Julian’s words weren’t intended for the sales clerk; he was warning Aurora not to run away. Unbeknownst to him, the sales clerk misinterpreted his concern, as Julian had been ranked the city’s most eligible bachelor for several years. He was the dream lover every unmarried young woman wished to marry, yet no woman had appeared by his side for the past three years. Today was the first time he was seen shopping for clothes with a woman, and from his tone, it seemed their relationship was quite intimate. He even waited outside the fitting room while she tried on clothes, an act that many envied. The sales clerk, who had hoped to get close to Julian, abandoned the idea.
Aurora had just thought about escaping from the fitting room, but knowing Julian was right outside, she resigned herself to stay. She had deceived this man twice, making him more sensitive than anyone else. Reluctantly, she changed her clothes. Black looked different on each individual. Some wore it maturely, others sexily, but on Aurora, it exuded a mysterious, noble aura. She expertly tied her long hair in a slightly loose style, leaving only two lightly curled strands at her temples. She took out her makeup bag from her large purse. Her skin was naturally fair and smooth, requiring only a light touch of foundation. She applied eyebrow powder, twisted up a bright red lipstick, and added a pair of black diamond earrings that shimmered subtly.
When she emerged, the sales clerk was astounded. Was this a complete transformation? The girl who had entered was ordinary. Now, standing before them was a high-society lady, radiating an icy aloofness that kept others at a distance. The clerk who had fetched her high heels was also ready for a spectacle. These shoes were not only high but also slender. Normally, they were difficult to manage, and most looked awkward walking in them. Yet, when Aurora walked out, there was none of the awkward stumbling expected; she moved with the grace and aura of a princess.
Julian had selected a necklace for her. “Come here,” he gestured. Seeing the accessory in his hand, Aurora walked towards him. She intended to put on the necklace herself, but Julian stood behind her, unclasping it and placing it around her neck. Standing in front of the fitting mirror, Aurora could see Julian’s meticulous and serious expression reflected behind her. It was undeniable; he looked very handsome when serious. Their reflections merged, their movements intimate. His deep voice whispered near her ear, “I remember you used to like white.”
Three years ago, when he had seen her, she had worn a long, white, floor-trailing dress-pure and pristine. Now, she mostly wore black. Although she didn’t dislike white, she had grown to prefer black. “People change as they grow up,” Aurora said with a cold smirk, grateful to those who taught her to mature overnight. The current Aurora was like a thorny rose, stunning yet unapproachable, her eyes devoid of warmth.
Julian thought of her sleeping in the villa, where hints of her past innocence still lingered. That was the real Aurora, he believed. Now, she was hidden behind a mask, and Julian was thankful that he alone could see the real her. Gently, he turned her around, his fingers affectionately wiping a slight smudge of lipstick from her lips, trivial but endearing.
He was inherently a perfectionist, unable to tolerate even the slightest flaw. “In front of anyone else, you can pretend, but with me, just be yourself.”
The man’s gesture of applying lipstick on her was viewed by everyone as a beautiful scene.
Were these two really not shooting a poster?
Aurora met his indulgent gaze, and for a moment, she nearly succumbed, but her reason quickly returned.
She hastily pushed Julian away, yet he grasped her hand and headed for the counter to pay.
“I’ll pay for myself.” Aurora was accustomed to independence and had no habit of letting men pay for her. When two black gold cards appeared simultaneously, the cashier was stunned.
This lady truly hid her capability well; possessing such a card indicated a high status, and they had misjudged her based on her appearance.
Julian pushed her hand back, “Use mine.”
“Yes.” The cashier quickly swiped Julian’s card, and he led Aurora away by the hand.
As the perfectly matched couple left, everyone internally praised them, thinking, now their dream lovers were dating!
After changing clothes, Aurora felt more comfortable, as this was her usual attire. She dressed differently at school to avoid drawing attention.
She wasn’t planning to return to the Montgomery family yet. If she decided to appear in public, it would definitely be at a special event.
Perhaps at Susan and Hayden’s engagement party, where everyone would be present-it would surely be interesting.
By then, her company would probably be operational, and everything would be on track. She could afford to take her time and enjoy herself with them.
Julian finally parked the car, but at that moment, Aurora adamantly refused to get out.
She recognized the place as an extremely luxurious seaside hotel.
Was the event that hadn’t occurred last night about to happen?
When he saw Aurora wouldn’t get out, Julian opened the passenger door and scooped her up sideways.
“Put me down; I can walk on my own!”
“I gave you a chance.” Julian kicked the car door shut with indifference, a move that would have seemed reckless to onlookers.
But such cars were common in his collection, as his hobby was automobiles, and given his status, he was always the first to choose from new limited editions.
He tended to acquire every model in all available colors.
Aurora struggled in vain, realizing it wouldn’t be decent to make a scene in such a luxurious hotel.
The only thing she could do was bury her face in his chest, so no one could recognize her.
She would look for another chance to escape soon, as the doorman watched Julian carry a bashful woman inside.
Everyone stared wide-eyed; the man who was like a king in the business world had finally broken his rule?
“Boss.” Everyone bowed their heads in greeting, who knew that Julian was the secretive owner of the hotel?
Aurora knew that her association with him now meant trouble if caught by the press, so she buried her head even deeper.
Seeing her bury her head like an ostrich, Julian understood her thoughts.
Yet, he rather enjoyed it, “Little bunny, if you keep rubbing like that, you might tear my shirt.”
“I’ll compensate if it tears,” her muffled voice came from his chest.
“I’m not worried about that; we’ll have to take it off anyway. You could help, and I wouldn’t have to bother.”
“You… rascal!”