Chapter 14- Lovers Before Memory
"Open the damn door!" Aurora snapped.
"No," Leonard replied plainly, starting the car.
Leonard suddenly leaned closer, forcing her halfway into the passenger seat.
"It's just the two of us in this car. The windows are tinted. I could do whatever I want to you right here, right now-and all you'd be doing is moaning," he said, emphasizing each word, making sure it sank into her head.
Aurora literally held her breath. It wasn't about the fact that his hands were on her thighs-no, it was how clearly she could take in every detail of his features.
Those ocean-blue eyes. Those lashes that could rival any girl's. There were literally no words to describ-
Gawd damn it, Aurora!
She breathed out.
"Back off," she said calmly. At this point, she realized his hand was on her thigh.
She tried to remove it, but he was firm-and his eyes were on her, on her lips.
He leaned closer...
"Leonard, stop." She pushed his chest slightly, but this time, she wasn't aggressive or feisty.
"You're saying my name a lot today." He leaned in even closer, and she turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.
"I'm trying to be calm, since being harsh doesn't work on you. But it seems like nothing does."
His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice rising. He leaned in again.
She lightly smacked his cheek, snapping him back.
He leaned back into his seat properly.
This girl was different. She'd made him beg without saying a word.
He expected her to give in eventually-but no.
It didn't matter. He'd get what he wanted.
As for Aurora, she was screaming at herself inside. What just happened felt like a dream-there was no way that was her.
The same girl who gags just standing next to a guy. The same girl who hates boys-especially the one next to her.
It was unbelievable.
He literally almost kissed her, and if she hadn't stopped him...
What was going on?
She was snapped back to reality when the car started moving.
And now, she was literally going to his place with him-well, his parents' place.
Her car! Her mind dashed to her car.
She gave Leonard a glance before reaching into her bag for her phone.
Leonard's hands tightened on the wheel as time went on.
He hadn't stepped foot into that house since he left years ago.
And now, he was going back. For who?
The person he was doing this for was unbelievable. Just because her best friend said she's "traumatized" or something?
Why?
He increased the speed, driving faster. As he did, memories of that night came flooding back-the night everything crashed before his eyes.
How he was broken twice.
"Hey!" Aurora called, shaking his arm to snap him out of it.
He had almost hit another car.
"What are you thinking about?"
"You," he replied plainly, without looking at her.
Aurora quickly let go of his arm, exhaling deeply.
She texted someone...
---
AURORA - ARTSPACE
A spacious, modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows that bathed the interior in natural light.
The main gallery featured white walls and polished hardwood floors-perfect for showcasing vibrant artworks.
A sleek staircase led upstairs to the owner's office.
Mrs. Gemma Raven.
Gemma was in, working on her laptop, when she received a message on her phone.
It was from Aurora.
Baby: Mom...
That was new.
Gemma: Yes, baby.
Baby: I told you to stop calling me that.
Gemma: Fine, what do you want?
Baby: I think something's wrong with me.
Gemma: What happened?
Baby: I don't know. I can't point it out.
Gemma sighed.
"Not again," she muttered.
Gemma: Honey, just relax, okay? You'll be fine. Are you done at college?
Aurora: Yeah, but I'm staying with Oma for a while.
Gemma: Okay, just stay calm. You'll be fine.
That was all she could say. Aurora didn't reply, so she called Dr. Nina.
The call connected immediately.
"Doctor, something has to be done. Auri is asking questions again," she said.
"Ma'am, I'm doing all I can to speed things up. But it takes time," Dr. Nina replied from the other end.
"She's getting curious again, and if she finds out even the slightest clue-it'll be chaotic," Gemma said.
"That's true. But there's something else you need to be cautious about."
"What?" Gemma asked, tension rising.
"She must not have another attack-or she might blurt everything out."
"What...?"
"I mean, if she has another episode, it could create the urge in her to release everything-to be free. Her case is special and fragile, and most of all, risky. Please be careful. I'll see if I can get it to you by Monday. It's the weekend, so she'll be home. Just keep her distracted."
Dr. Nina's words made Gemma's eyes well up.
