- Oliver's POV -
"Dispose of this piece of shit." I told Charlie. He nodded and cut her bonds, then tossed her over his shoulder. "When you're done come to my office." He nodded again and left.
I made my way back to Aurora's room. I open the door to find her sleeping on the floor. What the hell? I scoop her up and gently lay her down in the bed. As soon as I let go she squirmed awake. She looked at me and frowned. I sat down on the bed next to her.
"You don't have to worry about her anymore angel. I took care of it." I said brushing her hair out of her face. She flinches a bit but lets me do it anyway. Why does she flinch? I told her I would never hurt her. I make a mental note to ask Griffin and Max. After what she went through with Amy, I wanted to do something to make her smile. I normally would never care if a bitch was happy or not. As long as I got my nut in, I was good.... but Aurora... she's different. I want to make her smile and hear her laugh... I want to be the one to make her happy, and I have the perfect idea to do so. I come out of my thoughts to see her looking at me confused.
"D-do you do that often?" She asked looking down at her lap. I hate when she hides from me.
"Look at me when you speak." I said. Her eyes traveled to mine. "Do what often?" I asked.
"Stare o-off into space like that..." Her eyes were darting everywhere, trying to look anywhere but mine. What she doesn't realize is that's all I want to see. Those sweet light brown doe eyes of hers. She's so beautiful.
"I was lost in thought." I smile at her.
"What were you thinking about?" She asked looking at me intrigued. Again she didnt stutter. I felt my heart melt a little each time I was around her and when she didn't stutter at me, only made it melt more. I may actually be able to feel it beat and have warmth again if she stays with me forever.
"I was thinking about taking you out today. Would you like that?" I asked and she shook her head no. I furrowed my brow and cocked my head to the side. "Why not angel."
"I don't like being around people." She almost whispered.
"Well good thing the place I'm thinking of taking you doesn't have that many people." I wink at her and watch her turn into a blushing tomato. Even blushing she's beautiful. This girl will be the death of me... I can already tell. I see her raise an eyebrow as if she's trying to pick up on my hint. "Why don't you shower and watch a little t.v... I have a few things I need to do before we can go, okay?" She nodded and I kiss her on the head.
- Oliver's Office -
I walk in and see Charlie relaxing in a chair smoking a blunt. He blows a size range of smoke rings into the air, then sucks them back up through his nose, one by one, letting go of the smoke right after. I close my door and he turns his attention to me.
"So whatcha wanna talk about bestie?" He asked in a girly voice and fluttered his eyes. I flip him off and walk around to the opposite side of my desk, facing him. I grab my laptop and quickly google tiger sanctuaries we can visit... maybe I can even buy her one for the right price... and there is no limit to the amount of money I will spend on her. She's worth every penny.
"I want you boys to build an enclosure for a tiger in the back yard. Get some of the men to help you. I want it done by the end of the week." I said while still looking at my screen. I don't hear him moving so I look at him... he's currently wearing a what-the-fuck look on his face.
"A tiger enclosure?"
"Yes."
"For a tiger?"
"Yes."
"A real one?" I sigh....
"Yes Charlie a real one." I answer, rolling my eyes and looking back at the screen.
"Why are we getting a tiger?" He asked.
"You aren't getting shit. It's for Aurora." I finally see a place, about an hours drive from here that I could take her. I hope this makes her smile. I would love to see her smile. I write down the number and take out my phone. I was about to call but see Charlie still sitting there looking at me like a deer in headlights. "Why are you still here?" I asked.
"You're buying Aurora a fucking tiger?" He asked me shocked. "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"
"Shut up. I'm trying to make her not so afraid of me." Both his eyebrows raised and his mouth made an "O" shape.
"Since when did you ever give a fuck about making some girl happy?"
"Since her... now go build that enclosure and stop asking me questions." He gave me a cheeky smile and nodded, then left.
After finishing my call, I decided to take a shower and tell Aurora to get ready.
- Tiger Sanctuary -
I pull into a parking spot and look over to see my angel asleep. I know it may seem creepy but I like watching her sleep. It's.... calming in a way. Seeing her so tranquil and peaceful makes me feel tranquil and peaceful. I almost don't want to wake her but I so badly want to see her smile and know that I caused that smile.
"Angel?" I coo quietly in her ear while lightly running my fingers down her arm. "We're here." She rubs her eyes and yawns. Fucking adorable. It takes her a minute but she notices the sign out front that says "Heavenly Stripes" in bold colorful letters with a wooden cut out of a tiger mother and cub beside it. Intently watching her face, her eyes light up and she gasps.
