"Orion, I'm talking. Do not walk out on me,"
Gemma shouted after her son. It's been two months since he introduced Aura as his wife to her. She had no idea what family she was from. No background to relate her to.
How was she supposed to accept her as a daughter-in-law?
"Where is she?" She stormed up the stairs to go to Aura.
"I've been asking you since the day Orion brought you to the family house. When are you going to reply to me?"
Gemma had had enough. It's high time she showed the young lady who she was.
Aura was on the floor hatching a plan to make Orion open up to her.
She was ready to listen to him as long as he explained the papers she found in his study.
She was still not sure and didn't want to jump to a conclusion.
"Please, mom, I want to be alone. Why can't you just leave me be?" For the first time in her two-month stay with Orion, she had talked back at Gemma.
Gemma's hand shook beside her.
"You what?"
"Say that again." She held Aura by the collar of her shirt and made her get on her feet.
"How dare you?"
She tightened her grip on the collar, choking her.
"You have the mouth to talk back at me!" Gemma hissed at her.
"Mom.... You're choking me,"
"I don't want you to live, that's why,"
Gemma transferred the grip to her left hand freeing her right hand.
"Don't you ever address me as your mom with that filthy mouth of yours."
*Slap*
Aura felt her left cheek burn.
"Mo___ mom. Wh___ what have I done to deserve this?" She trembled with the words.
"From now onwards, I do not want to see your face in my son's house."
*Slap*
Aura received another hit. It was on the other cheek this time.
Gemma sat down on the single couch, assessing her nails as if Aura's collar had ripped them off. It was only yesterday that she went to get them done. She loves the colour red, making her choose it anytime she wants to put on a new set.
Aura, who was back to her previous position, cursed within her.
"Be it then."
"What did you say?"
"Gemma, I'm not going to tolerate your rudeness towards me." Aura was back on her feet towering over Gemma.
"So you have the guards to speak after what just happened to you. Huh." Gemma lashed out.
Aura raised her hand ready to strike Gemma.
"Tit for tat."
"Don't you dare hit her!"
Where did he come from?
Aura's hand remained in mid-air.
It was Orion. He had watched the whole show.
"Orion,_ she___"
"That's enough. Have you no manners, Aura, trying to hit your elder?"
"Son...."
Gemma was in tears. She clung to Orion's hand for support.
"Get me out of here"
She was sobbing.
"This wife of yours has got to go. Did you see what she was about to do?"
After Gemma sat down, she saw her son's silhouette. This made her maintain her composure, making Aura take action.
"Orion, Orion."
Aura called out his name. It seems Orion did not want to hear her at all.
He saw to it that his mother was comfortable. Afterwards, he tried to walk away.
"Don't tell me you are leaving me with that wrench!" Gemma shouted.
"Orion, I need an explanation." Aura was now in front of him. She was only in a shirt.
Orion stared into her state.
"What?" Aura looked confused.
She had forgotten she was still in his shirt.
Her cheeks flushed.
"I.... I need you to answer my questions." She regained her composure.
"What do you want to hear?" Orion was losing his patience. He couldn't bear to look at her face. His mother's fingers had left marks on her cheeks.
"I'm well aware you saw all that went on up there. She.... Aren't you going to do anything?"
Aura spoke with a hand pointing at Gemma.
"She's my mother," Orion spoke softly.
"I'm your wife, Orion. For goodness' sake."
"Why are you keeping me in the dark. Though we've been married for only two months, you always considered her over me.
"Did you marry her or me?"
"Aura!" Orion was pissed.
"Orion!" Aura also took his name in the manner he had taken hers.
Gemma was now sipping from a bottle of drink. She was interested in the show.
"Fine,"
Aura gave up. She walked to the single couch and crouched her body in it, her long legs coming into view.
Orion placed his hands into his pants pockets. He wanted to tell her, but, that wasn't the plan.
"Even if you are not going to defend me against your mother, at least tell me about the papers I saw in your study."
Her body was on fire.
She was anticipating, that it wouldn't be true. That he didn't marry her to get hold of his company. That the contract was what made him want her.
"Please...." Papers came flying in her face before she could finish what she wanted to say.
Aura took one and saw divorce written on it.
"What's this?"
"It's what you are seeing."
Gemma was beaming with smiles. Finally, Orion was kicking her out.
"Orion, you want it to end here." Aura's heart ached.
"Does this mean it is true. You married me to get hold of your company." Tears fell from her eyes.
"No wonder you wouldn't lemme rest when we came back from the city hall and immediately introduced me to your grandfather."
Orion did not open his mouth.
"I was only a pawn for you to have full hold of your company." Aura was on her feet. She trailed to his side.
"Did you ever consider those moments we shared?" She had a finger on his chest.
"Did you ever consider my feelings when you got me into this scheme?"
"This is how far I can go with you. I have no intention of growing old with you or any other woman."
"Sign the papers and if you're not satisfied with the alimony, tell my lawyer, he will adjust it for you." With that, he walked away.