The sun had barely begun to set, casting a warm orange glow across the mansion’s garden. The large windows let in just enough light to make the room feel alive, but not too much to make it unbearable. It was a peaceful, almost serene atmosphere that Raphael had grown accustomed to. He liked the quiet moments before everything turned messy.
He glanced around the hallway, checking to see if anyone was nearby. His feet moved silently over the polished floor as he made his way toward the small sitting room where he knew Aurora would be. He had seen her earlier, moving quickly through the halls, her green eyes hidden behind a veil of confusion and caution. She was still getting used to her new life, and it was obvious that the girl had been through too much to trust anyone, let alone someone like him.
But that didn’t bother Raphael. He had a way of getting people to see things his way. If not with words, then with charm, and if that didn’t work, he had other methods.
He stopped just outside the door to the sitting room and paused, letting his fingers linger on the doorknob for a moment. He could hear her voice faintly, though he couldn’t make out what she was saying.
The door creaked slightly as he pushed it open, stepping into the room with a quiet grace. He immediately noticed her sitting by the window, her head turned slightly toward the view, her eyes distant. She was beautiful, that was undeniable. But there was something else about her something that made Raphael pause, his usual confidence faltering for the briefest moment.
Aurora didn’t look up when he entered. She didn’t acknowledge his presence. She simply stared out the window, as if lost in her own thoughts.
Raphael smirked. “Busy day, isn’t it?”
Aurora’s eyes flickered to him for just a second before she returned to staring outside. “Is it?” Her tone was indifferent, her voice cool and uninterested.
Raphael chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe. “You know, I thought I’d come by and offer some company. It’s a shame to be alone in such a lovely place.” He took a few steps into the room, his gaze never leaving her. “Such a beautiful view, don’t you think?”
Aurora didn’t respond, but her posture stiffened ever so slightly. It wasn’t enough to show that she was intimidated, but it was clear that she wasn’t exactly welcoming him, either.
Raphael’s smile widened. “Not much of a talker, are you? That’s alright, I’m a patient man.”
He walked closer, stopping just a few feet away. He didn’t sit he preferred to remain standing, towering over her just slightly. It gave him an advantage, made him feel more in control. She was trying her best to ignore him, but Raphael could feel her eyes on him, even when she wasn’t looking directly at him. It was a challenge, and that intrigued him.
“You know,” Raphael said, breaking the silence, “I’ve been watching you. You’re quite… mysterious, Aurora. People like you are always interesting to me. So full of secrets.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I’m good at uncovering them.”
Aurora’s lips tightened into a thin line, and she finally turned her head to look at him, her eyes sharp and cold. “I don’t need anyone digging into my life,” she said flatly. “Especially not you.”
Raphael raised an eyebrow, his smirk still in place. “Oh, but you don’t know me yet. Maybe if you did, you’d change your mind.”
Aurora stood up slowly, her movements deliberate. She kept her distance, her body language firm, as if daring him to cross a line. “I don’t want to know you,” she said, her voice low and cold. “I don’t need anything from you.”
Raphael laughed, but there was no warmth in the sound. “A little defensive, aren’t we? You know, I’m just trying to be friendly. A nice chat, nothing more.”
Aurora didn’t flinch at his words. “Friendship isn’t something you can offer. Not to someone like me.”
Raphael’s smile faltered for just a second, but he quickly recovered. “You think I’m the kind of person who offers friendship?” he asked, genuinely amused. “No. I’m not here for that. I’m just… curious.” He took a slow step closer. “Curious about you, about how someone like you ended up here. In this house, under Damian’s watchful eye.”
At the mention of Damian, Aurora’s eyes narrowed, and a flicker of something anger, maybebflashed in her gaze. She took a step back, putting more space between them. “Stay away from me, Raphael,” she warned, her voice icy.
Raphael was undeterred. He took another step forward, closing the distance between them. “I’m just talking, Aurora. Nothing wrong with that. But if you want me to stay away, maybe you should tell me why. Why is it that every time I get close to you, I feel like there’s a storm inside you waiting to break free?”
Aurora’s jaw clenched, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She was fighting the urge to snap at him, to give him a piece of her mind, but she didn’t want to play his game. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing her lose control.
“You don’t know anything about me,” she said, her voice low and tight. “So don’t act like you do.”
Raphael paused, studying her carefully. He wasn’t sure if she was trying to bluff or if she genuinely wasn’t intimidated by him. Either way, he wasn’t about to let her have the last word.
“I think,” he began slowly, “that you’re more than you let on. You hide behind that cold exterior, but I know there’s more to you. You’re not as untouchable as you want people to believe.”
Aurora took another step back, her eyes never leaving his. “I don’t need anyone’s attention. Least of all yours.”
Raphael’s grin widened. “But you’ll get it anyway, Aurora. Whether you want it or not.”
Aurora didn’t respond. She turned on her heel and started walking toward the door, but before she reached it, she stopped. Without turning around, she spoke over her shoulder, her voice cutting through the tension in the room like a knife.
“Stay away from me, Raphael,” she said, her tone firm and unyielding. “Or you’ll regret it.”
Raphael stared after her, his smile faltering for just a moment. But then, as if nothing had happened, he chuckled softly to himself and leaned against the wall, watching her leave.
Aurora was a mystery, a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. But one thing was for sure he wasn’t going to let her slip away that easily.
The following day, Raphael found himself in the hallway once more, looking for Aurora. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since their last encounter. There was something about her, something he couldn’t put his finger on. The way she had shut him down without so much as blinking.
This time, he found her in the garden, standing alone beneath a large tree. Her green eyes were focused on the ground, and her posture was rigid as if she was still trying to decide what to do next. She was alone, something rare in this house full of people, and Raphael decided that it was the perfect time to try again.
He strolled toward her, his steps slow and deliberate. “Well, well,” he said with a teasing tone, “I wasn’t expecting to find you here, all alone. What’s a pretty girl like you doing by herself?”
Aurora didn’t look up. She knew he was approaching, could hear the cocky confidence in his voice. It didn’t faze her anymore.
“I was just thinking,” she replied, her voice dry. “About how long it would take for you to get bored of pestering me.”
Raphael let out a low laugh, his amusement clear. “Oh, I don’t get bored easily, Aurora. Especially not with someone as… interesting as you.” He took another step closer, his eyes locked on her.
Aurora finally looked up at him, her cold green eyes meeting his. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice laced with annoyance.
Raphael tilted his head slightly, studying her face. “I was just wondering how you managed to do it, you know?” he said with a mocking smile. “How you managed to worm your way into Damian’s life so quickly. You were just a little maid, and now look at you his mistress. How did that happen?”
Aurora stiffened, her hands clenching at her sides. The question hit a nerve, but she didn’t show it. “None of your business.”
“Oh, but it is,” Raphael said smoothly, leaning in just a bit. “I’m curious. I mean, Lily was the one in his favor, wasn’t she? And now ” He waved a hand dismissively. “Well, you’ve taken her place. Quite the turn of events, don’t you think?”
Aurora’s expression darkened. “You don’t know anything about me or what I’ve been through.”
Raphael shrugged, unfazed. “Doesn’t matter. You’ve managed to secure a spot in Damian’s life. That’s impressive… for someone like you.” He smirked, the mockery evident in his voice.