11
1725 Words
Aurora stared at the glowing email on her laptop screen, her heart refusing to settle.
She still couldn’t believe it.
A position at Vaughn Group.
Not just any position.
Cassian Vaughn’s private architectural consultant.
She read the offer for what felt like the tenth time before Lucas’ shocked voice pulled her back to reality.
“What do you mean he offered you a job?”
Aurora rubbed her forehead.
“I don’t know, Lucas. I opened my email and… it was just there.”
“You aren’t joking, are you?”
“I wish I was.”
She heard him sigh on the other end.
“Read it to me.”
Aurora picked up her laptop and slowly read every line of the email aloud.
When she finished…
Silence.
“So?” she asked.
Lucas finally spoke.
“The salary is ridiculous.”
“I know.”
“The benefits are unbelievable.”
“I know.”
“They’re even offering you your own office.”
“I know.”
Another pause followed.
Aurora bit her lower lip.
“Say something.”
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
“If this were any other company…”
Aurora waited.
“…I’d tell you to accept immediately.”
She frowned.
“But?”
“But this isn’t just any company.”
“It’s Vaughn Group.”
“And you’d be working directly under Cassian Vaughn.”
Aurora groaned.
“Don’t remind me.”
“I have to.”
She sighed dramatically.
“I finally escaped him after the presentation.”
Lucas chuckled softly.
“I don’t think anyone escapes Cassian Vaughn once they start working for him.”
Aurora rested her head against her pillow.
“I don’t want to leave Hartwell.”
“Why?”
“They gave me my first opportunity.”
“You earned it.”
“I know.”
“They trusted me before anyone else did.”
Lucas remained quiet for a moment before speaking again.
“I understand.”
“I don’t want them to think I’m abandoning them just because someone offered me more money.”
“I don’t think they would.”
Aurora looked back at the email.
“I honestly don’t know what to do.”
Lucas smiled to himself.
“Then don’t decide tonight.”
She frowned.
“What?”
“Think about it.”
“I have been thinking about it.”
“No.”
“You’ve been panicking about it.”
Aurora couldn’t argue.
Because he was right.
“Give yourself time.”
“And if I still don’t know?”
“Then ask yourself one question.”
She waited.
“What kind of architect do you want to become?”
Aurora fell silent.
The question lingered in her mind.
Lucas continued.
“Don’t make the decision because you’re afraid.”
“And don’t make it because the salary is high.”
“Make it because it’s the future you actually want.”
Aurora smiled softly.
“You always know what to say.”
“I try.”
She laughed.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
“And Aurora?”
“Hm?”
“Whatever you decide…”
“I’ll support you.”
Her smile widened.
“Thank you.”
After ending the call, Aurora closed her laptop and lay back on her bed.
Sleep didn’t come easily.
Her thoughts remained trapped between Hartwell…
And Vaughn Group.
—-*—-
The next morning…
Aurora arrived at Hartwell earlier than usual.
The office buzzed with excitement after yesterday’s successful presentation.
People congratulated her everywhere she walked.
“Morning, superstar.”
“You saved us.”
“Congratulations again.”
Aurora laughed awkwardly.
“It wasn’t just me.”
“It kind of was.”
Maya suddenly appeared beside her carrying two cups of coffee.
“I brought your usual.”
Aurora accepted it gratefully.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
The two walked toward Aurora’s desk.
“So…”
Maya placed her coffee down.
“You’ve been thinking about the offer?”
Aurora froze.
“…How do you know?”
Maya blinked.
“Mr. Harrison told me.”
Aurora sighed.
“Of course he did.”
“He said Vaughn Group offered you a position.”
Aurora nodded.
“They did.”
“And?”
“I haven’t decided.”
Maya looked genuinely surprised.
“You mean you’re actually considering turning it down?”
“I don’t want to leave everyone here.”
Before Maya could answer, Erick walked over holding a stack of blueprints.
“Leave what?”
Maya answered before Aurora could.
“Vaughn Group offered Aurora a job.”
Erick nearly dropped the papers.
“They what?”
Aurora smiled sheepishly.
“It’s… complicated.”
“No.”
Erick immediately shook his head.
“It isn’t.”
She frowned.
“Excuse me?”
“Accept it.”
Aurora blinked.
“Just like that?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t just leave.”
“Why not?”
She looked around the office.
“This place feels like home.”
Erick smiled kindly.
“And homes are supposed to prepare you for bigger dreams.”
Aurora looked down.
“I don’t know…”
Maya gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Aurora.”
