Aura sticks to her word. She works hard to learn as fast as she can. I speak my throat hoarse each day... We haven't really talked about anything since before she quit the Post office. The sleaze hasn't been back either. He'd need to be brain dead to try something more... I set the book down and take a look at Aura's page.

“Well?” She stares at me with hopeful eyes. I sigh.

“Not bad.” She smiles. “Not great, but better, for sure.” She pouts a little.

“Isaura! Isaura dear! I have some wonderful news!!” Ma bursts in on the scene. “I was just at the market and!”

“Quit yer shouting! We're not deaf yet!” I tell her rustling for a smoke... Wait. When was the last time I had one? I stare at the empty pack.

“There's a pregnant woman in the town hall!”

“Great! What of it?” I mock Ma. She waves me off. I step back, rolling my eyes.

“She needs a replacement! But! She said she would teach her replacement before leaving! She has a few months for that! Would you like to try?” Ma's hopeful excitement would make even a dead man say yes. Aura can't possibly refuse. So why is she quiet then?

“Town hall?” She mumbles... “I don't know...”

“What happened to all that fighting spirit? Don't tell me I've been going mute for nothing all these days.” I hold her gaze. “You can try. At least. She's not quitting tomorrow. It'll be like working part time till you learn everything. No reason not to try it.” I look away. “Besides. You can always quit at any moment. No hard feelings.”

“Yes! Exactly! We can go there tomorrow, I'll introduce you and you can see how you like it. It's Friday tomorrow, so it won't be as busy. You can even wear the dress!” Ma’s about to hurt herself with all the excitement.

“No, she can't.” I cut in. Ma throws me an angry glare.

“What's wrong with it?”

“Nothing. It's a fine dress. For a date to the beach, not the town hall.” I let her figure it out.

“Right. Ok. No worries. I'll dig something else up!”

“Hold on, Ma.” I step in again. “She needs to be the one deciding.” We glance over at Aura again.

“I'll try...” She says in a tiny voice.

“Then take the rest of the day off.” I walk out of the living room. “Take a bath or something!” I call out, stepping out. I take a stroll around town. I end up wandering around the rest of the afternoon till late evening... The situation does not die down later in the night either. Ma keeps going back and forth her bedroom, dragging dresses and skirts out. Aura throws me a quick “help me” look, but I just smile and leave her to fend for herself. I already did everything I could. It's up to you now.

    Thunder wakes me up. I shake my head and snap out of it. I can't tell if it it's night or day. The sky is too dark. It pours like crazy too. Something smells nice though. I take a peek into the kitchen.

“Aren't you celebrating a little bit early there?” I ask Ma, yawing.

“She'll get the job, I just know it!”

“Who says she wants it?” I sit down rubbing my face. “She can not even like being a secretary in the first place. You know how those geezers are...”

“Well if you're so worried about her, then why don't you marry her and go to work in her place instead!”

I roll my eyes at Ma. “Hilarious.”

“I'm being serious.”

“So am I.” I tell her. Ma doesn't look at me. Another thunder roars. I notice the umbrella in the corner.

“She didn't take it with her?”

“Take what?” Ma turns around and looks in the direction of my finger. “Ay! She'll get soaked!”

“Maybe it'll stop raining till then.” I shrug my shoulders.

“They said they don't need her for a full day. She'll be done in an hour or so!” Ma scrambles around frantically with the cooking. I get off the chair.

“Relax. I'll go.” I tell her, dragging myself to the bathroom. I wash up, change clothes, grab a sweater too, just in case, take the umbrella and leave. Why in the world there's still only one umbrella in this house is beyond me. I take the shortest route there. Ma was never big on taking the long way... Luckily for me the town hall has stayed put in the same spot as always. I stand on the side walk, outside the main entrance out of sheer habit... A couple of young women come over to me for a chat. I'm so not in the mood for this. A few others join them. I haven't made a sound still.

“Maybe he doesn't speak Italian?”

“But he looks Italian!”

“Maybe he's a tourist?”

“Some sightseeing he's doing here!” One says and they all laugh. I continue to smile, staring at the door... Their lunch hour must've ended long ago... Hurry...

