"What do you mean she's not here?" Mr. Castell asked annoyed.
"We've searched the house, we can't find her. I've got someone looking for her. If we don't find her on time, we're finished. Mr. Hale will never believe us."
"Why did you kick her out knowing damn well Mr. Hale was to come for her today? Is this your plan? You want to disgrace me?"
"No, no I swear it. We'll find her, I promise."
While all these went on downstairs, Aurora had stepped out of her bathroom to grab her phone. She wanted to mute her phone so it wouldn't blow her cover. Immediately she muted her phone, she got a call from Julia; narrow escape.
"Hey Julia! What's up?"
"Hey birthday girl! Since it's your birthday today, I'm calling to let you know we're taking you out today. Get ready. I'll come pick you up in an hour."
"Thank you girl. But I won't be able to go out today. My stepmom's home today. I don't think she'll want me going out."
She tried to sound strong, but deep down, she really wanted to go out. Her heart longed for what she couldn't enjoy.
"Girl please. You and I know that she doesn't care about your safety and whereabouts. She only cares about what makes you happy, so she can ruin it."
"I know Julia, but it does not change anything."
"Exactly Aurora, nothing's going to change if you don't change it yourself. We're no longer high school kids. You can either be such a big baby or come have a fun time with us. And I say, you're coming with us to have some fun. Like I said, I'll be there in an hour. Bye!" She hung up.
"Julia listen…" silly girl hung up.
Aurora kept trying to call Julia but she wasn't picking up.
"pick up please."
She sent her a message stating her situation and that she couldn't be seen at the moment. The message was delivered but left unseen.
"If Julia comes here, I'll be exposed. I have to find a way to get to her before she gets here."
Aurora got dressed. Deciding to do something risky, she grabbed her bed sheets, tied them together and after making sure it was strong enough, she tied it to her bed stand. Aurora held on to the sheets tightly, her life actually depended on it.
"phew, that was scary." Back to finding Julia before she gets here.
She saw Julia's car arrive, she'd just parked.
Unlocking the gate with her remote control, She ran to go meet her.
"Stop right there." It was Catrina. "What are you waiting for? Get her."
The guards grabbed Aurora. Julie had witnessed this and rushed in to save her friend. "Let her go, you evil witch."
"Get her too." Catrina ordered the guards. "You're just in time to witness a joyous occasion.Guards! Bring them inside."
When they got inside, Aurora noticed it looked different. "what's going on? Let me go. Let go of Julia."
"Shut your mouth you dirty little pig, now you go inside and get ready. There's a dress in there for you. Good thing I decided to bring it up to your room anyway."
So that's how she found out?
"Fine. Stop dragging us like dogs and we'll head straight to my room to get ready for whatever it is."
"Perfect. Let them go."
She signaled her daughter Celine. "join them. Don't let them out of your sight. I'll post guards outside the room, and notify them if she tries anything."
She turned to leave but stopped. "And Aurora, there are two dresses there. I don't know your exact size so I got both. Make sure your friend gets dressed up as well, we don't want her shaming us."
They got to Aurora's room. "Girl, what's wrong with your people? What's going on?"
"I don't know either." Aurora turned to Celine.
"What stupid occasion was your stepmom talking about and what does it have to do with me?"
"You'll find out soon. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new life," Celine mocked.
"What do you mean new life? I don't want to know what's going on here, but trust me if you touch a hair on her head, I'll report you." Julia was pissed, angry she couldn't help her friend or stop whatever was about to happen.
She decided to use her phone to call for help but saw Aurora's message. "I am so sorry Aurora, I didn't know. I would have brought help."
She immediately texted her danger code to her father, then immediately dialed 911.
"Hand me your phone." Celine ordered Julia.
"Never!"
"Fine. Brutus! Come get their phones."
The call went through, '911 what's your emergency?' We need help, we're at…"
The phone was snatched from her before she could complete her sentence.
"Now get ready, our guest will be here soon."
They were dressed and the security team assigned to them; not for safety, led them to the living room.
Shortly, the doorbell rang. "Hurry Preston, go get the door."
Someone who appeared to be a very qualified bodyguard stepped in. He scanned the room and gave a nod to someone outside the door.
Celine exclaimed. "He's so freaking hot!" She couldn't believe her parents would let Aurora marry such a catch.
"Why does she have to marry him, mom? I want him."
"Trust me, you don't. He's no good. Why would we give something good to her?"
"Fine mom."
"Good day Mr. Hale, Nice to meet you." Mr. Castell greeted with a smile and an outstretched hand for a handshake.
"Cut the chit chat, we're here for business. Where's the girl?"
"Yes Sir. Aurora, come over here."
Aurora didn't have a chance to stall, she was dragged by the guards to where Mr. Hale was.
"She's pretty." He touched her cheeks with the back of his palm. "Beautiful eyes. I'll take her. Where's the contract?"
"What's going on father? What does he mean by 'I'll take her'? what's all this?"
Julia figured what was going on. "You assholes want to sell your daughter off to this weird guy for money?"
"Shut your mouth, you dirty little nobody." Catrina had had enough. "One more word and you're doomed."
"Wait till my dad gets here, he'll be here any minute. He won't spare you."
Who the hell was her father? And what influences does he have? Catrina couldn't help but wonder.