When Asher learned that Aurora would be staying with him for a while, it was as if a withered tree had suddenly been nourished. From the day before, he had been eagerly anticipating her arrival. Today, he even went to the airport early, waiting for her. The moment he saw that familiar figure emerge from the terminal, he opened his arms wide.
“Little fox.”
“Ashy, I’m back.” Aurora ran into his embrace. This place held a deep emotional connection for her.
A radiant smile spread across Asher’s face. “Welcome back.”
Aurora noticed the man dressed in black who had been sitting next to her on the plane walking away with his luggage. Strangely, his suitcase was exactly the same as hers.
“What are you looking at?” Asher released her from his arms.
“Nothing. Just that the man sitting next to me had the same suitcase as mine.”
“It’s not a limited edition, so it’s not that unusual,” Asher said, trying to comfort her. But when his eyes landed on the faint marks on her neck, a twinge of jealousy stirred in his heart. Even though he had accepted her relationship with someone else, it still stung.
“You didn’t have to show off in front of me like this, did you?” Asher tried to sound nonchalant.
“What?” Aurora was confused. Seeing her baffled expression, Asher immediately realized these marks must have been left by that man intentionally, and she was completely unaware of it.
That man hadn’t come with her, yet he deliberately left such marks for Asher to see, as if staking his claim. What a petty move. Still, this also meant Aurora must have been entirely relaxed when it happened. Otherwise, with her shy nature, she would never have allowed it.
“It’s nothing. You must be tired and hungry after such a long flight. Let’s grab something to eat-how about your favorite restaurant?” Asher quickly changed the subject.
“Sure! I’m going to make you treat me to a feast,” Aurora replied with a grin as they got into the car.
At the restaurant, Aurora went to the restroom to wash her hands. When she looked in the mirror, she finally noticed the kiss marks on her neck. Her face turned from pale to bright red in an instant.
No wonder people had been staring at her along the way. She had found it odd-she’d never gotten this much attention before, not even when she was fully made up. Some people even looked at her with a smirk. Now she finally knew why.
In the past, no matter how passionate they were, Julian had always been careful, never leaving marks in visible places. But now? These marks were so obvious. How childish could he be? He must have been worried about Asher, so he left these marks on purpose, as a reminder.
Aurora felt both amused and exasperated. Even the most mature men could turn into childish fools when it came to love.
Now that she was aware of the marks, there was no way she could go out looking like this. She grabbed her compact and tried to cover them up, dabbing powder over and over again. Unfortunately, makeup wasn’t a miracle worker. While the marks were less obvious, they didn’t completely disappear.
When Aurora returned to the table, Asher immediately noticed her efforts to conceal the marks. She nudged him. “Why didn’t you tell me? No wonder everyone was giving me weird looks.”
“Telling you wouldn’t have changed anything. It’s better not to say anything and spare you the embarrassment,” Asher explained.
“Hmph, you’re all the same-troublemakers.”
“Alright, we’re all adults here. No one’s going to laugh at you. The steak’s ready-dig in.”
The two of them joked and bantered, laughing like they used to. They ate until they were stuffed, their happiness as simple and pure as children’s.
After spending the day out together, they finally returned to Aurora’s apartment.
“Ah, home at last. It’s only been a few months, but it feels like I haven’t been back in years,” Aurora sighed as she opened the door. Everything inside was just as she had left it-familiar and untouched.
“I’ve been coming over to clean every week since you left. I didn’t move anything,” Asher said, placing her suitcase carefully by the door.
“Ashy, how have you been these past few months? Look at you-you’re not getting any younger. It’s time for you to find someone,” Aurora teased, though she knew his feelings. Her heart already belonged to Julian, and there was no way she could give it to anyone else. Still, she hoped Asher could find his own happiness.
“Not getting any younger? Do you think men age the same way women do? Men only get more attractive with age. I’m in no rush. Why would I want a wife nagging me every day? That sounds awful,” Asher said dismissively.
“You’re still such a free spirit. Having someone to share your life with isn’t a bad thing. Imagine coming home to a warm light waiting for you. Isn’t that kind of life nice?” Aurora tried to persuade him.
She couldn’t bear the thought that Asher might be holding back because of her. He deserved his own happiness.
Asher turned away, chuckling softly to himself. Forget about finding a girlfriend-he couldn’t even bring himself to be with anyone casually. Every time he tried, he would end up picturing Aurora’s face, her expressions, her everything. It was impossible for him to be intimate with anyone else.
“You’ve been back just a few months, and now you’re trying to play matchmaker? I’m not in a hurry, so why are you?” Asher forced himself to suppress the thoughts of her that plagued him.
“I’m just worried about you. Someday, when I’ve got kids running around, and you’re still single, what then? I was even thinking of arranging a marriage between your kid and mine.”
“What nonsense. What if we both have boys? Are you trying to set them up for a bromance?” Asher teased.
“I’m being serious! Why can’t you take this seriously for once?” Aurora huffed.
“Alright, alright, my little princess. I’m only 22, just one year older than you. I’m in no rush to get married. I still want to enjoy being a golden bachelor,” Asher said, ending the conversation.
Aurora thought about it. In today’s world, they were still young. Before she met Julian, she’d always thought the best age to marry was after 28, let alone having kids. She only wanted to marry early because she had found the right person.
But not everyone was the same. She shouldn’t impose her own views on others.
“You’re right. Love shouldn’t be rushed. Just promise me that when you meet the right person, you won’t let them go.”
“Of course. I’d be a fool to let them go. Anyway, I’ll make us some tea.” Asher headed toward the kitchen.
As he walked away, he silently muttered to himself: The person he should never have let go was already gone. He had been a fool all along.