Love, Lies & Legacy 2- chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Aurora shivered drastically as her whole body was slowly turning frigid. She was a good 100 meters away from the cruise ship. Moments later, a barely visible luxury cruiser arrived and rescued her from the freezing waters.

“Were you long in the water?” I deeply apologize for the lateness,” said Carmen Ferrer to her close friend.

“It was not that long. I have been in worst conditions before,” said Aurora while drying her hair with a towel. She then sat down on one of the off white plush sofas at the living room of the cruiser.

“You must be in deep waters Aurora for asking my help,” said Carmen while drinking a glass of champagne.

“Nothing I cannot handle Carmen,” she said with a half smile. Carmen giggled at her friend’s remark as she took another sip. Aurora knew that behind the beautiful smile of Carmen is a sense of wariness for her.

Behind Carmen’s fairytale life, minus the trouble hungry friend, lies a very feared past. Carmen had always been terrified of Aurora’s way of life ever since the met in university. Carmen could not bare to face another lost of a loved one. Aurora was there during the dreadful time when Carmen’s brother died. He led a dangerous life, always getting into trouble and thinking that he was smart enough to get out of it.

After some time, Aurora convinced Carmen that she is good at what she does and is very cautious in any event. Even though Carmen does not approve of it, she does help whenever she can so that her close friend does not drown in the deep waters she’s struggling in.

“I am doing this for your daughter, Aurora. I have never met her but I do not want her to be without a mother. Whenever are you going to stop?” she asked directly.

“Believe me when I say that after this I am done. I love the rush, adrenaline and excitement of this life but I think Anna is right, I am getting old,” Aurora said with a look of disbelief of what she just said.

“Anna is very right. You have been doing this for more than 20 years. It’s time to settle down like Anna. It is for your own good and your family’s.”

“Anna settled down but I think that my godson, Darius is starting to follow in her footsteps. I do not want Sienna to take my place,” Aurora said worriedly.

“Then stop before you drag her in. You know, faking your death will hurt your daughter. Have you not thought of that?” said Carmen as she leaned forward a little.

“I have been thinking of that throughout the whole cruise. It hurts me too to leave her and everyone else. But the Espoir is a very important piece that holds important information about the society,” said Aurora seriously.

“I understand. Did you tell Sienna about the Eternal Ball? My daughter Lisette cannot get enough of it,” Carmen said with a smile.

“No I did not. But I did tell Anna that if the situation gets complicated and I have to go away, she would tell her everything about the society with the help of Marguerite,” said Aurora. She hoped that Sienna would eventually attend the ball that she wished she could go to when she was young.

“So is the Espoir in good hands? It will be transported by the ship’s security right?” asked Carmen.

“No it will not be handled by the crew of the ship,” said Aurora with a cunning smile.

“What do you mean no? The only person who could leave the ship with the Espoir is you. Since you are now hypothetically dead, how is going to be transported? Not unless you know someone that looks exactly like… Wait a minute; Marguerite is on the ship is she?” asked Carmen.

“You are smarter than you think, Carmen. As much as I trust the ship’s great security, I trust my little sister even more. Besides, Marguerite has all my documents and both of us look so much a like. After she safely gets the Espoir off the ship, she will hand it to West,” explained Aurora with a smile.

“Does Marguerite know you’re dead?”

“No. I have not the heart to tell her. Only Anna, West and you know about it,” she said gravely.

“Are you going to keep in contact with them when you are away?” asked Carmen sadly.

“No Carmen. I want it to be as discreet as possible. Anna does not even know that you are helping me right now. I do no want to risk hurting anyone.”

“Well that is enough said. I hope you are making the right decision, Anna and I will miss you. Go get some sleep. We will arrive at the Canary Islands in the morning,” Carmen said while standing up to leave.

“I think that is a good idea. Thank you again Carmen for everything. You are truly a great friend,” Aurora said while standing up to hug Carmen. Carmen hugged back and it reminded her of the time when her brother died and Aurora was there to comfort her. She owed so much to Aurora and she will solemnly miss her.