[10]: the boss

________________________ 10 the boss "You act like you're better when in reality we're just the same — you and I." ________________________ The next day, Aurora woke up in a completely grumpy mood. She really hates waking up so early, especially when she has to because of someone else's orders — and especially when it came from Alexander. The minute she got home from last night's dinner, the first thing she did was sit on her bed and think about all the things that happened earlier that day and how crazy it all seemed to be. She frowned upon remembering the deal she had just made with the devil, how completely stupid it was and how she's not getting out of this one — unless she wants her father to know that she's the cause of the bruise and the graze that is currently resting on Alexander's cheek.  Damn that guy to hell and back! Well, she supposed it was her fault that this whole mess started the way it did, but could anyone have blamed her for her reaction? Just the sight of him alone was enough to make her see red and only red. It seemed idiotic of her, but she didn’t really regret it one bit; just that she allowed herself to fall into Alexander’s mind traps and mind games once more. This time, he’s even got his usual partner-in-crime for his infamous antics.  Why can’t she just spend this summer in peace? And then, rather reluctantly, she grabbed her phone and alarmed it to quarter past four until fifteen minutes past five with a five-minute interval each—she just has to make sure like that since she's not really sure if she can even wake up to the sound of her alarm. Her friends always tell her how it's completely ridiculous that she can't wake up to that, but she'll just wave them off and say that it's just not in her nature to be able to wake up early--nor will it ever be. In her opinion though, it's her mother's fault. She spoiled her too much and let her sleep in, always letting her wake up either early afternoon or late morning. At that time, Aurora really thinks there’s no better way to spend the day than to sleep in, especially when the weather is especially cozy that day. And because of that, she mostly just spends her time in bed. She appreciates her mother's gesture before—not that she doesn't now—but she's starting to think that all of those were a pretty bad idea. Because of that, her body is used to waking up late, that even those times when there were still classes, she had to let Alicia wake her up and let her alarm sound just to make sure she doesn't get to class late.  Making that decision though was probably not one of the smartest she’s made thus far. The woman is absolutely ruthless when it comes to waking her up, even resorting to tactics like pushing her off the bed, pouring down cold water on her face, and making loud noises that could possibly wake up the whole building. If that were to happen, Aurora wouldn’t be particularly surprised anymore since she does know from experience just how powerful those noises are--those damn annoying, ear-piercing noises. Feeling thankful that it wasn’t her friend waking her up this time around, she rubbed the tiredness from her eyes—well, at least she tried to—before she released a big breath and yawned right after. It didn't even make her any less sleepier like Frank said; if anything, it only made her sleepier, especially since her bed is warm and comfortable--the one weakness that she will always have. When she heard the alarm yet again, she laid there for a few minutes, just trying to adjust herself to her surroundings and whatnot. She glanced at her curtain-covered window, feeling the cold rush of the wind beat her down even further in her bed, even though she can’t technically feel the wind touch her skin. If she doesn’t get out of this bed now, she would no doubt fall asleep again and that two-faced asshole would yell at her again for being such an incompetent personal assistant. Not that she particularly cares about whatever nonsense he spouts, but having those words resonate in her ears so early in the morning isn’t something she would like to do.  Sighing at the conclusion she just made, she willed herself to stand up, even if it was in the most sluggish way possible, and dragged her feet towards the bathroom, but not before turning off the alarm on her phone. If she doesn’t, the thing would only keep wailing and wailing until it would eventually wake the rest of the house up. Now that’s definitely something she doesn’t want to happen. "Alexander, you stupid moron." She muttered under her breath as she glared at the ground, imagining that it's Alexander's face she’s stepping on. It made her feel slightly better, but it would feel more incredible if it was actually his face. "You let me wake up this early when you know I always wake up late." And that's when everything suddenly clicked. The bastard knows her like the back of his hand. Why didn't she remember that the instant he demanded her to wake up early because he