When Aurora left, Gemma didn’t see her, nor did Mona know about Gemma’s past. After several previous failures, Gemma had prepared extensively at home. The interview went smoothly this time, as she had some internship experience and was well-prepared. Seeing that Gemma also attended Clothville University, Mona assumed she was Aurora’s friend.
Aurora had let several other Clothville University students pass instantly, and Mona thought Gemma was with them, so she approved her right away.
“Go home and wait for the onboarding notification,” Mona said, tired after a day of conducting interviews and assessments.
“Okay, thank you,” Gemma replied joyfully, running out as she finally secured a job in a company with promising prospects, easing her worries.
At this moment, Aurora, back in her office, was unaware of what had transpired, accidentally making Julian wait all afternoon. Although Julian was willing to wait, Aurora felt uneasy. Given Julian’s status and the adage “time is money,” this was especially true for him. How much had he lost in one afternoon? So, before the interviews were even over, Aurora was anxious to join him.
Upon exiting the elevator, she always saw the glass below and took a deep breath, focusing ahead, trying not to dwell on the view below. Initially nervous, she had grown accustomed to it, quietly opening her door to find Julian asleep, his head resting on his hand, phone still in grasp. Aurora quietly approached and took his phone, a small action that woke him.
“Are the interviews done?”
he asked, seeing Aurora.
“Yes, almost done. Sorry to keep you waiting,” she replied, burying herself in his embrace.
“I’ve already booked a restaurant to welcome your friend,” Julian said, stretching as he stood up.
Aurora hugged him from behind, knowing well of Mona’s hostility towards him, yet he showed no aversion. Many sought Julian’s company for meals, but he was generously accommodating to someone who bore him ill will, not out of naivety, but due to his profound affection for Aurora. It’s one thing to love someone, but entirely another to extend that affection to their friends and family, a truly valuable trait.
“Julian, you really are wonderful,” Aurora murmured, her head on his shoulder.
As the sun set, Julian didn’t push her away but let her embrace him from behind.
“As long as you know I’m good, don’t leave me. You’re all I have,” Julian said softly, holding her hand.
“You treat me so well; I’ve forgotten how to run. How could I bear to leave?”
she replied.
When Mona opened the door and entered, she saw them embraced by the window, bathed in the sunset, a harmonious scene like a beautiful painting. No wonder Aurora would choose Julian over Asher. Initially, Mona thought it unbelievable-could there really be someone better for Aurora than Asher? But now she understood. In front of Asher, Aurora always had to be strong, but with Julian, she could afford to be soft, like vines around a great tree-something Asher could never achieve. Mona coughed, prompting them to separate.
“Mona, are the interviews done?”
Aurora asked.
“Of course, I’d be dead tired if they weren’t. Let’s go, I’m starving,” Mona replied, waiting by the door.
“Alright.”
Aurora gathered her things, and as they approached the door, Julian habitually picked her up.
“Julian, no need, I’m not scared anymore,” Aurora said, suddenly embarrassed as she noticed Mona still nearby.
“It doesn’t matter, do whatever you want, just pretend I’m not here,” Mona shrugged.
The group headed towards the seafood restaurant, initially delighted to host Mona until she abruptly received a phone call.
“Dad, what’s wrong?”
Aurora put down her chopsticks.
“Aurora, come back for a bit, I’m going crazy,” Magnus’ voice was filled with helplessness.
“What happened?”
Julian, who was serving soup to Aurora, noticed a slight change in her expression; the call must have been about something important.
“Julian, Mona, my dad just called, and I need to go back to the Montgomery family for a bit. You guys go ahead and eat,” Aurora picked up her bag and stood up.
“I’ll take you,” Julian also prepared to stand.
“No need, Mona is my friend. You keep her company for me. I’ll take a cab back, and I’ll treat Mona to dinner another time,” Aurora patted her on the shoulder.
“It’s okay, go ahead.”
Aurora left with her bag. Magnus’s tone was resigned but not urgent, at least indicating the matter wasn’t too serious, although Aurora felt she could handle it more aptly herself.
Aurora took a cab to the Montgomery family. With her departure, the atmosphere became awkward. Mona poured Julian a glass of wine, “Mr. Barnet, do you love our president?”
“Yes, I love her,” he replied almost without thinking.
“So, Mr. Barnet, what exactly do you like about our president? Is it because she’s young and beautiful or because she’s capable?”
“Don’t you think she’s likable in every way?”
Julian replied formally yet distantly, noting Mona was different from other women.
Her eyes clearly showed some disdain for him, yet her body was moving closer to him, having already toasted him several times.
“Miss Chase, I see you’ve almost finished eating. Let’s call it a meal,” Julian signaled the waiter to get the bill.
Mona had been asking trivial questions, a few were fine, but too many annoyed him, as not every woman was treated tenderly like Aurora.
“Alright.”
A deeper meaning flashed in Mona’s eyes.
As they left the restaurant, Julian asked her, “Miss Chase, where do you live? I’ll call a cab to take you home.”
“Mr. Barnet, shouldn’t you be the gentleman to take me home? The president did ask before she left,” Mona said lightly.
Julian gave her a deep look, his lips tightly pressed, “Alright, I’ll take you. You sit in the back.”
Normally, he wouldn’t let other women ride in his car, as if their presence would contaminate the air inside.
“Okay.”
Mona took her place in the back.
It was enough for Julian to let her in the car; the passenger seat was Aurora’s place, irreplaceable by any other woman, even in her absence.
“Where to?”
His voice was noticeably colder than before.
“I haven’t settled the paperwork for the house here yet; I’ve been staying in the office. Take me to a nearby hotel,” Mona suggested.
Julian’s eyes darkened, “If I remember correctly, Cameron is your brother. You could stay at his place.”
“He has a girlfriend. It wouldn’t be convenient for me,” Mona’s reason was hard to refuse.
Left with no choice, Julian took her to a nearby grand hotel and booked a room for her. Still, Mona showed no intention of letting him leave.
“Mr. Barnet, I’m not familiar with this place. Please take me there.”
Julian knew she was up to no good, but this woman was strange to the point where he couldn’t figure out what she wanted.
The more it was like this, the less he could afford to be careless. He decided to go along with her to see what she was up to, so he could think of a strategy in advance.
“Alright.”
They took the elevator, and he escorted her to the room.