Recap:
Aurora returned to the villa, frustrated and confused by Aiden's distant behavior as he avoided a necessary conversation. A sleepless night led her to the kitchen, where a mysterious crash and an eerie shadow escalated into a tense confrontation. To her shock, the shadow turned out to be Aiden himself, acting on concern for her safety.
The encounter exposed the fragile line between their professional roles and personal emotions. Despite Aiden's outward composure, hints of deeper feelings slipped through, leaving Aurora questioning his motives—and her own perceptions. As morning dawned, unresolved tension lingered while Aiden, ever meticulous, arranged her outfit, silently affirming his steadfast presence in her life. With these emotions bubbling under the surface, Aurora prepares to face a new day.
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It was the weekend, and an unusually calm one at that—a fleeting pause in the whirlwind of life. After finishing their meal, the group had gravitated to the villa's spacious living room. Laughter bubbled up as they immersed themselves in a lively board game, their voices carrying through the warm, inviting space. For a moment, the weight of responsibilities seemed to fade, allowing them to fully enjoy the simplicity of each other's company.
Then the doorbell rang.
The sharp chime cut through the serene moment, turning laughter into silence. Everyone paused, exchanging glances that carried the faintest trace of curiosity.
Aurora was the first to speak, her gaze flicking toward the others. "Was anyone expecting someone?" she asked, her voice calm yet edged with intrigue.
The group exchanged glances as they shook their heads, silently confirming that none of them had been expecting anyone. Aiden remained seated, his sharp eyes fixed on the entryway, calmly assessing the situation. His composed demeanor gave no hint of unease, as though he saw no immediate reason to react.
Aurora's curiosity won out, and she turned her attention to the maid, who crossed the room with quiet efficiency. The maid opened the door just enough to speak to the visitor, her movements precise and measured.
Moments later, the maid returned, her expression composed but touched with hesitation. She stopped a few feet away, her voice steady but low. "There's someone at the door. They said they want to meet all of you."
Jace frowned slightly, breaking the silence. "Who is it?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.
The maid shook her head. "They didn't say."
Aurora exchanged glances with the group, curiosity rippling through the air. Rising from her seat, she glanced toward the door. "I'll go see who it is," she said, her voice steady but laced with anticipation. Her steps were calm yet deliberate as she moved toward the door, a soft hum of intrigue filling her thoughts. Whoever it was, their unannounced visit had disrupted the tranquil afternoon, and Aurora felt the collective curiosity of the group behind her as she prepared to greet the unexpected guest.
Just as she opened the door, the sight of an unexpected face stopped her in her tracks. Ethan stood there, his familiar smile easy and confident, as though this encounter was nothing out of the ordinary.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone cool and distant, betraying none of the surprise she felt.
"Group assignment, remember?" he replied smoothly, lifting the project materials he carried in his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Aurora didn't reply immediately. She eyed him for a moment, suspicion flickering in her gaze, before finally stepping aside to let him in. Without further comment, she walked him to the living room where the others were seated.
As Ethan entered the room, a wave of surprise rippled through the group. Their faces lit up with cheerful greetings and warm smiles as they welcomed him—everyone except Aiden. His expression was cold, his sharp eyes narrowing as they locked onto Ethan. While the others embraced Ethan's presence, Aiden's glare was as cutting as a blade. If looks could kill, Ethan would have been buried on the spot.
Aurora noticed Aiden's expression and couldn't help the small, amused smile tugging at her lips. She was thoroughly enjoying his reaction. As she leaned back slightly, an idea popped into her mind—a mischievous one. "This is going to be fun," she thought to herself, already anticipating how the dynamics would unfold.
Ethan, oblivious to the silent tension between himself and Aiden, casually placed the project materials on the table, reminding them all why he was there. Their professor had assigned a group project for the weekend, one they had conveniently forgotten in their excitement to relax. Ethan's arrival was a rude awakening to their responsibilities.
And just like that, the tranquil weekend turned into a whirlwind of brainstorming, note-taking, and planning—for those who had work to do. Amber and Ace, however, stayed comfortably uninvolved, watching the chaos from the sidelines. Being in a different year, the project wasn't their concern, and they seemed perfectly content as they lounged in the background, their relaxed demeanor a stark contrast to the frenzy around them.
Amber, catching the faintest hint of Aiden's annoyance, exchanged a knowing look with Ace, both silently amused by the unfolding tension. Aurora sighed, her gaze flicking toward Aiden. The slight crease in his brow and his rigid posture betrayed his annoyance, and she couldn't help the smirk that tugged at her lips. If nothing else, the weekend had certainly taken an entertaining turn.
"Now, it's time to bring my plan into action," Aurora thought, her mischievous smile returning as the faint buzz of tension crackled beneath the surface.
She moved closer to Ethan, leaning in just enough to laugh at his uninspired jokes. Her smile was brighter than necessary, her focus lingering on him—not because she cared, but because she knew Aiden would notice. She could feel his protective gaze on her, and the thrill of testing his limits was a game she couldn't resist. What she failed to see, however, was the way his irritation ran deeper—an undercurrent of emotions he wouldn't name, let alone acknowledge.
Aiden's mask, as always, was impeccable. The second he heard someone was at the door, he'd slipped it on, shielding his expression so even the most observant eyes couldn't guess his thoughts.
She spoke with an easy calm, her tone lighter now. "The work's almost done," she said, glancing around the group. "Let's take a break, shall we?" She knew they had been at it for hours, their focus wearing thin. A small pause would do them good—and if it happened to shift the dynamics in just the way she wanted, all the better.
"Let me go grab some snacks for us," Aurora said, her tone casual as she walked towards the kitchen.
"I'll help you," Ethan offered, following her without waiting for a reply.
