Prayer First, Mr. Calhoun.

Micheal POV:

"Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing"

"What do you mean nothing, clearly something is wrong"

"Did I say something wrong again?" I asked nervously

"No, you didn't Mr. Angelo" She replied

"Then what's wrong with you Aurora, talk to me"

"I'm fine" She replied, she tried to walk away from me but I caught her again.

She yanked her hand off and walked away from me.

"here is the restroom. You can come back when you are done."

I held her for the third time, this time I held both hands, firmly enough not to be rebuffed but softly not to hurt her hands.

"What are you doing?" She asked furiously

"I won't let go, unless I'm sure I did nothing wrong"

"You did nothing wrong sir"

"I will be the judge of that. Surely, there must be a reason for the sudden change in your mood"

"It's nothing Mr. Angelo"

"I'm not letting go till you tell me. unless you plan to stay here all night, you better talking"

It seemed like I made her angrier, she gave me a cold stare hoping I would be faltered but i didn't bulge in the slightest bit. She finally gave up and closed her eyes.

"I feel embarrassed, you are looking at me at my lowest"

I couldn't understand what she meant at first.

"What are you talking about?"

"Unorthodox home, sick mother, sad life. I can see the pity you have been staring at me and it only makes it worse. I work so hard, yet nothing to show for it."

It hit me like a summer cold, I had no idea I was looking at her with pity, it never for once crossed my mind.

"You have a lovely home and a wonderful mother, never for once did I look at you with pity, because there is nothing to pity you about and I am sure Cal feels the same. I don't pity you Aurora, I admire you. I admire your strongness, sincerity. You are the strongest and most hard working woman I know. I look at you with respect. It's your insecurities Aurora that is making you see what is not there."

She was quiet for a long time.

"I'm sorry"

"No, there's nothing to be sorry about Aurora" I replied.

I rubbed her temple as I leaned into her. I was close, so close!. Her faint smell filled my nostril, I looked into her eyes as she met my gaze. My lips were so close to hers. She didn't push me away or try to get away from me, she simply stood and watched.

I knew if I started I wouldn't be able to stop till I got what I wanted.

I stood up straight again, I saw a flick of disappointment in her eyes but it dissapeared as quickly as it appeared. I headed back to the living room

"You are not using the restroom any longer" She asked

I wasn't pressed in anyway, it was a ruse to get her alone.

"Nope, I'm good"

She trailed behind me to their living room, where Mrs. Hardy and Cal were sitting patiently for us, they seem to have gotten into a chit chat themselves. I could only wonder what they could be talking about, but I could see both of them were enjoying each others company.

I sat beside Cal and directly opposite Aurora, who was also settling down beside her mother.

"What took you so long" Cal said "were you having a problem with your zipper?"

"Not funny, shut up!" I muttered under my breath but loud enough for him to hear me.

Aurora dished the food to each plate, I tried to make eye contacts while she dished mine, just she seemed to be avoiding my gaze.

She settled down back and we were all ready to eat. Cal tried to take a piece but Mrs. Hardy smacked his hand softly like one would do to a spoilt child. He quickly retracted his hand.

"Prayer first Mr. Calhoun"

I couldn't resist the chuckle

"you mannerless child, you ought to pray before eating" I said with a grin.

He gave me a stink eye.

"You should take after Mr Angelo"

"He was about to take some too, Mrs. Hardy"

"But he didn't"

"That is unfair" He pouted his mouth like he was sulking, but I knew better than to think he took any offence.

We all laughed at him. I was glad to see a smile found a way to Aurora's mouth too.

"Close your eyes and let's pray. I keep it short."

"That would be the best, so Mr. Calhoun doesn't sneak food while praying" I said mockingly.

"Speak for yourself" He replied. "Stop making it about me, you were hoping she doesn't take long too"

"Y'all should close your eyes. Bless this food and bless the hand that prepared it"

"I hope I didn't take too long Mr. Calhoun." The old woman asked jokingly

"No, you didn't, the timing was perfect"

"Dig in dears" She announced

I was the first to dig in , I took a bite and allowed it to melt in my mouth. Indeed it was the tastiest home made waffles I've ever put in my mouth.

"How does it taste boys" She asked

"It's truly incredible Miss Hardy, you are a wonderful cook."

