Ruthless Mate - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Aurora has almost healed. She wasn't doing any house chores and to her surprise, he had hired a maid to do all the chores.
It's been three days and she couldn't stop thinking about that night. He let her see his vulnerable side and it was stuck with her now, roaming in her head like a mantra.
She had noticed the change in his behavior. Though he wasn't a kind and gentle person. He tried to be gentle with her. He changed her bandages every night and treated her wounds with utmost care.
She wanted to talk to him about the words he had said.
"Please, don't ever leave me. I'll die this time."
She wondered who was cruel enough to hurt him this much. She wanted to console him. Be his comfort but she was afraid herself. Draken wasn't the safe option for her. Either their boat would sail or would drown pretty badly, she didn't know.
And then there were those mafia-related files she had seen. Everything aside, she could never accept a man who was involved in hideous crimes like human trafficking and killing people for fun.
Aurora made a mental note to ask Charlotte about it today.
Charlotte visits her every day and today was no different. Both the girls were sitting in the lounge as Charlotte talked nonstop about how Eren took her out on a date yesterday and how much she enjoyed the carnival.
Aurora just passed her small smile. She had found a friend in Charlotte.
"Charlotte, can I ask you something?" Aurora asked and the girl bobbed her head.
"Do you know about human trafficking?" Aurora asked in a small voice and Charlotte tensed hearing that.
"What about it?" Charlotte asked cautiously.
"Draken, does he?" Aurora's throat was parched as she gulped the lump down her throat.
"You think he's involved in human trafficking?" Charlotte asked, reading Aurora like an open book.
"No, I'm not certain but I have my doubts. I can't think of him so badly without any solid evidence," Aurora said truthfully and Charlotte passed her a smile.
"Draken never intended to become a mafia. Things happened. He was just a kid back then when his life turned upside down. Someone precious to him was stolen away. The Mafia was involved. He had no choice but to step into that world of crime and cruelty. He didn't even know the one he was looking for was alive or dead but he never gave up." Charlotte said and Aurora felt her heart thumping in her ears.
"He's not a bad person, Aurora. He left no stone unturned to save the people who are being trafficked on a daily basis. He became the savior of helpless women. He may be a mafia. His enemies know him as the grim reaper because he is cruel to them but no one knows how good of a heart he has. He is just broken, he's drowned in the fire of vengeance." Charlotte sighed as her eyes saddened.
Aurora dropped her gaze. Her mind stored this new information as her heart ached for him.
She didn't understand why he wanted to show the world that he was a bad guy when it wasn't the case.
Aurora was feeling bored so she decided to make dinner. She requested the maid to leave as Aurora would cook on her own.
Aurora made steaks, pasta, and dessert. She set the table when she heard the main door open.
He was home. She strolled into the lounge as he stopped.
"You should be in bed, resting," He said and she internally rolled her eyes. Just a few days back he would make her work like a robot and now he won't let her out of the bed. "I'm fine," She mumbled.
"I made dinner, you should freshen up and join me." She said and a frown settled on his glabella.
"Why did you make it? Where's the maid?" He asked walking up to her and she looked at him dubiously.
He has been acting like this for the past few days. She won't admit that she likes this side of him. It shows that he cares for her but it scares her as well. What if it was all an act? She should not think negatively. If she continued to play safe then they would end up nowhere.
"I requested her to leave. I was bored so I made dinner. I noticed you like steak, so come on freshen up and join me at the table," She said with a soft smile, and Draken's heart thudded a little too fast.
Peeling his eyes off her, he gulped and walked to the stairs.
He stared at the shopping bag in his hand, placing it on the bed he walked into the bathroom. He opened the faucet and washed his hands before splashing his face with water.
He gripped the edge of the basin and dropped his head breathing deeply.
Water droplets trickled down his eyebrows and dispersed in his light stubble.
She noticed that he liked steak. Maybe he gobbled her handmade food like a starved maniac that was why she noticed. He didn't feel like eating in the past few days. Maybe he has gone mad but he only likes to eat what Aurora cooks. He was with her on the journey of her cooking from burned food to delicious dishes. He was there all along.
He couldn't focus properly these days. She was on his mind 24/7. Even at the packhouse, he would just keep staring at the live footage.
He noticed how she talks freely and smiles with Charlotte. He didn't like how Charlotte told Aurora about his past or what he does as a Mafia boss. He didn't want Aurora to pity him or think that he was a damsel in distress. He hated this feeling.
He told her to rest. Her healing power was slow but she has healed almost fully. He wanted to train her but he didn't know how she would react to it. First, he thought he would ask Eren to train her but the thought of her being close to another man made his blood boil. But training her himself seemed to be a difficult task knowing how his beast reacts to her proximity.
He walked into the dining room and found her ogling the food while patiently waiting for him. He ended her misery as he took the seat and she served him.
She noticed the shopping bag that he placed on the table.
Aurora served herself and stifled a moan at the taste. Her cooking has gotten so good. Her mom would be proud of her.
His wolf grunted in his head. Draken snuck a glance at her delighted face before he took a bite and it sure was delicious. He finished his plate before serving some more.
Aurora spared a glance at him and he looked away clearing his throat. He grabbed the shopping bag and passed it to her.
She looked at it and then at him. He nudged his chin for her to take it. She took the bag and opened it. She pulled out the box and stared at the brand-new phone.
"I broke your phone so I bought you a new one," He mumbled and she gaped at him.