In the kitchen, they poured cold drinks and gathered snacks, their movements comfortably routine. Aurora stretched onto her tiptoes, reaching for a bag of cookies on the upper shelf, her fingers just brushing the edge of the bag.
"Step aside, I've got this," Ethan said, his tone confident as he reached for the cookies. He effortlessly grabbed them, but with them came an unsteady packet of flour that tumbled down, bursting open over his head.
Aurora burst into laughter, holding her stomach as she doubled over. "Look at you—like a polar bear!" she teased, grabbing a cloth to help. "Here, let me clean that up." She leaned in, gently brushing the flour from his face.
But as her hand moved, something caught her eye. Her laughter faded, replaced by a small frown. She stared at his neck, her curiosity sharpening, and instinctively reached out to touch it. Ethan noticed her intent and, without hesitation, caught her wrist. "I'll do it myself," he said quickly, his voice a little too firm as he brushed her hand away.
Before she could question him further, Aiden entered the kitchen. His piercing gaze locked onto the two of them, though Ethan seemed oblivious of his presence. Aurora, however, noticed the way Aiden's eyes darkened, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. Without a word, he stormed out of the kitchen, grabbing his car keys and leaving the house in a blur of tension and unresolved emotions.
They walked out of the kitchen, carrying the snacks and cold drinks, after asking the maid to clean up the mess. Aurora's mind was elsewhere—not on Aiden's stormy exit, but on the unsettling moment with Ethan. Lost in thought, she barely registered Flare's voice calling out to Ethan.
"You took so long to bring the snacks, you turned into an uncle!" Flare teased, grinning as she gestured to Ethan's flour-covered hair. The room erupted in laughter, the cheerful energy cutting through the tension from earlier.
"By the way, where's Aiden? Didn't he go to help you in the kitchen?" Jace asked, glancing around. The question caught Aurora off guard. She had almost forgotten that Aiden's abrupt departure had gone unnoticed by the others, consumed as they were in their conversation.
Aurora snapped out of her daze, her gaze lowering briefly. "He had some urgent work, so he left," she said softly, her voice tinged with unease as the memory of his angry, burning eyes came rushing back.
"Okay," Jace said simply, nodding in agreement.
"Come on, let's sit and enjoy. Why don't we watch a movie?" Flare suggested, taking the snacks from Aurora and Ethan and arranging them neatly on the table.
Aurora shook her head lightly. "No, you guys enjoy. I'm tired. I'm heading back to the dorm. If you run into any issues with the project, just message me," she said, her voice trailing off with fatigue.
"Why go back to the dorm?" Amber interjected. "Just rest here."
"In fact, I'd say why not move in with us? Right, guys?" Ace chimed in, his grin widening as the others nodded their agreement. Ethan remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Suddenly, Ethan's phone buzzed. He stepped aside to answer it, his face briefly shadowed with focus. After ending the call, he returned and said, "Sorry, guys. I have to go. Something urgent came up."
Everyone bid Ethan a quick goodbye as he grabbed his things and left. His departure created a brief pause in the room's lighthearted atmosphere, but attention soon shifted back to Aurora, their eyes waiting for her response.
"Guys, I'd love to move in with you, but I really just need some time to clear my head tonight. It's been a lot," Aurora said softly, her tone sincere yet distant.
"Fine, but get ready. Tomorrow, you're moving in with us," Flare declared confidently.
Aurora simply gave a small smile, not arguing.
"Come, let me drop you off," Jace said abruptly, grabbing his car keys and walking out without waiting for her reply. Aurora sighed inwardly, realizing she didn't have much choice, and followed him silently.
In the car, Aurora sat in a daze, her mind distant as she stared out the window, the world around her blurring. Sensing the silence stretching too far, Jace decided to break it.
"You okay? Something on your mind you want to share?" he asked, his tone calm but concerned.
Aurora hesitated, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. "No, bro. Actually... yes, I do," she admitted, her voice faltering. Jace had always insisted she call him brother, a nickname he found endearing.
"Speak up," he said, his eyes fixed firmly on the road.
Taking a deep breath, Aurora finally said, "I feel... suspicious about Ethan."
"Suspicious? But you were talking to him like he was your best friend for years," Jace countered, curiosity laced in his voice.
"I was just annoying Aiden," Aurora said with a faint laugh. "You know how protective he is over me. Actually, I think I should start calling him 'bro' too," she added, her laughter softening the tension.
"Sure, he would like it," Jace said. "He will surely get mad, then his face would be very funny to look at," he thought to himself, laughing a little. His thoughts drifted momentarily to the living room earlier, where Aiden's masked expression had been sharp and his eyes darkened with a simmering anger after seeing Ethan and Aurora together. The intensity in his gaze made Jace's amusement falter slightly, though he shook it off quickly, focusing back on the conversation.
"So, why do you feel suspicious about Ethan?" Jace asked, his tone growing serious, focus now on her words.
Aurora hesitated again, her gaze flickering toward the window. "Because—" she began, her voice trailing off, leaving the thought unfinished as a heavy silence settled between them.
Preview of Next Chapter:
Aurora couldn't shake the uneasy feeling from earlier as she sat alone in her room, her thoughts replaying the events of the day. Ethan's guarded demeanor—it all felt wrong. There was something he was hiding, and Aurora was determined to figure it out.
Downstairs, Jace contemplated their conversation in the car. He couldn't ignore the tension brewing within the group, and Aurora's suspicion had stirred something deeper. He decided against bringing it up to Aiden just yet, knowing the storm it could unleash.
Meanwhile, Ethan's sudden departure had raised more questions than answers. Alone in the quiet streets, he kept his movements deliberate, his mind preoccupied with keeping his secrets intact.