Chapter 21 Deal?
Getting to his house, Carter met Aurora sitting in Derick’s living room.
“Carter!” She called in excitement as their eyes met. She hurriedly stood up from the couch, opening her hands as she approached Carter.
“Aurora! I’m so glad you’re okay.” Carter retorted happily as they embraced each other.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Aurora mumbled after a few seconds, disengaging from him.
“I missed you so much too, Aurora. I was worried something bad had happened to you. When Jimmy told me what went down, I was so scared that Arthur must have done something to you.” He added worriedly, and Aurora’s countenance changed when he mentioned Jimmy’s name.
“How is he?” She asked as they both settled down.
“He’s okay. Just a little heartbroken.” Carter retorted.
“I’m going to bring juice.” Derick uttered, making his way out of the living room.
“I’m truly sorry, Carter. I didn’t mean to just shut him out of my life. I was scared that Mr. Arthur would do something to him too, and that was why I acted that way.
“I’ve tried reaching out to him through calls and texts but he keeps ignoring them all. I don’t know what to do anymore. I would have called you, but I lost your number when I changed my phone.” Aurora explained sadly, while Carter kept nodding in understanding as she did.
“Trust me, Aurora. I totally understand you, okay? I tried to explain to him too. But I just believe you could have treated him better. I mean, you could have just told him the truth about what happened and he wouldn’t judge you. He’s madly in with you.” Carter answered, causing her to lower her head.
“He was madly in love with me. Not anymore.” She mumbled.
“What? What are you talking about? He’s still head over heels for you, Aurora! He’s just still hurt and needs some time to heal. He wanted to be there for you, you know, be your man in front of Mr. Arthur.”
“I just wanted him to be safe. I was scared.” Aurora answered, and he nodded.
Derick walked in with a tray of juice in his hand and placed it on the table in front of them.
He served the drinks and then settled next to Carter on the couch. He gave Carter the glass in his hand, staring at his face as he did.
Carter collected the glass from him without looking at him. His attention was fixed on Aurora, who couldn’t help but watch them suspiciously.
“Let’s forget about Jimmy now, okay?? What of Mr. Arthur? How is he treating you?? How are the boys? Do you have to get you out of there?” Carter asked worriedly, causing Aurora to chuckle softly as she sipped her juice too.
“Well, the boys are doing great. They love the new house, toys and their father. And I think I am fine too. He hasn’t said much to me since I got back except that he was going to make me pay for what I did to him. And I think he’s at it already. I’m now a maid in his house.”
“What?” Derick and Carter chorused.
“Yes. You had no idea, Derick? Doesn’t he tell you everything? I believed he must have told you his plans to frustrate me.”
“Of course, not. Like I told you, I have been busy with work. We haven’t been in touch for a while now.” Derick explained with sincerity.
“Well, I don’t blame him. I asked for it. I told him I don’t mind being his maid if that’s what it takes to be with the boys.”
Their brows raised in realization, and they nodded slightly.
“I just can’t start to think of the excess work you’ll have to deal with in that house, Aurora. I don’t want him tempering with your mental health. You don’t have friends to talk to there.”
“Oh! I do have one. I forgot to mention his name.” She answered with her face lit up with a smile.
“Who is that?” Derick asked with furrowed brows.
“His name is Theo. He’s the butler working in his house. Oh my… Theo is the sweetest man ever.” Aurora muttered, letting out a deep sigh.
Carter raised his brows, staring at her. “Sweeter than me?” He asked, and she chuckled softly.
“C’mon, Carter. You can’t compare yourself to someone I just met, okay? You’re my very good friend and nothing can change that.” She replied, making Carter smile.
“So tell me about Theo.”
“Well, he’s handsome, sweet, caring, loving, and everything a man should be. He has been helping me to not feel less of myself since Arthur started bringing home his girlfriend…”
“He now has a girlfriend?!!” The men exclaimed in shock, making Aurora flinch.
“I had the same reaction when I found out too. He’s been introducing him so much to the boys. I think he’s going to marry her.” She added, making Derick scoff.
“Of course, not!” He answered.
“But you can’t be so sure, can you? You haven’t been in touch for a while now. Things change as time passes.” Carter answered, turning his head to look at Derick.
“Yes. But my feelings for you haven’t changed in a very long time. This is the same way Arthur’s feelings about having a wife won’t change soon.” He retorted, locking his gaze with Carter.
Aurora narrowed her gaze as she stared at both of them gazing at each other like two teenagers madly in love.
“Hold up! Am I missing something here? Are you two back together?” Aurora asked aloud as she couldn’t keep her curiosity minimal any longer.
“No! We aren’t.” Carter immediately answered in his defense.
“Not yet, Aurora. But I’m going to prove to him that I’m going to marry him, and I won’t run away anymore. I am thirty-three now. No one can stop me.” Derick added boldly.
Aurora’s eyes travel back and forth from Carter’s face to Derick’s in excitement. Seeing them working things out made her very happy.
“I wish Jimmy and I can work things out like you two.” She thought aloud.
“Well, you can. Jimmy just needs time.” Carter answered.
“No. I don’t want to involve him in my mess. I think it’s best we stay away from each other. He deserves better.” She mumbled, lowering her head and playing with her fingers.
They all went quiet, staring at each other and thinking different things in their heads.
Suddenly, Aurora’s phone began to ring, breaking the silence in the room. She picked up the phone and saw that the caller was Arthur.
“Mr. Arthur?” She called in awe, and they raised their heads to look at her.
“He’s calling you?” Carter asked in shock, and she nodded.
It was the first time Arthur was ever going to call her phone since they met. Maybe he had tried it before but this was the first time his call actually connected.
“Well answer it.” Derick added.
Aurora let out a loud sigh as she swiped to the right. She placed the phone on her ear and said; “Mr. Arthur.”
“Mummy!” Ryan shouted from the other end of the phone, making Aurora jolt. She instantly moved the phone away from her ear as Ryan almost blew up her eardrums.
“Hey baby! How are you?”
“I am not fine. Where are you? We want you to read us our bedtime stories. Can you please come home?” Ryan uttered, and she lifted her gaze up at Carter.
“Baby, what of your father? Isn’t he there?” She asked.
“No! I was playing games on his phone and so I called you. Come home, mum. Rowan has been crying.” He added.
“Okay, baby. I’m on my way, okay? Pet Rowan and make him stop crying before I get home.” She responded, already standing up.
“Okay. See you soon. Bye!” Ryan answered as he hung up.
“I need to leave now, Derick. The kids need me.” She uttered, and they both stood up.
“I’ll drop you off then.” Derick answered, and she nodded as they made their way out of the house.
“We did it, father. She’s on her way back.” Ryan uttered, and Arthur chuckled, collecting his phone from Ryan.
“You did well, kids! I owe you three big ice-creams!” He retorted, and they all jumped.
“Yeeee!”
“Listen boys, mummy cannot know about this, okay? You stick to our initial plans. Deal?”
“Deal!”