1
1100 Words
The rhythmic tapping of keyboards blended with the quiet hum of printers as sunlight spilled through the floor to ceiling windows of Hartwell Architectural Studio.
Rows of drafting tables, intricate building models, and rolled-up blueprints filled the spacious office, giving the place an atmosphere of organized creativity.
In the far corner of the design department, Aurora Winters sat with one leg tucked beneath her chair, completely oblivious to the conversations around her.
Her attention was fixed on the large monitor before her.
A luxurious lakeside villa rotated slowly on the screen as she adjusted the final details of its exterior.
She frowned.
“…No.”
Click.
The stone pathway shifted slightly to the left.
Still not right.
She zoomed in again, studying every angle with patient eyes.
The flower beds.
The fountain.
The lighting.
Every detail mattered.
Architecture wasn’t just about creating beautiful buildings.
It was about creating places people would call home.
A soft smile finally touched her lips.
“There.”
Perfect.
She leaned back in her chair, stretching her sore shoulders before clicking Save.
Just as she was about to send the design to her manager, a familiar voice interrupted her concentration.
“I knew I’d find you glued to that chair.”
Aurora looked up to find her coworker, Maya, standing beside her desk with two cups of coffee.
One was already being held out to her.
Aurora smiled warmly.
“You remembered.”
“Of course I remembered.”
Maya placed the coffee on her desk before pretending to glare at her.
“I also remember someone promised she’d take a lunch break today.”
Aurora winced.
“…Oops.”
“‘Oops?’” Maya repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Aurora, it’s almost four in the afternoon.”
Aurora glanced toward the clock hanging on the wall.
4:03 p.m.
She blinked.
“Oh…”
“I rest my case.”
Aurora laughed softly, accepting the coffee.
“Thank you.”
Maya folded her arms.
“You’ve been working on that villa for almost three weeks.”
“It needed to be perfect.”
“It already was.”
Aurora shook her head.
“There were a few things bothering me.”
“There are always a few things bothering you.”
Aurora smiled sheepishly.
“…That’s true.”
Maya couldn’t help laughing.
Sometimes she wondered how someone so talented could also be so adorably oblivious.
“You know,” Maya said, leaning against the desk, “if you spent half as much time worrying about your social life as you do your blueprints…”
“I have a social life.”
Maya stared at her.
Aurora stared back.
“…Lucas doesn’t count.”
Aurora gasped dramatically.
“Why doesn’t Lucas count?”
“Because he’s Lucas.”
“Exactly.”
“You’ve been best friends forever.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
Maya sighed.
“I just think you should meet new people.”
Aurora took a sip of her coffee.
“I meet new people.”
“When?”
“…When clients come in.”
Maya pinched the bridge of her nose.
“That’s called working.”
Aurora laughed.
“I like working.”
“I know you do.”
“And I like staying home.”
“I know.”
“And books.”
“I know.”
“And oversized sweaters.”
“I definitely know.”
Aurora grinned.
“They’re comfortable.”
“They’re also the least exciting things in your wardrobe.”
Aurora looked down at the cream-colored sweater she was wearing.
“I think it’s cute.”
“It is.”
“But today is your birthday.”
Aurora’s smile softened.
“Yeah…”
“Twenty-three.”
“It feels strange.”
“Any birthday plans?”
Aurora hesitated before shaking her head.
“Not really.”
Maya frowned.
“Lucas didn’t plan anything?”
“I’m sure he did.”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
Aurora chuckled.
“He hasn’t said anything yet.”
Before Maya could respond, Aurora’s phone vibrated across the desk.
The screen lit up.
Lucas Calling…
Maya looked at the phone.
Then at Aurora.
Then back at the phone.
“There he is.”
Aurora answered with a smile she didn’t even realize she was wearing.
“Hi.”
A deep, calm voice came through the speaker.
“Are you still working?”
She glanced at her computer.
“I just finished.”
“Good.”
There was a brief pause.
Then—
“Happy birthday.”
Aurora laughed.
“I was wondering when you’d say it.”
“It’s still your birthday, isn’t it?”
“Barely.”
“You complain too much.”
She smiled.
“I learned from you.”
Maya quietly picked up her coffee.
“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.”
Aurora immediately shook her head.
“We’re not—”
But Maya was already walking away, laughing to herself.
Aurora sighed.
“Ignore her.”
“Maya?”
“Who else?”
“She still thinks we should date?”
Aurora rolled her eyes.
“Apparently.”
Lucas was silent for a moment.
Then he simply said,
“I’ll be outside in thirty minutes.”
Aurora blinked.
“What?”
“Don’t make me wait.”
“You haven’t even told me where we’re going.”
“You’ll see.”
She narrowed her eyes even though he couldn’t see her.
“…Lucas.”
“Hmm?”
“I want to do something different today.”
There was a pause.
Then, almost instantly—
“No.”
Aurora couldn’t help laughing.
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“I have a feeling.”
“I want to go somewhere I’ve never been before.”
“No.”
“It’s my birthday.”
“I know.”
“I want to dress up.”
Silence.
“I want to wear heels.”
More silence.
“I want to have fun.”
Lucas exhaled quietly.
“Aurora…”
“No staying home this year.”
Another long silence followed.
Then finally—
“Fine.”
Her eyes widened.
“…Really?”
“One condition.”
She smiled.
“I knew there’d be one.”
“Stay with me the entire evening.”
“I will.”
“No wandering off.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise?”
She laughed.
“I promise.”
“Good.”
The call ended.
Aurora lowered her phone slowly, a smile still lingering on her lips.
She had no idea why Lucas sounded so serious.
- Writer
