Shadow Of The Past | ✔️

11| Heart-to-heart

NAOMI
Aubrey burst into the house with a flourish, announcing her arrival with the rustling of paper bags.

"Aunt Aubrey!" Amara's voice echoed through the hallway, and she raced to greet her.

Aubrey dropped to her knees with open arms, catching Amara in a tight embrace. "Hello, my little munchkin! How was Italy?"

"It was really nice. It's so pretty there. You should've come," Amara replied animatedly. "Oh, and how are you? You said you were having some problems at home."

"I'm doing much better now. Don't worry about me, kiddo," Aubrey reassured her with a smile.

Satisfied, Amara took Aubrey's hand, and they moved to the living room together. Aubrey set down the bags of Chinese food on the coffee table and slumped into the bean bag chair across from me.

"So, spill it. I didn't drive all the way here just to sit in silence," Aubrey prodded, pulling out a bag of sweets.

Ever since I texted Aubrey the moment I landed home about seeing Ace, she had been adamant about us having this conversation as soon as possible.

"Aubrey, I saw him in the crowd tonight. After six years, I saw him. I never thought I'd see him again, especially not at an award ceremony," I confessed, my voice trembling slightly. "He saw Amara, then left as soon as I sat down. And I saw his family too, just a couple of tables away from us."

"Damn," Aubrey murmured, processing the revelation.

"I honestly don't know what to make of it. It's all so surreal," I continued, my thoughts scattered.

"Did Amara notice him?"

"No, thank goodness. I hope she never meets him," I admitted quietly.

"Why?" Aubrey asked gently.

"Because I told her he passed away before she was born," I admitted, feeling a pang of guilt.

"Naomi," Aubrey began, her tone a mix of concern and understanding.

"What else was I supposed to do? I couldn't tell her that her father left us. What would she think?" I defended myself. "But maybe when she's older, I'll have to explain."

"That makes sense," Aubrey conceded softly, sitting in thoughtful silence for a moment.

"I need some wine," Aubrey announced suddenly, standing up and heading to the kitchen.

"Bring me a glass too," I called after her as she walked past.

After a while, Aubrey returned with a glass of red wine for me, and I muttered a thank you as she handed it over with a smile.

"So, what would you do if you ran into him again?" Aubrey asked, her eyes probing mine.

"Seriously? Aubrey, you're enjoying this way too much," I chided, trying to deflect.

"I know, I know. But seriously, what if you bumped into him randomly, made eye contact and all?" Aubrey persisted.

"Girl, calm down. You're way too invested in this fantasy," I teased, though my heart raced at the thought. "But honestly, I don't know. It would depend on the circumstances, I guess."