15th December 2018;

The sun rose lazily, pouring life into the sleepy earth. She blinked her frown away and turned to the side, burying her head in the softness of the pillows. The birds chirps got louder by the second and she groaned. Sleep already gone, she rolled off the bed and into the shower in her room.

As the steamy water helped relax her stiff muscles, she pondered upon her next move. This wasn't easy. Not one bit. But, she wasn't backing down. 

Sighing, she hopped out and wrapped the grey towel quickly around herself as the cold air made her shiver. She strode into her closet and threw on some black jeans, ripped slightly on the left thigh from a previous adventure, and a woolen sweater folding its sleeves slightly. Then, after pulling her hair in a messy bun and putting on some socks, she strolled downstairs, hand gliding on the railings. There was nothing in the fridge.

Grocery shopping, she mentally noted. She always forgot. Being rarely home lately playing a huge factor.

Her shoulders went up in a slight nonchalant shrug as she hummed on her way to the door, her feet padding softly on the wooden floor. After putting on her ankle boots, she picked her phone and keys then skipped to the garage, downstairs. The basement was full of a couple of beasts her father was obsessed with. His rants were such a delight to her.

Choosing a regular black sedan, not wanting to attract unnecessary attention to herself with flashy cars, she climbed up and drove off. The garage door slid open then closed after she clicked on the buttons. Making a mental note to check the surveying cameras later, she sped up a little, the trees flashing by in a blur.

Last time someone broke into her house, they wound up dead.

The city was buzzing. People hustling and bustling. Cars honking. Streets too packed with people. She grimaced, her head throbbing from the lack of sleep. The noises weren't helping either. Parking in front of the all too familiar apartment complex, she turned off the engine and nodded at the guards then skipped upstairs.

On her way, she could hear faint sounds of some couple fighting, some kids playing and a TV blaring. She shook her head; it was most likely Mrs. Burton watching her daily morning show while struggling to hear it. Stopping in front of her destination, she knocked twice. "Coming!" Then, lazy footsteps approached. "Aurora," the girl smiled, ushering her inside. "The usual?"

Aurora nodded. "And some painkillers, please."

"Alright, then." Tightening the robe around herself, she headed to the kitchen to make some pancakes. "Grab yourself a cup of coffee. I just made it, so it should be warm still."

"Done with your homework?" Aurora settled on her usual stool. Satisfied with the refreshing smell wafting around her, she sipped and hummed when she got a nod. "Good."

"The next week is holidays, too." She heated the pan and then tossed the pills at her. "Glass of water?" Aurora shook her head and chugged them, sighing.

"So, tell me. How've you been, Jesse?" she took the first bite of the steamy pancakes and moaned.

Jesse chuckled, taking a seat beside her. "Alright, I guess. All thanks to you." She smiled softly.

Aurora shrugged. "Ready for college?"

"Yeah, I've applied to some colleges around here." She drummed her fingers, fidgeting slightly.

"You'll do great, I'm sure." Offering her a small smile, Aurora cracked her fingers and pushed her plate away. "Programming?"

"Well, yeah. It's what I'm good at anyway. So, why not get a degree, you get me? At least I'll have better chances at getting employed." She stuck her tongue out.

"I'll always offer you a job at the company. So, don't worry about that. I've got your back. You just study hard. I'm proud of you." Aurora wasn't a woman of too many words, that's what everyone knew. So, Jesse hung to every word she said. "I owe you a lot. And I don't want your talent to go to waste."

"Thanks, babe." Jesse planted a swift kiss on her cheek getting an eye roll and a slight smile. "But, I owe you big time." Clapping her hands, she hopped off the stool not able to hold her smirk anymore. "Alright, it's time for business. Go ahead. I'll be right behind you."

Grabbing her laptop, she dashed to what she liked to call 'her office'. Aurora was lounging on the couch watching the big screen flashing numbers as they fluctuated every second. "The market seems to be going strong these days."

"Yeah, I've bought you a new share, by the way." Aurora's ears perked up and her gaze moved to Jesse. "As you know The Pattinsons own about fifty-five percent of the whole company. As of now, you own thirty-five percent under different virtual companies. I got you the latest five percent the past week. I was pretty excited about them." She grinned, showing her the screen.

Aurora exhaled heavily, her eyes flitting over the screen in concentration and amazement. "Honestly, I don't know what I'd have done without you. I swear."

"I could say the same thing." The younger girl's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she laughed. Faint memories flashed through her mind causing an involuntary shudder.

"Don't mention it, please. It's in the past. Come on, you're here now." Aurora grimaced at her lame attempt to comfort her. She sucked at these stuff.

Wiping her eyes with her sleeves, Jesse waved her off. "Yeah, yeah."

Silence took over for a while, neither saying anything, just enjoying each other's company. The faint noises from outside filling the quietness.

There were no birds, no refreshing breeze and no sun rays. Tall buildings obscuring everything. The world of men was truly dark and intimidating.

I'll be moving out of here soon anyway, Jesse thought. The place wasn't hers. Aurora offered her the apartment and she just accepted living in because it was the closest she could get to her high school. 

After some time passed, Aurora spoke. "Are you sure what you're doing is untraceable? I don't want you getting harmed in any way."

"Don't worry," her heart swelled at Aurora's kind words. "Have some faith in me. Plus, Alison and Matt have been helping me a lot. So, next time when you come, I'll invite them over. Ring me before though, so I can cook something for you, you starved idiot." Amusement and worry flashing through her eyes.

"Alright, then. Got any plans for next week?" Her face was scrunched up as her head moved from side to side. She didn't really have anyone. "You can go to Laura and Jared's again. They'd be more than happy."

Jesse nodded her head eagerly. "That sounds good. I'll ring them later. You seem to be in a chatty mood today." She teased, her eyes twinkling.

Shrugging, Aurora pushed herself up. "No idea what you're talking about." She muttered, heading to the door. Jesse hot on her heels.

"Leaving already? Stay for lunch. Or, we can go out. You need to do more of these things. You're still young too, you know." She stammered hoping to stop her from leaving. Worry lingering in her mind. Aurora's eyes always looked distant. It sucked being unable to change that.

Shrugging again, she rolled her eyes. "Go meet up with your friends. I've got work to do."

Reaching out, Jesse grasped her shoulder gently effectively stopping her. "Be careful. Stay alive, please."

Aurora smiled. "No promises." And then opened the door, moving out of Jesse's touch subtly. "Try to add two percent in the next week. Then add more slowly. Buy from other companies. Sell some and buy them back with another company. You know the procedure. We are about to seal a contract with them. So, it's going fine." She nodded.

"What do you plan on doing now?" Mind already reeling with potential upcoming events, Jesse tilted her head to the side, leaning on the door frame.

"Get back my dad's company. One way or another."

       
** ** ** ** **