The clock pointed to four, and Aurora had finally finished interviewing everyone. She grabbed her coat, “Please announce the results of the interview; I have to leave for another matter.”
“Of course, Miss Montgomery, you go ahead with your urgent matters,” the others said, understanding her hurried demeanor.
Aurora was about to call Julian to ask what he wanted for dinner so she could go grocery shopping when she unexpectedly ran into Eric.
“Miss, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”
“I have some things to take care of; did you come here specifically to find me?” His office wasn’t in this building, and he appeared to have come from the direction of the interview hall.
“Yes, I came to inform you that Mr. Gilpin has rescheduled your appointment to this evening. Do you have important plans tonight? It was not easy for Mr. Gilpin to find the time; missing this opportunity might make it difficult to schedule another meeting with him.”
Eric looked somewhat uneasy. Aurora stared at him intently, “We are competitors, aren’t we? Do you really have such good intentions to help me?”
She couldn’t believe that Eric was genuinely helping her; after all, he was Paul’s son, and Paul had lost his position because of her.
How could Paul’s son not blame her at all? Now, with both their futures at stake, it was impossible for him to truly be helping her.
Eric’s expression remained calm, “Miss, I am not helping you; I am merely conveying Mr. Gilpin’s message. Whether you attend or not is up to you.”
Aurora bit her lip; on one hand, Julian was injured at home, and she wanted to take good care of him.
On the other hand, she was very concerned about her job, and now Jason had proactively scheduled a meeting with her.
As Eric had said, missing this chance might mean she would never get another one, and if the order was confirmed for Eric, she could give up all hope.
Jason had not yet made a decision, and there was still a glimmer of hope for her. Aurora was not one to give up easily.
She bit her lip, undecided, when Eric spoke up, “It seems your plans tonight are very important, so I’ll tell Mr. Gilpin you can’t make it.”
“No, I’ll go.” Aurora had made up her mind. She could explain and make amends to Julian later, but the opportunity with Jason was once in a lifetime.
Eric’s lips curled slightly, “Good, then I will inform Mr. Gilpin.”
“The time and place, I’ll come directly later,” Aurora calculated the time in her mind. If it was dinner, there was still some time, and she could definitely make a quick trip home first.
“Six-thirty, Golden Phoenix,” Eric said distinctly.
“Thank you, please tell Mr. Gilpin I will be there on time,” Aurora said before hastily leaving.
Julian had already returned home and had even changed into his pajamas, pretending he hadn’t been out.
When Aurora called Mrs. Hill to buy a bunch of groceries, Julian was sitting in the garden’s hanging chair, reading a book.
His piano-playing hands were distinctively articulated and as pale as jade. He sat there casually, as if he were a top model striking a pose.
His hair fluttered in the wind, not with the icy allure of their first meeting, but rather like the clean, pure boy she remembered from many years ago.
“Julian…” Aurora approached him, recalling how he had shielded her from a falling champagne tower the night before.
At that time, he was covered in blood, which frightened Aurora immensely. Now, seeing him so peaceful, a huge weight lifted from her heart.
“Back already?” His gaze shifted from his book to her face.
“Yes, I missed you.” Aurora slowly approached him and gently embraced him. “It’s good that you’re alright.”
“Silly girl, I’m not made of mud. How could anything happen to me?” He chuckled lightly, pulling Aurora in closer.
Aurora noticed the band-aid on his forehead and felt a pang of pity, her fingers tenderly caressing his cheek.
“Julian, you’ve already done so much for me. Promise me no more foolish acts on my behalf.”
“If it weren’t for me last night, you would have been the one hurt. How could that be foolish? Little Bunny, I want nothing more than for you to be safe,” Julian said, each word deliberate.
When two people love each other, everything they do is with the other’s well-being in mind.
“Yes, I know you’re wonderful, and we both care too much, that’s why we act this way. Julian, what would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.”
“Anything you make, I’ll love.” Julian felt blessed to have met someone like Aurora, as if he had earned good fortune from a previous life.
“Then I’ll just go with the flow. It’s getting chilly outside, let’s go back inside,” Aurora said with a slight smile.
“Alright.”
The two embraced and entered the house, their hearts full of love. Both having been hurt before, they understood all the more the importance of cherishing each other.
Mrs. Hill had given up the room for them. Aurora tied on an apron and began preparing ingredients in the kitchen.
Julian was reviewing important documents in the living room, occasionally glancing towards the kitchen. Seeing her familiar silhouette bathed in a gentle glow of sunlight, Aurora seemed like an angel descended from heaven.
For a moment, he couldn’t resist and slowly approached her from behind, embracing her. “Little Bunny, you are truly wonderful.”
Aurora smiled lightly. “Is making you dinner enough to be considered good? With your status, a simple gesture could bring a crowd of women eager to cook for you.”
“Those would just be nannies. Only the meals you make are the best dinner,” he replied.
“Alright, let go of me first, then we can talk. You’re not planning to eat while hugging me, are you?”
“Why not? I like holding you.” Julian clung to her like a child, even burying his head in her shoulder, prompting Aurora to let him fuss.
“Julian, stop it for now. I have an appointment tonight; I came back early just to cook for you,” Aurora revealed the truth.
Upon hearing she had an appointment that evening, Julian’s expression changed slightly. “With whom?”
“Jason Gilpin. We were supposed to meet at noon, but he had an important meeting and had to cancel. I need to take this opportunity to discuss business with him,” Aurora explained candidly.
Julian’s brow furrowed, about to speak when Aurora interrupted: “Don’t worry unnecessarily. I’ve met Jason’s girlfriend, and she is even more jealous than you. There won’t be anything between us.”