"I'm glad to hear that boys, have your fill till your heart content"

I look towards Aurora who has been quiet again, only then did I realize. She was only eating the fruit salad.

"Aurora, why aren't you eating?"

"I don't eat heavy food this late in night"

"Why" he asked

"I'm watching my weight, I don't want to grow fat"

"I respect your descision to stay fit, but you should allow yourself to enjoy once in a while and it's not that bad to add a little bit of weight." Calhoun said

"Someone thinks it's one of the Seven deadliest sin to be fat"

I almost choked on the food I was eating.

I flushed hard. The sudden silence tells me, every living thing in the room knew who the elephant in the room was, they all knew I was the culprit.

We all ate in uncomfortable silence.

"So, Mr. Angelo" the old woman finally said breaking the silence " to ask the obvious. I've been waiting for either of you to reveal it, but it has come to this, i have to ask for myself. What was so important, you both had to discuss this late"

I was taken off guard and I couldn't think a lie very fast. Cal wanted to open his mouth to talk but I gave him a dark stare that shut him up immediately.

"He came to talk about the updates about Father's case" Aurora said while staring at me, finally meeting my gaze.

And Aurora to the rescue. Why didn't I think of this.

"Oh' that, why did you make him wait outside to discuss that. Thank you for helping out Mr. Angelo."

"It's a pleasure Mrs. Hardy, I am glad I could help."

I was too ashamed to tell them, I stopped following up since we had an arguement in the restaurant. I knew it was very low and petty but I thought we wouldn't be meeting again for a long time and my mind skipped it completely.

"What's the new update, is there any news"

"I will rather I keep it in between Aurora and I for now, I wouldn't want you to be agitated or raise your hopes and end up dissapointing you."

"I will rather you keep me updated, but I will trust just your judgment"

"I will do my best to get to the end of this"

Aurora stared directly me, meeting my gaze. She took her eyes off as soon as our eyes met.

"Slow down Mr. Calhoun" The old woman said "So the food doesn't go to the wrong place.

I look just in time to see Cal swallowing the last bit of his waffle, he just finished the second one. I was the one who hasn't eaten anything for over 24 hrs, but he is the one eating like a thief.

"Are you cursed, why are you eating like a thief" I muttered just for him to hear.

"What? I was hungry" he replied quietly

"Has it been over a year you last ate?"

He ignored my rhetorical question and digged into his third and last one. I shook my head and continued munching at mine slowly. I looked towards Aurora for the umpteenth time today. She was chewing at her salad slowly, I wondered how much pain she had to undeego to have lose the weight I so much berate her about.

"May I have more Mrs. Hardy" Cal requested.

My eyed widened in disbelief, the waffle on his plate had dissapeared again in an heartbeat.

"Guy, what the fuck."

"Language Mr. Angelo" Mrs. Hardy interjected

"Don't mind him ma'am, he is an hater"

"And you are a glutton. For a son of an aristocrat you are really classless"

"Let me eat in peace. May I have more Mrs. Hardy"

"I'm afraid not Mr. Calhoun, what I made was really limited, I wasn't expecting a rich appetite. Perhaps if you do the honor of visiting again, I will make as many waffles as you can eat."

"I will look forward to that Ma'am, I will as soon as possible. For tonight may I take some of Mike's"

"Are you spastic, why would you take any of mine"

"You've barely finished one and you are more less pinching at it"

"So?"

"Can I have one out of yours"

"No!"

"Pretty please" He said tearfully

"Were you dropped on your head as a child?" I asked

"Then you've left me no choice"

I knew what his next step would be, to swipe one of mine.

"If you try to swipe It, I will stab your hand before you reach it"

"You wouldn't dare"

"Try and see, you will only have yourself to blame"

"If you do, I will fire you" He chuckled

"You can't, I am your lawyer not your employee" I said in between a mouthful.

I bit at my waffle again, this time slowly and closely enough for him. I watched him swallowed hard as the tantalizing aroma made him salivate. He leaned into me. I thought he wanted to swipe the waffles so I quickly clutched fork to scare him, instead he leaned further into me and whisper in my ears.

"You have left me no choice Mike, if you don't let me have one, I will show them."

"Show them what?" I said out loud

"Exhibit A" He said with glint in his eyes

My heart skipped a beat, not only in fear but in embarrassment at the possibility of Aurora seeing it. She would never look at me the same way again.