I almost thought that the night would never end. Seeing my parents at the event was surprising yet not unexpected. They were social butterflies. I wished I did not attend. I felt so odd and awkward to be standing next to someone like Leo. I wondered if people knew I was his wife and if they did, I wondered what they thought about someone that looked like him marrying someone that looked like me. Speaking to his friend wasn't so bad. At least someone acted like I existed. Rick was funny and bubbly, very unlike his friend who was as cold as ice. It was always a miracle to see Leo crack a smile. He did not even smile at my parents. Oh God, it was so obvious. Why couldn't he just keep up the act like he did before we got married? When he said it was time to leave, I subtly let out a sigh of relief, glad that it was over and I did not have to continue to hide how awkward it felt to be out with him for the first time since our marriage. I found out later that this was his father's idea. In

I was smiling. Really smiling this time. It was not forced. I even caught myself singing a couple of times as I hurried off to my new favorite place."Hey Axel." I waved at him with child-like excitement as I skidded to a halt.He gave me a slow smile, "Seems like you're in a good mood today," "I guess so." I shrugged, giggling slightly. He could tell there was something on the tip of my tongue."What's the good news, would you like to share?""My friend is coming over today! Leo says she can." I squealed and did a little happy dance.I was so excited to see River. I had not seen her since the wedding because she had traveled out of town for school and now that she was done with college she was going to be in Washington until she got her dream job. I was so happy for her."That's great." Axel said. "Is this friend as beautiful as you?"I sighed dreamily, "River is so beautiful, you can't possibly compare me to her."He frowned, "Why would you say that?" "Well because it's the truth?

"What are you doing here?"I held myself from flinching at the shock of him being right there towering over Axel and I as we sat on the grass. I slowly got on my feet."I asked you a question Aurora." He said again and I could immediately tell that he was vexed. Twice in a row. Good one, Aurora."I'm just here with a friend." I managed to say."So I say that your friend shouldn't come here any longer and you quickly find a replacement?" His eyes are blazing as he glances at Axel and back at me."No," I shook my head. "Axel has been my friend for a while." "I don't care about any of that. Get into the house right now." Leo ordered sternly.Obeying his orders, I turned to say goodbye to Axel but he stopped me with his arm separating me from him. It was then I realized the proximity between Axel and I was unusual and this was most probably because I was vulnerable and crying on his shoulder before Leo walked in."Move Aurora," Leo reiterated and I left, promising Axel with my eyes that

Another day, another drama. It was yet another day in the Adams' household and I was about to get grilled by my mother in-law. I was minding my business as usual when I walked past a shelf and a vase followed suit, landing on the floor and shattering into pieces. I froze in shock. It all happened so fast. But luckily there was one of the helps on standby who helped me clean up the mess the shards of glass had made. "Aurora!" I was on my way to the bedroom when I heard her grueling scream. "Oh dear God," I said under my breath as I turned back to head towards the stairs. "Ma'am?" "Get down here right now!" I sighed and slowly made my way down to face her. This was going to be messy. "I didn't break it on purpose." I said before she could say anything to me in that accusatory tone she usually used. "Oh shut up!" "It's just a vase, why would you want to make a big deal out of this?" I asked, genuinely tired of her antics and apparently not in the mood for her drama. She looked

I picked up my phone nervously at the third ring. I had a bad feeling about this call."Mother..." I said slowly. "Come home. We need to talk." I swallowed. If she wanted to me to come all the way down to talk, then things were serious. I put down my phone and headed straight into the closet to pick something to wear. Jeans. I was struggling to wear my jeans. I had put on some weight without even realizing it. The same way I struggled to put it on, I fought to take it off and threw on a A-shaped floral dress instead. I slid on some sandals and headed straight into the bathroom to put on some light makeup. She would kill me if I left the house without looking 'presentable'. I got one of the drivers to take me. My mother in-law was thankfully not in to scrutinize me. This was the first time I would step out of the estate in the bright of day for something that was not another pointless function. I heaved a breath. There was this nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was goin