Recap:
Aurora unveils Aiden's closely guarded secret, calling him "Adrien," which shatters his calm demeanor. Tensions rise during a dinner gathering with friends as Aiden struggles with his unease, while Aurora masks her emotions effortlessly. The following day, Aurora's cold shoulder toward Aiden fuels a silent standoff, escalating when Aiden attempts to provoke her with exaggerated charm among classmates. Aurora, unimpressed, sees through his act.
Later, an unexpected encounter between Aurora and the charismatic Ethan sparks further tension, especially when Ethan's bold flirtation unfolds under Aiden's watchful eye. Consumed by anger and jealousy, Aiden interrupts, pulling Aurora away in an unspoken but forceful display of emotion. This leaves Ethan simmering with a promise of revenge.
The story progresses further when Aiden drives Aurora to Horizon's villa, stating they "need to talk."
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Aurora stepped into the house, her heart sinking as her eyes followed Aiden retreating toward his bedroom, his back straight, his movements brisk and unrelenting.
"Didn't you say we needed to talk? So where are you going?" I called after him, trying to keep my frustration in check, though it blend into my tone.
"Go to sleep. We'll talk in the morning," he replied curtly, his voice devoid of emotion, without so much as a glance in my direction. He disappeared into his bedroom, punctuating his exit with a sharp slam of the door. The resounding thud echoed through the hallway, making me flinch.
For a moment, I just stood there, anger and confusion tangling within me. My fingers curled into fists at my sides as I muttered, "What is wrong with him? Acting like he's the one in charge when it's exactly the opposite."
I was pulled from my thoughts by the soft approach of a maid. She stopped a few steps away, her voice polite yet firm. "Ma'am, please follow me to the guest room," she said, her expression composed.
I nodded silently, too exhausted to argue or question her words. Trailing behind her through the dimly lit corridors, I felt oddly out of place, as if I didn't quite belong in my own story. When we reached the guest room, I sank onto the bed, the mattress soft and welcoming beneath my weary body. But despite my physical exhaustion, my mind refused to quiet. The weight of the day loomed over me, and the clock ticked relentlessly forward. It was already past 11:00 PM, and yet, sleep was nowhere to be found.
A sudden dryness in my throat gave me an excuse to escape my restlessness. I pushed aside the thick blanket and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my feet brushing against the cool floor. Rising, I padded quietly toward the kitchen, the silence of the villa oppressive and thick.
Once in the kitchen, I grabbed a glass and filled it with water, the soft sound of running liquid breaking the eerie stillness. I stood by the window, sipping slowly as the moonlight streamed through the glass, bathing the room in a silvery glow. It was strangely calming, watching the world outside bathed in this quiet, ethereal light.
But then I heard it—a sudden crash that shattered the stillness, loud and jarring, reverberating through the house. My heart stopped for a split second before hammering in my chest. I froze, clutching the glass tightly, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Setting the glass down, I moved cautiously toward the source of the sound, each step careful yet deliberate. The villa, which had felt oppressively silent before, now seemed alive with unseen tension. A low, hollow murmur reached my ears, faint and distant, yet chilling enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
And then, I saw it—a shadowy figure lurking just at the edge of the room, barely more than an outline against the darkness. The faint moonlight caught its edges, giving it shape but offering no clarity. A cold wave of fear swept over me, my breath catching as I stood frozen. The silence stretched unbearably, wrapping around me like a suffocating veil.
Aurora stood in the kitchen, her hand instinctively moving to her waistband to pull out her gun—the trusted weapon she always carried with her. The cold weight of it in her hand brought a sense of steadiness as she moved cautiously toward the shadowy figure, her steps deliberate and silent. The villa was eerily quiet, the maids tucked away in the servants' quarters, leaving no room for doubt—whoever was here wasn't supposed to be.
The air around her felt heavy, and her senses were on high alert. Just as she took another step, warm breaths brushed against the back of her neck, sending a shiver coursing down her spine. Aurora froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She spun around instinctively, and in her haste, she stumbled backward.
Before she could fully process what had happened, strong arms caught her by the waist, steadying her—but the momentum sent them both tumbling down. Aurora's instincts kicked in immediately. She pushed the person off her with force, scrambling to her feet as adrenaline surged through her veins.
She raised her gun, pointing it directly at the figure. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to make out their face in the suffocating darkness. The faint moonlight filtering through the window finally revealed his features.
"Aiden?" she gasped, her voice thick with disbelief. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her grip on the gun unwavering, though her mind reeled with questions.
"Umm, I—" Aiden stammered, snapping out of his daze as Aurora's voice cut through the tense silence. His gaze flickered to her, his expression briefly unreadable. "I just came to get some water," he added hastily, scrambling to his feet, his movements a little too quick, a little too anxious.
Aurora's eyebrows furrowed, skepticism written all over her face. "Then why were you roaming around like a ghost?" she asked sharply, her tone laced with irritation.
Aiden glanced at her and then at the gun she still had aimed at him. "Hey, put the gun down at least!" he said, lifting his hands slightly in a placating gesture.
Aurora blinked, realization dawning as she noticed the weapon still firmly in her grasp, directed at him. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. "Oh, sorry," she mumbled, lowering the gun with a sheepish shrug, though her eyes stayed locked on him.
The air between them remained dense, the tension hanging like a lingering storm cloud, their breaths punctuating the silence in uneven rhythms. Aurora let out a quiet sigh, the sound soft but filled with exhaustion. She turned away, her steps steady yet weighted, and headed toward the kitchen.
She pulled out a chair and sank into it, her gaze falling to the floor for a brief moment before lifting to meet his. "You scared me," she murmured, her voice barely audible, yet it carried a vulnerability she rarely let show.
