A Love Unseen

The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers wafts through the air, enveloping Aurora Wynter in the serene atmosphere of Regina Pembly's estate gardens. Regina, together with the ladies present, are her classmates from junior high school, and they all just happen to be on top of the elite chain, with each having roots that propel them to the sky at their slightest requests.

Shaking that thought out of her head, Aurora chooses to direct her focus on the afternoon sun as it casts a warm glow, its gentle heat tempered by the shade of ancient oak trees. The garden, rumored to be among the most comfortable in all of England, lives up to its reputation. Aurora feels the soft grass beneath her feet, the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, all accompanied by the sweet chirping sounds of birds.

As she absent-mindedly listens to the discussion unfolding around her, Aurora's gaze drifts across the gathering, taking in the lively discussion. The ladies of the book club sit in comfortable silence, their faces animated as they share their thoughts on the novel. Lilah Redmond, the group's de facto leader, speaks with calm authority, her words carrying the weight of experience.Despite being just fifteen, she is more poised and mature, which earns her respect in the hearts of each and every person in their social circle.

The conversation turns to the novel's protagonist, and Aurora's attention is drawn back in. 'I think she's weak,' one of the women says, her voice tinged with disdain. 'She lets people walk all over her.' Aurora's eyes briefly meet Lilah's across the circle, and she senses a subtle challenge in Lilah's gaze.

Lilah's expression is serene, but her eyes gleam with a hint of superiority, causing Aurora to nervously bow her head and redirect her gaze to the flowers next to her. "It's never nice to let people take advantage of you," Lilah says, her voice measured. The words hang in the air, a subtle challenge to the group.

Aurora feels a shiver run down her spine as she realizes the conversation has become more than just a discussion about a book – it's a chance for each girl to contest Lilah eloquently and hopefully gain recognition from her. As the conversation continues, Aurora finds herself drawn into the discussion. She listens intently, her eyes subtly darting between the speakers.

"...I think she's relatable," another woman says, her voice soft. "We've all been in situations where we feel powerless." Aurora nods inwardly, recognizing the truth in the woman's words. She recalls moments from her own past, times when she felt invisible, overlooked, and underestimated.

"Just like now," she thinks, her shoulders slumping in dejection. Lilah's voice cuts through her reverie. "But that's exactly my point. We can't let ourselves be defined by those moments. We must learn to stand up for ourselves, to assert our own power and dominance." Aurora feels a pang of self-doubt with each new sentence from Lilah. Is she letting others define her? Is she being too passive, too willing to blend into the background?

As the discussion draws to a close, Aurora realizes she's been lost in thought. The other women are smiling, chatting, and gathering their things, each forming their own cliques as always, leaving her alone.

Aurora feels invincible and uncomfortable, unable to hold a conversation with the other ladies, who chat with ease. She wishes she could be like Lilah, who effortlessly directs the course of any conversation.

As she watches the ladies interact, Aurora's mind begins to wander. She feels a pang of insecurity, wondering why she can't be more like them.

Suddenly, she hears someone call out her name. "Aurora!" The voice is distant and unclear, but it grows louder, more insistent, and then it becomes masculine.

"Aurora, can you hear me?" The voice echoes in her mind, growing fainter, then louder again. "Aurora, what's wrong? Are you listening to me?" Aurora's gaze drifts, her eyes unfocusing.

And then, suddenly, she snaps back to reality. She finds herself standing in a grand ballroom, surrounded by opulent decorations, the gentle hum of conversation, and the soft strains of classical music.

Landon Wellesley stands before her, his eyes locked on hers, a small box open in his hand. At twenty-seven, he stands tall, exuding an air of confident sophistication.

His piercing blue eyes seem to gleam with a quiet intensity, perfectly matched by the tailored navy blue suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and lean physique. His dark hair is styled impeccably, adding a touch of polished elegance to his overall demeanor; all in all, he is and will forever be Aurora's dream man.

"Are you alright, Rory?" Landon asks, to which Aurora responds dumbly, "huh?" "I was asking if you're feeling alright?" he repeats, worry lines appearing on his forehead.

Aurora smiles sweetly and responds with a positive "yes." "OK, then, so as I was saying... Aurora Wynter," he clears his throat, his voice low and husky, "will you marry me?"

