Chapter 96 CHAPTER 96
Chapter 96 CHAPTER 96
Aurora’s POV
I was a little worried when Andrew called Callum out of my room but I didn’t go to look for them until very much later. When I get to the rooftop, I find them exchanging blows. I rush to stop them immediately, screaming, “What the hell are you doing!”
Both of them stop as they breathe heavily, still filled with rage.
I walk to them, standing in between both of them.
“Can someone explain what’s going on here?” I ask them firmly. None of them replies at first but after severe stares at them, Callum breaks.
“I was about to leave when he attacked me from behind like a coward. I didn’t throw the first punch and since he did, I had to attack him back,” Callum explains.
“You make it sound like I attacked you out of nowhere. You were busy…” Andrew begins to say.
I cut in sharply, “Did you hit him first, Andrew?”
He sighs, “Yes, I did.”
“Come with me,” I ordered as I turned instantly. I walk downstairs and Andrew comes with me, maintaining a little distance as we climb down the stairs. I enter the room allocated to me at the hospital and Andrew enters after me, locking the door. I sit on the bed as I stare at him. He remains standing.
“Listen, what happened out there…” he begins to say.
“It was your fault, own it,” I cut in.
“You don’t know the full story,” he argues.
“It doesn’t matter as long as you hit him first. You are the assaulter, not the victim,” I tell him firmly. “I don’t know what has gotten into you, Andrew. The person you just fought is your best friend. It’s fine to argue with your friends but you should never resort to violence. Did you realize you might have ruined that special friendship?”
“There is no friendship to safeguard,” he tells me simply. “It ended a while ago.”
“No, that’s not possible. You guys might have fought but…” I mutter.
“I know Callum better than you do,” he interrupts, keeping eye contact with me. “Don’t trust him, Aurora. You will be damned if you do.”
I look into his eyes skeptically.
“Is it because he found Jayden first?” I ask.
“What! What do you mean?” he asks carefully. “Do you really think I would want Jayden to suffer some hours longer just so I can find him and bring him to you?”
“I’m sorry but I know that could be the case,” I say apologetically. “Earlier, you fought Callum for the same reason, didn’t you? You didn’t have to do that. It doesn’t matter if you found my boy or not, what matters is that you tried.”
“It appears you have no plan to hear my explanation. You’ve made up your mind about me already…” he mutters. He takes a step back from me and I can tell he is hurt. Then he continues, “Do you really think Callum means well for you?”
Without batting an eyelid, I answer, “He found Jayden for me, didn’t he? That shows he means well for me. I can’t say the same about you whose mother kidnapped my son in the first place.”
“My mother didn’t kidnap your boy,” he argues.
“Really? Then who did?” I ask, my voice firm.
Andrew begins to laugh hysterically. One would think he had began to lose his mind. He nods countless times and takes a deep breath afterwards.
“I should leave now. Since you believe all I do is cause you harm, I might as well stop now,” he turns to leave. A part of me wants to stop him but I do not. I watch him leave and guilt creeps into my heart. I know he has helped me more times than I can count and yet I hurt him so deeply.
Callum enters the room now with fresh bruises he sustained from the fight with Andrew. I stand up and walk to him.
“You look like a mess. Get a nurse to dress your wounds.”
I get discharged early the next day. I had fainted due to shock and with Jayden back, it is quite obvious I won’t be losing consciousness anytime soon. Andrew texted me saying I could take the day off and so, I decide to spend it with Jayden. I find myself checking on Jayden more times than before. I needed reassurance that he was still with me. The trauma from yesterday won’t be easily healed.
As I make breakfast, my phone beeps. It is a text from Callum.
“Let’s have lunch together. Beeps ‘n’ Bops.”
Beeps ‘n’ Bops? After checking it out on a search engine, I realize it is the name of the new restaurant that opened downtown last week. Callum must have been there already. That guy… he is crazily social. Restaurants, bars, clubs, events, he knew so much about them.
I will have to take Jayden to the restaurant with me. It’s not as if I can get someone to babysit him. Even if I do, I’m sure my heart will keep thumping hard in fear of history repeating itself.
I hear the sound of a car outside. It horns and tempted to see who it is, I gaze outside the window. My best guess is Callum but it is still early in the morning. My guess ends up being wrong as I watch Professor Alaric step out of the car. He walks to my door and I rush there to open it even before he knocks.
His eyebrows creased in worry as he scanned my face.
“I heard about what happened. Are you okay?” he asks in concern.
“I am fine, Jayden is alright as well,” I reply with a smile. He enters and goes to Jayden whom he carries up high.
“I was out of Paris yesterday. That’s why I couldn’t come. I think I should make up for it by spending the rest of today with Jayden,” Professor Alaric comments.
I remember the restaurant date with Callum and I think of using Professor Alaric as a babysitter. It is tempting but… uh.