Recap:
The day begins with Aurora encountering Amber and Flare outside the classroom, leading to a pivotal and intense discussion. Flare admits to being coerced by Ethan during a crucial moment in the past. Aurora holds her accountable but ultimately forgives her, showing both her assertiveness and ability to move forward. The trio's conversation takes a lighter turn as Amber and Flare reveal their relationships with Horizon members, sparking Aurora's curiosity and setting the stage for new dynamics.
By the evening, Aurora arrives at Horizon's villa for dinner. The moment takes an unexpected turn when Aiden appears unmasked, descending the staircase while engrossed in a phone call. This unguarded moment catches both of them off-guard. Aurora calls out to him, her tone calm but firm, causing Aiden to freeze and acknowledge her presence. The interaction is neither playful nor teasing but charged with quiet intensity, as Aurora observes him unmasked for the first time.
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"Looks like you forgot your mask, Aiden. Or should I say—" she trailed off, her smirk deepening as she let the weight of her words hang in the air. "Adrien"
Her smirk deepened, her gaze sharp and unrelenting. The name hung in the air, cutting through the quiet like a knife, its impact immediate and undeniable. Aiden's reaction was instantaneous—his eyes widened, a flicker of panic breaking through his usual calm demeanor. For a moment, he stood frozen, as though the weight of the name itself had pinned him in place.
Aurora's smirk lingered, her arms loosely crossed as she tilted her head ever so slightly, waiting to see what he would do. Aiden's hand twitched at his side, and for a brief second, his gaze faltered—a rare crack in his carefully constructed armor.
Before either of them could speak, the faint sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Aurora's posture shifted subtly, her smirk slipping away as her expression settled into one of polite indifference. By the time the others entered the room, their cheerful voices filling the space, she had fully masked her emotions. She stepped back, effortlessly blending into the background, her demeanor betraying none of the charged exchange that had just occurred.
Aiden, however, wasn't so quick to recover. His movements were a fraction slower, his gaze slightly distant as though still processing what had transpired. Despite his best efforts, the unease clung to him, the perfect composure he so often wore just a little off-kilter.
"Hey Aurora, you came!" Amber greeted warmly, pulling her into a hug.
"Hi, everybody," Aurora said, her voice calm but polite, addressing the group.
"Hi," Ace, Jace, and Flare chimed in together.
"Come on, dinner's ready," Jace said with a smile, leading the group toward the dining table. Aiden, however, remained rooted in place, his face a mix of shock and panic. It took him a moment to compose himself before quietly following them to the table.
As everyone settled in, Ace glanced at Aurora with a knowing grin. "So now that you've seen Aiden's face, I don't think there'll be any problem if we all have lunch together at college."
Aurora nodded slightly, her eyes flickering to Aiden. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed, her tone light but deliberate.
Aiden, staring blankly at his plate, avoided making eye contact with Aurora. His unease was palpable, the weight of her presence pressing down on him. "She's definitely not going to let this slide after all the effort I put into hiding from her", he thought to himself, his gaze fixed firmly on the plate in front of him.
"By the way, he's pretty handsome, isn't he, Aurora?" Flare teased, glancing mischievously at her.
Aurora shrugged casually. "Hmm, he is," she said without much thought, her tone indifferent. But then, a small smirk tugged at her lips. "Though… I think something—or rather someone—is burning," she added playfully, her gaze landing squarely on Jace.
Everyone followed her line of sight, bursting into laughter at the sight of Jace's exaggerated glare aimed at Flare.
Aiden, however, barely registered the laughter. Still caught up in his thoughts, he sat there silently, dreading what tomorrow might bring. "She's definitely going to give me the silent treatment. Someone save me from her, please."
Aurora, catching the subtle tension in his expression, easily guessed what he was thinking. She chose not to dwell on it, though, and continued eating as though nothing was amiss.
After dinner, they lingered for a while, chatting about various things. Aurora eventually stood, saying her goodbyes with a small smile. The group waved her off as she left.
The next day unfolded exactly as Aiden had feared. Aurora was giving him the cold shoulder—she didn't speak to him, didn't sit with him, and barely acknowledged his presence. Her simmering annoyance radiated in every sharp glare and curt movement. Every time their paths crossed, memories of the previous evening replayed in her mind, fueling a frustration she struggled to suppress. No matter how much she told herself it didn't matter, her irritation lingered like a stubborn shadow.
Aiden, as always, wore his mask, though it did little to shield him from the weight of Aurora's silence. Her cold indifference wasn't passive—it was deliberate and cutting, and he felt its sting with every glance she aimed his way. Part of him wanted to explain himself, to confront the tension head-on, but another part—the more impulsive, prideful side—hatched a different plan. If she wanted to ignore him, fine. He'd ignore her too—and make sure she noticed.
At lunch, his plan went into full effect. Aiden surrounded himself with classmates, his laughter louder than usual, his charm dialed up to draw attention. He leaned into conversations, gesturing animatedly, his body language relaxed and open. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Aurora walking by. Though he didn't turn to look at her directly, he was keenly aware of her presence.
Aurora, however, saw through the charade immediately. It wasn't the masked charm or the crowd of classmates that annoyed her—it was the clear intention behind it all. "So this is how he's dealing with it", she thought, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
The amused glint in her eyes betrayed nothing as she walked past, leaving him to his theatrics without so much as a second glance.
The tension between them thickened as the day wore on. Aiden's plan, though carefully executed, gnawed at him. Was it working—or was he only pushing her further away? Hidden behind his mask, his expressions gave nothing away, but his mind churned relentlessly.
