CHAPTER 10 - Aurora

When I woke up in the morning I was in a good mood despite last night with Leo acting his usual scheming ways.

I got dressed into a nice comfy outfit and put some light makeup on.

I gathered all the notes on my desk into a neat pile so it will be easier for when Josh arrives as we will put our notes together and turn it into a PowerPoint.

I made my way downstairs to get some breakfast. "Hi mom" I greeted as I walked into the kitchen. Mom was having coffee at the table.

"Goodmorning Rory."Mom smiled as she got up and hugged me before washing her coffee cup.

Mom has called me 'Rory' which is short for Aurora ever since I was younger, Nikolai used to say Rory when we were a few years old  because he couldn't say Aurora and mom just started saying it and it's stuck.

"How was your double date?" I asked teasingly. "It was really fun, we went to this really posh restaurant and we talked for hours, it was great, it really was." Mom said smiling.

"How is dad with everything?"

"He's fine, him and Luca are coming up with the best possible solution and everything will be fine, everything will go back to normal." Mom said as if she was trying to convince herself of what she said.

"Don't worry mom, it's going to be fine, I promise, you know dad he's a mafia boss, and he's got Felix and Luca's help."I said trying to comfort her. "Yeah I know Rory."Mom says pulling me in for a hug.

"I love you mom".I say hugging her. "I love you too". Mom says.

An hour later....

Mom dad and I were in the kitchen and I was talking about last night's dinner with Sofia and Raquel and mom said that Elijah, Rya, Felix, Brie and Sofia and Raquel should come visit us the weekend.

"Yeah that would be great mom". I agreed excited for seeing the girls again. "Yeah that's a good idea, love". Dad said kissing mom's forehead. Mom and dad were making a plan and I was just listening when Leo and Sandra came down the stairs. Leo was shirtless wearing a loose tracksuit.

Sandra's hair was a mess and her makeup was all over her face but she was still really pretty, I've got to give her that. "Goodmorning". Leo said groggily as he entered the kitchen.

"Goodmorning Leo" Mom said.

"Morning Leo". Dad mumbled looking on his phone. I looked at Sandra who was standing there awkwardly with her heels in her hand.

"Hi Sandra". I said smiling. "Hi Aurora". Sandra said smiling. Mom and dad said 'Hi' to Sandra before they left. "Do you want something to eat or drink?" I asked kindly because Leo was just standing there on his phone.

"No I'm fine, thanks, I should get going anyway" Sandra said before looking at Leo. I looked at Leo who was still on his phone,he looked up from his phone due to the silence in the room. "What?"Leo asked confused as he looked at me then Sandra and then back to me. "I'm leaving now". Sandra said walking up to him.

"Okay bye".He said not interested at all. She didn't say anything but I could tell her heart broke, she likes him, she turned and looked at me in embarrassment before walking away from Leo. "Bye Aurora, It was nice meeting you."She said putting on her heels. " Do you have someone to drop you home? "I asked.

She looked at me for a moment" No I don't but I'll just call an uber, honestly it's fine."

I stood up from my chair." Let me drop you home, I don't have anything to do for a while "I said to Sandra.

Josh isn't going to be here for another few hours and  I don't have anything better to do. Leo looked up from his phone with a - what the hell is going on - look. "Okay if you don't mind." Sandra said giving me a small smile.

"No I don't". I promised. I grabbed my bag and my phone and ignored Leo and left. Sandra followed me and got into the car, before I got in the car I saw Leo leaning against the door way folding his arms with a defeated look.

He clearly didn't get the reaction he wanted. Perfect. I smirked at my victory.

I didn't bother getting Massimo because she only lives a few minutes away and I don't want to spook her with the fact I have a bodyguard.

Sandra and I talked about our life as I drove her home. She works as a bartender and is in college training to be a therapist, just like me, We also  laughed about how Leo kept forgetting her name.

When we arrived at her house we exchanged numbers and  agreed to meet up soon. We said goodbye to one another and I left.

A while later...

When I arrived home, Nikolai was on the couch watching Netflix.

"Hey Nik". I greeted going up to him and sitting down on the other couch because he was lying on the other.

"Hi" he replied hoarsely. I looked at him and his face was the definition of hungover. He had bags under his eyes and he had pale skin.

"You don't look too good" I said teasing him.

"Great point" He said annoyed still fixated on the TV. "What have I said about not drinking too much?"I asked.

" I know." Nikolai said looking at me smirking.

"Do you want my famous Cheese Toastie."I asked hyping him up.

"Yes please."He begged smiling getting up from the couch. "Okay". I said going to the kitchen making him the Toastie. My cheese Toastie apparently cures hangovers because there that good. Leo came downstairs, freshly showered, and sat beside Nikolai. When the cheese toastie was ready the doorbell rang. It must be Josh. "Who the hell is that?" Nikolai asked holding his head. "It's Josh remember, I have an assignment with him". I reminded him as I handed him the plate. I looked at Leo and he was glaring at me, I ignored him and went to open the door to let Josh in.

"Hi Josh."I welcomed as he walked through the door. He had a bag on his back and had a load of notes in his hands. "Hey Aurora, why didn't you tell me your rich as fuck" He asked laughing.I chuckled and closed the door. Josh saw Leo and Nikolai glaring at him and smiled there awkwardly.

