Unbeknownst to them, the car had already arrived at the hotel. Aurora was about to step out when Julian pulled her back.
“Wait, there’s one more thing.”
“What is it? Aren’t we here already?” Aurora looked at him puzzled, unsure of his intentions.
“Give me your lipstick,” Julian said directly.
“Why? Don’t tell me you have that kind of weird habit?” Although she found it strange, she obediently handed over her lipstick.
Julian turned on the car light and gently lifted her chin. He had kissed her earlier, and her lipstick was slightly smeared.
With meticulous care, he traced the contours of her lips with the lipstick. Looking into his serious eyes, Aurora felt her heart start to race again.
The man who used to be so cold was surprisingly a master at flirting.
If he continued like this, she would have no resistance left against him.
“There we go. Now it’s perfect,” Julian declared, putting away the lipstick.
The chauffeur in front had been completely flabbergasted, having never seen the usually stern boss being so gentle.
Not to mention applying lipstick for a woman, even a woman standing too close would usually irritate his boss.
“Shall we go now?” Aurora, still a bit unaccustomed to Julian’s gentleness, felt as if he was possessed
“Put this on,” Julian said, taking out two masks. Aurora paused briefly when she saw them.
“Tonight is a masquerade ball. Everyone will attend wearing a mask of their choice,” Julian explained as he fitted a black lace mask onto Aurora.
Now she understood why he said it didn’t matter if others saw her. With her face covered, who would recognize her?
She had changed so much from three years ago, except for Hayden, who had seen her a few times recently.
People like Susan and the Montgomerys, even if they encountered her, would not be able to recognize her. The once docile girl had transformed into a captivating enchantress.
Julian also put on a mask. After a careful inspection in the small mirror, Aurora could not recognize herself and confidently stepped out of the car.
Luxury cars streamed continuously outside the hotel, where a huge fountain at the entrance shone dazzlingly under the lights.
Julian offered his arm, which Aurora took without hesitation, a stark contrast to her past reluctance.
In her heart, there was no resistance at all as they walked from the twilight into the brightly lit hotel.
Upon their arrival in the lobby, even with their faces masked, they were still a striking sight.
Both were tall. With Julian in a well-tailored suit exuding nobility as well as elegance and Aurora in a black gown that highlighted her fair skin and long, partially visible legs, even if their faces were hidden, everyone felt as if they were a match made in heaven. Aurora, not new to attending galas, carried herself with poise.
“I’m going to check if those CEOs have arrived. Just wander around here, but don’t go far,” Julian whispered to her.
“Okay.” Aurora found the idea interesting and wanted to explore around. She had attended many cocktail parties but never a masked one.
This kind of party felt both unfamiliar and novel to her, where nobody knew who anyone was.
Aurora picked up a glass of red wine from a tray held by a server, and soon some men approached to strike up a conversation.
“Miss, your legs are beautiful,” one man complimented.
“Thank you,” she responded, finding the pickup line rather dull. She scanned the hall and saw no sign of Julian.
She carried her glass to a secluded corner, making it harder for the tedious crowd to approach her for small talk. As the hall filled with more guests, Aurora spotted several familiar figures. Hayden was dressed in a neat white suit, his face unmasked, wearing an expression of displeasure. Evidently, Susan had dragged him here. Susan wore a white dress, their outfits matching as if they were coordinated for a couple. Aurora’s lips curved into a faint smile. It truly was a coincidence to encounter them here.
As soon as they appeared, several guests toasted to them. Susan clung to his arm, her smile sweet. Aurora found Susan’s insincere smile rather pitiful. If she were truly happy with this man, she wouldn’t need to constantly prove their relationship to everyone. Sipping her red wine, Aurora was relieved to find it no longer bitter. At some point, she had let go of her feelings for this relationship. Even seeing them together no longer pained her. It was time to fully move on from her past with Hayden.
Hayden felt a gaze on him and turned to see a woman in black, sitting in the corner. Even behind a mask, he recognized her instantly. Aurora’s legs crossed, revealing her enticing thighs. Her elegant posture and unique aura were unforgettable since he had last seen her in a restaurant. Was Aurora here too? Initially bored, Hayden now found his interest piqued. If he had known she would be here, he wouldn’t have been so irritable. All was a tactic Susan used to dispel recent rumors by showing off their “happy” relationship at public events. For three years, she had forced him into such appearances to prove their stable relationship against external gossip.
After exchanging a few perfunctory words with Susan, Hayden walked towards Aurora. Realizing his intent, Aurora didn’t move but waited for him to approach. “Aurora, is that you?” Hayden asked softly. Rising slowly, Aurora responded, “Susan’s here and you dare to openly flirt with me. You’re quite bold.” Her tone was teasing. Wearing the mask, her entire being exuded a cool, mysterious vibe. He couldn’t take his eyes off her captivating legs.
Seeing it was really her, Hayden beamed, “Aurora, it seems we are fated to meet even in such places.” “Is that so? Then let’s toast,” Aurora replied, standing and lifting her glass of champagne, which was not very strong and tasted sweet. Their champagne flutes clinked. Aurora’s sapphire ring glinted as she elegantly took a sip. The movement was irresistibly alluring. She threw back her fair neck, swallowing gently, and her lips touching the glass. Many men, including Hayden, felt their hearts race at this simple act of her drinking.
“Hayden, who is she?” Susan turned to see Hayden actually flirting with a woman, very unlike his usual self. Dressed exquisitely in black, the woman’s figure was strikingly curvaceous and both mysterious and seductive, enough to make any man’s heart stir in her presence.