The moment Aurora hooked her hand to Theo's arm for the second time tonight, hush whispers rippled through the crowd again.

This speculation hadn't started tonight. It had been building for a week now-whispers that had begun after the first picture of the both of them together came to light.

First, it had been the time Theo held her in his arms after the ball accident. Aurora knew her father had sent someone to tail her to Vincent 's house, because how then would her father know about Theo's background in a short period of time.

Then there had been another picture, one with Aurora and Theo going up the stairs to Vincent's house, a well timed photo with the caption:

#Aurora Everly's new obsession.

Aurora then knew her father hadn't posted those pictures; someone else did. She had her team delete the pictures from a week ago.

Aurora had scoffed when the IP address of the post turned out to be from an internet cafe with multiple people using the computers a day.

Aurora and Theo walked through the gala with all eyes on them. Heads turned as they passed, whispers weaving between clinking glasses and soft music.

"It's showtime, darling." Aurora exhaled slowly, pushing down the tension in her chest. She had known this moment was coming, but her father knowing about Theo set him a step ahead of her, and it put her in a tight spot.

"We should start thinking of answers to any sudden question," Aurora murmured, keeping her expression poised. "The sooner we get through this, the sooner we get to go home."

"Spoken like a true businesswoman," Theo teased, following her deeper into the ballroom.

Aurora kept her smile in place, checking her phone. This was exactly what she wanted-her relationship was now the night's biggest story.

#Has the Everly Princess decided to settle down?

#Is her new relationship going to affect her company?

#Who is Aurora Everly's new boyfriend?

#Is Aurora's new man the new face of Everly Elite Enterprise?

"Aurora!" A familiar voice called out, and Aurora turned to find Lily, one of her father's business partner's daughters, approaching with a champagne flute in hand.

"Well. I have to admit, when I heard the Everly Princess got a man, I thought they were all joking. I'm still surprised seeing it with my own eyes."

Aurora lifted her chin. "We wanted to wait for the right time to share the news."

Lily tilted her head. "You're saying it like it's going to last. It's been only a week."

Aurora smiled tightly. "Oh, but it will, Lily. I mean, just look at my man."

"Hmm." Lily hummed, her gaze lingering a little longer before she sipped her champagne. "Regardless, congratulations, Aurora."

Before Aurora could reply, another voice interrupted, smooth and calculated. "Aurora! It's been long since I saw you. I was hoping to run into you."

Aurora stiffened as Samantha Kimberly appeared. You know those kinds of girls that do everything you do just to be like you but get angry when they can't have what you have? Samantha was that girl to Aurora, right from their university days.

"It's been too long," Samantha spoke again before turning to Theo. "Nice to meet you, I'm Samantha."

Theo smiled. "I'm Theo, Aurora's boyfriend."

Samantha's gaze flicked toward Aurora's hand on Theo's arm, her lips curving. "So what made you date my friend, Theo?"

"She's pretty," Theo replied smoothly. He unlocked their hands and gripped Aurora's waist for Samantha to notice.

Samantha hummed, unimpressed. "Well, congratulations, I suppose, but there are a lot of pretty girls."

Theo met Samantha's gaze, a smirk pulling on his lips. "I haven't seen anyone as pretty as Aurora."

The tension lingered before Lily dragged Samantha away, and Aurora exhaled slowly.

Theo looked down at Aurora. "Samantha seemed jealous."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "She's always been like that."

"Well, she's interesting," Theo murmured, his thumb brushing absentmindedly against her lower back.

Aurora ignored the way her skin heated at the contact. "We're just getting started, boyfriend."

-

Aurora barely had a moment to breathe after the gala. The night had been an exhausting whirlwind of congratulations, scrutiny, and Theo's persistent closeness.

They had convinced the world about their relationship; now they had to convince Aurora's Aunt-Aunt Flora.

Aunt Flora could talk sense into her brother-Aurora's father-about Aurora's arranged marriage with Mr. Carlos, if and only if Aunt Flora believed Aurora was in love.

Dinner with Aunt Flora was set at an upscale restaurant downtown, a private dining room reserved just for them.

"Aurora, darling." Aunt Flora called upon seeing the two, gesturing toward the seat opposite her. "Come, sit. I was just on the phone with my husband, telling him how relieved I am that my baby is finally in love."

Aurora smiled as Theo took the seat beside her. "Oh, Aunt Flora, you can't be happier than I am."

"So," Aunt Flora continued, pouring herself a glass of water. "Tell me, how did this young man catch your interest? Honestly, I was starting to think you were into women."