said so? See, this is one of the reasons why she finds herself so stupid sometimes. Even when she has a high IQ, she still ends up relying on her impulsive decisions and the result isn't always so great — take this for example. Why can’t she see beyond the things happening in front of her when it comes to that idiotic guy? It’s like she loses all her ability to think rationally when faced with that grey-eyed, arrogant bastard. Her anger started bubbling up again. Of course he would use the information he has of her against her — he's an asshole like that. She should have noticed what was happening before she was dragged into this bottomless pit she willingly put herself in. But even if she did, there's really nothing she can do, is there? Agreeing and doing what he says was part of the deal she took. She can’t very well take those words back since she has always been one to keep her promises. It would have been pointless anyway because of how much the guy would have held it against her. Even after all the years they've been apart, he's still the manipulative bastard that she knows. "I'm going to kill him." She seethed, angrily yanking the door to her bathroom open. "Stupid Alexander. Stupid deal. Stupid rules. Stupid personal assistant." Fifteen minutes inside the shower still didn't ease her anger. Well, it actually did but the moment she went out of her bathroom and heard her phone ring, all the anger she felt came back tenfold — especially when she saw that it was an unknown number. She ignored it of course, feeling incredibly annoyed by the fact that someone would call her this early. Who even does that? She just let it ring again and again as she put on a pair of black leggings with its matching black sports bra, along with a gray muscle tee that she tied at the back and her white running shoes. As she was tying the shoelaces of her shoes, her phone rang again, making her sigh in her place and decide to answer the call since the loud noise is really starting to get on her nerves. She finished tying her shoelaces first before she stood up and grabbed her phone, pressing it against her ear to greet the person on the other line. "What?" Well, if you could consider that as a greeting, that is. The person on the other line let out a chuckle. "Do you always greet a person like this when you're on the phone?" Aurora narrowed her eyes at the wall when she heard that familiar voice. "Only when it's you." She replied in a tone void of any emotions. "Only for me, huh? Well I have to say Aur, you're making me feel special." Alexander said, smirking in amusement as he stood outside Aurora's bedroom window, waiting for her to come down and meet him. She merely growled in response. What could she say to that anyway that would make her win? Besides, whatever she was going to utter would only result in him turning it into something he wants to hear, so there really is little point to responding to him with words--the guy never listens. "No need to growl. I already know you're a lioness even without it; your personality alone is enough of a proof." The amusement in his tone of voice never wavered, which only seemed to have made Aurora angrier than before. "But I do have to say that I'm extremely proud. You actually managed to wake up early just in time for our agreed time. I'm flattered that you want to spend time with me that much." Is this guy out of his mind? She would never want to spend time with him; she's only forced to because of the stupid deal they made. If it wasn’t for that, she wouldn’t have even bothered to wake up this early or spend time with the guy outside of working hours. Why would she anyway? He’s currently the bane of her existence. She released an exasperated sigh. "Okay first of all, I didn't agree to anything. You just sprung it on me out of nowhere. Second, who in their right mind would want to spend time with your pompous and conceited self? Certainly not me. And third, don't be flattered; there's nothing to be flattered about." He chuckled. "Well come down already. I know you're finished getting ready." "What?" Aurora asked, her voice laced with confusion, totally taken aback by his words. "How do you know that?" "Because," Alexander started as he leaned against the tree right outside his former lover's window, the smirk still plastered on his face. Annoying and surprising her like this is definitely the best. He saw her shadow pass through the closed curtain, chuckling when he heard her open the doors inside her room. "the light on your room was already lit up when I stood outside your bedroom window. It doesn't actually take a genius to know that you're getting ready." In all honesty, he was planning on actually letting her know that he's already arrived in a more creative way. Edward helped him think of all the things he could do, but he backed out at the last moment. Why? Because it's practically still dawn and he doesn't want to wake the rest of the Crovers up—especially Theo, the