Aubrey

"Are you serious? Of course, I'd love that." I giggled over the phone.

"Alright see you in a bit." I hung up.

Vincent invited me to the zoo with his cousins. He told me they were quite a handful and asked if I could help him watch them for the day. I had to agree because I loved children and plus I hadn't been to the zoo for quite a while.

I took a shower and shampooed my hair. I got dressed in a black sleeveless crop top, denim shorts, grey cardigan, a pair of converse and a black handbag.

Brushing my hair a final time, I was ready to go. Rushing downstairs I bumped into a rock hard chest.

"S-sorry Haden." I muttered without looking at him.

To my surprise, Haden walked past me without a second glance. Usually, he would yell at me for bumping into him. Guess he's in a better mood today.

A few minutes later Vincent pulled up infront of the house.

When I entered the car he introduced me to his cousins.

"This is Dennis, the eldest. He's 17."

"I can introduce myself Vincent. Plus I don't see why I need a babysitter. I am practically a grown man." Dennis groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Your mother asked me to do this so you're just gonna have to live with it, buddy. Besides didn't she say if you give me any trouble you won't be going to that concert? So if I were you I'd keep my mouth shut." Vincent smirked to earn a glare from Dennis.

"I'm Jennifer and I'm seven." A little girl with blonde hair beamed.

"Nice to meet you Jennifer. I'm Aubrey." I smiled at her.

"This is Veronica. She's 16." Vincent introduced a girl with short blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

I smiled at her but she just rolled her eyes at me and stared at me with disgust. That gave an uncomfortable feeling.

A couple of seconds later we were off to the zoo. Jennifer was talking animatedly to me and I listened to every word she had to say. It was nice talking to her.

Soon we arrived at the Emperor Valley Zoo. Vincent paid for us, which I protested to but he shrugged it off.

Vicent was showing Jennifer the crocodiles while Dennis was busy texting on his phone. This gave me the perfect chance to talk to Veronica.

"Hey Veronica. Are you enjoying the zoo?" I asked. She stared at me then rolled her eyes once again.

"Stop trying to talk to me Aubrey. Stay out of my way." She sneered as she bumped my shoulder purposely.

What's her problem? We barely even know each other and she's being so rude.

"Harsh." I heard Dennis say.

"I suppose she has her reasons. Especially since you're smoking hot." His eyes raked over my body and he laughed.

"What are you talking about?" I inquired while rolling my eyes.

"Don't worry you'll find out soon enough." He laughed.

"Does she dislike me?"

"More like, hate."

~~

We sat together and had lunch which Vincent bought.

"You can bring all of your cousins to the party tomorrow." I suggested.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. What do you guys say? Y'all wanna go to Aubrey and Haden's party tomorrow?" Vincent asked.

"Yes." They all agreed in unison.

"Alright. That settles it then."

After eating we continued looking around the zoo at the various types of animals.

"This is really nice." I smiled as I walked alongside Vicent.

"Yes, it is."

Vincent and I sat on a nearby bench as we watched the kids walk ahead of us.

"Today has been great. Thanks for taking me out." I smiled.

"It's my pleasure Aubrey." He smiled.

Vincent's phone chimed which indicated he got a notification. As he opened it, I saw a picture of a redhead girl with long beautiful hair and bright green eyes. She wore a huge grin as she hugged Vincent. Her lips were painted in scarlet coloured lipstick and her pale skin complemented the black dress she was wearing.

Vincent's hand was wrapped around her waist as he stared at the camera. They looked perfect together.

Vincent caught me staring at the picture and turned it towards me so I could see it better

"This was Vanessa."

"Was?" I questioned.

"It was a snowy December night and we were going to stay at my cabin in Lakewood. As cliché as that sounds the setting was exactly like that. I was driving down a steep hill when I suddenly lost control of the car because the road was slippery. We crashed into a lamp post. I lost consciousness and when I woke up I was in the hospital. The doctors informed me that a passerby found us and called an ambulance. What they told me next broke my heart. They said that Vanessa had died on impact. The moment the car was about to hit the tree Vanessa jumped in front of me to brace me from the impact. I was angry at her for doing that. If she hadn't done that I wouldn't have been alive. I am thankful she saved me but she lost her life in the process. I still feel guilty about it. If I stayed home or went to a hotel she would have been alive. I never really spoke about this until now. It hurts keeping it in all the time. " Vincent finished. He was getting emotional about this.

I put my hand on his.

"Vincent, I bet she wouldn't want you to be sad. I don't know her but I'm sure she'd want you to be happy. After all, she gave up her life for you, the least you could do is forgive yourself and try to be strong and enjoy your life for not only her but for yourself as well. You're a good person Vincent and you-

I was cut off by Vincent's lips on mine. It was a gentle yet powerful kiss. I felt all his emotions as I kissed him back. My lips were moving on its own and I couldn't think straight.

A few seconds later we pulled apart to catch our breath.

"I'm sorry Aubrey. That was a mistake, we should go." Vincent said as he stood.

We were all in the car on the way back home. Vincent was quiet, he hadn't spoken a single word to me since he said that the kiss was a mistake.

He pulled up by my house and dropped me off.

"Bye guys. Bye Vincent."

"Bye Aubrey." Jennifer and Dennis waved whereas Vincent and Veronica remained quiet.

Why is Vincent acting so strange? I know it's the kiss that made things weird between us. Great, things are ruined between Vincent and I.

I'm so pathetic sometimes.

I entered the house and met Haden on the sofa drinking a beer.

"Had fun on your date?" Haden sneered.

"It wasn't a date Haden. Vincent just needed help watching his cousins."

"You can leave this marriage Aubrey. Talk to your parents and try to convince them that you wanna be with someone else." Haden said as he cornered me.

"No Haden."

Haden held my face and stared into my eyes intently.

"Just when I thought I figured you out." Haden stated.

"What do you want from me Aubrey?"

"For you to appreciate this marriage and respect it. It may be a contract but you can at least try to care."

"Care?! Aubrey I have a child on the way and I can't be there for him or her. You are suffering me in this marriage. What do you expect me to do when my baby arrives?" Haden shouted.

"Haden calm down please. I can't break the contract it's out of my power."

"I want to be with the woman I love not a worthless whore like you." He sneered.

"Well, I'm sorry. We all can't get what we want. And calling me names won't make a difference." I stated as I climbed the stairs.

I took a shower and changed into some shorts and a vest.

As I closed my eyes to sleep I realised that for some reason I didn't regret the kiss that Vincent and I shared.