Aurora let out a breath of laughter, keeping her voice light. "Theo is good with words. He said I am the prettiest girl he's ever seen."

"That you are," Theo agreed. And Aurora turned to her aunt with a smile that said see?

Aunt Flora ignored her, turning to Theo with a beaming smile. "You look wonderful, dear. I must say, I was surprised when I heard the news about Aurora's man."

She gave Aurora a knowing look. "Now I know why you fell for him, Aurora. Since this dinner started, he hasn't taken his eyes off you."

Aurora smiled softly and turned to Theo, only to see that Theo's eyes were indeed on her, with a look that she didn't understand but didn't want to question.

The next hour was a blur of introductions, mostly from Theo and Aunt Flora.

Dinner passed in smooth conversation-Aunt Flora doting on Theo and teasing Aurora, acting as she's known Theo for years.

Weeks had passed after the gala and Aurora's meeting with her Aunt Flora. News and articles here and there about Aurora's new man, but it soon died down by another juicy story.

Aurora's head hurt, her eyes begging for some shut-eye, the past few weeks had been hectic for Aurora as she buried herself in work, avoiding her father at all cost. Today was no different as she wrote, read, and signed documents that couldn't wait.

Only a few more pages and then she could go home.

It was dark and silent in the company. Everyone had left, including Vincent, and Aurora was the only one left in the building.

Aurora was hungry, but there was no way she was going to eat anything when she got home.

'I'm probably going to lay on my couch and pass out completely,' she thought as she checked the time for the one hundredth time this evening.

'I can do this. Five documents left, and I'll go home,' Aurora encouraged herself and began to work again.

-

The office chair shifted back on the floor silently, Aurora's hair tied in a messy bun to keep it off her face.

Aurora's hand landed on the cold glass of her office door and swung it open, her eyes closing for a split second before slowly walking into her personal elevator.

The elevator button lit up with a dim white glow, the sound of it moving slow like her workday. Aurora's head was pounding with a headache, and she really wanted to fall asleep.

The large gold doors opened wide with a loud ding, and Aurora winced at the sudden noise before stepping out of the elevator.

Aurora walked into the lobby, breathing in fresh air with a sigh of relief.

"Stupid paperwork." Theo grumbled, unaware of Aurora's presence.

His eyes landed on Aurora, widening at the sight of her still being there.

"Uhm-sorry-I didn't-I thought you'd be gone by now..." Theo fumbled with his words.

"I had a few documents to finalize before tomorrow," Aurora explained, sounding tired.

Theo's throat vibrated with a soft hum, then he nodded.

Aurora's eyes trailed over Theo softly, his black suit jacket fitted to his arms, covering his white button-down, his black tie tucked in neatly, and his hair disheveled with hours of running his hands through it. Her tongue pushed against the inside of her cheek before she asked,

"Why are you here so late, Theo?"

Theo held a stack of papers in his left hand. "I have some paperwork to revise. I'm not done, and it's getting late, so I'm taking it home."

Aurora let out a soft noise, understanding his earlier comment.

"I should... probably be getting home now," Theo muttered, staring at his phone with pursed lips.

"How are you getting home?" Aurora asked, knowing that he was probably waiting for the taxi he booked.

Theo checked his phone again, tapping on the screen before sighing. He turned to face Aurora. "I'm going to wait a little, I guess. The taxi service is not coming up."

"Let me drive you," Aurora offered.

Theo's eyes snapped to hers, and she could see he really wanted a ride, but instead of agreeing- "What? No. I can wait, they said to try back in fifteen minutes," Theo said.

"You've had a busy day, Theo. Let me drive you home, it's not a big deal," Aurora tried to convince him.

"You don't have to, really."

"Are you sure? It's really no trouble." Aurora asked, confused.

A long pause echoed in the space between them, and Aurora's skin crawled with the uncomfortable feeling of silence.

Aurora's teeth dug into her bottom lip, her thoughts churning in her head.

Maybe I overstepped, I shouldn't have asked. Aurora's thoughts made her take a step back, and Theo noticed.

"Thank you, Aurora. I'd like a ride." Theo's face pulled into a smile, and Aurora's face changed instantly with a small smile of her own.

Theo held the entrance door, allowing Aurora to exit first. She gave him a small smile and stepped out, the sound of rain pouring down heavily outside making her sigh.

"Where are you parked?" Theo asked, his voice covered with the sound of the rain.

The cold wind hit Aurora, and she wrapped her arms around herself.

"A corner or two away," Aurora answered, shivering a little.

