A Love Unseen

Regina Pembly's estate gardens. Regina, together with the ladies present, are her classmates from junior high school, and they

e 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 ben

it 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 car

e's weak,' one of the women says, her voice tinged with disdain. 'She lets people walk all over her.' A

bow her head and redirect her gaze to the flowers next to her. "It's never nice to let people take adva

ok – it's a chance for each girl to contest Lilah eloquently and hopefully gain recognition from her. As the conversation c

where we feel powerless." Aurora nods inwardly, recognizing the truth in the woman's words. She

et 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

n thought. The other women are smiling, chatting, and gathering their

ion with the other ladies, who chat with ease. She wishes she could b

nd begins to wander. She feels a pang of insecu

ra!" The voice is distant and unclear, but it grows

ing fainter, then louder again. "Aurora, what's wrong? Are yo

anding in a grand ballroom, surrounded by opulent decorations, the

hers, a small box open in his hand. At twenty-seven, he

uit that accentuates his broad shoulders and lean physique. His dark hair is styled impeccably, adding a t

sponds dumbly, "huh?" "I was asking if you're feeling al

"OK, then, so as I was saying... Aurora Wynter," he clears

a's heart skips a beat as she gazes at Landon, h

int of trepidation. As she looks into Landon's eyes, she see

the road to recovery – in short, everything they've shared. Is he truly ready to let

er right hand and answers yes to her qu

eekly. "Yes, Landon. Yes, I'll marry you." The room erupt

d Landon leans in, pecking her

lations, dear!" Aurora's mother is over the moon, for she knows better than anyone

rs and exclaims, "We're so thrilled ab

lled him Grandpa in her three-year-old voice and asked for a hug, speaks up. "Landon, promise us you'll lo

ra's father manages to smile, patting Landon on the back. "That's all any of us can ask for... J

ngue because of the pleading look Aurora frequently shoots his way. Instead, he settles for gazing at Landon with a

acquaintances alike approach Aurora and Landon, offering their well-wishes and words

to oblige. As they waltz in the center of the hall, Aurora dazzles in a stunning peach-colored gown, perfectl

art-shaped face and radiant complexion. High, chic heels complete her glamorous look, and her waist-length hair,

egins to wind down, and guests start to bid their farewells. Aurora's parent

sweetly and declines. "Thank you, Landon, but my driver can take me home. You should leave first and get s

well aware of how tiring supervising the company's anniversary must have been, especiall

u tomorrow, then." She nods with a smile. With a brief kiss on

discomfort. Her heels are killing her, and she longs to kick them off. Bu

ionist calls out after her, and she

ights with the help of her driver, who notices her grimace. "Are

you." But as she takes five steps forward, her heel

her. "Thank you," Aurora exhales in relief, look

all... She looks up and instead, she finds

sparkle with amusement. His dark hair is messy, and he has a small black stud in his left ear. He is

es were falling off their feet

sh rise to her cheeks. "I gu

ts the stranger respectfully. 'Good evening, Mr. Bla

e 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,

ves her heels with practiced ease, for he has done

g out the kinks. "Oh, stop that," Aurora whines, lau

e not exactly in a pos

the concrete floor when he knelt down and produces a pair

ief as her feet sink into t

e at the corners as

eeling a littl

er heels, and he frowns. "You'v

carefully applies them to the back of each f

culous as always, thank you," she gives him a smile

ing with amusement. "I'll c

You've never failed to collect on

s her arms around Ethan, embracing him with an energetic hug. "Senior,

moment before pulling away. He ruffles her hair, his eyes

up now. No more crying," he sa

on her lips. "Come on in, Senior," she says, steppin

limps on her sore legs. Once they are in the foyer, they co

comes them. "Ethan, dear boy, it's so good to see you! And

ker laughs, looking

out now. Would you see to it that she freshens up and soaks her feet in hot water? Also, please let her feet s

eyes twinkling. "Of cou

nd grabs an apron from the kitchen. "I'll start on some t

r!" and Mrs. Jenkins just smiles, recalling that her Miss had told h

to Aurora's comment, his ey

vegetables and simmering broth fill the air

ed a soft, creamy white, and the furniture is sleek and minimalist. However, the decor is decide

spotlessly clean. The fridge is stocked with an impressive array of ingredients

kes sit proudly, their frosting and decorat

ozy slippers Ethan got her. The bubbly girl is wearing soft, fluffy fleece PJs with a fun graphic print, and he

bowls, evenly filled with steaming Chinese noodles, sit on

exclaims, picking up her chopsticks and digging in with gusto. "Mmmmm, I've missed these

h heritage and for birthing you... Swears I don't know w

so you know, I'm well aware that you're just looking for an opportunity to ask her to c

ill be no again because she doesn't want y

t voice, sitting down beside he

idnap him; I'll just use my feminine charm t

us on his food and alternately watching Aurora

, Rory! You're

ll full, but she does slow

lowing easily. They talk about old times, share stories about how they've

and urges Aurora to head upstairs to bed. 'You n

uth with her hand, and then heads upstairs, her footsteps quiet on the st

his usual spot, feeling the weariness of the day catch up with him. As he drifts off to s

night's sleep. He lies still for a moment, listening to the quiet sounds of the condo coming t

fore. He finishes cooking ten minutes before her usual wake-up time, feeling a sense of satisfaction at being able to take c

s a note to it that reads: "Good morning, sleepyhead! - Senior" and grins, knowing that Au

security keypad. He recalls the password being an inside joke from the

n to his surprise, and he exits, calling