Ice-Cream

Leaving Alexander confused at the wooden bench, Auralia hurried over to a nearby ice-cream stand. She quickly looked over the menu.

"One chocolate and one vanilla ice-cream cone please." Auralia said to the elderly lady running the stand.

"Sure thing dear." The woman smiled at her.

The woman began making the two cones and quickly pulled out her wallet from the back pocket of her jeans. Using the last bit of cash she had, Auralia bought the cones from the lady before she headed back to where Alexander was sitting.

Thankfully the man hadn't left the bench otherwise she would have looked completely foolish walking around eating two ice-cream cones.

"Here." Auralia declared as she handed him the vanilla ice-cream.

He took it and looked at her a little confused. "Um…thank you."

"No problem." Auralia nodded before taking a seat next to him.

She hadn't been to the park in a while to eat ice-cream. Mostly because it reminded her of the times her father would get them ice-cream after a hard day of practice in the dojo. She felt a pang of sadness hit her as the memories flooded her mind.

Shaking her head, she turned to look at Alexander who was staring at the ice-cream weirdly.

"Is it not to your liking?"

"No…I'm just surprised…"

"You bought lunch so I got us dessert." Auralia paused for a second. "Although it's not as high class as your steak. If you want something fancier we could go to the café and you can pick out something."

"No, it's fine." Alexander smiled softly and Auralia felt her heart clench. "It's just been a while since I've done something so…mundane."

The sight of Alexander eating the ice-cream made him look very human and average looking. Like he was just an average guy enjoying a Sunday out at the park and not some A-list actor.

The last thought made Auralia widen her eyes. Alexander was an actor and as such had to deal with the media.

"Um…Is it okay for you to be out here?" Auralia murmured, trying not to cringe at her stupidity.

Alexander smirked at her, laying back on the bench and resting an arm across the back of the bench. "Now you ask?"

"Sorry I wasn't thinking."

"It's fine, I'm only teasing." Alexander turned his head to look at Auralia. "This is probably for the best. It'll make the marriage seem more natural and less like an arrangement."

"But we haven't announced the engagement or anything."

"True but if the media posts anything, we'll just announce it and say they forced us to come out about our relationship."

"And this won't affect your career?"

"No if anything it might give me extra publicity." Alexander took a bite of his ice-cream. "Worst case scenario I leave the entertainment industry and go into business. Father will sure be glad about that move."

He laughed sarcastically at the last part, making Auralia wonder if Alexander's choice to become an actor was a sore topic in the Ezra household. His mother didn't seem to be the type to make a big issue about it but she couldn't say much about his father, never having met the man.

After that they ate their ice-creams in silence and soon left to head back to the café. When they got back to the café it was a little more busier compared to earlier.

Mrs. Davidson and Maria were so engrossed by some conversation that Alexander had to tap on the table gently for them to realize that the two had made their way back from lunch.

"You two are back son early." Maria exclaimed as the two sat down. "Was lunch okay?"

"It was quite good, Mrs. Ezra." Auralia replied.

Alexander nodded his head in agreement before signalling for a waiter. A woman in her thirties came over to the table quickly.

"Can you get me a small expresso." Alexander turned to Auralia. "You want anything?"

"No thanks."

"Alright just one expresso then." Alexander turned back to the waitress.

She nodded her head in understanding, jotting down the order before she hurried off to get the drink made.

"I see you two are getting along well." Maria murmured, her eyes twinkling.

"We had a nice chat over lunch." Alexander responded with a blank look on his face.

Auralia wanted to laugh at the little charade between mother and son, Maria acting as if she didn't know exactly what the conversation was about while Alexander acted as if the conversation about the contract had never existed.

"Well, that's good at least." Maria paused for a second before suddenly asking, "Lina, are you free this Saturday?"

"Of course, I am." Mrs. Davidson responded quickly.

"Good! Then I'd like to invite you and Auralia over for dinner. You're okay with that Auralia?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Perfect. Alexander make sure your schedule is free too on that day. I'll make sure Michael knows that you need to come over."

Alexander sighed ad nodded his head. "Fine, I'll be there."

Afterwards, the four turned to topics of gossip and current affairs, leaving the café an hour later. Auralia and Mrs. Davidson drove home in silent.

It wasn't much of an awkward silence but rather a peaceful one that had settled over the two. The day had been successful for the most part even if it had happened earlier than expected.

Even they arrived home, Auralia quickly got out of the car and held out a hand for Mrs. Davidson. The older woman took it and allowed Auralia to help her out.

They then made their way to the front door and Auralia opened it. There in the hallway stood a man in a black suit. He turned upon hearing the two enter and Auralia felt a wave of shock hit her as she recognized the familiar face.

The man had the same blue eyes and face structure. He had the same brown hair with a bit more gray hair mixed in and was slightly chubby.

But otherwise, she was looking at her father. Or at least his doppelganger.

"Mother, you're home."