The room falls silent, all eyes on Aurora. Aurora's heart skips a beat as she gazes at Landon, her mind reeling with the weight of his question.

She feels a rush of emotions: excitement, happiness, and a hint of trepidation. As she looks into Landon's eyes, she sees a hint of expectation there, and her doubts begin to fade.

She thinks about their years together, the laughter, the adventures, and the pain and the road to recovery – in short, everything they've shared. Is he truly ready to let me in?? She can't help but wonder internally grabbing her dress with quivering hands.

As if sensing her unease Landon claps her right hand and answers yes to her question with his eyes and a calm smile.

That alone was enough to calm her nerves so Aurora nods meekly. "Yes, Landon. Yes, I'll marry you." The room erupts into applause as Landon slides the ring onto her finger.

Aurora feels a surge of joy, and Landon leans in, pecking her cheek with a small, polite smile.

Their respective parents and grandfathers rush forward, beaming with joy. "Congratulations, dear!" Aurora's mother is over the moon, for she knows better than anyone just how much effort Aurora has invested in Landon, despite her father's disapproval.

So she grabs her daughter's hand in hers and exclaims, "We're so thrilled about the union... Congratulations, baby."

Landon's grandfather, a stern-looking man with a kind eye, who's always loved Alanna since the day she called him Grandpa in her three-year-old voice and asked for a hug, speaks up. "Landon, promise us you'll love and treat Aurora well." Landon's expression remains neutral, his voice measured. "I'll do my very best."

The room falls silent for a moment, before erupting into more applause and congratulations. Aurora's father manages to smile, patting Landon on the back. "That's all any of us can ask for... Just don't hurt her," he says, earning a scowl from his wife and a happy smile from his daughter.

However, Aurora's grandfather, a shrewd-eyed man with a sharp jawline, looks less convinced but chooses to hold his tongue because of the pleading look Aurora frequently shoots his way. Instead, he settles for gazing at Landon with a piercing stare, his expression unreadable but promising death if his precious granddaughter should suffer any injustice.

As the night wears on, the congratulations continue to pour in. Business partners and acquaintances alike approach Aurora and Landon, offering their well-wishes and words of praise. The room is abuzz with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses.

The males from both the Wynter's and Wellesley family take turns dancing with Aurora, who is more than happy to oblige. As they waltz in the center of the hall, Aurora dazzles in a stunning peach-colored gown, perfectly capturing her ethereal charm. The fitted, floor-length dress hugs her curves, exuding mature sophistication.

Delicate lace details, intricate beading, and sparkling silver accessories add a whimsical touch, framing her heart-shaped face and radiant complexion. High, chic heels complete her glamorous look, and her waist-length hair, silky auburn hair swirls with every spin she does, casting a warm, enchanting spell over all who lay eyes on her.

Time skips forward, and before long, the clock strikes midnight. The party begins to wind down, and guests start to bid their farewells. Aurora's parents and grandfather are among the first to leave, followed by Landon's family.

As the crowd thins, Landon turns to Aurora and offers, "I can drive you home, if you'd like." Aurora smiles sweetly and declines. "Thank you, Landon, but my driver can take me home. You should leave first and get some rest. Driving me home would only prolong your night, and it's in the opposite direction of your place."

She would love nothing more than to enjoy his quiet company during the ride, but she is well aware of how tiring supervising the company's anniversary must have been, especially since his exhaustion has started to manifest on his handsome face after the guests left.

Landon nods in agreement. "You're right, of course. I'll see you tomorrow, then." She nods with a smile. With a brief kiss on the cheek, Landon departs, leaving Aurora to gather her things.

As she walks out of the ballroom, Aurora can't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. Her heels are killing her, and she longs to kick them off. But she refuses to give in to the temptation, knowing it would be improper.

"Goodnight, Miss Wynter," the receptionist calls out after her, and she returns a polite smile, "goodnight."

An hour later, the car pulls up in front of her condo. Aurora alights with the help of her driver, who notices her grimace. "Are you alright, Miss Wynter?" he asks, concern etched on his face.

Aurora nods, forcing a smile. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you." But as she takes five steps forward, her heel gets caught on the pavement, and she stumbles forward.

