Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

One day before Zendaya Harvey’s birthday celebration, it was Alden’s turn to be invited to dinner with Aurora’s large family. Held at Elena’s house, Asher and Chava were also present at the dinner event.

Since morning, Aurora had been busy in the kitchen. Alongside Elena, they cooked themselves for the dinner to be served later, to be enjoyed together when dinner time arrived.

“Are you sure you cooked this much?” Elena shook her head, momentarily disbelieving at her daughter’s enthusiasm in cooking so many dishes, especially when only Alden was invited.

“But Asher and Chava are also here, Mom. Besides, we can share this food with the other workers too. So everyone gets an equal share.”

Elena smiled knowingly, liking Aurora’s inclusive thinking, never differentiating between family and workers; everyone was considered family and entitled to the same food.

“But, Aurora…” Elena interjected again. “These dishes aren’t like the usual ones we cook for events. Could it be that this-”

“Hehehe…” Aurora grinned. “I purposely cooked Alden’s favorite food, Mom. So he’ll feel comfortable staying longer at our house. Plus, Mama said that when entertaining guests, we should give our all, right?”

Elena sighed, then pinched her daughter. No wonder she didn’t see some of their usual signature dishes that were usually cooked for family events. Besides, her daughter was smart in finding excuses, even selling her name for it.

“Alright, hurry up and finish. After that, you can arrange the cakes that have been ordered. Once everything is okay, hurry up and shower and get ready.”

Aurora quickly finished all her tasks from cooking, preparing the cakes, and some other small dishes. Making sure everything was neatly laid out, she hurriedly cleaned herself up and got ready to welcome Alden, who might arrive soon.

“No need to keep peeking. If your prince comes, you’ll hear the sound of his car.”

Asher teased, highlighting Aurora’s actions of constantly peeking from behind the window, to make sure if Alden had arrived or not.

Aurora turned around, pursing her lips, looking annoyed. “Well, I’m just curious. What if he suddenly shows up at the front of the house?”

“Why not just call him? Ask where he is?”

Aurora shrugged unwillingly. “No. He’s on the road. It’s dangerous to call.”

“Typical unclear behavior. That’s why, before leaving, ask him to send live locations. So you know exactly where he is.”

At the same time, the awaited person finally arrived. Ignoring Asher’s banter, Aurora headed straight to the door. She waited for Alden until he got out of the car. Then she led him to enter immediately and was invited to join them at the dining room.

“Before anything else, Alden, say thank you to Mama Elena and Papa Joshua for the dinner invitation.”

Elena smiled. She handed a plate to Alden, then responded to his words.

“You’re welcome, Alden. It’s been a long time since we gathered like this, hasn’t it? Today, Aurora cooked all your favorite foods.”

“Oh, really?”

Elena nodded. She reached out her hand, then pointed to several dishes laid out on the dining table. “Take a look,” she said. “Almost all of them contain your favorite foods, Alden.”

Alden smiled awkwardly. He felt uncomfortable because his arrival had already caused Aurora trouble.

“Thank you very much. Even just being invited to dinner, Alden is already happy.”

“Well then, just try and finish everything,” added Joshua. “Consider this a trial for Aurora before becoming a wife.”

Asher chimed in. It was only one sentence from him, but it already caused a stir at the dinner table.

Aurora was certainly annoyed. Actually, she wasn’t surprised that eventually she would become the subject of mockery. That’s why she immediately invited Alden to enjoy the food. Enjoying each dish while chatting. Discussing various topics from work to eventually delving into relationship matters.

“So, now Alden and Aurora are getting close again like before?”

This is Joshua asking. He wants to ensure the relationship between his daughter and the man he already knew from the past.

Once again, Joshua wants to make sure. This time he doesn’t want to be fooled or let his daughter fall for the wrong man for the second time.

“Yes,” Alden affirmed without hesitation. “It was Alden who initially asked Aurora for permission to try to rekindle the relationship that had once been interrupted.”

Joshua stroked his long beard as he nodded. “But, you are aware of Aurora’s current status, right?”

Joshua stared closely at the man sitting right in front of him. He locked his gaze with those brown eyes as he continued the sentence that had been postponed.

“Like it or not, Aurora’s status is that of a widow. But, I assure you, she is a well-educated and dignified woman. Because Aurora has experienced failure, pain, and betrayal in her previous marriage, I don’t want to make the mistake of letting her fall for the wrong man again. Honestly, I don’t want Aurora to be hurt again. So, as a father, I have to be selective this time.”

Alden understood deeply. After all, Joshua was being protective because he didn’t want his daughter to experience suffering again. Therefore, Alden had to convince Aurora’s parents that he was worthy of their blessing.