little boy he met the moment he arrived in town and got to talk to Frank. The instant he saw him, he was surprised that he resembled Aurora in a lot of ways—his eyes being the major factor. That alone was enough for him to warm to the boy; especially so when he got to know him. The boy was too cute not to like. Anyone who meets him would instantly take a liking to the little boy. "What?" She screeched, hastily moving towards her window, yanking the curtain open and opening the window right after. There, standing in all his glory with his right arm leaning against the trunk of the tree, was Alexander, who gave her a small wave when he saw that she opened the window. A scowl was immediately plastered on her lips when the sight of him plagued her eyes. "What the hell are you doing there? You're such a creep! Don’t you know it’s weird to camp out of a person’s house?" She told him, her scowl deepening further when he chuckled at her response. "Aur, babe...” “Don’t call me that, you stupid, arrogant dimwit!” As usual, he ignored her words. “I just arrived. Why in the world would I camp out here? I’m not as obsessed with you as you think.” Aurora could instantly feel a blush sweeping across her cheeks. “Besides, I think you've had me waiting long enough, don't you think? Come down already and meet me in your front yard." He said, emitting a huff from her. “Then die waiting!” She responded, the venom in her words too palpable to ignore. There’s no way she would be as cooperable as she was last night. Just who does this guy think he is? The bastard still doesn’t understand that not everyone is just going to do as he says in a blink of an eye. “Rot there, you creep!” She heard an exasperated sigh escape his lips. “Just come down already. Do you want to wake up the rest of your family because of all your incessant and unnecessary wailing?” Knowing that he does have a point, she gritted her teeth in annoyance as she threw the guy a glare that he wouldn’t even be able to notice. "Fine. Whatever." She said, shutting her window and yanking her curtain back again.  Even when she already dropped the call, Alexander could still feel the hostile intent radiating off of her. It honestly doesn't surprise him that she could hate a person that much because she's already done that a lot of times in the past, but it doesn't really bother him; that the person most important to him practically hates his guts. He's confident he can find a way to turn that hate into affection once more. It wouldn’t be that hard, would it? There were already such feelings there once, and if he plays his cards right, those feelings would be unraveled again. With a chuckle, he put his phone on the pocket of his sweatpants and stalked back to the Crovers' front yard, his mind filled with ideas on how he can get his Aurora back. He absolutely can’t wait to find out which one of his tactics is going to work this time. Still, he knows that every single one of his plans would work either way, so he’s not really all that worried. What’s more, he could always ask Edward for help when push comes to shove.  When he saw her standing there with an irritated look on her face, he gave her a smirk, his eyes checking her out from head to toe. He’s already said this once and he’ll say it again: She really has grown to be more beautiful over the years.  "In case you haven't noticed Giovanni, my eyes are actually on my face." came Aurora's annoyed statement. "Sorry, I just couldn't seem to help." He replied, the smirk on his face still intact. She shot him a glare but he merely ignored it and continued admiring the way his woman looks right now. "You actually look quite beautiful with your sports wear." Despite the blush arising on her cheeks, she still crossed her arms and looked at him with a bored expression on her face. "Is that supposed to make me feel good?" She questioned. "Did it work?" He asked cheekily. She rolled her eyes. "Get over yourself. Now what are we doing in our sportswear in the streets at six in the morning?" "Are you seriously asking me that? I thought you were smart." She sneered at him. "We're going for a run, of course." Her eyes widened instantly. Sports has never been her forte, much less running. Aside from the fact that she's got a short supply of air and she gets tired easily, she's not used to doing all of that. She would usually just stay at home whenever her friends ask her to go with them for a run, no matter how much they beg her to go with them. Athleticism just isn’t what she was made of. Let her cook or something (even if she’s bad at it), just not anything related to sports. "A run? Are you kidding? I can't do that!" She exclaimed, the slight panic in her eyes wholly visible to Alexander. "Why not? Are you still that non-athletic girl from years before?" He teased, widening his smirk when she scowled at him. "No, I just can't run yet because I just ate. You can't run when you just ate, right?" She told him, knowing full well that he