Aurora closed her eyes, gently spreading her arms to feel the breeze slip through her fingertips.
“Come, Miss Simmons, can you do the same? Embrace nature.”
Unbeknownst to them, the shoot had turned into Aurora and Julian’s playground. Julian paused, and Aurora noticed the beads of sweat on his temples.
“Julian, you must be tired.”
“It’s okay, the ‘Little Bunny’ of the past has grown up now.”
Julian set her down gently, and Aurora carefully wiped his sweat.
Each of their movements was filled with affection. In contrast, Hayden and Susan were driving the photographer mad.
“Mr. Alvarez, could you smile, please?”
“Mr. Alvarez, it’s your wedding day, a once-in-a-lifetime event. You’re beside the person you love. Shouldn’t you be radiating joy from the inside out?”
“Mr. Alvarez, Mr. Alvarez, Miss Simmons is right here. Can you focus a little?”
“Mr. Alvarez…”
The photographer was sweating profusely, frantic as Hayden either posed stiffly like a marionette or kept looking over at Miss Montgomery and Mr. Barnet. Each time the photographer asked him to smile, it looked more painful than crying.
Susan was very cooperative, but Hayden seemed distracted.
“Forget it, if you’re not in the mood, let’s not shoot anymore.”
Susan felt that continuing would only humiliate herself.
You can tell where a man’s heart lies with just one glance.
“Well then, the time is about right. Miss Montgomery, Mr. Barnet, why don’t you join us for a group photo?”
The photographer, having high standards, found Hayden never met his expectations, which was torture for him.
“Alright.”
Julian led Aurora by the hand.
“Everyone, look at the camera and remember to smile,” the photographer instructed.
However, when the camera captured the moment, only Aurora had a genuinely sweet smile.
“Let’s try one last shot. Mr. Barnet, look at Miss Montgomery. Mr. Alvarez, look at Miss Simmons.”
Both men turned to the women beside them. The camera clicked, capturing the scene. The photographer briefly reviewed the photo and was satisfied.
If he had looked closer, he would have noticed that Hayden’s gaze was on Aurora, not Susan.
Finally, the outdoor shoot concluded, and the supervisor approached: “Let’s touch up Miss Simmons’ makeup; the wedding ceremony will start soon. Oh, and Miss Montgomery, Mr. Barnet, come here a moment. You missed yesterday’s rehearsal, so I need to explain your positions and actions for the ceremony.”
Aurora and Julian, as relaxed as if on vacation, were very cooperative-such opportunities were rare for them.
Meanwhile, Susan took the chance to clear everyone out during her makeup touch-up and furiously swept the vanity’s contents to the floor.
“Hayden, what do you mean by this? The woman you’re marrying today is me, not that wretch! Your eyes are glued to her, do you even see me at all?”
Susan was angry, Hayden even more so. He loosened his tie, “Isn’t this your doing? Did you think I wouldn’t notice your intention by inviting Aurora here? You just wanted to make her uncomfortable.”
“Aurora, Aurora, does she even care about you? Yet you still call her so affectionately.”
“Susan, I’ve given you the wedding you wanted, don’t expect anything more,” Hayden said coldly.
“You know very well what I wanted!”
Tears sparkled in Susan’s eyes.
“Miss Simmons, are you ready? It’s almost time; we need to head to the venue,” the supervisor and others knocked and entered, only to find makeup scattered all over the floor.
The expressions on both their faces were grim. As Susan saw someone approaching, she quickly reached out to adjust Hayden’s tie.
“We’ll be done in a moment; you go ahead and wait for us outside.”
Hayden knew this woman was adept at putting on a show and, with a cold expression, took her hand and led her away. The moment they stepped outside, Susan’s smile returned, but upon closer inspection, it was tinged with bitterness.
Outside, Julian was gently tucking Aurora’s hair behind her ear, asking, “Are you hungry?”
“Not really.”
“After the ceremony, I’ll take you to get something to eat. What would you like?”
Julian only spoke with such tenderness when he looked at Aurora.
“Anything,” Aurora replied, her demeanor as gentle as a daughter’s only in his presence.
Susan had invited Aurora intending to upset her, but now realized she had made a grave mistake; she was the one who ended up distressed!
Hayden was even more heartbroken. Now, Aurora’s every smile and frown had nothing to do with him.
As they started walking towards the venue, many guests had already arrived, most of whom had come for Oswaldo’s eightieth birthday celebration the night before. The emcee had already started warming up the crowd, which was growing livelier by the minute. When people began calling for the bride, Susan finally made her entrance.
All the lights in the venue were focused on her. Many celebrities from the industry were present, and the media were poised to capture the top headline of the day.
In the dim light, Julian wrapped his arms around Aurora, whispering into her ear, “Little Aurora, I have a show prepared for you.”
“What kind of show?”
Aurora was unaware of what Julian had planned, thinking last night’s incident was solely Ivy’s doing.
“You’ll see soon enough. I won’t let anyone who hurts you get away,” Julian murmured, lightly nibbling on her soft earlobe.
Now the lights dimmed, focusing solely on Susan, allowing Julian to act as he pleased in the shadows, as if it had been ages since he last touched her.
“Julian, stop,” Aurora gently pushed him away, increasingly bold with his advances.
“Is your period not over?”
“It takes more than just a couple of days.”
“Aurora, you’re torturing me,” Julian said with a pained expression. Aurora, somewhat embarrassed, blushed. Was it really appropriate to discuss such matters here?
“Stop it, Julian. It’s almost our turn to go on stage.”
“Then give me a kiss, and I’ll stop,” Julian insisted, knowing well Aurora’s shy demeanor, which he adored the most.
Fearing he might actually create a scene, Aurora tiptoed and aimed a kiss at his cheek. But Julian turned his head, and her kiss landed on his lips instead.
That man was playing tricks again!
Just as Aurora tried to pull away, he cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
“And now, please welcome our bridesmaid and groomsman…”
the host announced. As the lights shone on them, all that could be seen was a couple locked in a kiss.
Whistles filled the air, and Joaquin, sitting nearby, was visibly furious. This defiant act by Julian was clearly meant to provoke him!
Julian was not one to lose his sense of propriety; in such a setting, this act was clearly intended to be seen by all.