Fortunately, someone catches her arm, steadying her. "Thank you," Aurora exhales in relief, looking up at her rescuer, assuming it's her driver.

But to her surprise, it isn't her driver at all... She looks up and instead, she finds herself gazing at someone very unexpected.

He is tall, with features that stand out in a place filled with Europeans and piercing black eyes that sparkle with amusement. His dark hair is messy, and he has a small black stud in his left ear. He is wearing a coffee-brown business casual outfit, complete with a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers.

"I wasn't aware soon-to-be brides were falling off their feet today," he says, smiling wryly.

Aurora laughs, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "I guess I'm just a little clumsy."

The driver, who has been watching the exchange, greets the stranger respectfully. 'Good evening, Mr. Blackwood. I'll take my leave now, Miss... Goodnight.'

As the driver calmly bids Aurora a respectful Goodnight, the sound of his footsteps echoes through the quiet evening air, the scent of blooming flowers wafts in, filling the space as he disappeares into the night, leaving Aurora standing alone with the new comer and feeling a slight sense of fatigue. But before she can react, Ethan Blackwood, as he is apparently called, stabilizes her with a gentle hand on her elbow. 'Let's get you comfortable, shall we?' His voice is calm and reassuring, putting Aurora at ease.

Before she can protest, Ethan kneels down and removes her heels with practiced ease, for he has done this more times than he has unlaced his own shoes.

Aurora winces as he gently massages each leg, working out the kinks. "Oh, stop that," Aurora whines, laughing. "That's embarrassing, and it tickles a little."

Ethan chuckles. "You're not exactly in a position to argue, Missy?"

He rummages through a green shopping bag he had placed on the concrete floor when he knelt down and produces a pair of white flip-flops, which he carefully fits onto her feet.

Aurora feels a surge of relief as her feet sink into the soft, cushioned slippers.

Ethan's eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. "Better?"

Aurora nods, feeling a little more at ease.

His gaze drops to the back of her heels, and he frowns. "You've got some nasty blisters there."

He produces two band-aids from his pocket and carefully applies them to the back of each foot, very displeased at their sore appearance.

Aurora feels a pang of gratitude towards him. "Meticulous as always, thank you," she gives him a smile that reminds one of a spoilt child, "I owe you one."

Ethan rises, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll collect on that debt someday."

To that, she chuckles and adds, "You've never failed to collect on any debt in the past, have you?"

Unable to hold back any longer, the twenty-two-year-old suddenly throws her arms around Ethan, embracing him with an energetic hug. "Senior, you're finally back home!" she exclaims, her eyes shining with tears.

Ethan chuckles and returns her hug, holding her close for a moment before pulling away. He ruffles her hair, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he soothes the teary-eyed girl.

"There, there, you're all grown up now. No more crying," he says, his voice gentle but teasing.

Aurora nods, still pouting, but a small smile plays on her lips. "Come on in, Senior," she says, stepping aside to let him enter. "I'm so glad you're back."

Ethan helps her walk inside, his arm supporting her as she limps on her sore legs. Once they are in the foyer, they come face to face with the elderly housekeeper, Mrs. Jenkins.

Mrs. Jenkins's face lights up with a warm smile as she welcomes them. "Ethan, dear boy, it's so good to see you! And Aurora, darling, I see you're still getting into scrapes."

The motherly caretaker laughs, looking dotingly at Aurora.

Ethan smiles and nods at Mrs. Jenkins. "Good evening, Mrs. Jenkins. I think Aurora could use some TLC right about now. Would you see to it that she freshens up and soaks her feet in hot water? Also, please let her feet stay in the warm water for at least twenty minutes... Lord knows if she's unsupervised, she'll rush through it."

Mrs. Jenkins nods, her eyes twinkling. "Of course, dear. Right away."

As the ladies head upstairs, Ethan takes off his jacket and grabs an apron from the kitchen. "I'll start on some tea and maybe whip up some dinner," he calls out to Aurora.

Aurora's voice drifts down from upstairs. "You're a lifesaver, Senior!" and Mrs. Jenkins just smiles, recalling that her Miss had told her not to prepare dinner about two hours ago when she had called home.

