Aurora had just opened her eyes for the first time that morning. She squints her eyes intermittently, trying to adjust to the bright light coming from the window. She looked to her other side to see Max sitting by her bed and staring at her. “Good morning,” he said to her, smiling. “I’m still mad at you,” she told him though she was unable to hide her smile. “Really? Because your face says otherwise,” he said jokingly, shooting a brow to the ceiling. She chuckled softly and shook her head. He helped her to freshen up and they ordered breakfast from the hospital canteen. He noticed how she has been on the edge and wanted to say something. He dropped his coffee on the table and set his eyes on her. She took a glimpse at him. “What?” She mumbled, averting her gaze. It was obvious she has something to say but didn’t want to say it. “Spill, Aurora,” he says. She heaves a sigh and rested her back on the pillow. She stared at the ceiling for a long amount of time, he didn’t interrupt

She looked at their hands clutched together and raised her head up to look at him. He smiled at her and pecked her lips. “I love it when you do this,” she said and tip toed to kiss him again. “I love it when you do it also,” he replied, looping his arms around her waist. She bites down her lip, the smile never leaving her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and just stared at him, imagining how life would be after they get married. It felt so serene to daydream about that, especially now that her father has finally agreed to the idea of being with him. Her fantasy was finally going to come true and she was finally going to have a happy ending. She ran her fingers through his curly, black hair. She could get used to doing that every night—caressing his hair and attacking his face with kisses before they sleep or whatever they decide to do in bed every night. “How’s your ankle?” He asked. She rolled her eyes as she chuckled. “It’s been a month now, Blake. I feel better than be

They stood by a waterfall that Aurora had never seen before. She looked around in awe—mesmerized by how beautiful the place was and how she’d love to spend time here alone or with her friends… or Blake. He freed her hand so she’d wander around the paradise-looking place. Her heart felt at ease being here. It felt so cool and welcoming at the same time. She could see herself staying here the whole day without getting tired. She could see herself swimming in the cool water. Drinking straight from the coconut or the pineapple that she spotted by the end of the water. “This is where I met Larisa, my late wife,” he began. She looks at him, her heart dropping to the soft sand. She walked back to where he was standing right by the water. His head was down, looking at his reflection in the water. She has never seen him this down. It was very unlike Kendrix to be sad. He was either smiling or laughing. He never seemed to let anything get to him. He was carefree… blasé. “I came out here on

By the time she reached the gates, raindrops started their ravage on the earth, ripping cruelly at the ground and whistling angrily through the trees. She fights to breathe from the ice-cold rain dropping on her. And by the time she was standing in front of Umbris Pack gate, she was drenched in rain and shivering all over. She placed both her hands on the gate and tried to push it. It didn’t budge. “Hello?” She yelled out. She doesn’t know whether she’d be heard from the loud rain dropping from the sky and thunderstorm. She breathes out and smiled when one of the gate keepers appeared. He looked at her for a moment. “Who are you? And why are you here?” He asked vigilantly as he stood alerted. Aurora closed her eyes and opened them for the countless time. She was shivering and gasping for air. She knew she was definitely going to catch cold if she wasn’t under the sheets any moment from now. “I’m here to see Kendrix. Tell him it’s Aurora. Aurora from Scuris Pack,” she retorted, fig

Kendrix looked at him and threw him a quizzical look. He knew what he meant and who he was referring to. He just wanted to make sure they were on the same page before he makes a comment. “My daughter, she hasn’t brought anyone home and she hasn’t said anything about it. I think this is a good sign,” he explained briefly. “Oh,” Kendrix said only, shrugging it off. But his heart speaks otherwise. It leapt like it was about to jump out of its place. He wanted to smile so badly but he suppressed it. When they made that agreement with her father, he was afraid she’d bring someone home. He was afraid the guy she’d bring home was Blake. It should be anyone but Blake. It should be him. Yes, he’s that selfish and yes, he wanted Aurora all to himself. He believes she is worth more than being his wife but he also believes that he’s the right man for her, protect her and love her. “How did she even end up at your place the other day?” Anakin shoots the question out of nowhere. Kendrix didn’t