"Josh this is Nikolai my brother" I said pointing to Nik, "and this is Leo his best friend and a family friend."

"Hi".Josh said to Nik and Leo. "Hi Josh, nice to meet you". Nik said with his mouth stuffed with the toastie sandwich. "Hi". Leo mumbled.

"Mom and dad are somewhere here, I'm sure you'll meet them later. "I said. "Okay". Josh said smiling at me.

"Okay let's go to my room". I said making my way to the stairs.

Josh replied with a "Yeah" and followed me.

I turned around to see Leo glaring at the back of Josh's head, if looks could kill Josh would surely be dead. Leo then turned his eyes to me and glared at me before grinding his fists on the side of the couch.

Is Leo jealous?

When Leo left me breathless after that moment I sat on my bed thinking about it. We have never been that close to one another ever, he has never even touched me let alone the fact that he was between me and I could feel him rubbing against me.

When I got my act together I went to shower to get rid of today's events and other things and feelings. Leo knows what he has done to me, I'm rattled but I'm going to win this game and the only way to win is to ignore every little trick he has up his sleeve.

One thing you need to know about me is that I always finish what I start.

After my long shower I watched some  Netflix on my TV, my all time favourite TV show is Teen wolf, I love it mainly for the plot, and the plot is Stiles.

After a while I got bored and I was hungry so I made my way downstairs to the kitchen to get something to eat. I saw mom and dad whispering something to each other but thought nothing of it, it's probably just the South American mafia Buissness.

"Hey guys. "I greeted going to the fridge getting some fruit so I can  make a smoothie.

" Hey sweetheart. " Mom said.

I turned around because the silence in thr room was loud. Mom and dad were looking at each other with a look that screamed - you should tell her, and the other person is like no you should tell her-

"What's going on? " I asked confused and slightly worried for what there answer was going to be.

"Why don't you sit down, love." Dad said,I obeyed and sat down in front of them both. This must be serious because dad is never usually this nervous and stressed about something.

"As you know the South American mafia want to take over both the Sicillian and Italian mafia and we're trying to persuade Damon that we have joined mafias."

"Okay, is this Damon guy persuaded? " I asked still confused and worried for where this conversation is going to lead.

"No he's not love, he sent a letter saying he's not convinced but if  we manage to persuade him he will back out and leave both mafias alone, and he will, all I know about him is that he keeps his word, many mafias have made countless deals with him and he has always followed through no matter the circumstance."

"Okay, so what do we need to do to persuade him, are you and Luca going to join mafias and share the business? "

"We thought of that but that only happens when a member from each mafia gets married which bonds the mafia empire."

"What else are you going to do then, get married to one of the Greys? "I said jokily to lighten the mood. Mom and dad looked at each other with a guilty and defeated look.

"What's going on mom?" I asked mom hoping she would tell me because the suspense is killing me.

"Rory we're asking you if you would marry Leo, just until Damon is persuaded and then you guys can call it quits."Mom said as she caressed my hand.

What the fuckity fuck. Marriage? Marrying Leo? What??

I froze as I tried to take in everything mom was saying. This is not good, this is not good at all, but one thing I know is that I will do anything to save dad's mafia so if I have to I will marry Leo and deal with this marriage for a few weeks, months at the most.

"It would just be for a few months, but if you don't feel comfortable with it, we can come up with something else." Dad said with a little smile assuring me that I have the choice in this.

"What would we have to do to persuade Damon that we're married?" I asked imagining all the things we would have to do. A few months ago I would have been low-key happy but now, I'm proving to him that I'm over him and now we might have to kiss, and act all lovey dovey like most married people do.

"Whatever makes you guys comfortable." Mom replied.

"Yes, whatever makes you comfortable, the yearly ball takes place in a few weeks so there we will spread the word around that you and Leo are dating and that will get back to Damon, I don't know if he's going to be at the ball but if he is, all the better, and a few weeks later you and Leo  get engaged and maybe Damon might be persuaded before you even get married. It might not even get as far as marriage, Aurora."

I thought about it for a second before responding. It might not even go as far as marriage just as dad said. All Leo and I will have to do is kiss and pretend to be in love with each other, it shouldn't be that hard.

"I'll do it".I said agreeing to the fake marriage. It will only be for a little while and besides this is the perfect chance to get in the lead in this childish game me and Leo are playing.

I prove to him I'm fully over him and he will try to prove that I will never get over him but this is the perfect opportunity to prove him wrong.

"Really?"Mom said surprised that I agreed that fast. Her eyes widened at that fact and dad looked relieved.

"Does Leo know?" I asked wondering if he was the one who came up with this insane but yet convincing idea.

"Yeah he does, he agreed straight away, he thinks it will be easy to convince Damon that this is true." Dad said chuckling.

Of course he did.

"Nikolai came up with the idea". Dad said with a proud look on his face.

"Did he?" I asked surprised. I'm proud of Nik because its actually a smart idea despite of the circumstances.

"Leo, Nik, Luca and Chiara are waiting in the office for your answer, should we go tell them?"Mom asked smiling.

"Yeah okay let's go." I said as I got up from my chair and walked towards dad's office with mom and dad behind me.

I'm just waiting to see Leo's smug face when dad tells him I agreed to us fake dating.

This is going to go great.