Chapter 20: CHAPTER 20

Aurora's POV

I wake up on the left side of the bed today, and the first thing I do is smile. It is Friday, the day I have been waiting for. As I stand up, I am reminded of what Callum told me last time about Andrew's company being in trouble. Even though Callum told me Andrew had it under control, I can't help but be worried.

I hear Jayden's voice, and this takes my attention. I move towards his cot and kiss him on the cheek.

“Did you sleep well, baby?” I ask without expecting a reply. I kiss him once again.

I pick up my phone, and I already have text messages. Some are adverts for businesses, and others are from my network provider. The last and most important one is from Callum. It is brief:

“I will pick you up at noon. See ya!”

I have never enjoyed cooking until today. I am in a good mood as I make breakfast for Jayden and me. Ah, I should tell you that on the path to discovering myself, I find out a couple of things. Since I lose my memory, I am not sure of what I like at first. I can still remember the day I am offered tea and coffee at the same time. I think tea tastes weird, and yeah, I find out I am a coffee person.

One of the findings I make helps me realize I love spicy food too. I am not making spicy food for breakfast, though. Jayden can’t handle it.

I feed Jayden and then take him to the daycare. Afterwards, I prepare for the gala night. As promised, Callum comes to pick me up by noon.

“Where should we go first?” he asks after I enter the car.

“Well… I’m not sure,” I mutter.

“Your makeover!” Callum exclaims. I go along with him. He should be in charge, you know.

“I don’t know her real name, but everyone calls her Nicki,” Callum tells me as we walk into the building.

“Her real name isn’t Nicki?” I ask curiously.

“No, it isn’t,” Callum replies. “She got the name ‘Nicki’ because she is such a hardcore fan of the singer, Nicki Minaj. The name sticks with her ever since.”

“Wow,” I exclaim.

“She is the CEO of NN Beauty. She is a talented makeup artist, and she is well loved too. She knows how to do a good job,” Callum tells me. The door opens, and both of us walk into the room. I can see different people in the same uniform. Only one lady in the room has no uniform. I can tell she is Nicki.

The lady without the uniform comes forward, and from the name tag on her chest, she is truly Nicki.

“Hey, Callum!” she says.

“I’ve missed you,” Callum replies as they both hug.

“You brought your girlfriend today,” Nicki says afterwards. Callum laughs it off but doesn’t correct the impression. One of the assistants leads me to the room meant for customers. Callum is told to wait outside as the makeover starts.

Selection of the outfit comes first. I try on so many clothes, and it is a tiring affair. The selection of a bag, shoes, and jewelry follows as well. I am bathed, oiled, powdered—just a lot of things happening at the same time. All I know is that at the end, I am not the same person. This has to be magic.

“She’s good to go!” Nicki exclaims as she shows me off to Callum. The latter stands up, his mouth agape. He walks towards me with so much surprise on his face.

“You look so beautiful,” he mutters.

“It’s the makeup,” I reply.

“You have always been beautiful. The makeover is quite the icing on the cake,” Nicki interferes. I smile at her as her little gesture raises my ego. I spend some time with Nicki, and then Callum interrupts us. If I spend more time with her, we might miss the gala night.

Callum drives me there, and on the way, I can’t help but say how much I like Nicki.

“Everyone likes Nicki. She is such a pleasant fellow,” Callum chirps.

“How did you meet her?” I ask curiously.

Callum shifts uncomfortably.

“Well, it’s a long story,” Callum mutters.

“You don’t have to say it,” I tell him, since he seems uncomfortable when it comes to the topic.

“It’s fine!” Callum replies. “I meet her two years ago. She is still a struggling makeup artist then. She models too.”

“Really?” I ask.

“Of course!” Callum tells me confidently. “Actually, I think she is a goddess the first time I see her. She is such a beauty, you know.”

“She is still a great beauty. She is the most beautiful lady I have seen,” I reply. Now I am not even hyping her. It is really true.

“The first day I see her, I hire her to be my date. She agrees for the right amount, and… well, the rest is history,” Callum says.

“Sounds too short to be a long story,” I say observationally.

Callum sighs and looks ahead.

“I used to like her,” he eventually confesses. “I run to her whenever I am hurt by my family, and she holds me and says nice things to me. She is the only person who can comfort me, and she makes me feel like I am such an important person.”

“Did you guys date?” I ask calmly.

“No,” Callum shakes his head.

“Why? You should have if you liked her,” I mutter.

“Don’t get the wrong idea!” Callum says urgently. I wonder what he means by that. What wrong idea?

“I don’t understand,” I reply.

“I ask her out, but she rejects me,” Callum confesses. “Shit. You are the first person I’ve told.”

I have to hold myself back from laughing.

“Really?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Callum nods. “She says she doesn’t see me as a man and that I am like a younger brother to her.”

Now I can’t stop myself from laughing. I don’t hold it in any longer. Callum doesn’t say a word, and he keeps his eyes on the road.

“You seem excited that I didn’t date her…” he eventually says. “Should I be happy about that?”