A soft smile curled on Arwen’s lips before she gave a small nod to Aura and turned to leave.
"Let walk you out," Aura offered, coming around the desk to join her.
They walked out of the cabin together, sharing light conversation. Only when they reached the store entrance did Aura gently reach out and take hold of Arwen’s hand.
Arwen was about to step away, but the slight tug on her arms made her pause. She turned back to glance at Aura.
"Arwen," Aura said softly, her voice carrying a weight that was hard to miss.
Arwen humd in response, encouraging her to speak.
But Aura didn’t speak imdiately. She hesitated, as if trying to choose the right words.
"The past isn’t always what defines us," she began slowly. "You may have forgotten a part of your life, but that hasn’t changed you. You are still who you were then —the kind and courageous one no one could easily forget. So, don’t think about it too much. You have a beautiful present now, Arwen. Dwelling on what’s lost ... it will only wear you down."
She caresses the back of Arwen’s hand, her touch full of warmth. "I won’t tell you to stop searching —because if you are digging into the past, there must be a reason. Sothing important. But just promise you will take care of yourself. Don’t push hard. If required, let go of what’s already gone."
A smile twisted her hers up at the corners as she spoke with conviction. "He was ant to be yours. So, even after so many years, he ca back. And you two ended up marrying each other. That’s destiny, isn’t it?"
Was it?
Arwen questioned herself. If it had been before, she would have nodded and agreed. But now, things didn’t seem so simple.
The theory of destiny might be real, but not everything depends on just that.
Breaking from her trance of thought, Arwen t Aura’s gaze with understanding. She could feel the sincerity in her voice, the quiet concern behind every word. Placing her free hand over hers, she offered a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry. I will be careful."
Aura gave a small nod in return, her eyes softening. Then she took a deep breath and added, "As for your dress ... it’s already been sent to your place. I hope I haven’t disappointed you this ti either."
"You didn’t," Arwen chuckled, lighthearted now. "Aura Bright is the best at what she does. This is sothing that I discovered before signing the partnership with you. So, I am confident, you could never disappoint ."
They both laughed, the tension between them gently easing, before Arwen turned and stepped toward her car.
Rolling down the window, she waved. "I will leave then. Take care."
"You too," Aura smiled and waved back.
Arwen’s car slowly pulled away from the curb, and Aura remained standing there, watching until it disappeared down the street.
Only then did she reach into her pocket and pull out her phone. Staring at the device, she hesitated for a mont before she finally dialled a number.
The ring went through, but the call wasn’t answered. Just when it would have died away, a voice from the other end ca through. "Ms. Bright!"
Aura stiffened a little, but soon she greeted. "Chairman Davies!"
"You have called at this ti, I am sure this is not re for greeting," Brenda spoke through the line.
Although her voice sounded weak, the charm and authority laced in her tone were still as Aura had rembered.
"Ummm ... indeed, I am not just calling for the greeting," she spoke slowly, adding, "Instead, I am calling to tell you that Arwen has co today ... to ask about the past she had forgotten. She has co to know that she had forgotten a part of her mory, and that mory seed to be important to her."
The line went silent for a long second ...
Aura didn’t ask to confirm if the line was still on. She knew the old lady was still on the other side of the line.
"What did you tell her, then?" Brenda’s voice ca after a long pause.
Aura thought for a mont before she responded. "I told her what I knew. I didn’t lie to her because she had seen through my lies before she ca here." She then paused and added, "Anyway, after so many years, I don’t think she is still weak. She had recovered from the accident. Even though her lost mories didn’t return, this ti, she didn’t faint this ti which ans she had recovered. Hasn’t she?"
She might be speaking like she was confident. But she wasn’t. Aura felt scared. She called Brenda, not just to report, but to confirm that Arwen would be fine.
However, when she didn’t hear Brenda responding for a long while, her expression shifted. Her eyes showed the worry she was trying hard to neglect.
"Chairman Davies, Arwen has recovered, hasn’t she?"
Brenda finally humd. "She has recovered from the accident. Don’t worry, she would be fine." And then she didn’t say anything more, and directly hung up the call.
Aura heard the beep of disconnection and pulled the phone off her ear.
Even though the old lady had said Arwen had recovered, sothing still left her unconvinced.
Hadn’t it been just an accident? Why was Arwen still facing the effects of it ... even after so many years?
anwhile, in the car, Arwen was resting with her eyes closed. But creases of discomfort could be seen between her brows. As if she were in so pain. Her fingers were curled, trying to suppress whatever she was feeling inside.
"Madam, are you alright?" Alfred’s voice ca from the front, laced with worry.
She opened her eyes and shook her head. "It’s a bit of a headache. Nothing to worry about. Just stop at so nearby pharmacy." Her hand reached to massage the side of her forehead.
Alfred looked at her through the mirror, concerned. But nodded.
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