Aurora's pov
The phone call from my boss not only robbed me of sleep but also shattered my confidence. It made me feel like a nervous teenager standing in front of new classmates after switching schools. My heart raced, and I could feel my breath quicken. I never imagined I would come face-to-face with my ex-husband in my entire life. I got up from my bed, still in my nightgown, and paced around the room with my hands behind my back. Every time I closed my eyes, flashbacks of my past life flooded my mind. The memory of Lucas sending me out of his house for what I knew nothing about. It hurt to remember how his childhood sweetheart was delighted at our misunderstanding. "Why this call when my life is finally going well?" I muttered to myself. Just then, a message notification chimed on my phone, and I quickly turned to grab it, hoping for something that seemed unlikely. Maybe a message from my boss saying they had changed their minds and appointed someone else. "Hi Dearie, I've heard about your promotion. Congratulations! What a coincidence. Our dinner at my parents' house tonight will be a celebration of your new achievement. I'm so proud of you." Is it a promotion or an assignment? This message is confusing me. In that case, I need to go to the office and meet my boss today. I know today was supposed to be my day off, but the call from my boss has left me completely bewildered. People often say there's a thin line between love and hatred, but when Lucas broke up with me, I disagreed. What I saw between love and hate wasn't just a thin line; it was more like a shadow. Lucas was someone I loved with all my heart, someone I envisioned a future with. We had even planned the names of our future children. Why would he ever believe I took abortion pills? When he handed me the divorce agreement, my first thought was of Marian. My separation from Lucas was a victory for her. I experienced tears of joy when I fell in love with Lucas, but also tears of sorrow when I came to hate him. He rescued me from a life filled with uncertainty, as my father drowned himself in alcoholism. But he also pushed me into a world of challenges, crashing against the rocky shores of life. It took immense determination for me to rise above it all and reach where I am now. Lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by the ringing of my phone. When I glanced at the screen, it was Sebastian, the sender of the congratulatory message. Placing the phone in front of me, I watched his name scroll up and down. He always finds a way to change his name in my contacts to "Honey" whenever he gets hold of my phone, playfully saving it with my finger. He never fails to bring a smile to my face. He's determined to be a part of my life. Sebastian once told me that if I publicly accepted him as my boyfriend, he would cause a traffic jam out of sheer excitement on the busiest city roads. Truth be told, Sebastian has been my rock, especially since I had no prior work experience. He invested his time and energy into guiding me when I got employed, and I surprised my boss with my effortless performance. Then he cautioned me to keep his assistance a secret, wanting me to take the credit for myself. But as the call ended, instead of answering, I found myself lost in thoughts about how much Sebastian had helped me. Shortly after, my phone beeped with a text message. "Dearie, I know you're probably still asleep. You deserve it. Today is your day off, and besides, you didn't get much sleep last night. I'll catch up with you later. I'm on my way to work." He attached a rose emoji to his message. I hesitated to return the call, aware that my behavior might seem unpleasant. Most men would have given up on me by now. Is this my way of testing a man's endurance through the toughest times in a relationship? I don't think so. My ex-husband’s action taught me never to trust anyone. I stood up and headed to the bathroom for a shower. Deliberately avoiding the water heater, I wanted to use cold water to calm my racing heart. As I emerged from the bathroom, I grabbed my phone and dialed my boss' number. "Good morning, sir. Are you in the office? I have something important to discuss with you." "I'm currently in the office." "Okay, sir." I hung up the call, still clutching the white towel around my wrist. I quickly got dressed in a navy blue gown, tied my hair into a ponytail as usual, grabbed my leather bag, and headed out to my car. It felt like any other day going to work. I hopped into my car and drove away. Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of our office complex. If it were a regular day, I would have considered myself late for work. The parking lot was filled with numerous cars, and after stepping out of my car and locking the door, I made my way inside. As I entered the complex, the first person I spotted was Sebastian. He was giving instructions to the two female receptionists in the waiting hall and he was one of the top personnel in HR. When he caught sight of me, he looked astonished and walked over. I had burned bridges for him, granting him an opportunity I hadn't given any man since leaving Lucas. Some, if not many, assumed we were already dating. "Miss Daisy,” he smiled and continued, “you're as stubborn as you are beautiful," he said, standing before me. As one of the senior staff in his own department, he had a few people to report to within the complex. When I glimpsed his smile, a thought crossed my mind that I had never considered before. "Who knows if he was the one who ensured I got this special assignment?" I wondered silently. And he interrupted my thoughts, saying, "What have you come here for? Today is your day off. Don't tell me you came because of my calls? I called to congratulate you on your new promotion." I looked at him, from his well-groomed hair to his sparkling black shoes. He was funny, handsome, and impeccably organized. Some even told me that before I arrived, he never used to smile, and some people would ask me what I had done to him. Sebastian was confusing me once again. Was I being promoted or did I have an assignment? "I came to see my boss," I finally replied. "Once you're done, I'll be waiting in my office..." he began to say. "Okay," I interrupted him, walking towards the stairs at the right of the entrance hall. There was a sense of satisfaction in the way he looked at me. When I reached my boss' office, I knocked on the door, and his deep, crackling voice permitted me to enter. "Good morning, sir," I greeted. "Please, take a seat," he said, adjusting his black suit. He had full cheeks, something I once possessed. I placed my bag on the edge of the table and settled into the armchair facing Mr. Simon Whyte. "Sir, I'm getting confused about something. Am I being promoted or do I have an assignment at Macpet Investment?" "It appears you haven't checked your email or my secretary has not sent you the email. You've been promoted, and that qualifies you for your assignment to audit the Macpet Investment financial crisis." "Sir, I don't believe I'm qualified for this assignment. Could the board of directors assign someone else?" My request left my boss visibly shocked. "Miss Daisy, this is something you've been working towards and you have always shown great zeal in your previous assignment. What's happening that I don't understand? You've been a dedicated employee of this company and have consistently proven yourself capable of handling any assignment given to you." "Please, can someone else go instead of me?" My boss' surprise grew as he leaned back in his chair. "Are you certain about what you just said?" "Yes, sir." "Unfortunately, you are the one chosen by the board of directors and there is nothing personally that I can do about it. It was a joint agreement."Sebastian’s pov I couldn't take my eyes off the message sent by Aurora, my thumbs still resting on my chin. I had asked her to come to my office after meeting with her boss, but she had refused. It wasn't her refusal that broke my heart, but rather the message itself. Every time someone disappointed me, it reminded me of what had happened three years ago. "Sebastian, you can't stay like this. You need to find someone to heal your heart," my mom had told me. When Dora broke my heart, it felt like half part of my heart had been wounded. Dora had been my childhood friend, and since my parents were well-off, it had been easy for me to support her financially. She had no father, and her mother was struggling, so I felt compelled to help them, even through college. I had envisioned a perfect future together, given our long history. But what transpired felt like a plot twist in a movie. I had lied to my parents countless times to assist Dora. She was like a rose I had planted in my own g
Author’s pov Lucas sat in his office, his long blue sleeves neatly folded at the ends. He occupied his usual spot on the tenth floor, surrounded by documents waiting for his signature. Each time he glanced at the name engraved on his pen, a deep breath escaped him. It bore the name of his ex-wife, Sweet Aurora. He had arranged for the pen to be customized with her name when he signed a contract with the pen supplier four years ago, a gesture of affection he once held for her. Pausing for a moment, memories flooded Lucas’ mind, forcing him to revisit his past. No longer did he wake up early in the morning to make their favorite coffee. The wireless earpiece he used to wear at the office was absent, and his melancholic mood did not go unnoticed by his childhood sweetheart. He lightly tapped his finger on the table and turned his gaze towards the window. Trying to distract himself from his thoughts, he pondered, “How long will I continue to dwell on Aurora? Perhaps divorcing her w
Author’s pov For the time being, Aurora has remained in her apartment, avoiding late nights and refraining from inviting anyone over. Usually, after 8 PM, she would lock her door, considering it her personal time to browse the internet or listen to music. However, this particular day was different. She lay on her bed, her hands still cradling her head despite the presence of a pink pillow. Thoughts swirled through her mind, and each powerful thought provoked a response—tightening of her lips, closing of her eyes, and a slow movement of her head. “No matter what I told my boss, the firm has made its decision. Should I resign?” She paused, taking a deep breath. “But this job has made my life easier. What people call progress is now haunting me. Does it mean I will have to spend three months in Lucas’ company? Won’t Marian think I did it intentionally? The only thing stopping me from going there is the pain that will surge through me the moment I see Lucas. It would be like thrusting
