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20

I completely forgot about graduation. The last three days with Leo had been very distracting. He took my mind off the attack and all the terrible things. However, a sense of fear and security came over me every moment I spent with the man. Maybe it was because I knew what he did in the shadows. His mere stature intimidated me, shaking me to the core.

I sat in the backseat of the luxurious Rolls Royce while Derek stripped me away from downtown Manhattan and into Queens. Within a few minutes, I was outside my house. He was an incredibly fast, yet an amazing driver. "Thank you, Derek," I thanked the same dark, handsome man who picked me and Aunt Wendy up for the ball.

"Of course, Ms. Noelle. Have a good day." He flashed his perfect pearly whites before I nodded in acknowledgment and returned his smile with my own. He drove off as I neared my door, opening it to hear constant shuffling of dishes taking place in the kitchen. A slight fear crossed my mind as I picked up the vase that sat beside the T.V. Slowly, I closed the distance between me and the kitchen.

Standing against the wall before going into the kitchen, I gave myself a little pep talk. You got this. Leo has taught you some moves. You can handle this situation. I believe in you Arie. Let's go. I jumped around the corner raising the vase in the air ready to dismantle the intruder when I noticed a flustered little Burger factory staring at me in complete and utter shock with dishes scattered across the island in the middle.

"What the hell are you doing?" She yelled at me.

"I thought someone broke in." I set the vase down on the dining table behind me and let out a breath of relief. Thank God!

"Someone would break in for dishes?" She held my gaze for a while in utter disappointment.

"You never know," I hugged in frustration as I placed my bag down on the ground. "What are you doing anyways?"

"Debating on what to make for dinner." With that she went back to shuffling through for the right pan or whatever she was looking for.

"It's barely two pm. Why so early?"

"Because Ashton is coming," she smiled.

"It isn't the first time he's coming home, Aunt Wendy," I scoffed at her excitement and chugged water down.

"With a girl," she added, her grin growing wider.

"What?" I choked on my water, spilling it over myself and the floor.

"I know right," she laughed. "For the first time ever. So, you can't blame me for being excited."

I was conflicted with so many question. Who was she? Where was she from? How did he meet her? Was it the British girl that he told me about a few weeks back?

"When did he tell you about her?" I wiped away the water from my face and straightened out my wet tank top.

"He texted me last night and told me about her so I just asked him to invite her for dinner today. I hope that's okay with you." She lifted her eyes towards me and waited for my approval.

"Of course it is, Aunt Wendy. You don't have to ask me. You're so much more excited than me. You sound like a mother," I chuckled.

"Well, I'm your mom even though I am not biologically and don't look like one, but you guys are my little kiddies and will always be my little kiddies."

"Okay mother," I scoffed. "When will they be here?"

"At seven."

"That's five hours away. Jesus! Settle down. I'll help you prepare dinner around five. Not right now. So, calm down and think about what you want to feed the poor girl."

"I'm nervous to meet her. What if she doesn't like us. What if she doesn't like me and breaks up with him because of me," She spoke too fast in agitated.

"Oh God, Aunt Wendy. Quit being paranoid. Nothing is going to happen. I'm going to be by your side the entire night. She's the one who should be this flustered and anxious, not you. So take a chill pill, burger factory. You're going to be fine," I reassured her before taking her towards the living room and settling her down onto the couch.

"You're right. It's just that I've never done this before and I don't know what to do."

"It's just dinner, Aunt Wendy. Just dinner. Should be fun," I squeezed her hand gently.

She smiled at me and asked, "how's that scar of yours anyways?"

"It doesn't hurt. It's just a small one," I brushed it off quickly. "Well, I'm going to go freshen up." I hurriedly skipped up the stairs before she could say anything else.

I lied to her about the scar just like everything else. I had been lying so much lately, I might as well be Pinocchio. I told her that I got this scar by hitting my head on the bar table when I was 'out' with Leo the other day so that's why I stayed the night at his place. She didn't doubt a thing I said because she never expected me to lie, but here I was with my disgusting lies.


I sat at the dining table munching on some gum while Aunt Wendy finished up setting the table before the door bell rang.

"I'll get it," I yelled in excitement and jumped up from my seat. Straightening out my white floral dress, I walked towards the door and wiped my sweaty hands on the hem of my dress. Letting out a nervous breath, I opened up the door to find Ashton standing next to a beautiful brunette woman wearing a navy blue dress who stood almost as tall as him with blue matching stilettos that she was adorned in. Her blue eyes stared at me contently and a sweet little smile graced her face. She looked so familiar, but I couldn't seem to place her.

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