Chapter 3: Bianca

Aurora woke up to the sound of her alarm.

"Ohh! I can never like the sound of this alarm", she groaned. "I just hope I can sleep a bit more", she said but she knows better than to wake late. She has things to do so getting up early will be the best option. She heard her father's words from last night reminding her to practice archery.

Groaning, she stood up and changed into her top bra and yoga pants. She cleaned her face and went to the gym downstairs. Since her father is an extremely rich man, they have almost all the gym equipment in the gym.

After running endlessly on the running machine, raising the Olympics bell, doing countless press ups and practicing a little bit of archery, she went back to her room to have a refreshing bath. On getting out of the bathroom, she heard her phone ring. She checked the caller ID and saw that it was her best friend, Charlotte calling. Charlotte has been her friend since when they were still young. And apart from Charlotte, she has no other friend.

"Hey, Char", she greeted.

"Aurora!” The other shouted with excitement. "How are you?!"

"I'm fine. What is it?"

"What do you mean what is it? I just called to greet you."

Aurora chuckled. "Lies. I know you, Char. When you sound like this, I have no choice but to suspect you."

"Oh! I'm afraid that's true."

"I knew it. So, what do you want?"

"Do you Asher?"

"Asher? Who is that?"

"Ugh!” Charlotte groaned. "There is nobody you know. The guy that seats behind you during arts class."

Aurora tried to remember who the guy is but she couldn't. Once she is class, she doesn't concentrate on anything but the teacher and the chalkboard.

"I still don't remember."

"Anyways, there is a party at his house."

"And you want me to come?"

"Yes."

Aurora chuckled. "Char, you know I won't go."

"When on Earth will you begin going to parties?"

"I don't know."

Although, Aurora wasn't social, Charlotte was the party type. She was also not nerdy as Aurora but the both get along just fine.

"Can you just go for my sake?"

"Thanks but I'll pass."

"Ugh! I hate you."

"I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."

"By teaching me archery?"

"You want to learn archery?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll teach you."

"Really? Thank you!"

"You're welcome. That means you have to come by to my house. Then I will bake you the cookies that I promised yesterday."

"Yeah! I love you!"

Aurora smiled. "I love you, too. I'll call you later."

"Lies", she said and Aurora smiled. "You never call."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. I'm used to it."

"Thanks. Bye."

"Bye."

Aurora still wonders how Charlotte was still friends with her. Other people call her weirdo because she doesn't even talk in school. When they talk to her and she doesn't reply, they think she is snubbing them but the truth is she doesn't talk much. She only talk endlessly when she is with her Dad or Charlotte. Sometimes, even when she is not in the mood to talk to Charlotte, the latter wouldn't stop talking to her and she was never be hurt by Aurora's actions. The both of them were opposite of each other. Charlotte likes partying but Aurora doesn't. Charlotte talks endlessly but Aurora talks like someone is going to charge her for the amount of words she speaks. But nevertheless, they are a perfect duo.

Aurora dressed up in haste and went to the kitchen to cook her breakfast because she intends on going to the company and bringing some cookies to her father and Charlotte's father who is also her father's friend.

She made her breakfast and decided to read a bit before baking the cookies. She took her book and read for a long time without even realizing it was almost noon. 

"Oh God! I lost track of time", she said as she checked the time and quickly ran to the kitchen to bake the cookies. 

She mixed the dough and when she already put the cookies in the oven, her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and realized that it was her Dad.

"Hello, princess", he greeted.

"Hey, Dad. How are you?"

"I'm a bit tired. You?"

"I'm fine. Just finished reading."

"That's nice. What do you want to do now?"

"I want to arrange my room a bit", she said. She intends on surprising him so she didn't tell him she was baking his favorite cookies.

"Okay. I'll be home early."

"Why?"

"We are going shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Yes."

She laughed. "Okay, Dad. I'll see you."

"Okay, princess", he said and cut the call.

Aurora shook her head at her father's suggestion. She just loves him too much.

When the cookies were done, she went upstairs to change her cloth and she saw the box containing the most precious thing in her life in it on her side table just like it has always been. It was the gift her mother gave her the last Christmas she spent with them. The tiara. She opened the box and in there was the Tiara. She doesn't wear it since when her Mum gave it to her because she doesn't want anything to happen to it. She held the tiara in her hand and placed it gently on her head and looked into the mirror.

"Mum, your little princess has grown. I promise to always make you proud of me just like I did when you were here. I really wish you were here Mum. I miss you", she said and took a picture of the three of them when she was three that was placed on her table too. She dropped the picture and removed the tiara gently before placing it carefully back into the box. She made sure she placed the box carefully and changed her clothes before leaving the room.