Ethan chuckles in response to Aurora's comment, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

As he begins to cook, the sounds of sizzling vegetables and simmering broth fill the air, mingling with the scent of Chinese spices.

Aurora's condo is a chic, modern space that reflects her bubbly personality. The walls are painted a soft, creamy white, and the furniture is sleek and minimalist. However, the decor is decidedly more playful, with colorful artwork, plush throw pillows, and vases filled with fresh flowers.

The kitchen, where Ethan is currently cooking up a storm, is well-equipped and spotlessly clean. The fridge is stocked with an impressive array of ingredients, including fresh vegetables, meats, and exotic spices, thanks to Mrs. Jenkins.

On the middle shelf, two fully decorated cakes sit proudly, their frosting and decorations a testament to Aurora's love of baking.

About an hour later, Aurora makes her way downstairs, her hair tied up in a ponytail and her feet clad in the cozy slippers Ethan got her. The bubbly girl is wearing soft, fluffy fleece PJs with a fun graphic print, and her hair swings left and right as she skips to the kitchen, where Ethan is busy stirring a steaming pot of noodles.

Her eyes widen as she takes in the spread before her. Two bowls, evenly filled with steaming Chinese noodles, sit on the counter, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Aurora's face lights up with a beaming smile. "Oh, Senior, you're the absolute best!" she exclaims, picking up her chopsticks and digging in with gusto. "Mmmmm, I've missed these so much!" she says, her eyes closing in rapture as she savors the flavors of the noodles.

"Remind me to call Aunty Wendy and thank her for her rich heritage and for birthing you... Swears I don't know what I'd do without my very own personal part-Asian chef."

Ethan chuckles, watching her with a warm smile. "I'm glad you're enjoying them, and just so you know, I'm well aware that you're just looking for an opportunity to ask her to convince your parents to let you go with us to mom's hometown this upcoming holiday season.

Unfortunately for you, your mom's answer will be no again because she doesn't want you to kidnap some poor guy off the street."

He says this in a matter-of-fact voice, sitting down beside her with his own bowl of noodles.

"You all are no fun... Besides, I wouldn't kidnap him; I'll just use my feminine charm to convince him to return to the UK with me."

To that, Ethan doesn't comment, choosing to focus on his food and alternately watching Aurora slurp down the noodles with too much enthusiasm.

"Hey, slow down, Rory! You're going to choke."

Aurora grins, her mouth still full, but she does slow down, savoring the flavors.

As they eat, they chat about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily. They talk about old times, share stories about how they've been since their separation in the last three years, and laugh together.

As the night wears on, Ethan glances at his watch and urges Aurora to head upstairs to bed. 'You need to get some rest, Rory. You've had a big day.'

Aurora nods, feeling exhaustion wash over her. She yawns, covering her mouth with her hand, and then heads upstairs, her footsteps quiet on the stairs. 'Goodnight, Senior,' she calls out, her voice barely above a whisper.

Meanwhile, Ethan smiles, listening to her footsteps fade away. He settles in on the couch, his usual spot, feeling the weariness of the day catch up with him. As he drifts off to sleep, he's lulled by the quiet of the condo and the knowledge that Aurora is safe upstairs.

After a restful night, Ethan wakes up before dawn, feeling refreshed and energized after a good night's sleep. He lies still for a moment, listening to the quiet sounds of the condo coming to life. Then, he throws off the covers and heads to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Aurora.

As he cracks eggs into a bowl and whips up a fluffy omelette, he can't help but think about their warm reunion the night before. He finishes cooking ten minutes before her usual wake-up time, feeling a sense of satisfaction at being able to take care of her but then the image of the diamond ring Aurora had on yesterday creeps in, casting a shadow on those warm thoughts.

So he takes a deep breath and places the breakfast tray on the coffee table. He then sticks a note to it that reads: "Good morning, sleepyhead! - Senior" and grins, knowing that Aurora will appreciate the note and realize she hadn't dreamed up the previous night's events.

Grabbing his jacket, Ethan heads out, punching in the password on the security keypad. He recalls the password being an inside joke from their past, and Ethan wonders if she's changed it by now as he enters it.

The keypad beeps, and the door clicks open to his surprise, and he exits, calling out in a low tone, "Take care, little one."