“Aura!” I call out and barge my way through the women. She sees me and runs over and into my arms? Isaura throws herself around my neck. My body responds out of reflex. The disappointed moans reach my ears, but frankly I don't give a damn. I set Aura down.

“I take it it went well?” I let go. She nods, blushing lightly. Almost matching the short sleeved, red dress.

“Thank you.” She finally says as we walk back.

“What for?”

“For teaching me to type...”

“Don't sweat it.” I hand her the sweater. “You're shivering.” She puts it around her shoulders.

“Thank you.”

“You like saying that a lot.”

“Is there something else I can say to show my gratitude?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Say? No? Do? Maybe?” I tease her. We don't talk much on our way back. The rain does not let up even after lunch.

“Mama Maria!” Aura calls out, as soon as we return.

“In here! In here!” Ma yells back from the kitchen. “Well? How was it? Tell me, tell me!”

“It was ok. There's much to learn, but I think I can handle it. There's plenty of time for that.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Great! Wonderful!” Ma's excited more than the girl herself.

“Great. Then I can leave tomorrow.” Both of the women turn to me. The horror... I shrug my shoulders.

“I already fixed everything that needed fixing in this house. She's all set too. If you keep practicing, you'll be fine.” I add, catching the look. “I got no reason to stay any longer. My rents coming up to its end too, isn't it?” I don't ask to get an answer.

“Yes. It's been a month.” Ma says, turning away from me again.

“Great.” I nod and lock myself back inside the study. I stare into the ceiling...

    I wake up from the quiet. I try to see what time it is... The hell with it... I get up and slither out to look for food. A hand grabs me in the dark. I focus my gaze on it. It sticks out from the open door. It pulls on me and I let it. I step inside the room and the door closes behind me.

“What is it?” I ask. Aura stands in front of me. In that dress...

“You need help with something?” I ask again. She stays silent. I turn around to walk out and get stopped by a kiss. I pull the girl off me.

“Don't.”

“Why.”

“There's no reason for you to do this. I was only kidding earlier.”

“It's not to thank you.”

“Then what?”

“I want you.”

I exhale with a half-smile and push her away from myself again. “No, you don't. You don't want this.” I point to myself.

“I’m a grown woman! I chose what or who I want!” She pouts firmly.

“I've been restraining myself plenty not to taint you.”

“Why?”

I shrug my shoulders. “If I only knew.”

“Then why not?” She comes over to me again.

“Because no.” I step around her, closer to the table.

“What if I want you to taint me?” I laugh again for an instant. “Don't you know I'll say the exact opposite no matter what you tell me right now?” Persistent, aren't we. I throw my shirt off me and to the floor.

“Alright. Come here. Let's do this.”

“Finally!” She exhales hard and comes into my arms. Wait, what!

“Weren't you suppose to say the exact opposite?”

“Only till I got what I wanted...” She breathes on my skin... Gliding her fingertips down my chest... I grab her hands.

“Don't tease a sleeping beast.” I stare at her in the faint light of the night.

“Then eat me...” Aura lets out a moan. Enough. I turn us around and pin her back to me. I undo the button on the collar and the dress falls down half way, revealing her chest. I watch Aura in the mirror. Eyes closed. Breathing hard, but slow... Zero resistance. I trace my fingers around her breasts, between them, under them, carefully, purposely avoiding the nipples... I kiss her neck, her shoulder... My hands slide down to the fabric and my lips glide down her back... I pull the dress down, it hits the floor. Oh? Aura stands completely naked. I caress her legs. A tremble. I kiss her thigh. My lips trace the curves from behind to the front. A quiet moan... I stand up and face her. She opens her eyes. She's breaking. The look... It's not the same any more. Her hands work fast, undoing the belt and the pants. Aura sticks her hand down my pants and strokes it. I grab her by the neck and pull her closer. Our mouths lock. Tongues eagerly mingling inside the warm wetness. I bend my knees a bit, grab her by the ass and pull her up to me. I set us down on the bed. Gorging myself on her body. Thrusting hard yet slow. Her body wraps itself around mine, nails tearing into the skin.