Aurora's pov I couldn't believe it when a man stayed overnight at my apartment. What's happening to me? It seems like I've been gradually opening my heart to affection. Did I fall for him because he expressed similar feelings or because he offered to help me talk to the management and reduce my time at my ex-husband's company? I can't even tell when I started imagining his return home at night and worrying about him. Is this love or simply an act of kindness? I gave him ten minutes, but he ended up staying for over forty, and I couldn't decipher his intentions. Sebastian has crossed boundaries, but I don't want to appear desperate for his attention. Should I consider last night as another way he gained more points with me? When it was time to sleep, he never expected to share the same bed with me. He never once tried to take advantage of my situation. "I'd prefer to sleep on the couch," he said.In my heart, I smiled and wondered where he had planned to sleep if not somewhere othe
Author’s pov Dan, a fitness trainer and avid traveler, was at one of the most expensive beaches in the city, dressed in black pants. His dedication to fitness had sculpted his attractive abs, and his tall stature and muscular chest easily caught the attention of females. Despite his flirtatious nature, he shared a deep bond with his childhood friend, Lucas. Regardless of their contrasting personalities, Lucas often encouraged Dan to pursue meaningful relationships, one at a time. Dan held a humorous philosophy about relationships, often stating, "Men were meant to have multiple women, that's why they produce millions of sperm. Women were meant to have one in particular, that's why they release one egg monthly." This lighthearted view on romance reflected his playful attitude. Leveraging Lucas' resources, including cars, a helicopter, and a private jet, Dan enjoyed flaunting his lifestyle, leaving a lasting impression on the ladies he encountered. While at the beach, Dan noticed
Author’s pov When Dan informed Lucas that he had found the lady he had been searching for, Lucas shifted his gaze between Dan and the lady. Having known Dan for a long time, Lucas reevaluated his friend's expressions and realized they were serious. The atmosphere in Lucas' office grew silent as Dan and Jasmine waited for Lucas to respond. "Welcome!" Lucas finally said, displaying no awkwardness as he extended his right hand, accepting their visit. Dan pulled out chairs in front of Lucas' desk, allowing Jasmine to sit down first before taking a seat himself. Lucas swiftly made a call to his secretary, and at that moment, Dan stood up and said, "Sir, I have something to attend to..." just as the secretary entered. "Dan, wait," Lucas interjected, then turned to his female secretary. "Bring a glass of wine for my guest." He then directed his attention towards Dan again, who seemed eager to leave based on his body language. "Come Dan, I want to talk to you," Lucas stood up, and the
Lucas’ pov I returned to my office and noticed that my secretary had offered Jasmine a glass of wine. When I first left the office, I hadn't paid much attention to her, but now I saw that she had crossed her long, slender legs. "Miss Jasmine, right?" I responded as I sat down and stared at her. In those brief moments of gazing at her, my mind came up with numerous thoughts. "Should I pursue a relationship with this young lady? I feel disconnected from everyone. What is hiding me from starting a relationship with anyone?” "Thank you for arranging the helicopter ride for me and my friend yesterday, as well as the money you gave me. I don't want to seem ungrateful," she expressed with a smile and broke my thoughts. . What! Dan gave her money on my behalf? Dan successfully orchestrated this encounter with the lady. Who knows what he may have told her? It's obvious from her constant smiles. However, for now, I need to dismiss her and plan to meet her over the weekend if my heart
Aurora's pov I couldn't believe it when Marian laid eyes on me and failed to recognize me once again. Seeing her arrive at the airport with the driver, I immediately recognized her, and my first thought was, why had she come to welcome me? She must have climbed high in Lucas' company to personally welcome an external auditor. As she pulled my luggage alongside me, it felt like encountering an old enemy. The next day, as I rose from the bed, one troubling and unresolved thought lingered in my mind. "Will Lucas also fail to recognize me?" If Lucas couldn't recognize me, it would bring immense joy. It would alleviate half of my pain, and I wouldn't have to worry as much. Compelled by these thoughts, I stood up from the bed in my hotel room and faced the mirror. I ran my nightgown against my body to assess my physical shape. I couldn't see much difference. I grabbed my phone, opened my old pictures, and examined them. Comparing my current self to how I looked in Lucas' house, there