The warm breeze brushed gently across the island as the golden hues of the setting sun illuminated two carefree figures running along the shore. On this private island with no outsiders, Aurora could be her true self. She shed the aloof and composed demeanor she usually carried and embraced her most unguarded, childlike version.
From a distance, Julian watched her, the small, barefooted woman chasing the waves. She would run toward the water, then retreat when the waves came crashing in, laughing gleefully when the water reached her knees.
To anyone else, this might seem like a childish act. But Julian knew how significant it was for Aurora. Ever since Genevieve entered the Montgomery family, Aurora had endured years of bullying, hiding her true self under layers of careful restraint.
“Julian, come here! There are so many shells!” Aurora called out, excitement lighting up her face.
Whenever the tide receded, it would leave behind countless seashells. It was rare to see her so carefree and playful, like a child discovering the world for the first time.
“I’m coming,” Julian replied, taking off his shoes and walking barefoot toward her. Together, two powerful figures from the business world crouched on the sand, collecting seashells like children.
“Julian, look! I found a really big one!” Aurora held up a large shell in triumph.
“That’s impressive,” Julian said with a smile. “But look at this one-it has such a beautiful shape.”
The two competed playfully, their laughter filling the air. Before long, they had a pile of shells stacked around them.
“It’s getting dark. Let’s head back for dinner,” Julian said, glancing at the sky. The sun had already set, and night was falling.
Aurora nodded. “Just one more shell, then we’ll go.”
“Alright,” Julian said, picking up his shirt to use as a makeshift bag for the shells Aurora had collected.
Suddenly, Aurora let out a sharp scream. “Julian! Julian!”
Startled, Julian turned around. Aurora was usually calm and steady, so her reaction left him puzzled.
“What happened?” he asked, hurrying over.
“Look! A pearl!” Aurora exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement.
She had plenty of pearl jewelry, but she had never found a pearl in a shell herself.
Julian pried the shell open and found a glossy pearl nestled inside the soft tissue of the mollusk. “You’re lucky today. We’ll take it back and have it made into something special,” he said with a smile.
“Alright!” Aurora beamed, thrilled by the discovery.
The days on the island were some of the most relaxing Aurora had ever experienced. She didn’t have to think about anything-Julian had planned everything perfectly.
They rode a tandem bike around the island, went out to sea, and enjoyed barbeques under the stars. With their phones turned off, they were completely disconnected from the outside world, existing only for each other.
The two short days on the island flew by like a dream. They ate, slept, and played together, growing even closer. But like all good things, it had to end.
On the third day, they boarded the helicopter to leave the island. Aurora held Biscuit in her arms, and Biscuit lay quietly, purring softly. Aurora, in turn, leaned against Julian’s chest.
Her heart felt full, brimming with happiness. “Julian, let’s come back here again when we have time, okay?” she asked, reluctant to leave.
“Whenever you want,” Julian said, his voice full of affection.
By Monday, Aurora returned to her new company. The business was just starting, and she had to ensure everything was in place. Otherwise, she would have given herself a longer break, staying on the island for at least ten more days.
Julian dropped her off at the office. “Work hard,” he said with a smile.
“I will. Pick me up after work,” Aurora replied, leaning in to kiss him. It had become a sweet habit between them.
“Of course,” Julian said before watching her walk into the building. Only then did he turn his phone back on.
The moment his phone powered on, it was flooded with missed calls and messages.
“Thank God, President, you finally picked up! I was about to lose my mind!” Rocky’s voice came through the line the moment the call connected.
Julian had left Rocky in charge with only brief instructions, disappearing for two days to accompany Aurora. Meanwhile, Rocky had been overwhelmed with urgent tasks.
There were documents requiring Julian’s signature, critical contracts awaiting his decision, and an important conference he was supposed to attend. But Julian had simply pushed it all aside and vanished, leaving Rocky in chaos.
“President, there are too many things piling up! If you hadn’t answered, I don’t know what I would’ve done!” Rocky said, his voice on the verge of panic.
Julian’s tone was calm as always. “It’s just a few small matters. Why are you so flustered? You’ve worked with me for years. If you can’t handle these things, why are you even here?”
“President… please stop teasing me. Just come back to the office. I really can’t manage everything alone,” Rocky pleaded, almost in tears. The usually work-driven Julian had left everything behind for a vacation, throwing Rocky into chaos.
“I’m on my way back,” Julian said, ending the call. He trusted Rocky, which was why he had left everything to him.
Aurora, meanwhile, entered her company to find a swarm of reporters gathered outside. It seemed Mona had invited them to create buzz, and the industry was abuzz with curiosity about the mysterious new company and its backers.
Until now, the identity of the company’s president had been kept under wraps. As Mona finished her interview, she waved Aurora over.
“This is our company’s president, Miss Aurora Montgomery,” Mona announced.
The moment Aurora appeared, the reporters erupted with questions.
“Miss Montgomery, you’re so young! What inspired you to start this company?”
“Miss Montgomery, you look familiar. Wait… aren’t you the daughter of the Montgomery family?”
“That’s right! Now that you mention it, I remember. Miss Montgomery, this is such a bold move! Instead of working in the Montgomery Group, you started your own company. What prompted this decision?”
Aurora hadn’t prepared for this. She wasn’t used to dealing with the media. In the past, Asher had always handled public relations while she stayed behind the scenes.
“Miss Montgomery, can you wave to the camera for us?” The reporters’ attention shifted entirely to Aurora, treating her like a celebrity.
Feeling awkward, Aurora managed a polite smile and waved.
“Miss Montgomery, would you consider giving us an interview for our magazine? You’re such an inspiration for young entrepreneurs.”
“Um…” Aurora hesitated. She hadn’t expected such a fuss. Smiling for the cameras was one thing, but being featured in a magazine was another.
“You’ll have to ask my assistant,” Aurora said, quickly passing the responsibility to Mona. She wasn’t good at handling situations like this.
But the news of Aurora being the president of Sun Company quickly spread, creating a stir throughout the city.