Chapter 45 Is She Also Afraid Of The Dark?
Chapter 45 Is She Also Afraid of The Dark?
Aurora had to lean against the wall and held herself tightly. When she was about to crack up, she suddenly heard a knock at the door and a voice from Alex. "Aurora, are you in the room?"
Aurora hastily raised her head. Her eyes were bloodshot and were brimming with tears as she looked at the door. She couldn't believe somebody were coming to save her. A knock was heard again.
"Aurora, are you there?" Alex phoned Aurora while he was calling her.
The phone rang on the sofa. Hearing the ring for a while, Aurora began to realize somebody was looking for her.
Alex laid his ear to the door, and heard the phone ring from the room. Nobody answered the phone for a long time. He became anxious and smashed down the door.
Seeing the dim light form the door, Aurora broke down with a whimper. Her voice made Alex feel bad.
Alex hurried to shone the flashlight into the dark room, and finally found helpless Aurora in the corner behind the window. Feeling sick at heart, he squatted down beside Aurora and asked her softly, "Are you okay?"
Squatting down in the corner, with hair disheveled and head buried on her knees, Aurora was like a breakable doll that was abandoned by the whole world.
Alex helped Aurora up gently, and congratulated himself that he found Aurora at the right time. "It's okay, Aurora. I'm here." He tapped Aurora on the back and comforted her gently.
Aurora said nothing, but stopped weeping.
Alex came prepared with a lighter and some candles. He lighted several candles and laid them in the room. Aurora became relaxed as the room lightened. He was holding Aurora on the shoulder. Looking at her tearful face, Alex felt very sorry.
Aurora calmed down after a while.
"Thank you, Alex," said Aurora.
Watching Aurora's expression for a while, Alex was sure she was really relaxed, and murmured to her, "You just sit on the sofa and I'll get you a glass of water."
There was a slight flush on Aurora's face. "My legs feel numb." she said with embarrassment.
Wearing a smile on his face, Alex held Aurora by the arm and helped her walk towards the sofa. He noticed Aurora's phone on the sofa. Then he passed the phone to Aurora, and said with a resigned tone, "Dic you forget it?" Aurora took the phone, and felt like a child who did something wrong." I was so nervous that I forgot everything." said her, looking a bit embarrassed.
Alex watched over Aurora tenderly and silently. Her panic-stricken expression made Alex feel quite anxious and arose his strong desire to protect her. It's obvious that Aurora had regained her composure at the moment. Alex suppressed his urge to gather Aurora in his arms, got her a glass of water, and asked her seemingly without intention, "Are you afraid of the dark?"
"I've been afraid of the dark since I was a child. I dare not turn off the light at night." Aurora nodded without evasions. The case has been aggravated since her father's death.
Alex had a sort of feeling there was something behind Aurora's experiences, but for the moment he didn't want to get to the bottom of that. He just said to her in a soft voice, "Don't forget to call me at any time i you get into trouble. Even if I can't come to you in time, it will be better for you to chat with me on the phone."
Aurora felt touched, "Alex, thank you. If you were not here, I couldn't know..."
"Don't mention it." Alex cut her short. Then he said, with eyes sparkling warm and tenderness, "I'll keep you company whenever you need."
Aurora watched over him, not knowing what to say. She was very clear about what was on his mind, but she had turned him down positively. "Isn't some sort of estranging him inevitable?" She wondered. In fact, she had just a few friends. Just at that time, her stomach rumbled.
"You must be starving. I'm also hungry. I'll call the hotel for a takeaway." He said as he walked to the nightstand.
They were not full for dinner because of Nevaeh.
The hotel attendant delivered some food to the room just when the line was through. The attendant explained, "We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the power failure, and offer the food to you as compensation. We'd be appreciated if you accept our apology."
"Eat soup first." Alex passed a soup to Aurora, and a knife and fork.
"Thank you." Aurora took a sip of the soup, feeling good. She wondered how the hotel could still offer food when the power was cut. After meal, they looked at each other in silence for a while. She wanted Alex to stay with her, because she dreaded being in the room alone. But her mind told her it's not appropriate for them to stay together at the late hour. Besides, the relationship between Alex and her was in an awkward position. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Leah may be back soon. Please go back to your room for a rest, as we have to get up early tomorrow. I'm Ok as the candles were lit. I've put you so much trouble. I'll treat you to dinner when we're back."
Alex smiled after a pause, and said, "I expect you will express your thanks in another way." He hoped Leah would not come back tonight, if so, he could keep Aurora for a whole night. Aurora read what was on his mind. She smiled with embarrassment after a pause, and said nothing.
At the moment, Sion came back. He saw Nevaeh curl up in bed, cuddling the quilt. Apparently, she was scared by the power failure.
Hearing Sion's voice, Nevaeh struggled to throw herself into his arms, and sobbed, "Sion..."
Sion wanted to pushed herself away, but his hands paused and tapped her shoulders. After a while, he held Nevaeh and helped her lie in bed.
"Don't worry. It's just power failure. And the power will be back soon." said Sion.
"Where were you? My phone is not here. I dare not get it back. I thought you left me alone." Nevaeh got more and more aggrieved as she said. She was so frightened by the dark in the room just now. "I'm sorry. I was busy just now." Sion gave her two tissues.
"You were not here. I was so scared then." Nevaeh held him tightly by the arm as she sobbed, looking very pitiable.
"Take it easy. You just sleep, and I'll accompany you." Sion sat by the bed.
"Don't you really leave me alone?"
"No."
Hearing Sion's answer, Nevaeh felt relieved. She moved herself nearer to Sion, and closed her eyes for sleeping.
Hearing Nevaeh's even breathing, Sion couldn't help thinking of Aurora. Her reactions were sharp when he went away. "Is she also afraid of the dark?" He wondered. Thinking of Aurora, he couldn't constrain his mind to go back to see her, though rationally he thought she should be fine.
After a moment, Nevaeh fell asleep. Sion found Nevaeh's phone and put it on the bed. After a slight hesitation, he got out of the room.