Aurora’s POV
Staying at home and preparing meals was actually easier than waking up earlier than usual to prepare for class even though my body craved two extra hours of sleep.
Amidst the stress that came with it, I was happy doing something that I loved. After the class I’d be able to cook professionally. Though other cooks had gone through culinary school for more than a year, Mrs Fernandez thought me to be talented so she said that I didn’t need all of that.
I was very proficient and I just needed a professional touch.
Demetrio was quiet beside me as he drove me to class. Matteo made him my bodyguard since he didn’t want me to be in danger of being attacked and also to ward off young men who might want to talk to me.
I wasn’t comfortable with him being around me all the time so we both agreed that he’d be invisible, watching me from the corners.
“So, when did you get inducted into the Outfit?” I asked, feeling uneasy with the silence that reigned in the car.
“Since I was fifteen. It was quite late because I was sick for a year and almost lost my life. I couldn’t be inducted when I was in such a situation, luckily I got better the next year and decided to pay my dues to the Outfit.” He explained as he navigated through cars that were driving slowly.
“Pay your dues? What do you mean?” I probed further and he swallowed.
Demetrio was a handsome young man. He looked quiet but I knew that looks were deceiving and he could kill without feeling remorse. That could be his advantage but I didn’t care.
I wanted to be comfortable with whoever Matteo placed around me.
“Matteo picked me up when I was begging on the roadside for money to pay for my meds and also to get treated. I had no money so he told me what he was all about. The funny part was that he didn’t coerce me to join, he only showed me what I didn’t know.”
I sighed. Each day, Matteo showed me that he was very different from his father. Aldo wouldn’t have even picked him up in that state, and if he did, he would ensure that he had no choice but to join the Outfit.
“So you joined out of guilt?”
“I wanted a different life for myself and life was very tough for me. I tried to do menial jobs but nothing was working, hell! I couldn’t even go to school. And since I had good fighting skills, he thought me to be an asset. I’ve proved myself to him all the time.” He concluded and my heart swelled with compassion for him.
Demetrio was efficient and smart. If we were in another world, he’d have been a security agent. A good one at that.
We got to my school and I dropped out of the car slowly to avoid feeling dizzy. For now, it was just Matteo, I and the doctor that knew about my pregnancy and we planned to keep it that way until my bump began to show.
“Be careful,” He said and parked the car while I nodded and trudged ahead.
We had gone through the first session for the day which had to do with food aesthetics and serving. So far I was doing great and my bodyguard was doing well in keeping himself out of sight.
I headed to the cafe for some snacks as that was what I craved. I bought a serving of hamburger and a bottle of orange juice then returned to the lecture room to relax a bit.
If someone had told me that being pregnant would be so tiring, then Matteo and I wouldn’t have made the mistake of making love without protection.
“Hi,” A gruff voice sounded behind me.
I jolted, nearly spilling my drink on the tray as I turned around to know who would risk talking to me.
“You scared me.” I said, taking a deep breath. “Don’t do that again, please.”
“I’m sorry for doing that. I didn’t know that you were so light hearted. And maybe if you told me your name yesterday, I wouldn’t have to disturb you.” He joked and I nodded, wiping some drops of the liquid off my table.
I sighed, contemplating on telling him who I was. Demetrio was surely watching us and he might want to tell his boss that a man had been hanging around me. I knew how possessive Matteo could be and it was very predictable that he would hurt him.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell you my name. Why don’t you leave me alone, please?” I urged but his lips were clenched stubbornly.
He lowered his face with a smirk, so close that our lips were almost touching. I retreated very fast and jerked him in the balls without even thinking. He held onto his lower member in pain and took some steps backwards, groaning and sweating.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I yelled.
“I was just trying to be friendly.” He defended himself.
“If I even considered telling you my name, your weird act blew just off your chance. Please leave before I do something really irrational.” I said with a note of command and he raised his hand in mock surrender.
I straightened my blouse and let out some air then waited for the next session.
?
“Matteo won’t be happy that you have a man hanging around you.” Demetrio expressed, getting me irritated.
“Well, if you were that watchful, you’ll notice that the man was forcing himself on me and I handled him very well. You can tell him about it if you want.” I snapped and faced the other side of the window.
The rest of the journey back home was filled with silence as I pondered on what happened earlier.
We got home and I stalked into my room. Ginevra sat in the living room with her legs crossed and a magazine in her hands. She smiled coldly when our eyes met but I didn’t give it much thought.
I hadn’t taken more than two steps when the door pushed open. I turned around and found Matteo’s face burning with rage. His chocolate amber eyes had turned red and narrowed in slits. And the worst part, his rage was directed at me.
“Good evening, Matteo. You don’t look good,” I stated and he hissed.
“How would I look good when you’ve been going around making out with men right in your classroom?” He spat and I furrowed my eyes in surprise.
What the hell was he talking about?
“Matteo….”
He raised his hands sharply. “I don’t want to hear my name from your lips.”
My heart tore into pieces as I stood in front of him looking like a fool. He threw his phone at me, my gaze swinging from the phone to his phone.
I took a look at the screen and saw a picture of myself with Nicholas almost kissing. Now I understood what he was talking about. The angles by which the shots were taken were very compromising and gave a bad message.
I’d been set up and I had no idea who did it.