After leaving the store, Julian caught up with Aurora, a mischievous smile on his face. “Aurora, you seemed a bit upset just now.”
“I just don’t like it when people gossip during work hours,” Aurora replied, calming down and realizing her recent behavior was unlike her.
When she saw several women approaching Julian, a wave of anger surged within her, as if no one should touch him.
“Really? I thought someone got jealous,” Julian teased.
Aurora glared at him coldly, her lips curling into a sneer. “You got a lot of nerve.”
Julian felt a chill on his neck and a prickling sensation on his back, aware that Aurora was probably the only one who dared talk that way to him.
“Aurora, why don’t we get on that ride?” Julian quickly changed the subject.
Aurora then turned her gaze away, allowing him to lead her to a ride called “Charge Forward.”
The ride was a water roller coaster, where the cars plunged from the highest point, drenching the passengers.
At that moment, Aurora was still flustered, not even realizing where she had been taken, while the staff prepared them for safety.
The two sat in a cart that slowly climbed along the track. “What’s this? Why is it climbing so slowly?” Aurora scoffed.
“It’ll speed up soon,” Julian, familiar with the amusement rides here, reassured her.
“Is that so?” Aurora wasn’t impressed, hearing only the sound of the boat along the track.
Gradually, Aurora sensed something was amiss. The cart was climbing up, and the scenery below was shrinking, which meant they were soon going to plunge from a high point. She recalled Julian’s earlier words.
So, were they going to dive down at high speed soon?
Just thinking about it made her heartbeat accelerate. “Mr. Barnet, I-I suddenly don’t want to play this anymore. Let’s go off the train.”
“Don’t worry. We’re about to go down,” Julian said with a smile.
Aurora could now see the peak, and the closer they got, the faster her heart beat. She could imagine what it would feel like to rush down from such a height.
“What’s the matter, Aurora.? Are you scared?” Julian noticed Aurora’s pale face, surprised that such a formidable woman could show fear.
“N-No! I’m not!” Aurora retorted stubbornly.
“Didn’t you notice you were stammering?” Julian chuckled.
“I’m just a bit nervous because I’ve never done this before,” Aurora protested, still defiant.
“It’s okay. You’ll get used to it soon,” Julian consoled her. Seeing her vulnerable side was an unexpected gain.
As they spoke, the cart reached the highest point and stopped, with the two sitting in the front seats.
Aurora wasn’t usually afraid of heights, but just one look below made her legs tremble.
“I-I regret it. I don’t want to do this anymore…” Aurora’s fingers clutched tightly to the railing.
“You should know sometimes things don’t go the way you expect, and there’s no turning back. You must bite the bullet despite the difficulties ahead. I know you struggled alone back then, but from now on, you have me at your side, and I will protect you. Don’t be afraid. I’m always here for you.”
Julian’s voice came through. However, Aurora had no time to feel moved, as the boat plunged down at a startling speed.
“Ah! I can’t take this!” Aurora’s voice soared as Julian tightly held her in his embrace.
Aurora, seizing the moment, clung to his waist, feeling as though his arms were the safest place in the world.
The wind whistled past their ears, and in that instant, Aurora felt as if she had lost all her senses, her heart pounding ceaselessly.
As the cart finally slowed, a curtain of water fell over them, drenching both thoroughly.
The train gradually came to a halt, and Julian noticed Aurora still hiding in his embrace, her hands tightly wrapped around his waist.
It was the first time Julian felt so needed by her, realizing that she was not as invincible as she appeared.
Despite her tough exterior, her heart was tender, shielded from others by walls she built around herself.
“It’s okay now,” Julian whispered with a teasing smile, and she cautiously peeked out from his embrace as the train returned to the starting point.
The staff suppressed their giggles, causing Aurora’s face to flush with embarrassment. “Of course, I know. I-I just wanted to have a rest.” Aurora would never admit her fear.
“If you say so,” Julian chuckled along.
“I’ll go off first,” Aurora wanted nothing more than to escape this place, recalling her childhood visits to the amusement park where she only played on gentle rides like the merry-go-round. She blamed herself for not realizing sooner that amusement parks had evolved to include more thrilling rides.
As she stood up, pretending nothing was amiss though her face was red, she unexpectedly collapsed back down, her legs giving way.
Luckily, Julian was quick to support her, and her face turned even redder. “I… I lost my balance. Don’t overthink it,” she stammered, her usual indifference replaced by awkwardness.
Julian found her bashful demeanor amusing, knowing well she was frightened. “Yes, I can attest you indeed just lost your balance,” he said as he lifted her in his arms.
Aurora felt lighter, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her.
She dared not meet the gaze of the staff, burying her head in Julian’s chest.
When she finally looked up, Julian’s white T-shirt was marked with her lipstick prints. Aurora, embarrassed, quickly jumped out of his arms. “I can walk on my own.” She hurried away, fearing he would tease her in the future for her timidity.
“Why are you rushing off, Aurora? Wait for me. Are you scared out of your wits?”
“Nonsense! I’m not!” Aurora denied it.
“If you’re not scared, how about we go on that?” Julian casually pointed, landing on the pirate ship.
Aurora glanced at the ride, which didn’t seem too high and should be less frightening. She patted her chest, her face defiant. “Why not? Do you think I’m scared?”
Watching her walk away, Julian cracked a sly smile.