Aurora spotted Mr. Coleman arriving with Irene. Were they back together already?
“I’m gonna go say hi, Ashy.”
“Mm, go ahead.” Asher nodded, his voice calm. He had been worried about how Aurora might feel returning to Clothville without him. She had always been by his side before, but this time, she was stepping into her own spotlight.
The success of today’s launch event put him at ease. His little fox would shine, no matter where she was.
Aurora made her way toward Irene, Julian walking beside her. The moment Irene noticed them, she let go of Nick’s hand without hesitation.
The absence of her touch left Nick feeling oddly hollow, though he hid it well. Irene, however, seemed unfazed and strode forward confidently.
“Well, Little Bunny, making your own perfume now? Guess I underestimated you. Julian’s really got himself a treasure here.” Irene’s teasing tone was warm as she patted Aurora on the shoulder.
She had picked up Julian’s pet name for Aurora-“Little Bunny”-and, being a few years older, had no qualms about using it herself.
“Irene, what brings you here?” Aurora’s usual reserve softened. Something about Irene’s energy made her feel at ease, perhaps because Irene was Julian’s cousin.
“It’s not like I’m drowning in paperwork like some people. How could I miss your big day? Don’t worry, if the sales flop, I’ll make sure he buys them all!” Irene smirked and gave Nick’s chest a playful pat.
The bystanders froze. Bold, wasn’t she? Wasn’t Irene worried about offending Mr. Coleman?
But Nick didn’t mind. In fact, the faintest hint of a smile touched his lips; her casual reliance on him warmed him in a way he couldn’t explain. “Alright,” he said simply.
Aurora blinked in surprise. Nick, the famously aloof and stoic businessman, agreeing so easily? It was hard to reconcile the man in front of her with the cold, untouchable figure she had heard about.
Before she could respond, Julian stepped in, his tone firm but light. “Irene, are you doubting Little Bunny, or doubting me?”
Julian’s words made it clear: Aurora’s success was her own, but if Irene kept teasing, it reflected on him, too.
Aurora smiled. “Relax, Irene. I’ve got this. Besides, I have an amazing teacher.” She gave Irene a playful wink.
“Oh? And who’s this amazing teacher? Julian never mentioned you were dabbling in perfume-making,” Irene said, her curiosity piqued, her earlier teasing forgotten.
Aurora turned her gaze toward a figure nearby. “Let me introduce you. Denis, could you come over for a moment?”
Denis Vukic excused himself from his conversation and approached Aurora. Nick’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the man. He already knew who Denis was-his business ventures overseas had crossed Nick’s radar.
While Nick was best known for his casino empire, his true reach extended far beyond, into industries few were aware of.
Irene’s eyes lit up as Denis approached. “Little Bunny, your teacher is this handsome?”
Aurora bit her lip nervously. Irene’s bluntness could be endearing, but praising Denis’s looks right in front of Nick? That was asking for trouble.
Sure enough, Nick’s expression darkened. He wasn’t a man to show much emotion, but the subtle tension in his jaw was unmistakable.
Denis, unfazed, extended a hand. “Denis Vukic,” he introduced himself, his tone courteous but firm.
“I’m Irene Bar-” Irene began, reaching for his hand, but before she could finish, Nick pulled her back, his arm wrapping around her waist.
Nick stepped forward, his cold eyes meeting Denis’s. “Nick,” he said, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Their handshake was anything but friendly. Aurora could almost feel the temperature drop as the two men stared each other down, their hands locked in a silent battle of wills.
Denis remained calm, but his grip didn’t waver. Nick, however, wasn’t backing down either. To anyone watching, it was clear: these two men were not going to get along.
Julian, sensing the tension, stepped in with a practiced smile. “Alright, alright. We’re all friends here. Let’s save the introductions for the lounge, shall we?”
Asher, watching from a distance, quickly moved to pull Denis away. Irene, meanwhile, grabbed Nick by the arm and tugged him toward the lounge, her annoyance evident.
“What’s wrong with you?” she hissed under her breath. “Shaking hands isn’t a contest. Someone might think you’ve got a crush on him, the way you wouldn’t let go!”
Mr. Coleman-the infamous, untouchable Nick-sighed, his frosty demeanor melting in the face of Irene’s scolding. “I didn’t mean to…” he muttered, looking genuinely contrite.
Aurora, meanwhile, turned to Denis with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry about that. They’re… complicated.”
Denis waved it off. “It’s fine. I get it.” His gaze drifted toward Irene and Nick, who were now seated on a sofa, still bickering.
For a moment, his mind wandered to his own past. He thought of Daria, of how fiercely protective he had once been of her. And how much he still missed her.
“If I had Daria back…” he murmured under his breath, the ache in his chest returning.
Aurora noticed the shadow that crossed his face. She opened her mouth to speak, but Denis simply shook his head. “It’s nothing,” he said.
Suddenly, Denis began walking toward Irene and Nick. Asher, trailing behind, frowned. Was Denis about to start something?
Nick noticed Denis approaching and stiffened, ready for a confrontation.
But Denis surprised everyone.
“Meeting someone you care about is rare,” Denis said, his voice steady but filled with meaning. “Don’t waste that chance. Too many people live with regrets.”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Nick and Irene stunned into silence.
Aurora watched him go, her admiration for Denis deepening. For a man who carried so much pain, he had a way of speaking truths that others needed to hear.