They reached Green Hills at around nine.
This was the first ti Aurora had co back so late.
Usually, she would be ho before nightfall, anxious that Alex was waiting for her to share dinner.
However, that man had not returned for the past two weeks.
...
The dim lighting of the house, with only a few lights glowing in select spots, brought back mories for Aurora as if she had returned to her old life.
In the past, after fulfilling her duties to help her master, she was the last staff mber to leave the main house.
As she walked through the dimly lit living room toward the stairs, emotions stirred in her heart as she reflected on her previous life.
Aurora set aside her past life and searched for Martin or Tina, but she couldn’t find them. She felt terrible for not letting them know she would be ho late.
’They’re already back in their dorm!?’ Aurora muttered as she climbed the stairs.
Just as Aurora reached the top of the stairs and headed towards her room, a familiar man’s voice echoed from behind, catching her off guard.
"Aurora, could you co here for a mont? We need to discuss sothing..."
Her heart pounded rapidly.
She imdiately stopped in her tracks and gazed at Alex’s gentle voice.
Even with just one yellow corner lamp on, it was enough light for her to see Alex sitting on the sofa, staring at her.
He seed calm, yet his eyes sparkled subtly, sending a shiver down her spine.
’Oh my goodness! He’s back! Did he seriously return, or am I just imagining things?’
Aurora wondered as she blinked, worried his image might vanish. But when she opened her eyes, he was still there with his stern expression.
She dragged her feet to the sitting area near the French window to join him.
However, she didn’t sit down imdiately; she rely gazed at him, waiting for him to speak.
Standing there with her head lowered, waiting for him to speak, she felt an instant rush of goosebumps as a thought crossed her mind.
’God! Why do I feel like I’m Rory!?’ She laughed heartily to herself. How could she still consider herself Alex’s personal assistant?
"Do you prefer to stand or sit?" His icy tone echoed, shattering the silence.
Aurora didn’t respond; instead, she sat on the sofa, the farthest from him.
"I never knew you liked wandering outside this late."
As she encountered his piercing gaze, her hands clenched tighter.
While suppressing her anger internally, she said, "Alex, I wasn’t aware you would return, so I had dinner outside with my friends. Did you wait for to eat? I’m sorry..." She regretted asking that question.
’Rory! Why do you ask him if he is waiting for you?’ She could only grumble, hoping this man would ignore her question as he had before.
Nonetheless, she was mistaken.
He replied calmly, yet his tone indicated he wasn’t comfortable answering it. "It’s alright. I’m used to dining solo. No reason to feel guilty."
His words were sufficient to make the atmosphere in the room grow chilly.
Aurora couldn’t help but chuckle in her heart, mistakenly thinking this man was waiting for her.
"I’m glad to hear that!" She said, a half-smile graced her lips.
She felt a bit better because she no longer had to feel guilty about making him wait for her.
...
Sitting before him and sensing his gaze upon her without uttering a word made her uncomfortable.
She waited for him to speak while trying to count the ti in her mind. But after counting to thirty, Alex still didn’t talk, his gaze fixed on her.
Aurora began to wonder if this man slept with his eyes open.
Taking a deep sigh, she gathered her courage to speak. "Alex, are you going to stare at until morning? If that’s your plan, I’m sorry to say I can’t stay here any longer to entertain you. I need to sleep..."
Alex was caught off guard, struck by her words like a lightning bolt. Rather than feeling angry, he found himself even more intrigued by her.
’What a fascinating little lady!’
He cleared his throat and said calmly, "I heard from Martin that today is your last day of exams?"
Aurora was taken aback by his words. She thought this man had no concern for her.
"Yes, it’s finished. I’m just waiting for graduation to finally be free from there."
"What do you an?" Alex asked, feeling confused.
Aurora’s hands clenched tightly. She swallowed hard when she realized she had almost exposed herself.
"I an, I no longer have to go there daily. I’m free as a bird now..." she replied calmly.
She redirected him with a question to avoid a conversation about her campus life and future. "Alex, did you say you wanted to talk to ?"
Suddenly, Alex’s composure slipped away and gradually gave way to darkness. Though reluctant to discuss it, he found himself out of options.
"Please free up your schedule so you will be available for the whole day next Sunday. We’ll have dinner at my family’s house to celebrate my grandfather’s birthday."
Alex’s words struck Aurora’s ears like a sharp object. A naless pain flooded her as she realized she would have to return to that house.
A multitude of questions swirled in her mind.
Was she ntally prepared for that? Absolutely not.
eting his parents, particularly his mother, felt daunting, and the prospect of encountering her father only added to her emotional turmoil.
’Rory, you can’t go back there. You have to refuse!’ She felt as if her mind were clouded with fog. She couldn’t form the right words to answer him.
"Aurora, are you listening? Please confirm you will be available for the whole day next Sunday," Alex urged, breaking through her trance.
As her hands tightly clenched, she finally said, "Alex, I’m sorry, but I can’t make it this Sunday. I have plans..."
Aurora felt relieved and pleased as she recalled her plan to travel to Opal City. Fortunately, she had inford Josh beforehand—Alex would indeed check her words to Josh, ensuring she wasn’t making it up.
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