Chapter Six
Aurora's POV
TWO MONTHS LATER
It had always been my dream to come down to New York ever since I was little, and here I am in the heart of the city. In my dream city, I turned around, taking in the fresh air of the place.
"Finally, here I am," I said with a huge smile as I made my way out of the airport. I didn't have much luggage because I practically ran away from home.
Never mind, I don't want to think about what made me leave Mexico or what I had to face. I flopped down a taxi and got it when he stopped at my front.
"Where to, ma?" he asked after a while of driving, jolting me out of my deep thought.
"Number 14 Broadway Street, sir," I muttered to him. Before going back to my sight-seeing,
The tall towers, the massive buildings, the bright street lights New York is a vibrant and bustling city, filled with towering skyscrapers and diverse neighbourhoods, and everything was just like I saw it on TV.
If I were told I would be here, I wouldn't have believed it. The memories of what made me leave Mexico flashed through my memories, and tears dropped down my eyes. I hate to admit it, but I guess that is life.
The driver pulled the car to a halt and came down to pay him his money. I stared at the tall building at my front, and a gasp escaped my mouth. It was tall and looked stunning, though not as amazing as most of the buildings I saw on the road, but it was still okay. I dragged my luggage along with me as I made my way inside the house.
As I rode my way up to the top floor of the building, the elevator hummed quietly and shifted barely under my feet.
The elevator pinged once I reached the tenth floor, and the door slid open soundlessly. I glided through the doors and took a deep breath.
I inserted the key I was giving into my door lock, and it opened. Finally, I was away from the claws of my stepmother and the harsh life I was once living. Now I had to live my life—the one I've been wishing to live all my life.
I settled down on the chair I saw; it was a studio apartment, so I didn't expect much, but what I met beat my expectations.
It was a cosy and compact living space that combined multiple functions into one open area. It typically consists of a main room that serves as a bedroom, living room, and dining area, all in one. The kitchenette and bathroom were separated, though they are smaller in size compared to those in larger apartments. But despite its smaller size, it still seems comfortable and functional, making it a great option for individuals or couples looking for a compact living space.
I dropped my luggage and started offloading. A picture dropped from my bag. I picked it up, and it turned out to be my dad's.
Tears dropped from my eyes as I stared at his picture. I traced my hands gently on the pictures.
As memories flooded my mind, my thoughts drifted back to the day of my father's diagnosis. I vividly remembered the shock that coursed through my veins and the tears that streamed down her face as the doctor delivered the devastating news. From that moment on, their lives were forever changed.
The flashback continued, capturing the countless hospital visits, the chemotherapy sessions, and the toll it took on my father's once-vibrant spirit. My heart ached as I recalled the moments of weakness, the pain etched on my father's face, and the strength he displayed despite it all.
I reminisced about the times we shared, the heartfelt conversations we had, and the unspoken bond that grew stronger with each passing day. I realised that even in the face of adversity, our love remained unwavering.
I remembered how my father's hand was held tightly, whispering words of love and gratitude. In that bittersweet moment, I felt a mix of sorrow and relief. as my father took his final breath, and hot tears washed down my eyes as his face was closed by a white cloth.
A knock on the door jolted me back to reality, ending whatever flashback I was having. I stood up, dragging my weak leg to the door.
I bolted the door open and met with a fine, slender lady. She had blue oceanic eyes, and her brown, curly hair sat prettily on her shoulder. She put on a red t-shirt with "Demain Pizza," which was prescribed on it. And a Jean
"Good afternoon, ma," she greeted me politely, beaming at me with the most contagious smile I had ever seen.
"Good morning," I said, replying to her with the same smile.
My eyes gazed down at the steaming box of pizza in her hands. The aroma wafted through the air, instantly making my taste buds tingle with anticipation. I couldn't help but smile as I paid for the pizza and thanked the delivery girl.
With the box in my hands, I hurried to the kitchen, setting it down on the table. I carefully lifted the lid, revealing a mouth-watering sight. The melted cheese stretched as I pulled a slice free, the toppings glistening under the warm glow of the kitchen light.
As I took my first bite, a symphony of flavours exploded in my mouth. The tanginess of the tomato sauce, the savoury notes of the toppings, and the perfect balance of cheese and crust danced on my taste buds. It was pure bliss.
With each bite, my worries and stress melted away. The simple pleasure of enjoying a delicious pizza brought a sense of comfort and joy. I savoured every mouthful, relishing in the moment of pure indulgence.
When I was sure that I was satisfied with the pizza, I picked up the remains and kept them in a mini fridge I bought. I took out a bottle of water and gulped everything down in less than seven gulps.
"Ah!"
"That is more nice," I said with a smile before tracing my leg to my bed, collapsing right on it.