would still see through her lie. Why she even bothers to try, she has no idea. Still, that’s better than just letting him and his mouth be. Of all the years he has known Aurora, she has never been a really good liar; she's horrible at it. At first, he seriously can't believe that there would be a person who is so honest that she just can't lie to save her life, but he was forced to believe that when he met Aurora. And no matter how many times she tries to lie, he could still see right through it. He looked back at the dark house of the Crovers, all lights still turned off, with a blank look on his face before facing her again. "Right, because you could actually eat that much with everyone still asleep and with you having so little time." He responded, the blush on her cheeks proving his theory to be correct. Honestly, couldn’t she have tried at least a bit better than that?  "You just have to rain on my parade, don't you?" She asked him rhetorically. With a roll of her eyes, she said, "Let's just go. No matter what I do, I still can't escape you. Rule number one, right?" He gave her a lopsided grin. "That's it, you're finally learning. Now come on, little bird. Spread your wings and fly." "You're still a stupid i***t, you know!" She hollered at him, watching him jog ahead of her, as he ignored her words and continued jogging as if he heard nothing. She let out a sigh. "Stupid Alexander." As she finally caught up to him, her panting heavily, he looked at her with vague amusement. "Out of breath already? We haven’t even run that far yet." She scowled. "No, I'm just getting as much air as I can." He smirked, but said nothing, which she was thankful for. "By the way, how did you get my number?" "Alicia." came his simple answer. "Traitor." She muttered under her breath. He laughed, hearing what she just said. “To you maybe, but not to me. She even gave it to me so willingly. Do you see how much of a good friend she is?” “What sort of underhanded tricks did you use against her?” She queried, the accusation lacing in her voice clearly heard by both parties. Alexander gave her a mocking pout, which she just wanted to wipe off his lips. “You think so little of me?” “How would that be me thinking so little of you when you’ve already been that way since forever?” She scoffed. “Stupid guy.” “Now you’re just being mean, Aur.” He chuckled, totally unfazed by the things that just came out of his former lover’s mouth. “Maybe you’re not just that special to Aly like you think you are.” “What do you know?” She glared at him. “You haven’t been around to know the answer to that.” Despite her words being nothing but the truth, all of that being thrown in his face by her seems to affect him more than anything. He knows what happened; he was there after all. He understands that she felt hurt by whatever happened in the past, but did she really think that he wasn’t hurt by it too? Still, he gave her another one of his chuckles. “Well her actions just the night before was completely telling me that I’m her favorite now.” “Keep dreaming, you buffoon. I’m her favorite and we both know that.” “It doesn’t really seem like that to me.” He smirked at her. “All it took was one call, and she was already offering your number without me even having to ask for it.” Aurora looked at him for the longest time and instantly clicked her tongue when she saw that there was no trace of deceit in his face. Just what the hell is her friend doing? She knows how she feels about the guy, doesn’t she? Although Aurora has a pretty good guess as to what Alicia is planning, she still can’t believe that she would sell her out like that so easily--and to the enemy no less.  “I’m going to strangle that girl.” Aurora muttered. “Now, now. If you do that, you’re going to lose your only friend.” Alexander replied. “Huh? Only?” Aurora let out a scoff, silently giving him the message that what he said was the most ridiculous he has ever said today. “I’m not you, as you’ve noticed.” Alexander let out a fake gasp as he faced her. “Are you telling me that Alicia could be so easily replaced that easily?” Aurora growled in her place as she glared at the guy. This is exactly why she should watch the words that she says to him. It’s ridiculously stupid how he could even manage to do things like that, but he can and he will--and she absolutely hates him for it. Noticing her silence, Alexander’s smirk widened. “No comeback this time? Well, no matter. I won’t be breathing a word of this to Aly.” He winked at her. “This will be our little secret.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Alex, you bastard.” He laughed, ignoring her words once again. "Now come on, Crover. Pick up the pace. We're still far from over." He said, jogging ahead of her once again, leaving her behind as she tried getting some air into her system. She glared at his back. "I'll get you back for this, Giovanni." She said, before she jogged again, bracing herself for another round of losing air.