THE BLAKE MANSION
1073 Words
Aurora stared at her phone as she walked out of the mathematics building.
Her grandfather's message was still on the screen.
> Grandpa: Come home this weekend. I miss you, sweetheart. I've planned a family dinner, and I won't take no for an answer.
A small smile spread across her face.
Richard Blake wasn't just her grandfather. He had been her guardian, her protector, and the only family she had left after her parents died.
No matter how busy he was running Blake Corporation, he never forgot to call her every morning or remind her to eat.
She typed a quick reply.
> Aurora: I'll be there this evening, Grandpa.
Before she could put her phone away, another message popped up.
Unknown Number.
> Don't trust everyone around you.
Aurora frowned.
A few seconds later, the message disappeared.
"What..."
She tried refreshing her inbox.
Nothing.
It was as though the message had never existed.
"Aurora!"
David's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"You ready?"
She slipped the phone into her pocket.
"Yeah."
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"It's nothing."
David wasn't convinced, but he didn't ask.
Instead, they walked toward the university parking lot together.
---
From the faculty building...
Professor Shen watched them through the large glass windows.
Assistant Lin stood beside him, tablet in hand.
"Sir, the board meeting begins in thirty minutes."
Shen remained silent.
"Professor?"
"Cancel my afternoon classes."
Lin blinked.
"You never cancel lectures."
"I do today."
Lin hesitated before nodding.
"Understood."
He turned to leave.
"And Lin."
"Yes, sir?"
"Increase Mrs. Shen's security."
Lin lowered his voice.
"Has something happened?"
"I don't know."
"But something is about to."
---
Later that afternoon...
Aurora arrived at the Blake Mansion.
The massive iron gates slowly opened, revealing a breathtaking estate surrounded by rose gardens and ancient oak trees.
The mansion itself stood proudly in the center, a symbol of the Blake family's wealth for generations.
Before Aurora could knock, the front door flew open.
"Aurora!"
An elderly man with silver hair and kind eyes hurried toward her.
Richard Blake.
"My little girl."
Aurora laughed as he wrapped her in a warm hug.
"I've only been away for two weeks, Grandpa."
"Two weeks is too long."
He gently cupped her face.
"You've lost weight."
She sighed dramatically.
"I knew you'd say that."
"Because it's true."
He linked his arm with hers and led her inside.
"I told the chef to make all your favorites."
"You spoil me."
"And I'll never stop."
Aurora smiled.
Being here always made her feel safe.
For a little while...
She could forget the secret weighing on her heart.
---
Dinner was exactly as she remembered.
Roast chicken.
Creamy mashed potatoes.
Fresh bread.
Chocolate cake waiting for dessert.
Richard watched her carefully.
"Eat more."
"I'm trying."
"Trying isn't enough."
Aurora laughed.
"You sound just like..."
She stopped herself.
"Like who?"
"No one."
Richard narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You've been acting strange lately."
"I've just been busy with school."
He nodded slowly.
"How are your grades?"
"Still at the top of my class."
His face lit up with pride.
"That's my granddaughter."
Aurora smiled.
"Although..."
Richard noticed the hesitation.
"What is it?"
"My mathematics professor is impossible."
Richard frowned immediately.
"The white-haired one?"
Aurora looked surprised.
"You know him?"
"I've heard about him."
"He embarrasses me every lecture."
Richard slammed his fork onto the table.
"What?"
"He calls me to the board every single class."
Richard's face darkened.
"What's his name again?"
Aurora swallowed.
"...Professor Shen."
The room suddenly felt colder.
Richard slowly leaned back in his chair.
"Shen."
He repeated the name quietly.
"I don't like that family."
Aurora's heart skipped.
She forced herself to stay calm.
"It's just a surname, Grandpa."
"It's more than a surname."
His voice carried a bitterness she had rarely heard.
"The Shen family destroyed lives."
Aurora lowered her eyes.
She had heard fragments of the story before, but Richard had never explained what happened.
He never spoke about the past.
Not willingly.
Richard took a slow breath.
"If that professor ever mistreats you again..."
He looked directly at Aurora.
"I'll deal with him myself."
Aurora nearly choked on her water.
"N-No!"
Richard blinked.
"No?"
"I mean..."
She laughed nervously.
"He's just... strict."
Richard wasn't convinced.
"My granddaughter doesn't deserve to be humiliated."
Aurora quickly changed the subject.
"So..."
"How's the company?"
Richard smiled again, allowing the conversation to move on.
But deep inside...
Aurora's guilt only grew heavier.
---
Across the city...
Shen Group Headquarters.
The top floor overlooked nearly the entire skyline.
Shen Zhenyu stood silently in his office while Assistant Lin read through a report.
"Mrs. Shen arrived safely at Blake Mansion."
Shen nodded once.
"And?"
"Mr. Richard Blake has been informed that Professor Shen has been strict with her."
Shen's jaw tightened.
"What was his reaction?"
Lin hesitated.
"He threatened to deal with you personally."
A faint smile crossed Shen's face.
"That sounds like him."
Lin looked confused.
"Sir..."
"If Mr. Blake discovers the marriage now..."
"He'll never forgive either of you."
"I know."
Shen walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The city lights reflected in his glasses.
"I promised her grandfather years ago..."
Lin looked startled.
"You... knew him?"
Shen didn't answer.
Instead, he quietly picked up an old photograph from his desk.
It showed two young men standing side by side.
One was Richard Blake.
The other...
Was Shen Zhenyu's late grandfather.
Once, they had smiled like brothers.
Now, their families were enemies.
Shen closed the frame and whispered,
"I'm going to keep my promise... even if he hates me for it."
---
Back at the Blake Mansion...
Aurora couldn't sleep.
She stood on the balcony outside her old bedroom, watching the stars.
A cool breeze brushed against her face.
Her phone vibrated.
One new message.
This time, it wasn't from an unknown number.
It was from Shen.
> Have you eaten?
Aurora stared at the screen.
After everything that had happened...
After the arguments...
After the jealousy...
That was all he asked.
She hesitated before replying.
> Yes.
A few seconds later, another message arrived.
> Lock your balcony door before you sleep. Good night.
Aurora frowned.
How did he know she was standing on the balcony?
She looked around the dark garden.
No one was there.
A chill ran down her spine.
For the first time, she wondered...
Was Shen simply being protective?
Or was someone already watching her from the shadows?
- Writer