It had been such a long and tiring day for me. I picked up my phone, scrolling through some random things I found online. My eyelids started closing on their own, and soon I gave in to nature as I drifted to sleep.
.......
The consistent ringing of my phone woke me up from my nap. I lazily used my hand to search for my phone without opening my eyes. I wasn't ready to let the sleep drift off my phone. When my hand finally touched my phone, I picked it up lazily and brought it to my face. I picked up the call without checking the caller's ID.
"Hello," I said with my soft yet sleepy voice.
"HEYYYYYY MY BITCH! The loud voice came out, almost blocking my eardrum. I shifted the phone away from my ear, preventing damage to my ears. I need no one to tell me it was my best friend; she was the only one that could have such an annoying voice and the only one with my number. Since I changed the previous one, I don't want my stepmother or sisters to have access to me.
"Guyyy, do you want to spoil my eardrum?" I replied, faking annoyance, and she cracked up a bit.
"You know being angry doesn't fit you, and again, I think I should be the one angry. How could you not call me since morning to brief me about your trip, and you call yourself my friend? She shouted on top of her lungs furiously.
"Th-a-t w-a-s," I stuttered, remembering I hadn't called her, and that was bad for me.
"I'm sorry, babe. I was occupied and just slept off when I was done," I said calmly, praying she understood me and would forgive my attitude towards her.
"Apologies are not accepted," she said, still angry.
"I'm sorry, Pumpkin. I promise it wasn't intentional, and I won't do it anymore. I cross my heart," I said with a bit of a smile, meaning everything I said. There was silence before she finally spoke up.
"It's fine; you know I can't stay angry with you for long." I smiled out loud at her response.
"So, how was the journey? How is New York? I hope you are settling in well."
"I'm trying, and guess what? The apartment was spacious and comfy; I'm liking the place already," I said, my voice laced with happiness.
We talked for some time before she hung up. I felt so relieved and happy after talking to her. The sleep had worn off my eyes, so I just decided to step out and get the little things I needed. I picked up some of the remaining money and stepped out to the mall.
......
I brought different items I knew I would need and placed everything at the receptionist table; she calculated all I bought.
"$500, ma," she said. My mouth opened in awe at the price she offered.
I brought out all the money in my purse, and it was just $400. I searched through my pocket to check if I had money in it, but there wasn't.
Sweat broke out of my body. I felt my whole body tense up. I quickly searched for the things I could remove from it for the money to accumulate to $400, but I had only picked the necessities.
~Cussed~
"Fuck," I said silently to myself. The receptionist was looking at me suspiciously, and the people lining up behind me were getting impatient.
"Ma! Your money," she said, laying emphasis on the money.
I was about to reply to her when someone beat me to it.
"How much is it? The husky and deep voice came out, sending shivers down my spine. I turned around gently to see who had just come to my rescue, shocked and amazed at how handsome the person looked.
He was a white guy with blond hair who was of average height, standing at around 5'10" or so. His height gives him a balanced and proportionate look, allowing him to move with ease and confidence. has fair skin and hair that is a bright shade of yellow. His blond hair falls in soft waves, framing his face and giving him a youthful and vibrant appearance. He has a charming smile that lights up his blue eyes, and his blond hair adds to his overall sunny and cheerful demeanour.
"$500, sir, " the receptionist said, stopping me from drooling better. I bowed my head in embarrassment when I noticed he caught me drooling at him.
"Thank you so much, sir." I bowed my head in appreciation, picked up the groceries I bought, and made my way out of the mall. I was about to flab down a
When I heard someone's loud voice, I gazed back, checking whoever it was, and it was the guy from earlier.
"Sorry for disturbing you; you left your wallet behind," he said, stretching out the wallet to me, shocked and appreciative. I collected the wallet and thanked him genuinely.
"I'm Nathan by name, Nathan Angelo," he introduced, stretching forth his hand for a shake. I placed my hand on his, feeling the soft texture of his hand.
"Aurora, Aurora Williams,"
"Nice,"
"Are you a model perchance?" he asked, sizing me up in a strange way. I felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze but didn't let it show on my face.
"No, I'm not, but I really wish to be one; being a model is just a bit hard," I said with a funny look, earning a chuckle from him.
"I understand what you mean," he said charmingly. He brought out something that turned out to be his business card from his pocket and handed it to me.
"There will be an audition tomorrow; we need new faces for some brands, so we need to accept new people. Make sure you come to the address tomorrow. I wish you the best of luck, princess," he said with a broad smile before leaving, while I stood watching his back view like a lost sheep.
When I was sure he wasn't around, I took a look at the business. My eyes bulged out wide, and my mouth wouldn't stop getting wider.
"WHAT!" I shouted surprisingly at the content of the card.