Aiden shifted uneasily, his features betraying a flicker of guilt. "I'm sorry," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "But... you're not the kind of person who gets scared by shadows and all that," he added, trying to lighten the moment but only succeeding in sounding uncertain.
Aurora shook her head lightly, her expression unwavering as she locked her eyes on his. "I didn't get scared because of shadows or ghosts," she replied, her voice firm yet quiet. "I got scared because of the way you behaved earlier."
The weight of her words settled between them, leaving Aiden momentarily speechless.
"But why did you behave like that earlier?" Aurora asked, her voice tinged with confusion and curiosity.
"I don't know," Aiden replied, his eyes darting away, refusing to meet her gaze.
Aurora leaned in slightly, her tone more insistent. "You were scared for my safety, weren't you? Worried that Ethan might harm me?"
Aiden hesitated for a moment before replying, his voice steady but guarded. "Yes. He didn't seem like a good person to me."
Aurora's lips curved into a faint, sad smile as she tried to mask her emotions. "So, all of that—everything you did—was just because you were doing your duty as my bodyguard?" she asked, her voice calm and unwavering. Beneath her composed exterior, a fleeting sadness stirred, but she refused to let it show. Turning slightly away, she whispered more to herself than him, "And here I thought you were jealous."
Aiden, completely oblivious to her last sentence, stood silent for a moment before replying with a curt, "Of course. That's my job." Then, almost too quiet for her to hear, he murmured under his breath, "Am I just your bodyguard to you?"
Aurora raised an eyebrow, catching his quiet question. "What did you just say?" she asked
"Nothing," Aiden said quickly, his face shadowed with an emotion he couldn't quite conceal. Without waiting for her response, he turned abruptly and walked away toward his room.
Aurora watched him go, her thoughts a whirlwind of questions and emotions she kept carefully hidden, unsure if the boundaries between duty and something more had already started to blur.
She walked to her room, the weight of the day still lingering, and soon drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, the sharp chime of her alarm jolted her awake. With practiced efficiency, she freshened up, mentally preparing herself for the day ahead. She reached for her phone, intending to call Aiden, her trusted bodyguard who also managed the dual role of being her secretary, to arrange her outfit. But before she could make the call, a soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she said, her voice carrying an air of calm authority.
The door creaked open, revealing the maid, clutching a neatly tied paper bag. She stepped forward, her posture respectful yet purposeful.
"Ma'am, sir asked me to prepare some clothes for you," the maid said, offering the bag with a slight bow.
"Thank you," she replied, her tone warm yet composed. The maid nodded politely before leaving, closing the door quietly behind her.
Curiosity sparked, she unpacked the bag and laid the clothes on the bed. After a refreshing shower, she dressed with care, slipping into the pair of shoes thoughtfully included with the outfit. Standing before the mirror, she admired the way the attire complemented her figure and radiated understated elegance.
"He truly has impeccable taste," she murmured, a small smile curling her lips as she adjusted her sleeves and lightly flexed her feet to feel the comfort of the shoes. Gathering her composure, she turned and descended the grand staircase, the soft sound of her shoes tapping lightly against the polished floors, blending with the peaceful morning stillness.
As Aurora descended the staircase, she was greeted by Ace, Jace, Flare, and Amber, who were already seated at the dining table, chatting animatedly.
"Good morning!" they said in unison, their faces glowing with the excitement of the night before.
"Morning, everyone," Aurora replied, taking a seat nearby. She smiled, noticing their energy. "You all look suspiciously cheerful. Where were you all night?"
Amber grinned mischievously, glancing at Flare. "Well, let's just say it was a memorable night."
Jace smirked. "You could call it a 'team-building exercise.'"
Ace chuckled and leaned back, looking relaxed but slightly amused. "More like a double date."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A double date? Now this I have to hear. Where did you go?"
Flare took over, her expression glowing with enthusiasm. "Dinner at that new rooftop restaurant in town—the one with the fairy lights and live music."
Amber added, "Followed by a midnight stroll at the park. It was gorgeous under the moonlight."
Aurora shook her head with a small laugh, watching their animated expressions. "So, a double date kept you out all night. Sounds like you all had a wonderful time."
"We had, but looks like you two also had a wonderful time at home alone," Jace teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Just then, Aiden appeared at the top of the staircase, descending with an uncharacteristically casual air. "Wonderful time? She was literally pointing a gun at me," he said nonchalantly, before the gravity of his words registered.
The room froze. Faces shifted from amusement to shock in an instant, and Aurora's eyes widened in alarm. Aiden stopped in his tracks as his own expression mirrored hers, realizing what he had just let slip.
Amber broke the silence with an overly cheerful laugh, waving a dismissive hand. "What a joke, early in the morning," she said, her carefree remark dissolving the tension as the others chuckled along, unaware of the truth behind Aiden's words.
Aurora exhaled subtly, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She cast a sharp, warning glare at Aiden, who looked suitably chastened.
Preview of Next Chapter:
The weekend was peaceful, filled with laughter as the group enjoyed a spirited board game at the dining table. The cheerful banter was interrupted by the sharp chime of the doorbell, cutting through the relaxed atmosphere.
The maid moved swiftly to answer, her footsteps echoing lightly. She returned moments later, her expression unsettled. "Ma'am," she addressed Aurora hesitantly, "there's someone outside asking for you."
Aurora exchanged a quick glance with Aiden, sensing a wave of unease between them. Standing, she composed herself, her heart racing as she walked toward the door. Whoever it was, she knew the calm of their weekend might not last.