“From the beginning, Alden has never once questioned the status. Since the end of Alden and Aurora’s relationship, until this moment, Alden has never intended to look for a replacement. Who would have thought, God has been kind enough to return Aurora to Alden. That’s why, this time, Alden won’t waste the opportunity.”

Joshua listened carefully to Alden’s confession and explanation. Believing the man was sincere and earnest towards his daughter, he responded wisely.

“In that case, I leave this relationship to both of you. If you’re meant to be together and feel ready, I’ll wait for your family to come and propose. After all, both of you are adults. What else are we waiting for after this?”

Aurora and Alden then exchanged glances. Grateful that Joshua had given his blessing to both of them.

***

Meanwhile, Aurora believed that Alden must be busy. But, because he didn’t want to let Aurora go alone, Alden was willing to pick her up. Taking his girlfriend to his mother’s house to celebrate the birthday event.

“Actually, I can go alone. Why bother coming to pick me up?”

On the way, Aurora protested. It’s not that she didn’t want to go, she was just worried that Zendaya might be busy and needed help organizing the event. But, her boyfriend chose to pick her up instead of letting her go alone.

“It’s okay. I just don’t want you to go home alone at night. It’s dangerous for a woman to drive alone. It’s better for me to pick you up.”

Aurora sighed. She knew Alden was being caring. But, she still felt uncomfortable.

“What if your Mom needs help?”

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to be afraid. There are plenty of people at home to help.”

Trying to believe Alden’s words, Aurora fell silent again. Letting her boyfriend focus on driving until they finally reached their destination.

Entering the house yard, Aurora saw many guests had arrived. Perhaps from family, close friends, or also from the savings group. Aurora knew well that Alden’s mother had many friends. Especially since the passing of Alden’s father, Zendaya had been managing their family business.

“Aurora.”

Just entering the house, Zendaya called out. She approached Aurora to give her a hug.

“Aunt has been waiting for you. I thought you might be busy and wouldn’t be able to come.”

Unraveling the hug, Aurora smiled. Little did she know that her presence was eagerly awaited.

“But Aurora promised she’d make time to come.” Then Aurora handed over the bag containing the gift she had prepared. Hoping what she gave would make Zendaya happy. “Happy birthday, Mom. I hope you like the gift.”

Zendaya accepted the gift from Aurora. Once again, she hugged her son’s girlfriend affectionately.

“You went through so much trouble just to give a gift. Just your presence alone is more than enough.”

“If only Mom knew, Aurora even spent days looking for the right and special gift to give to Mom.”

Alden added. Zendaya was even more delighted to hear her son’s explanation.

“Wow, that’s so thoughtful. But, thank you very much again. Later, I’ll be the first to open it.”

“Aunt Zendaya…”

From a different direction, Regina suddenly appeared. Whoever invited her, but this time the woman came bearing gifts along with a middle-aged woman whom Aurora believed was her mother.

“Gina, how are you?”

“Good.”

In turn, Zendaya gave Regina a hug. She seemed happy to see Regina and the woman accompanying her. “How about you, Melisa? I thought my invitation didn’t reach you.”

“I’m as healthy as you see. Fortunately, I read your invitation in the WhatsApp group, and luckily Regina wasn’t on duty at the hospital. So I had a driver to take me to your birthday party.”

Zendaya smiled broadly. She was pleased that her old friend could attend the event she had organized.

“Well then, why don’t you both try the dishes first. I’ll go around for a bit.”

Then Zendaya turned back to Aurora. She reached for the woman’s wrist. Intending to take her around. “Come with Aunt. Let Aunt introduce you to Umi’s family and friends who have arrived.”

Aurora felt embarrassed. But, because she couldn’t refuse, she followed Zendaya’s request to take a walk.

One by one, the middle-aged women were introduced to Aurora. Even, she was invited to join the most lively group of savings group mothers among the other guests.

“Introduce her, this is Aurora,” Zendaya said to her friends. “She’s a pediatric specialist who owns the Santa Monica Hospital.”

“So, is she Alden’s future bride?” one of the guests asked, immediately echoed by Zendaya.

“What do you think? Beautiful, isn’t she?”

Zendaya proudly showcased Aurora. She introduced Aurora to all her friends.

“Yes. Alden is smart to find a partner. They look so compatible. Handsome and beautiful.”

“It’s pointless to be beautiful if the heart is not good.”

At the same time, another friend of Zendaya’s appeared. Walking into the middle and immediately interrupting the conversation.

“Not all that glitters is gold.”

Aurora turned. In that moment, she found Savana, who had been at the birthday party for who knows how long. What did her former mother-in-law want?