5
795 Words
Aurora steadied herself against the wall as she wandered down the quiet hallway.
The music from the ballroom had become little more than a distant echo.
“…Where am I?” she muttered, rubbing her forehead.
Everything around her seemed to sway.
“I definitely drank too much.”
She laughed at herself before taking another unsteady step.
At the same moment…
A tall man rounded the corner from the opposite end of the hallway.
Aurora wasn’t looking where she was going.
Neither was he.
Thud.
She walked straight into a solid chest.
“Ow!”
The impact sent her stumbling backward.
Just as she was about to lose her balance, a strong arm slipped around her waist and pulled her forward before she could fall.
For a brief moment…
She found herself pressed against a stranger.
Aurora blinked.
Slowly…
She raised her head.
Her breath caught.
He was…
Beautiful.
Dark hair framed a face that looked as though it had been carved by an artist. His sharp jawline, straight nose and striking emerald green eyes gave him an almost unreal appearance. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he carried himself with effortless authority, as though the world naturally moved aside for him.
Aurora forgot how to speak.
The man looked down at her only long enough to make sure she was standing properly.
Without changing his expression, he removed his hand from her waist, gently guided her to one side of the hallway…
…and continued walking.
Aurora remained frozen.
“…Huh?”
She stared after his retreating figure.
Several seconds passed before her thoughts finally caught up with reality.
Her eyes widened.
“Wait a minute!”
She spun around, nearly losing her balance again.
“Excuse me!”
The man didn’t stop.
Aurora frowned.
“Hey!”
Still nothing.
Her annoyance quickly replaced her surprise.
“Are you seriously just going to walk away after crashing into me?”
His footsteps came to a stop.
The hallway fell quiet.
Slowly…
He turned around.
For the first time, his eyes settled properly on Aurora.
He took in her silver hair.
Her unusual grey eyes.
The silver gown.
The faint flush on her cheeks that betrayed how much she’d had to drink.
Aurora folded her arms.
“What?”
For a brief second…
Neither of them spoke.
Then…
He turned away again.
And continued walking.
Aurora stared in disbelief.
“…That’s it?”
She threw her hands into the air.
“What kind of rude person are you?”
The man disappeared around the corner without another glance.
Aurora huffed.
“Unbelievable.”
She muttered complaints under her breath all the way back toward the ballroom.
She had barely reached the entrance when a familiar voice called her name.
“Aurora.”
She looked up.
Lucas stood a few feet away.
The moment he reached her, he caught the faint scent of alcohol.
His eyes narrowed.
“…How much did you drink?”
Aurora smiled sheepishly.
“Not… that much.”
Lucas looked at the empty glass still in her hand.
Then back at her.
“You promised.”
Aurora looked away.
“I know.”
“I told you not to wander off.”
“I know.”
“And you still did.”
“I know…”
Lucas let out a slow breath.
He wasn’t angry.
He was worried.
He gently took the glass from her hand before placing one arm around her shoulders to keep her steady.
“Can you walk?”
Aurora nodded confidently.
The moment she took a step…
She stumbled.
Lucas caught her before she could fall.
“…I’ll take that as a no.”
She laughed.
“The floor moved.”
“The floor didn’t move.”
“It definitely did.”
Lucas shook his head.
“We’re leaving.”
“But the party”
“Is over for you.”
She pouted.
“It’s my birthday.”
“And I’d like you to remember it tomorrow.”
Aurora couldn’t argue with that.
She allowed Lucas to guide her outside.
The cool night air hit her face, making her sigh happily.
Lucas helped her into the passenger seat before closing the door.
Instead of heading toward Aurora’s house…
The SUV turned onto another road.
Aurora frowned sleepily.
“…Lucas?”
“Hm?”
“This isn’t the way home.”
“I know.”
She blinked slowly.
“Then… where are we going?”
“My place.”
Aurora looked at him in confusion.
“Why?”
“Because I’m not letting you go while you’re like this.”
Too tired to argue, Aurora leaned her head against the window.
“…Bossy.”
Within minutes…
Her eyes drifted closed as the city lights slipped past the window.
- Writer