"Hmm, okay," she replied weakly.
"Be strong, Mrs. Raven," Dr. Nina said, and the call ended.
"Oh God. No, no... She'll literally die if she finds out the truth," Gemma whispered, tears falling slowly.
He'd be back later to get her.
She took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself.
"You're already panicking over something this casual," Leonard teased, glancing sideways at her. "Imagine if I asked you on a date-you'd probably pass out."
She shot him a glare but didn't dignify it with a response.
They pulled up in front of a sprawling, elegant mansion that practically screamed class and old money. The kind of place that made you instinctively lower your voice.
They stepped out and approached the front door. Leonard paused, visibly uncomfortable, staring at the doorbell for a full minute before finally pressing it.
Moments later, a maid opened the door.
She gasped the second she saw him-and with good reason. This was unexpected.
"Hermia, who is it?" a woman's voice called from within.
Hermia opened her mouth but nothing came out. Her shock only deepened when she saw the girl standing beside him.
Wordlessly, she stepped aside to let them in.
Leonard entered slowly, and Aurora trailed behind, already feeling like this was a bad idea.
Descending the staircase was an elegant woman, poised and graceful, who came to a halt mid-step when she saw them.
She stared-her expression a mix of disbelief, shock, and joy.
"L-Leo..."
Aurora hung back, watching the exchange unfold.
The woman descended slowly, still in awe.
"You're... here," she breathed. "After nearly four years?"
Leonard stepped forward.
"Go on," he said dryly. "Get it over with."
As expected, she wrapped him in a fierce, emotional hug.
Leonard hated hugs-too many emotions, too many memories-but he allowed it. She was his mother. And then there was the brat standing behind him, watching with those judgmental eyes.
"I was just thinking about you," Charlene whispered, her voice trembling. "And now you're here."
He pulled away gently.
"I'm not crying," she insisted, wiping at her eyes.
"Good," he replied, patting her blonde hair. "Still had to dye it, huh?"
"Of course."
Leonard turned toward Aurora, who was watching with a blank expression.
Charlene's eyes followed his gaze and narrowed.
"Who's the redhead?" she asked sharply.
Aurora raised an eyebrow at Leonard, silently daring him to behave.
Leonard smirked.
"She's the brat I'm working with on a project."
Aurora's eyes flared in outrage-Seriously?
Charlene motioned toward her. "What are you doing over there? Come closer."
Aurora hesitated, but complied.
Charlene looked her over, smiling. "You're beautiful."
Aurora shivered at the compliment. It made her skin crawl-too many memories, too much history.
"What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Aurora," she replied, keeping her tone flat.
Charlene stilled. "Aurora? Aurora?"
Her eyes lit up with realization, and Leonard groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Wait, she needs to confirm...
"What's your surname?" Charlene asked, stepping closer.
"Raven."
Charlene gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Is this really real? Is she the one standing before her? Really?
"Oh my God... Auri, darling!"
"Ma'am?" Aurora blinked, confused.
Charlene pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair lovingly.
Leonard rolled his eyes. "Here we go..."
"My Auri baby," Charlene whispered, eyes glassy with tears. "You're really here... after all these years. My love."
"Um... what?"
Charlene stepped back, holding Aurora by the shoulders. "I know you don't remember me, but I was your mom's best friend-her soul sister. We lost touch, and I thought I'd never see you again. I never stopped thinking about you."
Leonard raised a brow. "Seriously?"
Charlene beamed. "Leo, she's your Auri. Your childhood best friend. You two were inseparable. You even took your first kisses together."
Aurora stared at her, stunned. "Wait. What?!"
Leonard said nothing, clearly enjoying the show.
Charlene reached out and grabbed both their hands, joining them together. "This... This is destiny. I can't believe I've found Leo's other half."
Aurora tried pulling her hand away, but Leonard held it firmly.
And then-he caressed it.
Her eyes snapped to him, and there it was: that damn smirk.
His eyes glinted with wicked amusement as if he'd just won some invisible game.
'Looks like you were mine from the very beginning, baby doll...' his smirk seemed to say.
To be continued...
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