rushed out, holding Miriam by the wrist, "Well, daughter-in-law but still, you can't touch her not while I'm here."
Aurora watched the two ladies stare each other down and surprisingly her mother reared back, her jaw ticking in the way that it did whenever she was displeased.
"I take it that you've seen the photo then," It took an awful amount of strength to say that, even Aunty Clara was surprised.
Miriam scoffed, putting a hand on her hip, "And you're proud? The contest is supposed to be today and you've singlehandedly ruined the opportunity. Why on earth did you do something as stupid as that?"
She flinched at her mother's tone, curling her fingers into fist.
"Okay, I think we all need to calm down," Aunty Clara announced cooly, coming to stand between them, "Miriam, you can't blame Rory. The creepy pervert who took those pictures and uploaded should be one we're after, not her."
Miriam scoffed, obviously disagreeing with that mindset, "Well, she should've known better. She's a star for goodness sake, everybody is watching each move that she makes waiting for the slightest opportunity of a scandal and she just gave them that."
Aunty Clara shook her head, choosing to face Aurora instead, "Darling, there's no need to be alarmed. I've called someone in the media and they're taking down every of those photos."
"It's useless," Miriam spat disdainfully, "The entire world has seen it."
"Well I don't think there's anything wrong in there, it's just two lovebirds in passion. Nobody is going to fault either of them especially now that they're engaged." Aunty Clara said with an optimistic smile but it only made Aurora frown.
"W-What do you mean?" She queried and both their head swiveled to face her.
Her mother looked like she was itching to slap her again but Aunty Clara responded with a conniving smile,
"Oh, honey, we know that it's Matt behind the picture," Aunty Clara waved dismissively, "What we're worried about is how this is going to affect your reputation as a ballerina."
Her ears rang dully and she took a shaky step backwards, she could see their mouths moving but she was unable to hear what they were saying.
This was it. This was the choice Evan was giving to her. His cruel smile flashed in her mind's eye and she dug her nails harshly into her skin,
Her heart thrummed and her lips trembled but she knew this was the right choice to make.
"He's not the one," She whispered and they both froze, Aunty Clara arching a brow.
"Sorry, darling, what was that?"
She swallowed, the tips of her nails breaking into her flesh and causing warm blood to pool inside her palm. Aurora licked her lips and forced the words out,
"Matt is not the one in the picture. That man is another person entirely."
