Chapter 7 What If You Spend The Night Here?

• Author’s pov
• For the time being, Aurora has remained in her apartment, avoiding late nights and refraining from inviting anyone over. Usually, after 8 PM, she would lock her door, considering it her personal time to browse the internet or listen to music. However, this particular day was different. She lay on her bed, her hands still cradling her head despite the presence of a pink pillow. Thoughts swirled through her mind, and each powerful thought provoked a response—tightening of her lips, closing of her eyes, and a slow movement of her head.
• “No matter what I told my boss, the firm has made its decision. Should I resign?” She paused, taking a deep breath. “But this job has made my life easier. What people call progress is now haunting me. Does it mean I will have to spend three months in Lucas’ company? Won’t Marian think I did it intentionally? The only thing stopping me from going there is the pain that will surge through me the moment I see Lucas. It would be like thrusting a sharp sword into my heart.”
• As if her thoughts were tangible, she suddenly placed her right hand on her chest. It was at that moment she heard a knock on her door. Initially, she convinced herself that it wasn’t her door and remained motionless, except for her raised eyebrow. A few seconds passed, and she had already concluded that her initial judgment about the knock was correct—until there was another knock.
• “What?!” Aurora swung her legs off the bed. It was a knock on the main door of her living room, while she was lying in her bedroom. Taking a few steps towards the living room, her gaze fell on the wall clock.
• “Who is knocking on my door at this hour of the night?” She whispered to herself. Her first thought was her neighbor, but this was peculiar, and her heart raced as she started contemplating the possibilities. She shrugged, reassuring herself that nothing bad could happen. She reached the living room when she heard three more knocks. Unlocking the door, she opened it, only to find a man with his back turned towards her.
• “I seemed to have lost my way, and my heart led me to believe I could find my way home by coming here,” Sebastian turned around, revealing a stunning, large rose held delicately in his hands. With a smile gracing his face, he gazed at Aurora.
• “You, Sebastian! This night…?” She widened her hands, emphasizing the late hour, then she continued, “First, I must apologize for not making it to your office and for missing dinner at your parents’ house…” She quickly said.
• “Oh, don’t worry…That’s not part of the reason I came.”
• “Don’t worry? Wait! Aren’t you angry? Don’t you have any anger within you? I expected you to be angry, even if you didn’t show it. What about your parents?
• “Aurora, I understand what you’re going through. Trust me, I truly understand.”
• “Understand what?”
• “Understand the fact that you don’t want to embark on this assignment of leaving the country for a while.”
• “No way. You must be joking. There’s no way you can understand this.”
• “May I come in?” Sebastian locked his gaze with hers, extending the rose towards her, waiting for her response to accept the gift and invite him inside.
• “Sebastian…” Aurora struggled to maintain her smile, attempting to compose herself while leaning her right shoulder against the door frame.
• “How did you manage to break down all my barriers, to the point of coming to my home at night and asking to come in? When did this happen?” She smiled, stepping aside and gesturing, “You have ten minutes, and I’ll make sure you find your way home.” They chuckled together, and as Aurora closed the door, Sebastian took the first seat. This wasn’t his first visit, and Aurora positioned herself opposite him, allowing for clear eye contact.
• “As I’ve mentioned before, I truly understand why you don’t want to travel, but I can help you…”
• “To not go? Is that what you mean?”
• “I’ve taken your burden upon myself, and I wanted to call your boss on my way here. However, I wanted to obtain your permission first and then go to his office tomorrow morning.”
• “What are you going to tell him?” Her eyes sparkled with delight, and her hand gestures revealed her state of mind.
• “To request a reduction in the duration of your stay. The board has already approved it, but there might be a way to shorten your time there, and someone else can take over.”
• “Really?”
• “Yes.” He paused, appearing to have something else on his mind. The room fell silent, and Aurora looked at him expectantly as he continued, “I don’t know what you’ve been through in life, but I can relate. My heart has been deeply broken before. From the moment you tried to distance yourself from me, I knew it wasn’t just for amusement, but a result of your past experiences.”
• “Someone you loved broke your heart too?” Aurora inquired. Sebastian couldn’t answer, but he blinked his eyes continuously and nodded.
• “And what’s her name?” Aurora’s voice softened, tinged with sorrow and empathy.
• “Dora, and I’d rather not talk about her because she left a lasting scar on my heart.”
• “Is that why you don’t get angry when I become distant and unresponsive to you?”
• “Whenever I gaze into your eyes, I sense that we share more than just pain, even if you don’t express it. I see a beautiful woman burdened by the weight of innocence, and there is no remedy for such anguish except for someone to love her wholeheartedly. I don’t hold you responsible for your reactions towards me. That’s not the real you. The real you is pure and gentle, incapable of causing harm. Give me a chance to enter your heart, and together we will heal. Aurora, I love you with all my heart.”
• The mention of those words brought forth tears, welling up in Aurora’s eyes, as she covered her face with her hands and wept. Sebastian never anticipated that his words could evoke such pain. He rose from his seat and approached her, standing by her side and gently patting her back.
• “I’m sorry for the pain,” he whispered, standing there and caressing Aurora’s back. It was a gesture he hadn’t had the opportunity to make before. As seconds passed, Aurora unconsciously found comfort in his touch, taking his hand and resting her head against him.
• “Has this man conquered my heart?” she wondered, taking a deep breath. “Is he truly mending my broken heart? No one has understood me like he does. Should I give him a chance? Is he the man I’ve been waiting for all this time?” She pondered. Then, suddenly, she stood up, causing Sebastian to think he had crossed a line by getting too close. He didn't say anything, but his response, taking a step back and removing his hands, conveyed exactly what he was thinking. Although he cherished the brief moment, he looked into Aurora’s eyes, awaiting her next words.
• “The time,” Aurora spoke. It was the time she had been cautious about. They both glanced at the clock, realizing that nearly an hour had passed.
• “I didn’t even notice the time. It has slipped away,” Sebastian admitted.
• “I said ten minutes,” Aurora smiled. “You stole more than forty of them.” They both shared a smile, and Sebastian adjusted his shirt, preparing to leave and bid her goodnight. However, before he could speak, Aurora asked a surprising question.
• “Are you planning to go home at this hour? When will you get home?”
• “Aurora, I should start heading back,” he replied.
• “What if you spend the night here? It’s not safe to drive home at this late hour. The outside can be dangerous at night.”
• “Did she just suggest I stay the night? What is she up to?” he thought, staring at her intently.