Chapter 28 Porridge
After Derick left Arthur’s mansion, Aurora returned to Arthur’s room to check on him, and getting there, she found him still sleeping soundly.
She approached his bed silently so as not to wake him up and carefully sat on the edge of the bed.
She stared at his face as she began to recall everything Derick had told her about him again.
She had no idea who Anita was or what she looked like but she hated her so much for hurting Arthur so much.
She wished she had met the old, loving, Arthur. Derick made her realize how soft he used to be.
“I can’t wait for you to go back to the man you used to be, Mr. Arthur. If that’s even going to ever happen.” She muttered, racing her index finger over his face.
Arthur’s eyes tightened as soon as he felt Aurora touch him. His eyes slightly parted, causing Aurora to hastily move away from the bed.
“Mr. Arthur.” She called in a soft manner.
Arthur clenched his jaws as he stretched out, turning to lay on his side.
“What are you doing here?” He asked in a low tone, but Aurora ignored the question.
“How are you feeling now?” She asked, moving closer to him again to place her hand on his head.
To her greatest surprise, he didn’t fight her off, instead, he let her do whatever she wanted.
“Oh! Your temperature has reduced. That’s a good thing.” Aurora uttered happily, raising her eyes to look at him. And just then, she caught him staring at her too.
She kept quiet, her smile slowly fading off her face as they both stared at each other.
“Erm…” Aurora muttered, looking away after minutes of awkward and intense staring.
“What would you like to eat? Theo is around. And I can cook your food if you want.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll just order something.” Arthur responded, holding unto the bed as he sat up.
“Why would you do that when I can make something right now for you? Don’t worry, okay? I’ll make some soup and bring it to you.” Aurora answered with a grin.
Before he could respond, she moved away from the bed and headed to the door.
“Aurora!” Arthur called, making her stop.
She gulped hard and turned to look at him. “Listen to me, Arthur. You can’t keep pushing me away, okay? I did one wrong thing and here I am, paying for it. Isn’t that enough punishment?? I just want to be here for you, Arthur, is that so hard to understand?
“I don’t care what has happened to you, Mr. Arthur, but I’m not like any other woman who’s going to hurt you. I’m just here to make sure you’re okay. Please let me.” Aurora uttered with emotions surging through her.
She hated that he didn’t want her around. She hated that he hated her.
“I… I was going to say thank you.” Arthur answered with furrowed brows.
“Oh…” Aurora answered in surprise. “You’re welcome. I’ll make the soup right away.” She added with a large grin as she made her way out of his room.
Her smile refused to disappear as she kept thinking about Arthur’s appreciation. It was the first time ever that he told her thank you.
‘Is that a sign?’
Getting to the kitchen, she hastily got to work as she began to prepare a porridge soup for him. While she got busy, Theo walked into the kitchen to see her cooking.
“Hey… what are you doing? I should be doing that.” He said, walking up to her, and she shook her head.
“Don’t bother, Theo. I told Mr. Arthur, I’ll be taking care of this.” She answered with a smile, and he nodded slowly.
“Things seem to be going well between you two.” Theo muttered, folding his arms as he rested against the cabinets.
“You think so too?” She asked, turning to look at him.
“Am I correct?” He asked, and she shrugged.
“I think so. I don’t know, actually.” She answered, her smile fading off again. Arthur was so unpredictable and this scared her.
‘He can be nice this minute and so angry the next. I’m not even sure about anything anymore.’ She thought.
“I should go and pick the boys from school. You’re good on your own, right?”
“Yes. Of course, I am. Thank you so much, Theo.” She uttered and took a quick glance at him before he finally headed out.
After some time, she heard someone enter the kitchen, and when she looked back, she saw it was Arthur.
“Mr. Arthur, why did you get out of bed?” She asked worriedly, dropping the spoon in her hand and rushing to him.
“I’m not a toddler, Aurora. I came to get some cold water. I’m thirsty.” He answered, making his way to the fridge.
“Oh, right. I’m sorry about that.” She scratched the back of her ear awkwardly, staring at him as he grabbed a bottle.
“What are you making?” He asked, looking at her as he gulped down some water.
“I’m making porridge soup.” She answered, walking back to where the pot was so she could give it a final steer.
Arthur inhaled deeply as the aroma filled his nostrils, making his stomach grumble harder.
“Come.” Aurora said, waving to him.
“What?”
“Come and taste it.” Aurora added, raising the spoon and placing her hand under it so the soup wouldn’t spill on the floor.
“Hmm.” She nodded, reassuring him. Arthur nodded slowly as he closed the gap between them.
“Haaa.” Aurora opened her mouth, gesturing to him to open his mouth too.
She moved the spoon to his mouth and slowly tilted it, letting him take a sip.
“How is it?” She asked with a grin, and Arthur’s eyes lit up as the soup tasted so good.
“Hmm.” He moaned, and Aurora broke into laughter.
“I’ve seen that reaction before. When you first tasted my meal and thought it was Carter’s.” She uttered with a chuckle as she turned to turn off the cooker.
“Yeah. I remember.” Arthur answered with a chuckle too. Their eyes locked again and they kept smiling at each other.
All of a sudden, Arthur’s stomach grumbled and he hastily looked away, letting his smile die.
“I’m starving.” He muttered, and Aurora burst out laughing.
“I’m coming to save you!” She uttered, reaching for a plate.