She packed the cookies and went to where she packed her car. She opened the back door and placed the bag containing the boxes of cookies carefully on the seat before getting into the car and driving off.

The Pensons Company was a 30 minutes’ drive from her house and she got there in 40 minutes due to traffic. Once she got there, she packed her car in the parking lot and went straight to the elevator to the top most floor where her Father, the CEO's office is located. She got the floor the office was located and walked straight to her father's office. Jerry, Charlotte's father was the Deputy CEO and his office was also located on that floor. His office is before her Dad's so she decided to pay him a visit first.

She knocked on the door and heard him say come in before she entered. She saw him seating on his chair reading a newspaper and when he entered, he looked up and his face lighted up on seeing her.

"Aurora!” He said smiling.

"Uncle", she said also smiling. "How are you doing?"

"Excellent. Long time no see. Have a seat."

She did as she was told. "I'm sorry for not visiting."

"Oh! Don't be. I know you too well."

Just like Charlotte, her father understands her social life and doesn't question it.

"Hope work isn't stressful?"

"Sincerely it is. Charles is making everyone work harder than usual for the next project and it's actually not easy. I hope you get through college fast and help in the business."

"It will be my pleasure to do just that."

"Have you seen your Dad? I think he is in his office."

"I haven't gone there. I wanted to check on you first."

"How sweet."

"And here", she said and brought out a box of cookies from the bag she brought with her. "I made this for you. You've been working really hard. You and Dad. So, I decided to bake you something that will boost your morale."

"Ohh! Thanks, dear. I appreciate."

She stood up. "I'll go see Dad now. I'll let you know before leaving."

"Make sure you do. I'll see you."

"Okay", she said and went out of the office.

When she was about to open her Dad's door, they door opened revealing a beautiful woman that has fiery red air and beautiful grey eyes. She wore a blue shirt and a high waist skirt that got just a little below her knees. 

The woman wasn't really looking forward, so she almost bumped into Aurora but Aurora was quick to move away before she could.

The woman then looked up. "Oh! I'm sorry."

Aurora found it difficult to respond because she doesn't know how to. She hates this type of situation when she doesn't know how to talk to a stranger. She just nodded and went into the office. She thought the woman would probably think that she is crazy because that's how people at school always think.

She entered and saw her Dad typing something on his computer.

"Did you forget something?” He asked without looking up and Aurora immediately realized that he thought the lady came back into the office. 

She didn't reply.

"Bianca?” He said and looked up. On seeing Aurora, realization crossed his face. "Princess!"

On hearing him say Bianca, Aurora felt bad. She didn't know the woman was Bianca and she felt bad for not responding to her when she talked.

"That was Bianca?"

"Yes."

"Oh God!” She said and sat down.

"What is wrong?” Charles asked with concern on his face.

"Bad first impression."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, just right now at the door, she almost bumped into me and apologized but I didn't respond. She probably thinks I'm a snub and hate me already."

He chuckled. "That's not true. She wouldn't hate you. She knows about your social awkwardness so don't worry."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And I'm sure she already recognized you."

"How?"

"I've told her almost everything about you and shown her pictures. So you needn't worry."

She exhaled. "Thank Goodness."

"What are you doing here?"

She smiled. "I brought you some cookies."

"Cookies?"

"Yes. You've been working really hard these days so I figured I would bring some cookies to calm your nerves."

"Oh! My princess, thanks a lot."

"You don't have to. And besides I was bored so I decided to come help with work a bit."

"You are such a sweetheart."

"That's why I'm your daughter", she said and stood up to stand behind him. She placed her hands on his shoulders and began massaging his shoulders gently.

"Did you practice?"

"I did. What are you typing?"

"Just replying to some mails. Can you please help me?"

"Sure", she said and placed her chair beside her Dad's.

He explained all she needs to do and she began working while they ate the cookies.

"What of Bianca?"

"She is out now."

"Why?"

"She said she wants to do something so I told her to take the remaining of the day off."

"Okay. When will I get to see her?"

"She's coming on Saturday."

"Really?"

"Yes. With her son."

"We really need to go grocery shopping. The fridge is almost empty."

"We will. Just let's work a little bit more and we will go to the store."

"I'm through."

"Already?"

"Yes", she said and he checked.

"Wow! You are really fast."

"Yeah", she said and dipped her hand in the box to take a cookie but realized it is empty.

"You finished the cookies?"

"Yeah."

"Wow! You are fast."

He laughed. "I haven't had a chance to eat breakfast."

"What? Why?"

"Meetings."

"That's bad", she said and stood up. "Stand up."

"Why?"

"You have to eat something. Now."

"Okay, your Highness", he said and they laughed.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you, princess. I will always do."