“Leo...” Is all I need to lose the fight with myself... When was the last time I was so careful? When was the last time I paid so much attention to the woman? Showed concern for her needs? Likes? When was the last time I actually enjoyed doing it? I stroke Aura's back with my fingertips, as she lays on me. The day breaks. The breeze picks up through the open window... It flips the paper over, that hangs by the side of the mirror.

Dreams are meant to be chased and caught.

They make the reality worth living.

True life begins after the dream starts.

Everything till then is a journey

And getting ready to set out.

Your hunt starts here.

I stare at the words. What in the hell possessed me to write that?

“Hey...” A whisper. I look down. A smile.

“Hey.” I answer with a kiss.

“How do you do that?”

“Which part?” I grin. “I did plenty last night.”

She grins back. “Trace around the scars...”

“Figured you don't like them touched... Or seen. Isn't that why you only swim at night?” She rises up from the bed.

“Following girls at night? Have you no shame?”

“Not really.” I smirk. She smiles back. I get a shrug a moment later.

“It's not like anyone tried it before...” Aura lays back down next to me.

“May I?” A nod. I brush my fingers down her back again. “Well?”

“It's fine. If it's you...” She opens her eyes again to me. “Will you stay?”

I adjust myself in the bed. “Do you want me to stay?”

Aura lifts herself up again and looks me right in the eye. “Yes.”

“Oh? When did you get so selfish? Huh?” I tease her gently.

“Congratulations. You've created a monster.” She grins at me. I laugh quietly.

"By the way, how old are you?" I ask her. She giggles.

"25, why?"

"You look younger..."

"That a problem?" She looks up at me. I shake my head.

“Not at all." I look at her too. "Come here.” I reach for her. She leans in. We kiss. “Hungry?” A nod. I get out of the bed and pull the pants on. I pick up the shirt and see a hand asking for it. I smile and throw it to Aura. She slips it on. I take another look at her and go to kitchen to rustle up something edible... I'm almost finished when Ma walks in and places herself next to me.

“She waiting for breakfast in bed with that shirt of yours?”

“That the reason you kept her hostage for three years?”

“Ha! You wish.” Ma says. “I liked her. It was nice having someone around the house again, after ten years.”

“Good call.” I kiss Ma on the side of the head and take the tray back with me.

    “Daddy, daddy! Daddy's here!” Our kids cheer, surrounding me at the door.

“Alright, alright. Calm down now! Let me through!” I fight my way over to my wife. “Hey.” I kiss her.

“Hey.” She smiles. “How was work?”

“You sure it's ok for you to move around?” I ask, taking our youngest girl into my arms.

“The due day is next week and I haven't been doing...” I hear a splash. “Uh-oh.”

“What?” I set our child down. “Aura?” I come over to her and slip in a puddle.

“It's coming. The baby is coming...” She whispers.

“The baby! The baby!” Our three boys cheer again.

“Alright, let's move. Move!” I wave the kids away. I help Aura to the living room.

“Mama Maria! Mama Maria! Guess what! The baby is coming!”

“Blame your father for that!” Ma comes into the room. Aura screams out, clenching my hand again.

“Alright, you know the drill!” Ma calls into action our eldest and second sons. The youngest pair huddle up and get sent away.

“Hee-hee-hoo-hoo. Hee-hee-hoo-hoo. Wait, why am I doing this too?”

“It helps!” Aura yells at me. I smile.

“Ok ok. Breathe. Together now. Look at me.” I hold her face to me. We breathe together.

“This ain't your first time, now.” Ma kneels down on the couch next to Aura.

“It hurts each time plentyyyyy!!!” She shrieks. I giggle.

“Child! How long! You didn't feel anything till now?”

Aura shakes her head.

“What is it?”

“Brace yourself.” Ma nods and Aura screams again. A soft clang reaches my ears. A picture of my Father sticks in through the door.

“What are you doing?” I ask the rascals.

“Letting Papa Marco watch too!” Laughter. I roll my eyes.

“Knock it off!!” I yell at them. More laughter.

“They get that from you.” Aura stares at me with a strained expression.

I smile. “Says you.”