"Are we about to see a tiger!?" She shouts, practically bouncing in her seat. I finally see that smile Ive been dying to see and my heart melts a bit more. This.... this is how I want her to feel all the time... and I will make it my life's goal if it means getting to see her this excited and happy all the time. I've never felt like this before and the feeling is more than overwhelming, but she somehow makes sense out of it all.
"We are about to see ti-GERS... plural, baby. Maybe even play with some cubs." She squealed and shuffled her feet. We got out of the car and she started to run for the entrance. I caught her wrist and spun her into my arms. She gasped and soon that smile disappeared. "While we are here you will not leave my side. Am I clear?" She nods. I kiss her on the cheek and smile. "Good. Now lets go see some tigers." That earth shattering smile returns and a new kind of tingle takes over my body. Fuck what is she doing to me?
We walk in and a young lady wearing a tiger ball cap smiled at us.
"Welcome to Heavenly Stripes! My name is Amelia but you can call me Lia. You must be Mr. Stone." She asked looking through her book log. When she looks up I nod. "Great!" She looked at Aurora... "You are one lucky lady. Not many people get the speacial tour." She winked and Aurora looked at me excited yet confused... but definitely more exited.
We follow Amelia down a hallway that led outside. We were surrounded by enclosures and tigers of all different sizes. Some were fucking huge... Walking through, we hear a few of them make weird noises at us. Amelia stops in front of an enclosure with a beautiful pure white tiger with black stripes rubbing against the fencing. It started to moo like a cow and makes a weird noise with its nose.
"This is Pearl. She recently gave birth to four cubs. She was hand raised by us and is extremely great with people." As Amelia was explaining, Pearl kept making those weird noises with her nose. Is she sneezing?
"Why is she making that noise?" Aurora asked but not taking her eyes off Pearl.. as if she was asking her directly.
"It's called a Chuffle and it's considered a friendly greeting. She's saying hello." Amelia answered and Aurora just about came undone. "Would you like to go inside and say hello back to her?" Aurora squealed and nodded. We followed her to the door of Pearl's enclosure. Entering we were greeted by head rubs and more chuffles. "Would you like to learn how to make that noise back to her?" Aurora smiled widely and nodded while petting Pearl on the head.
Once Aurora got the hang of making the sound, she went crazy and chuffled her little heart out. Pearl licked her face and head, every now and then she would rub her head against Aurora's. When she giggled, my world came crashing down. That sound... that single sound was enough to make ME come undone. Suddenly Pearl turned around and began lightly tapping her tale on Aurora's body... sometimes looking back and either mooing or chuffling. Aurora looked at Amelia confused.
"She wants you to grab her tail. She wants to show you something." Amelia's reassuring smile was all my little angel needed. She grabbed Pearl's tail and began to walk with her.
"Ha! Tiger by the tail." I say under my breath. Amelia burst out laughing.
"Like the country song! Hilarious!" She chuckled.
Pearl led us to a little cubby hole... she went inside and came back out with a tiny orange and black cub in her jaws. Aurora went completely still as Pearl approached her. "Hold out your hands" Amelia said. Aurora did and Pearl gently put her cub in Aurora's hands. The cub squeaked and cried but soon calmed down as Aurora cradled it up to her chest and cooed at it.
"How much for one of Pearl's cubs?" I asked Amelia and Aurora nearly fainted.
"Since Pearl seems to have taken so well to Aurora... let's say an even fifty thousand."
"Done." I shake Amelia's hand.
"Since they are only a few weeks old and still drinking milk, you will have to wait until she weens them." I nod. She looks at Aurora. "Would you like to pick the one you want to take home?"
"This one." She said sweetly while kissing the little cub on the face.
"That one is a boy. What will you name him?"
"Rajah." Aurora smiled.
"Oh that's cute, like in the movie Aladdin!" Amelia said and Aurora's eyes lit up.
"It was my favorite movie growing up!" She exclaimed. Amelia and I chuckle.
- Home -
Once home, Aurora and I were both spent. I walk her to her room and wait for her to get changed into some comfy clothes. She comes out of the bathroom with a large smile plastered on her face. She jumps into the bed with a giggle.
"Thank you Ollie." She says and I immediately take her face in my hands and kiss her lips softly. She gasps against me and freezes. I pull away and find her very surprised by my sudden action.
"Anything to see that beautiful smile of yours my angel." I smile at her. She hesitates but smiles back at me. Yes sweet girl... melt my cold and lifeless heart. Only you could bring me back to life. "Get some sleep baby." She raises an eyebrow but shrugs it off and nods... burying herself into the thick comforter and yawning against the pillow. She closed her eyes and fell asleep with a smile on her face. God I love that smile.