“Hm?”
“You’ve always dreamed of designing buildings people would remember.”
She nodded.
“You’ll have opportunities at Vaughn Group that most architects spend their entire careers waiting for.”
Erick agreed.
“If you reject this…”
He smiled.
“…make sure it’s because you truly don’t want it.”
“Not because you’re scared.”
Aurora lowered her eyes.
It was almost the same thing Lucas had said.
Maybe…
Maybe they were right.
Mr. Harrison stepped out of his office a few moments later.
“Aurora.”
She stood.
“Yes, sir?”
“I heard about the offer.”
She nodded nervously.
“I don’t want you to think accepting it would disappoint me.”
Aurora looked surprised.
“It wouldn’t?”
He smiled warmly.
“I’ve watched you grow since your first day here.”
“You’ve earned every opportunity that comes your way.”
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
“Thank you.”
He laughed.
“Just promise you’ll remember us when you become famous.”
Aurora laughed with him.
“I could never forget this place.”
—-*—-
By late afternoon, the atmosphere had returned to normal.
Projects resumed.
Phones rang.
Meetings continued.
As everyone packed their things to leave, Maya suddenly clapped her hands.
“Attention!”
The office looked toward her.
“We’re going out tonight.”
Someone laughed.
“What for?”
Maya pointed dramatically at Aurora.
“To celebrate.”
Aurora immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“Too late.”
“I didn’t agree.”
“You don’t get a vote.”
Erick nodded seriously.
“She’s right.”
Aurora laughed.
“Both of you planned this already, didn’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Fine.”
Maya grinned.
“I’ll pick you up at eight.”
——*——
That evening…
Aurora stood in front of her wardrobe.
After trying on four different outfits…
She finally settled on one.
A fitted black mini skirt hugged her slender waist and emphasized the graceful curve of her hips.
She paired it with a stylish black top that rested elegantly off one shoulder, subtly highlighting her collarbone while complementing her naturally curvy figure.
The outfit flattered every part of her body without feeling excessive.
Knee-high black boots completed the look.
Her long silver hair flowed freely down her back in soft waves.
A touch of smoky eye makeup made her grey eyes appear even more striking.
Simple silver earrings and a delicate necklace finished everything perfectly.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
“…Not bad.”
A knock sounded downstairs.
“I’m coming!”
Maya and Erick waited outside.
The moment Aurora stepped through the door…
Both of them froze.
Maya gasped dramatically.
“Oh.”
“My.”
“God.”
Erick blinked twice.
“Aurora…”
She looked down awkwardly.
“What?”
“You look incredible.”
Aurora laughed shyly.
“Stop exaggerating.”
“We’re not.”
Maya linked their arms together.
“Come on.”
“We have celebrating to do.”
—-*—-
Music echoed throughout the lively nightclub.
Colored lights danced across the crowded dance floor.
People laughed.
Friends toasted drinks together.
The energy was contagious.
Aurora couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed this much.
Unlike her birthday gala…
Tonight she wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
She wasn’t nervous.
She wasn’t uncomfortable.
She was simply enjoying herself.
Maya dragged everyone onto the dance floor.
Even Erick eventually gave up pretending he couldn’t dance.
Aurora laughed so hard her stomach hurt.
“This is actually fun!”
“I told you!” Maya shouted over the music.
The three friends danced, joked and teased each other without a care in the world.
For a while…
Aurora completely forgot about job offers.
About impossible CEOs.
About difficult decisions.
She simply lived in the moment.
High above the crowded dance floor…
On the private VIP level…
Another elevator quietly opened.
Cassian Vaughn stepped out alongside several foreign investors and members of his executive team.
They had just concluded an evening business dinner in one of the building’s private lounges.
One executive smiled politely.
“Our reservation upstairs is ready, Mr. Vaughn.”
Cassian gave a brief nod.
As they walked past the glass railing overlooking the main floor, his eyes casually swept across the crowd below.
Hundreds of strangers.
Music.
Lights.
Laughter.
Then…
His gaze paused.
A familiar head of silver hair caught his attention.
Aurora.
She stood between two friends, laughing so freely that she looked nothing like the composed architect who had challenged him in the conference room.
For a brief moment…
He simply watched.
One of the investors noticed he had stopped walking.
“Mr. Vaughn?”
Cassian’s expression remained unreadable.
Without another glance…
He turned his gaze away from Aurora.
“Let’s continue.”
And together, they disappeared deeper into the VIP lounge, completely unaware that fate had brought them under the same roof once again.
- Writer
