ECHOES THAT LINGER.
Damien's Pov
I woke before the sun.
Sleep never stayed long with me. It never had.
The room was still dark, the curtains drawn, everywhere was quiet, I liked some peace and quiet,the outside world was irrelevant to me,I moved through my house without turning on many lights, I like my place dark.
I went to the kitchen, took a cup of water and headed to the gym to workout. I workout daily.
The gym was just a room inside my house. Nothing fancy. Nothing loud. Just where I burned things out of my system.
I started working out.
The silence helped me think.
Metal clashed.
Breath came heavy.
Muscles burned.
Sweats dripping my body
The pain kept my thoughts clean.
I was barely thirty minutes into my workout, when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
I ignored it, I didn't want to be distracted during my workout. Then it vibrated again.
I eventually picked up when it vibrated the fourth time, it was probably important.
"Speak," I said, already annoyed.
"We found her."
I smiled, still panting.
"Name?"
"Aurora."
The name settled somewhere in my chest.
"Age?" I asked.
"Twenty-six."
I released the bar slowly, this was getting interesting.
"Family?" I asked.
Father's name is Dave Lockwood. That's all we could confirm. Mother is deceased. She died when she was sixteen."
"Anything else?"
"She's currently job hunting," he said. "No stable employment. Lives modestly.She Keeps a low profile."
"So she's struggling," I said.
"Yes."
Good.
I low-key felt excited, for the first time in a very long while.
"She will work for me," I said calmly.
"You want us to approach her?"
"No," I replied. "I'll handle it."
Then the call ended.
I put the phone down, stood up, my body drenched with sweat.
"Finally" I muttered
It felt like things were finally in line.
I didn't want to work out anymore, I just went into the kitchen, took a glass of water, headed to my room for a bath and started my computer. I was going to find ways to get Aurora.
I knew her name now.
Aurora's Pov.
I didn't go job hunting today.
I stayed home.
My father's cough had worsened overnight, so I had to stay with him.
He needed me.
I made him breakfast.. Helped him sit. Watched him carefully as he ate.
"You don't have to hover," he said gently.
"Why not," I replied. "I love you dad, you're my only responsibility." I said with a smile.
It might be difficult but I love caring for my dad, I love him so much.
He smiled, tired but warm. "Thank you, my daughter."
I could see tears form in his eyes.
I sang to him and pat him gently till he fell asleep
Not too long after, I got a beep on my phone. I thought it was an E-mail from one of the companies, cause Damon was on a business trip, he wouldn't text till he came back, but to my surprise it was a message from Eliora..
It read Let's meet. Today. Please".
My dad was doing better, I could finally go out, " Text me the address" I replied.
I went to my dresser, I picked out a casual outfit, 'a basic crop with a Jean to pair with' packed my hair in a messy bun, applied my gloss, sprayed myself and hurried to my dad's room.
He was asleep and I didn't want to wake him up, we barely slept over night, I kissed his forehead gently and headed out.
We met at a small café near our old college road. The place hadn't changed at all, same cracked tiles, same broken chairs, same comforting smell of coffee and sugar.
Eliora was already waiting, she stood up the moment she saw me.
"You look exactly the same," she said, pulling me into a tight hug.
"You don't," I teased. "You look bigger and richer."
She laughed loudly. "I missed you."
She was loud as ever
We ordered drinks. She went for vanilla, as always. She always loved vanilla during college, and tried to force me into liking it. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't my favorite, so I ordered a cappuccino.
We talked. About so many things,
College memories. Our Stupid crushes. The way she used to change boyfriends like seasons.
"You never dated anyone," she said suddenly, squinting at me.
I rolled my eyes.
"So still no man" she asked?
"No" I replied, this led me to remembering about the guy I had met, I had to tell her about it.
Then I told her about him,how handsome he looked, the way he'd dressed perfectly, how good he smelt and lastly, the way the room shifted when he walked in.
"He has a dangerous aura"I said lastly
She leaned forward, eyes bright, "Smelled good?"
"mhm" I said
"Aww I remember you used to be attracted to good scents, still like that and ohhh I must admit, you smell so fucking good girl"
"You still use cuss words ma'am" I said playfully"anyways thank you"
"Once a baddie forever a baddie" she said with a playful wink.
"And I'm coming for that perfume"
I didn't say anything.
"I hope you meet him again," she said randomly. "And this time, I better be there."
Eliora always has a thing for sexy guys, she doesn't care if they're dangerous or no,we are completely different personalities.
Our meeting ended, I had to go home to my dad.
We hugged again, promised to meet soon, then went our separate ways.
On my way home, I stopped by the fruit stand and bought apples for Dad.
When I got to my apartment, my dad's breathing sounded wrong.
Uneven.
"Dad?" I called, dropping the bag in fear.
He groaned.
Fear hit me hard and fast.
I rushed to his side, helping him sit up, my hands shaking as I tried to steady him. His face was pale, his body tense with pain.
"It's okay," I whispered, "I'm here."
That night, I didn't sleep.
I sat beside his bed, listening to every breath, every sound, praying silently as the hours dragged into morning.
And somewhere deep inside me, I felt it again.
That pull.
Unseen. Unnamed.
Waiting.....