Aurora, looking so docile and adorable, reminded Julian of a time fifteen years ago, adrift at sea. The little girl was very small back then, and one night, not knowing why, she appeared at his door in a princess nightgown, barefoot, clutching a large teddy bear.
“What’s wrong, Little Bunny?” Julian would soften his tone unconsciously whenever he saw this exquisitely cute little girl, as if a louder voice might disturb her. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she murmured, “Julian, I just dreamed there was a monster in the sea trying to eat me. I’m scared. Can I…?”
She hesitated, looking down at her toes, seemingly struggling to voice her request. Julian crouched down gently, “Can you what?”
“I’m scared. Can I sleep next to you?” The little girl tugged at the hem of his shirt, her large eyes misty with sleepiness.
No one in the world could probably refuse such a sweet little girl, who seemed as if she had stepped right out of a fairytale. Innocent, lively, and kind, she was like a clean slate, in stark contrast to himself, who was engulfed in darkness. Aurora embodied everything he aspired to. Tenderly, he ruffled her already tousled hair.
“Of course, you can.”
“You’re so nice.”
The little girl reached out her arms, and Julian carried her back to his room, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck.
“Why didn’t you go to your mom and dad if you were scared?” Julian asked softly, realizing that he had only known the little girl for a few days. Normally, a child would seek her parents when frightened by nightmares, yet she seemed to trust him, a stranger.
“Because mom and dad were unhappy before, and only on the boat did mom start to smile more. Aurora didn’t want to disturb them while they were resting. Julian is a big hero, even monsters are afraid of Julian, so I want to sleep next to Julian,” her childish voice was soft and delicate, and Julian found it very endearing.
He placed her in his bed.
“Okay, from now on Julian will protect you, and the monsters won’t dare to come.”
“Thank you, Julian. Goodnight, Julian.”
She kissed him on the forehead-a normal goodnight kiss. But Julian, who was at the onset of his teenage years, felt his heartbeat quicken unexpectedly because of that simple peck.
“Go to sleep,” he said, tucking her in and placing her beloved bear beside her.
But the little girl didn’t close her eyes, still gazing at him. Puzzled, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Julian, where’s my goodnight kiss?” she asked innocently, “Every time before bed, mom and dad would kiss me.”
His heart raced again. It was just a child, he reminded himself, shaking off the troubling thoughts. Slowly, he bent down and kissed her plump cheek.
Suddenly, as she felt ticklish, she turned her face into the bear, and his intended kiss on her cheek turned into a kiss on her lips.
His heart was in complete disarray.
He backed away in a panic, but the little girl simply smiled sweetly, “Julian, goodnight, sleep here.”
“Alright.”
He turned off the light and lay down beside her, his mind unsettled for a long time.
Aurora should have long forgotten that goodnight kiss, but it was indeed his first kiss, bestowed upon such a little girl.
Recalling that night, Julian saw the Aurora before him unchanged after so many years.
“Alright, I’ll sleep with you.”
Just like when they were children, Julian scooped her up in his arms, and Aurora instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
Resting her head in his embrace, she quickly fell into a deep sleep, feeling an inexplicable sense of security with him around.
Aurora had fallen asleep by the time they moved from the balcony to the room, and Julian placed her gently on the soft, warm bed.
The only difference from their childhood was that the little girl had grown up. Julian kissed her cheek and whispered, “Goodnight.”
This routine had persisted from her childhood: turn off the lights, and hold her in his arms.
With him by her side, even the longest night seemed shorter, and dawn heralded a new day.
Aurora’s alarm went off, and she no longer remembered her actions from the night before, briskly getting up to brush her teeth and wash her face.
As usual, she stood in front of the wardrobe, pulling out several outfits, “Julian, should I wear this or that?”
“My Little Bunny, you look beautiful in anything. It’s a nice day; wear this dress,” Julian suggested with a smile, picking out a dress.
Aurora quickly got ready and joined Julian for breakfast before they went to work.
“Mr. Barnet, here is the tea prepared for the miss,” Mrs. Hill handed over the freshly brewed herbal tea.
Upon hearing the word ‘medicine’, Aurora’s face soured as much as the herbal tea, “Julian, do I have to drink this? I’ve been drinking it all day, and I feel great. I don’t need more tea.”
“Aurora, my dear, this medicine is good for you. The doctor’s advice is never wrong, and Mrs. Hill stayed up to brew it for you. Would you really not drink it?”
“Alright,” Aurora conceded reluctantly.
Mrs. Hill was stunned by the exchange; indeed, there’s a solution for every problem. She never expected her stubborn miss to listen so intently to Mr. Barnet.
What a wonderful turn of events, their affection for each other was sweet to witness.
“Mr. Barnet, miss, have a good trip,” Mrs. Hill cheerfully said.
“Thank you.”
With that, they left together. The car first dropped Aurora at her company. Julian handed her the medicine, “Remember to drink at noon, not a meal less.”
“Got it,” Aurora took the thermos.
“Anything else?”
“And… call me if you need anything,” Julian pulled her close, planting a deep kiss until her breathing grew labored, then he let her go.
“Mm,” Aurora blushed as she got out of the car. Despite it not being their first kiss, she still felt a bit embarrassed.
Holding the thermos, she walked straight into her office, only then remembering she had to meet with Eric.
Just as she thought of him, there he was, Eric approaching with the same scholarly demeanor as always.
But Aurora could no longer trust this man. As Eric approached, he started, “Rory, I’m sorry about that day, I didn’t mean to offend you…”
“Mr. Montgomery, please address me as manager in the office, and we’re not on terms for you to explain anything to me. I have a lot to do, I must go,” Aurora responded coldly, turning to leave.