Aurora, meanwhile, held her composure. She refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction, her poise unwavering even as she caught the subtle shift in his demeanor—a sign that perhaps his plan wasn't as foolproof as he thought.
Later, as the day drew to a close, Aurora lingered in the classroom, her expression composed but her mind still buzzing with a mix of irritation and amusement. The memory of Aiden's plan replayed itself in her thoughts, an unspoken challenge that left her both annoyed and intrigued.
As she turned toward the door, ready to step out, she abruptly collided with someone entering the classroom. The sudden impact threw her off balance, her footing faltering—but before she could hit the ground, strong arms caught her by the waist, steadying her.
Startled, she looked up, her breath catching as her gaze locked with Ethan's.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, standing up straight, trying to regain her composure. But Ethan's hand remained firmly on her waist, and before she could step away, he pulled her closer. The sudden motion brought her directly against his chest, the proximity making her heart skip a beat.
Ethan smirked as he looked down at her, his features perfectly composed, exuding an effortless charm. His sharp jawline, unruly dark hair, and piercing eyes only added to the magnetic confidence he carried. "No need to apologize," he said, his voice smooth and teasing, the faintest trace of amusement dancing across his lips. "Though I suppose I should be the one thanking you—it's not every day I get the chance to hold someone this close."
Aurora's hands immediately pressed against his chest, creating just enough distance to break the tension. Even as she pressed against his chest to create distance, the lingering heat of his touch and the magnetic pull of his presence unsettled her more than she cared to acknowledge. Her sharp gaze narrowed, unwavering as she spoke coolly. "Thank you for catching me," she said, her tone crisp and composed, making it clear she wasn't fazed by his flirtation.
Ethan's smirk deepened as his eyes flickered to her lips, the gleam in his expression unapologetically bold. Slowly, he leaned in, closing the gap between them, his striking features becoming all the more vivid in the charged stillness of the moment. The air grew heavy, thick with unspoken tension. Aurora stiffened, her hands still resting on his chest, but before she could react further, the sound of footsteps echoed faintly in the distance.
Unbeknownst to them, Aiden stood at the far end of the hallway, his masked face turned toward the scene unfolding before him. His chest tightened as he watched Ethan pull Aurora closer, his jaw clenching when he saw Ethan lean in. Aiden's mind raced, a storm of anger and disbelief clouding his thoughts. "Is this her way of getting back at me?" he wondered bitterly, his jaw tightening. "Everything I planned... it's all blowing up in my face."
The sight burned in his mind, fueling his frustration until he couldn't hold it in any longer. Striding toward them with purpose, Aiden reached out and grabbed Aurora's hand, breaking her free from Ethan's grip. Without a word, he turned and walked away, his hold on her hand firm as he led her out of the classroom.
Aurora glanced back briefly, catching the flicker of surprise on Ethan's face before the door closed behind them. She didn't say anything, her expression unreadable as Aiden's grip remained steady, his silence speaking volumes.
Ethan's expression twisted into anger as he regained his composure, the surprise still lingering in the sharp flicker of his widened eyes. His usual confident demeanor faltered momentarily, leaving behind a raw intensity that tightened his jaw and hardened his glare. His eyes flickered with a dangerous resolve, and his voice was low but menacing as he spat, "I'll make you pay for this, Aiden."
Without another word, Ethan turned on his heel and stormed out of the classroom, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
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The car ride was steeped in silence, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. Aurora sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the passing streets. Frustration simmered beneath her composed exterior, while curiosity flickered in her eyes. Aiden, seated beside her, gripped the steering wheel tightly. His jaw was clenched, his thoughts turbulent as the events of the day replayed in relentless loops. The tension between them lingered, unspoken but palpable.
When the car finally slowed, Aurora blinked, expecting her house to come into view. Instead, the vehicle came to a smooth stop in front of Horizon's imposing villa. Her brow furrowed as she turned to Aiden, confusion etched across her face.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, breaking the silence, her tone calm but edged with curiosity. The villa's grand façade loomed before them, a symbol of elegance and familiarity.
Aiden didn't respond immediately. His hands remained on the steering wheel, gripping it firmly. He exhaled slowly, the sound breaking the heavy silence, his gaze fixed ahead. Without his mask, the sharp lines of his face and the intensity in his eyes were fully visible, though he made no effort to meet her gaze. "We need to talk," he said simply, his voice resolute, carrying an undeniable weight.
"Here? But the others must be home," she said knowingly, understanding that whatever he needed to say couldn't happen freely in their presence.
"They left," Aiden replied, his tone quiet but firm. "It's just us."
"Where did they go?" Aurora asked, her curiosity now unmistakable.
Aiden didn't reply. Instead, he stepped out of the car, his movements deliberate. The door closed with a soft thud as he walked around the front of the vehicle, his demeanor composed yet distant. He handed the car key to one of the waiting guards, who offered a respectful nod before moving to park the car.
Aurora watched him in silence, a flicker of frustration crossing her features at his cryptic behavior. Gathering her thoughts, she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out, her gaze briefly flickering to the guards and the villa's towering presence. Whatever this conversation was about, Aiden's silence only made the air feel heavier with anticipation.
Preview of Next Chapter:
Aurora stood in the kitchen, the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the window as she sipped from her glass of water. The villa was silent, but something about the stillness felt off—like the air was thicker, heavier.
Just as she set the glass down, a sudden crash broke the quiet. Heart racing, she followed the sound through the shadows, each step careful yet quick. A soft, eerie noise reached her ears—a low and hollow murmur that sent chills down her spine.
Aurora's wide eyes caught the faint outline of the figure, a shadow looming in the darkness. A cold wave of fear gripped her, the silence stretching into an unbearable void.