A heavy, warm material was draped over Aurora's shoulders, and she looked behind her to see Theo's hands still wrapped around the shoulders of his suit jacket, adjusting it to cover her small frame. He gazed at her softly, smoothing it over her shoulders gently.

Aurora's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Oh, Theo, you don't have to-" He shook his head at her, turning around and looking for a safe route to follow without them getting wet.

"It's alright, Aurora," Theo said, running his hand through his disheveled dark hair.

Aurora knew they were going to get soaked, so she tried again. "Are you sure? The rain could ruin your suit, and I-"

"You're cold, Aurora. Keep the jacket around yourself to stay warm."

They both stepped out from under the shelter of the company, and the rain poured down on them, soaking their hair and clothes.

Aurora found herself slipping her arms into the sleeves of Theo's jacket, pulling it close around her to keep warm.

The sound of Aurora's heels was faded out by the whistling wind. She couldn't see well due to the heavy rain, the streetlights doing little to show her where she was going.

Theo came up to Aurora's right, nudging her onto the sidewalk until he was walking on the side closest to the road and she was on the inside.

Theo looked over at Aurora, and she was mesmerized at the sight of him. His dark hair was soaked, sticking to his forehead slightly, the raindrops trailed down his skin, dripping down his sharp jawline.

His button-down shirt clung to his well-defined torso, the white fabric now see-through.

Oh my god. He's fit.

His dark, almost black eyes stared down at Aurora, his throat bobbing with a swallow. He took a dripping wet hand and ran it through his soaked hair, slicking it back.

He looks so good.

Damn it, Aurora! Stop it!

Aurora's tongue poked out, running along her bottom lip to collect the raindrops scattered across it before she turned her head away, averting her gaze.

The rain didn't stop, but instead continued heavily. Theo walked by Aurora's side, not any slower nor faster than her. Sometimes, she'd sidestep on accident and bump her shoulder against his arm, muttering a quiet sorry, but Theo always made sure she stayed on the sidewalk, glancing over at her occasionally.

They took a left to the company, and Aurora wrapped the jacket more closely around her. The sky flashed with a snap of light, and a gasp left Aurora, her eyes widening at the sight.

Thunderstorms frightened Aurora. She didn't know why or what it was that made her afraid of them, but they just did.

A loud boom cracked through the sky, and Aurora's steps faltered. Her body froze, trying to hold her gasp in. The clouds rumbled loudly, her shoulders shook, and her hands trembled as she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.

Aurora's foot slipped from not looking where she was going, and her eyes widened as she felt herself fall backward.

The sky cracked again with lightning, thunder echoing in her ears, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the impact from the fall, but large arms circled around her body, making her lashes flutter open.

Aurora's eyes met Theo's, and she was engulfed with warmth from his large arms that were wrapped around her, holding her to his soaked body tightly. His muscular chest was pressed against her, his breathing heavy.

Oh god, I really want to kiss him.

Aurora watched Theo's pink lips part. "Are you okay?" His breath fanned across her face. Even soaked, Theo still smelled heavenly wrapped around her.

Aurora nodded, unable to get words out.

Theo sighed with relief, but didn't move his arms. Another lightning bolt split the sky, thunder ringing out, and Aurora squeezed her eyes shut, a quiet tremble spreading across her body.

When the echoing of thunder stopped, Aurora's eyes opened again to see Theo watching her softly. "Are you afraid of-?"

"No!" Aurora cleared her throat, tilting her head away. "No."

Slowly, she was lifted back onto her feet, Theo's arms loosening around her, but he didn't let go.

Theo kept his right arm wrapped tightly around her waist, occasionally looking over, as they started walking again.

"Where's your car?" Theo shouted over the rain, and Aurora pointed to a corner, trying to stop herself from shivering.

Theo tightened his arm around Aurora, pulling her closer.

For being completely soaked, he was very warm, Aurora thought.

They rounded the corner and the parking garage came into view. Aurora almost cheered for joy at the sight of her car. Theo picked up his pace.

The moment they got under the shelter of the concrete parking garage, Aurora let out a sigh of relief, leading Theo forward toward her black Audi A8.

Theo's eyes met hers before he opened the passenger side door. He nodded toward the seat. "Let me drive, you look seconds away from sleeping."

Aurora's eyes turned back to the car. "Are you sure? I can-" Theo groaned almost impatiently, grabbing her waist and carefully putting her into the passenger seat.

Oh! Okay.

Theo pulled open the driver's side door and slipped into the car. He leaned forward and pressed the heated seats button, and the warmth immediately started to spread through Aurora. A soft noise left her as she melted back into the seats.

