Chapter 27: It was an accident
My eyes widened in surprise, I wasn’t expecting a call from her after the saga that unfolded at the Lloyd’s mansion not too long ago. Silence stretched between us for a brief moment until I heard my name leave her lips once again, her voice breaking me out of my little reverie.
"Aurelia? Are you there?"
"Yeah, hey, Natalie," I greeted, masking the surprise in my voice. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Well.. I’m sure you know about the upcoming art competition showcase..." her voice trailed off for a moment there. "Would you be available to come back to help Evelyn practise this weekend?"
There was a brief pause before I spoke. "I don’t know about this... I would love to help but Evelyn, she -"
Before I could finish my sentence, she interrupted me. "I apologise on her behalf... and my husband’s. What they did was way out of line," she took my side much to my surprise, but I wasn’t going to complain about that.
"I..."
"Please, Aurelia. Please do me this favour, I have never asked you for any other favours have I? I’m just worried about this big showcase, and she has been stressing about it lately. Besides, I have talked to Evelyn, and she’s more than happy to have you back."
Hearing the desperation and sincerity in her voice, I couldn’t bear to turn her down or even dare utter the word "no". Instead, my lips were forced upwards into a slight smile that stretched across my face and I nodded. "Alright, sure. I will do it. Just this one time."