THE REUNION
901 Words
"Leo... He must be so handsome now. But I still have so many questions. How Auri got there... everything. We really need to talk."
"What matters is-we found each other again," Charlene said warmly.
"Then how about a reunion? Just your family and mine," Gemma suggested.
"My husband's in town till next week. How about next Saturday?"
"Perfect. But you and I-we'll meet tomorrow. I'll come to your house in the morning. I can't wait to see you."
"It's a done deal," Charlene grinned.
"See you tomorrow."
"Bye, best friend."
Charlene hung up with the widest smile on her face, overwhelmed by the way things were unfolding.
---
Meanwhile, Gemma was smiling too-until her thoughts turned to Aurora.
How did she even end up there? If it wasn't Leo, would she have still gone with him?
What exactly is going on with her daughter?
--
Back upstairs...
Aurora and Leonard sat on the balcony, the cool wind tousling their hair. They had already been working for a while now, their minds completely locked into the project.
Leonard's hair was a mess, his fingers having raked through it multiple times in frustration.
"I didn't bring my laptop. I'll need to use yours," Aurora said.
Without a word, Leonard got up, went inside, and returned with his laptop, handing it to her without the usual smirk or flirtatious remark.
In fact, he hadn't touched her or even looked at her with that usual gleam in his eyes. All he'd said so far had been about the project-nothing else. His seriousness felt... off.
It was strange.
Shouldn't she be happy? This is exactly the kind of interaction she preferred. Right?
She opened the laptop and powered it on.
"Password," she asked.
Leonard leaned in to type it himself. His closeness, the faint smell of his cologne-it all hit her at once. She hadn't noticed it before.
His face was too close, and she instinctively leaned back in her chair to give herself some space
Leonard sat back down wordlessly and went back to his work.
Charlene had sent a maid with snacks, but they both rejected them.
HOURS LATER -
"This is the result so far," Aurora said, straining her neck slightly as she turned the laptop around.
"Go on," Leonard replied, his voice blank and unreadable.
Without hesitation, she stood and began presenting. There was no doubt-Aurora was outspoken.
"Not sorry, but I'm definitely going to lose my temper doing this on Monday. I hate it when people stare at me," she muttered.
"Then just look at Oma and your other friends. Focus on them," Leonard said, still emotionless.
She sighed and sat back down, continuing to type on his laptop. Leonard leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Immediately, he was thrown into the past-
"You're not even going to defend yourself?"
"Why should I? You already caught me. I'm tired anyway."
"Bianca-"
"Leo, stop, okay? Just stop. It was nice knowing you."
The rumble of thunder dragged him back to the present. He opened his eyes to see Aurora standing by the rail, staring out at the darkening sky.
He hadn't paid her much attention since. He didn't want to do anything reckless. But still, he wanted her. He wanted to prove she was just like the rest.
No matter what, he would get what he wanted. He'd break her ego-not by force. No, she'd choose him. She had to.
He rose and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"What the-?" she gasped.
He buried his face in her neck.
"Leonard, stop." She quickly peeled his arms off and turned to face him. "Here I was, thinking you wouldn't act like a slut."
She moved to walk away, but he stepped in front of her, trapping her between his arms against the wall.
"Leonard."
He took her hand, intertwining their fingers, and brought the back of her hand to his lips. His cold kiss sent a shiver through her.
Did she just react?
"Let's start with that," he whispered, then leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"That too."
Then her forehead.
She didn't flinch. She didn't even blink. Just stood there, still. Unmoved. Not triggered-at least, not visibly.
Leonard noticed.
Didn't Oma say she was traumatized?
Then why was she letting him touch her?
Was it because he was taking it slow? Gently?
He kissed the tip of her nose, giving it a soft bite.
Aurora's eyes were open, watching him like she was frozen.
His hands found her waist, making her gasp. He pulled her closer, her body now pressed against his.
"Leonard. No." She pushed slightly, but not enough.
He traced the curve of her waist with his fingers. She was so small, so delicate.
He leaned closer, their chests touching, eyes locked.
Is this what it means to seduce someone? Aurora thought.
His lips brushed her neck, and the instant she felt them, she flinched and shoved him back.
But he came again.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, breathless.
His gaze dropped to her lips. He leaned in, brushing his thumb slowly across the corner of her mouth.
"These lips..." he whispered, hypnotized, leaning even closer.
Aurora's breathing quickened. Her hand rose to his chest-she could push him away, but it just rested there.
He was inches from her, his breath fanning over her lips...
And then-
Someone walked in...
- Writer