Her eyes fell closed, resting her head back against the warming leather of the seat.

"How will you get home?" Theo's voice pulled Aurora from her relaxation.

Her eyes slowly opened, and she turned to look at him. The exhaustion from today's work weighed down on her, and she yawned quietly. Theo watched her, waiting for an answer.

"I'll call Vincent or a driver," Aurora's voice came out hushed, her eyes fluttering.

Theo hummed softly and began to drive, carefully pulling out of the parking lot. The rain pattered against the car, muffled by the soft hum of the engine.

-

A gentle tap on Aurora's shoulder made her stir in her sleep. She wrinkled her nose at the idea of opening her eyes.

"Aurora," Theo called, and her eyes slowly opened. She blinked, to get rid of the tiredness still coating her body.

"Huh?" Aurora mumbled, yawning before stretching and pausing at the uncomfortable feeling of wet clothes still on her body.

"We're here." Theo nodded toward the window, and Aurora's head turned in the direction.

She could see the place her car had stopped many weeks ago, with the hue of blue and yellow light of "WS-Opens 24 Hours" in the distance.

Theo unbuckled his seatbelt and went to step out. "Thank you for-" He froze when he saw Aurora also getting out.

The rain drizzled down on them, and Aurora let out a quiet breath, her eyes staying trained on the convenience store in front of her.

"Do you want to come in for a drink? It's the least I can do to thank you," Theo asked and Aurora nodded. Together they started their small journey to Theo's apartment

Theo's apartment was pushed back away from the convenience store and the road. There was an awning covering the door, green and gold colors scattered about the fabric.

The apartment complex wasn't exactly the best. Honestly, the elevators were the worst of it, but the rooms, however, were really nice. Small, but nice.

Aurora's heels clicked, the unfamiliar sound of the building floor making her nervous. She followed Theo as he took a left and headed down the dimly lit hallway.

Theo came to a stop in front of a door and stepped inside, holding the door for Aurora to follow, closing it behind her.

"It probably isn't what you're used to, I-" Theo's voice came out soft, caution hinting in his tone.

"I like it. It's warm and homely," Aurora meant it, and relief trickled through Theo as he stepped into his kitchen before turning back. "What would you like? Hot cocoa? Tea? Milk? Coffee?"

Aurora shrugged, sighing calmly as she kicked her heels off. "Hot cocoa sounds nice," she murmured softly, walking over and pulling out one of the stools before sitting down.

Theo's phone buzzed, and he pulled it out. A soft smile touched his lips as he looked down at the screen.

Aurora glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow. "My friend texted me," Theo said, putting his phone down and turning back to the hot cocoa without further explanation.

"Are you afraid of thunderstorms?" Theo asked again softly, and Aurora's eyes snapped to him at the random question.

"Yes," Aurora replied as she watched Theo reach up into his cabinets and pull out two black mugs from the shelf.

The mug clinked against the wooden tabletop as Theo set it down in front of Aurora. Aurora took it, and her lips pulled up into a small smile.

Aunt Flora would always make hot cocoa during thunderstorms to calm her down. Aurora's interaction with Theo brought back those memories.

Theo broke the silence with a wry grin. "I can't cook to save my life."

Aurora's eyes flickered up to his, a smile easing onto her face. "You can't? Really? I love cooking."

"I'm horrible at it," Theo said, taking a sip of his hot cocoa.

Aurora watched as Theo leaned forward, placing his elbows on his countertop. Theo tilted his head up to Aurora, his dark hair falling over his eyes. "What's your favorite dish to cook?" Theo queried, his attention on Aurora.

"I think it would be shepherd's pie," Aurora admitted, tapping her fingers against the black mug. "Aunt Flora taught me how to make it."

Theo sent Aurora a gentle smile, and she couldn't help the small curve of her lips in return. They stared into each other's eyes for a while, nothing but the calming sound of the rain pattering down on the windows.

Theo shifted his gaze to his drink and downed his hot cocoa in one go, placing the cup on the counter.

Okay, that was her cue.

Aurora set the black mug down on the counter and stood up. Theo followed her to the door, standing there quietly as she slipped her heels on.

"Thank you for the hot cocoa." Aurora's tone was soft and truthful. "It was nice," she stated, clearing her throat before looking back at Theo.

"You should go home and change into dry clothes," Theo stated, and Aurora's head snapped to her clothes. She had forgotten about her wet clothes.

Aurora nodded. "See you tomorrow." She opened the door and stepped out.

Theo held the doorframe, standing to his full height. "Have a good night, Aurora."

Aurora turned and walked away, calling a driver to come ride her home.