Disclaimer: Maleficent and its characters belong to Disney.
Note: It took a long time, but the new chapter is finally here! Like already I said, it is the first of a few chapters that will not contain anything from the original version! So even if you read it on tumblr, from now on, you'll have little or huge surprises!
Also, thanks to every new follower of The M Word, and welcome to the weird AU Malora shippers like!
mis·er·a·ble
(adj.) 1. wretchedly unhappy, uneasy or uncomfortable
2. of wretched character or quality; contemptible
Aurora is laying on her bed, holding her phone above her head, waiting for its screen to light up and show Phillip's photo. It is eleven in the morning on Tuesday. Her best friend should have already called to confirm he will be at her father's apartment soon. She is about to call him when her phone buzzes, startling her into letting go of it. It hits her on the nose and makes her wince. Aurora retrieves her phone, a hand clasped on her face as she sits up.
"Good morning, Aurora."
Aurora's back straightens up as soon as she hears the impossibly calm voice. She has to take a deep breath before answering.
"Good morning, Ms. Moore."
A smile spreads on her face and she forgets about her pain. Talking to someone who isn't her father is more relaxing than Aurora expected, even if this someone is at the same time her father's ex-girlfriend and her future wife. Just thinking about it makes a knot form in her stomach.
"We need to talk. Come to my office as soon as possible."
"Don't you have appointments? I wouldn't want to disturb you!"
Aurora's panicked attempt at apologizing and politely refusing to go to Ms. Moore's office is cut short when the businesswoman interrupts her.
"Do not worry about it. I will see you soon."
The girl does not have time to say anything before Ms. Moore hangs up. She stares at her phone, eyebrows quirked, confused by the very brief conversation she just had. She wants to play video games with Phillip, not to have a serious talk with Ms. Moore. But she knows she can't say no to her, so she texts Phillip to tell him that they need to cancel their afternoon together.
Aurora takes her phone out of her pocket and leans her back against the glass wall of the elevator. Still no text from Phillip, no call, nothing. It has been three hours since she sent him a message. Her best friend is usually quick to answer, so she can't help worrying.
The doors open with a ding and Aurora steps out of the elevator. Diaval is at his desk, obviously less busy than the previous time the girl came. He is spinning on his chair, his head thrown back and there is a bright childish smile on his face. Aurora chuckles, making him stop immediately. He shakes his head and rubs his eyes for a moment before giving Aurora his full attention.
"She's waiting for you inside!" He smiles, pointing a finger at the office doors. "I'm not announcing your arrival, because if she sees my face one more time today, she'll throw her stapler at me!"
Aurora simply nods, pushes one of the glass doors and takes a hesitant step inside. Ms. Moore is staring at her, her chin resting on her intertwined fingers.
"Sit down, please."
The girl obliges. The silence that settles then is heavy and uncomfortable. Ms. Moore does not making any move, not even blinking. Aurora is becoming more nervous with every passing second and starts fidgeting under Ms. Moore's intimidating glare.
"Do you have anything to tell me?"
Aurora blinks in confusion. She does not have anything to say, Ms. Moore is the one who called her in the morning! She does have questions to ask though, because they've talked about their marriage but never about the actual wedding. Aurora wants to know about the rings, the flowers, the dresses, where they will marry - there is no way they won't make it big for the media - but more importantly she wants to know when they will announce their engagement to the public. Her father needs an interview about it to look like a good father and-
"You could start by telling me about Phillip."
"How do you know about him?!"
Ms. Moore leans back in her armchair and starts massaging her temples. She sighs and takes a deep breath before answering.
"I had quite an interesting encounter with him yesterday. He came to my office, introduced himself and politely asked me to cancel our engagement."
Aurora opens her mouth and closes it after a few seconds. She can feel her cheeks turn red from embarrassment. She knew her best friend would do something stupid, he always does when he thinks he's protecting her.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Moore! I-"
"Do not apologize, Aurora. You are allowed to have a boyfriend but you have to hide it, for your father's sake."
"A boyfriend? Phillip and I aren't dating, he's my best friend!"
Ms. Moore smirks, confusing Aurora even more. There isn't any reason to be smirking, is there? Or maybe there is and Aurora is too innocent and sheltered to understand… she often feels like this around her father.
"I believe we are done for today, then," Ms. Moore says, standing up.
"I- May I ask you question?"
The older woman nods and sits back down, smiling all too sweetly at Aurora, as if satisfied by the situation. Aurora is toying with a strand of her hair, thinking about how to ask her question without sounding sounding ridiculous or demanding.
"I was wondering if we were going on another date soon. My father wants our marriage to be announced publicly… He- he didn't tell me, but he is making it rather obvious…"
"I will you pick up tomorrow at eight."
Phillip is sitting on the floor, his back leaning against the wall, eyes closed, when Aurora arrives at the apartment. She pushes him lightly on the shoulder, almost making him fall. He rises to his feet and they enter the apartment in a complete silence. Aurora goes straight to her bedroom, followed by her best friend and they sit on the bed, facing each other. Phillip is looking down at his hands, Aurora notices, and it is obvious he feels bad - most certainly about going to see Mal. Mal. The older woman had asked her, again, to call her that earlier at her office.
"I need to tell you, Rory. I did something… weird… yesterday…"
"I know, Phillip. Ma- Ms. Moore told me."
The boy hides his face in his hands and mumbles a few words.
"I'm sorry, Aurora, but I care too much about you to let you marry this woman! She's creepy!"
Aurora quirks her eyebrows. Mal sure is unique and intimidating, but Aurora doesn't believe her to be creepy in any way. Going on date with her, seeing her apartment and spending a night there might be why she can't understand why Phillip would find her creepy.
"She's old enough to be your mother! She's a ruthless businesswoman! She hates your father, Aurora! For God's sake, do you really think that she'll ever consider him as a partner!?"
Aurora doesn't make a single move. She stays still, petrified by the idea. Phillip is right. Ms. Moore will have no reason to keep Stefan as a business partner once his reputation is redeemed. Aurora's jaw falls open as she thinks about the situation she is in. There's no doubt she is a pawn in her father's game but is he being played by Ms. Moore in turn?
"I don't want you to marry her…" Phillip whispers as he takes her hands in his. "I don't want you to marry anyone. l don't want you to get hurt by this pedo-"
"Stop."
Aurora stands up, forcing her hands out of her best friend's grip. She feels trapped, cornered. Just like she does around her father. It should not happen with Phillip. The boy opens his mouth but Aurora interrupts him.
"Stop that, Phillip. First of all, I'm not a child. Secondly you're acting like my father; asking me to do things or not to do them! Mal didn't do that…" Her voice trails off with the latest words. "Phillip, could you leave me alone, please?"
"Good evening, Mal."
Aurora is nervously pacing in her bedroom, the grip on her phone so tight her knuckles start turning white.
"Good evening, Aurora. Are you calling to cancel our date?"
"No, not at all. I just need to ask you a question."
There is a brief and uncomfortable silence before Mal speaks up again.
"Go ahead."
Aurora takes a deep breath and leans her forehead against the window. She isn't sure anymore, but it is too late.
"Are you planning on ruining my father after our wedding?"
"Yes."
Oh, it looks like a cliffhanger and some angst! lf you can't handle reading too much angst, don't worry, I can't handle writing it!
Also, I want to say that I'm not sure I'll finish writing soon enough for my beta reader to correct before Monday. So don't worry if there is no update next Monday, there will still be one during the week!
I love you guys! You're the best!