Aurora finally understood how Julian had arrived. He had climbed over the wall. She had thought he was influential enough to have the security let him in. Standing beneath the corner of the wall, Julian raised an eyebrow and challenged, “Dare to climb over?”
Aurora smiled lightly, “Don’t underestimate me.”
No sooner had she spoken than she had grabbed the wall and clambered over to the other side. Julian chuckled softly and followed her over.
“How about that?” Aurora asked, looking at him proudly as soon as they landed safely, seemingly expecting his praise.
Julian patted her head. “Good job,” he said with a gentle smile.
“Why don’t I feel too happy about it?” Aurora murmured, feeling like he was treating her like a pet.
“Get in the car. I’ll take you somewhere,” Julian said as he led her to the car. Aurora, realizing she was still in her pajamas, worried about the potential embarrassment if he took her somewhere upscale.
“Where exactly are you taking me?” she asked, a bit uneasy.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to sell you,” Julian teased, turning on the car’s music.
The car was filled with the sound of a beautiful and romantic French song. Exhausted from the day, Aurora fell asleep to the melodious music.
“Aurora, time to wake up.” A magnetic voice roused her. Aurora slowly opened her eyes, meeting the handsome face close to hers.
He unbuckled her seatbelt, leaning in close enough for her to feel their breaths mingling. The atmosphere in the car had somehow turned ambiguous, and she shyly pushed him away.
“Where are we?” she asked, peering out the window to see no lights, only the moonlight revealing they were on a mountain.
“Lion Mountain.” Located on the outskirts of Clothville, it was a popular hiking spot during holidays, but at this deep hour of the night, Aurora could only hear occasional mysterious bird calls.
“You’re not planning to kill me, are you?” The setting was eerie. Why would he bring her to such a place at night?
Despite her fears, Aurora pushed open the car door. It was unlikely he had actually gone mad to bring her here.
Julian opened the trunk and pulled out a DSLR camera, tripod, and also a long down coat.
“You came here to take photos in the middle of the night?” Aurora was surprised.
Without answering her question, Julian draped the coat over her before saying, “It gets colder at night in the mountains. Wear this to keep from catching a cold.”
The coat covered her from shoulders to calves, a testament to his attentiveness. “What exactly did you want me to see?”
“Silly, haven’t you watched the news lately? There’s a meteor shower tonight,” Julian gently teased, tapping her nose.
Aurora realized then, recalling a news snippet she had ignored a few days ago while she was busy with a report. Normally, she would have been interested. Her youthful age belied her mature attitude, shaped by her early life experiences.
She thought meteor showers were just sweet interactions between couples, and had nothing to do with her. Yet, tonight she found herself being dragged up the mountain. “Did you bring me here just to see the meteor shower?”
“What? Do you want me to bring another woman here?” Julian chuckled lightly.
“If it’s cold, you can stay in the car while I check the spot,” Julian said as he carried his camera to find the best shooting location.
Aurora saw that besides the equipment, his trunk was filled with snacks that many young girls would enjoy. He probably didn’t know what she liked, so he must have swept a variety of snacks from the supermarket.
Seeing the snacks of various flavors, Aurora felt that Julian was really thoughtful. He treated her so well that it even overturned her previous thought that Hayden was the best to her in this world.
When Julian returned, he saw Aurora sitting in the trunk, surrounded by snacks. “I remember you used to love snacks. I didn’t know if you still do, so I just bought some. Pick whatever you like,” Julian said indulgently.
Aurora thought about how this man had once bought her a variety of sanitary pads. Indeed, rich people could do whatever they wanted.
“I’m not a kid anymore. I hardly eat snacks now.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Julian flicked her head. “Don’t always act like an old lady. You’re in the prime of your youth.”
“Why do I feel like I’ve had one foot in the grave?” Aurora murmured.
Julian knew that past traumas had greatly affected her, causing a significant change in her mindset.
He bent down and lifted her out of the trunk. “Aurora, I’ve told you before. You can be yourself in front of me. You are my forever princess.”
Burying her head in his chest, Aurora felt her heartbeat synchronize with his. Heaven was still kind to her.
With her turbulent past, she was fortunate to have met him, clinging tightly to him.
“Julian, what exactly do you like about me?”
“You are stubborn, sometimes aloof, sometimes a bit silly. What do I like about you?” Julian asked back.
She hadn’t expected him to describe her that way. Aurora felt she was quite excellent, but it seemed different with him.
Slightly upset, she punched his chest. “Am I really as bad as you say?”
Julian caught her hand, bringing it to his lips to gently caress. “Love is such a strange thing. No matter how many flaws you have or how cold you are to me, I’d still fall for you. Three years ago, the moment you threw yourself into my arms, I swore I’d never let you go! I want you, only you!”
Aurora had no idea how long he had secretly loved her, even considering giving up when he saw her happy with Hayden.
Later, due to Ivy and Susan’s schemes, she was inadvertently sent back to him.
This time, he would not let go. He would do everything to protect the cautious yet insecure woman in his arms.