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1279 Words
Aurora’s gaze lingered on the silver gown hanging beneath the soft lights of the boutique.
Out of every dress she had tried on that afternoon, this one refused to leave her mind.
It was elegant without trying too hard.
Beautiful without being loud.
The silver fabric shimmered delicately whenever the light touched it, while tiny crystals scattered across the bodice sparkled like stars against a night sky.
“It’s this one,” she said softly.
The saleswoman smiled.
“I was hoping you’d choose it.”
Aurora chuckled before glancing at the price tag once more.
Her smile instantly faded.
“…Lucas.”
“Hm?”
She turned the tag around for him to see.
“I can’t let you buy this.”
Lucas barely looked at the price.
“We’re buying it.”
She stared at him.
“Did you even read it?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“It’s your birthday.”
Aurora sighed.
“You always do this.”
“What?”
“You spend too much money on me.”
Lucas folded his arms.
“I haven’t heard you complain when I buy you coffee.”
“That’s coffee.”
“This is a dress.”
“Exactly!”
“It’s still a gift.”
Aurora opened her mouth to argue again before closing it with a defeated sigh.
“You are unbelievably stubborn.”
“So I’ve been told.”
The saleswoman laughed softly before taking the gown to be packaged.
A few minutes later, they stepped out of the boutique with several shopping bags in hand.
Lucas unlocked his SUV while Aurora looked at the boutique one last time.
“I still think that dress cost too much.”
He placed the bags in the back seat before opening the passenger door for her.
“And I still don’t care.”
She smiled despite herself.
“I hope someone annoys you as much as you annoy me.”
“I already know someone.”
“Oh?”
“You.”
Aurora laughed as she climbed into the car.
The drive home was filled with the same effortless conversation they had shared for years.
Aurora talked about a client who wanted a swimming pool on the roof of a three-story house.
Lucas questioned the client’s sanity.
She laughed so hard she nearly spilled the bottle of water she was drinking.
By the time they reached her house, the sky had begun to darken.
Lucas carried the shopping bags to the front porch before handing them to her.
“I’ll pick you up at nine.”
Aurora nodded.
“Exactly nine?”
“Exactly.”
“What if I’m not ready?”
“I’ll wait.”
“And if I’m still not ready?”
“I’ll keep waiting.”
She smiled.
“You’re surprisingly patient today.”
“It’s your birthday.”
She grinned.
“I’ll see you later.”
Lucas nodded once before getting back into his car.
Aurora watched him drive away before pushing open the front door.
“Dad, I’m home!”
“I’m in the living room.”
She walked inside to find Ethan placing the finishing touches on a small birthday cake.
A neatly wrapped gift sat beside it.
The moment he saw her, his face lit up.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
Aurora walked over and wrapped her arms around him.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Ethan smiled warmly before handing her the gift.
“Open it.”
She carefully peeled away the wrapping paper.
Inside the box was a premium leather sketchbook with her initials embossed in silver and a set of professional mechanical pencils she had admired months ago.
Her eyes widened.
“Dad…”
“You’ve been wanting them.”
“I never told you.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Aurora hugged him again.
“I love them.”
“I’m glad.”
The two shared a slice of cake while chatting about her day.
A few minutes later…
The doorbell rang.
Aurora frowned.
“Were you expecting someone?”
Ethan shook his head.
“I wasn’t.”
She walked to the front door and opened it.
Four well-dressed men and women stood outside carrying makeup cases, hairstyling equipment and garment bags.
The woman standing in front smiled politely.
“Good evening. Are you Miss Aurora Winters?”
“…Yes.”
“We’re here on behalf of Mr. Lucas Hale.”
Aurora blinked.
“Lucas?”
“He requested that we prepare you for this evening.”
A laugh escaped her lips.
“That i***t…”
Within minutes, her room had turned into a miniature beauty studio.
Hair products covered the vanity.
Makeup brushes were arranged neatly across the table.
The stylists moved around her with practiced ease, discussing colors, hairstyles and accessories.
Nearly two hours later…
The lead stylist stepped back with a satisfied smile.
“All done.”
Aurora slowly stood before the full-length mirror.
Her silver hair had been styled into soft waves that rested gracefully over her shoulders.
Her makeup was subtle yet elegant, enhancing her naturally striking grey eyes.
Finally, she reached for the silver gown.
She carefully slipped into it before fastening the final clasp.
The dress embraced her slender waist perfectly before flowing smoothly over her graceful curves. The elegant neckline and open back gave it a timeless charm, while the shimmering fabric reflected every beam of light, making her look as though she belonged in a ballroom.
Aurora stared at her reflection.
She hardly recognized herself.
“…Do I really look like this?”
A gentle knock sounded downstairs.
“Miss Aurora,” one of the stylists called. “Mr. Hale is here.”
Aurora suddenly felt nervous.
“What if it’s too much?”
The stylist smiled.
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Taking a deep breath, Aurora walked downstairs and opened the front door.
Lucas had just stepped out of his SUV.
He looked up when he heard the door open.
His hand, which had been reaching into his pocket for his car keys, paused.
Aurora shifted uneasily beneath his gaze.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lucas didn’t answer immediately.
She looked down at her dress, smoothing the fabric with nervous hands.
“I knew it.”
“What?”
“I don’t look good, do I? Maybe I should change into something else.”
She turned slightly as if she were about to head back inside.
Before she could take another step, Lucas closed the distance between them.
He gently lifted her chin until she looked at him.
Their eyes met.
“You’ve been worrying for nothing.”
Aurora searched his face.
“You look beautiful.”
The words were simple.
Honest.
Aurora felt warmth rush to her cheeks.
She quickly pushed his hand away.
“Stop saying embarrassing things.”
A small smile appeared on Lucas’s face.
“I’m serious.”
She looked away with a shy laugh.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you today.”
“It’s your birthday.”
She nudged his shoulder.
“You’re such a liar.”
“And yet you smiled.”
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“I absolutely didn’t.”
“You’ve smiled three times in the last minute.”
Aurora folded her arms.
“You’re counting now?”
“I like being accurate.”
She couldn’t help laughing.
“You’re impossible.”
Lucas walked around and opened the passenger door.
“Shall we?”
Aurora smiled.
“Let’s go before you ruin the moment.”
“I thought I already had.”
“You almost did.”
- Writer
