Tring!

he gasped for breath in shock. She quickly groped for the phone beside her pillow, turned it of

hissed, leapi

room she had before. She swiftly changed out of her pajamas and into the maid uniform Rafael

ded. A stack of warm waffles was placed neatly on a plate, complete with maple syrup and fruit slices. She brewed black coffee, just as Rafael li

n the long corridor toward Rafael's room. Her hand hesitated befo

tok

tly, she heard water running in the bathroom. Wi

she said quietly, hoping n

hung neatly, expensive leather shoes lined up on the rack like a boutique display. Exclusive

sly a perfectionist

ed to pick one for the day, a dee

ake that long to

ely turned arou

ly a towel around his waist. Water droplets still trickled from his wet

caught the edge of the carpet. She would have f

urora's body crashed

beats pounded so loudly

d of the shower water con

. "Are you trying to

lushed red. "Keep dreaming!" she snapped,

was wearing. "That uniform suits you. Makes me wond

osen suit at Rafael. "Wear this. And hur

as quickly as possible, not wanting he

afael smiled

*

his shoe soles reverberated through the still, empty dining room that morning. The sc

hair was tied in a ponytail, and work shoes were already on her feet. In front of her, half a waffle had been

d you to change before finishing your duti

er coffee. Her eyes met Rafael's with unwavering firmne

raised an eyebrow. "You woke up an

ed being humiliated like that, so she chose silence, lowering

tisfied that Auror

stood ready at the back door. Rafael opened the door to get in but stopped when he s

"What do you think you'r

uickly. "Going

out a mocking laugh. "In my c

used. "Why not? I'm almost

e my assistant at the office too? Twenty-four h

ag tightly and then let out a sharp s

less you're

bit harder than necessary. Rafael got into the back seat, leaning

Aurora," he said flatly befo

ared sharply at the disappearing vehicle, then she quickly tu

ch moved rapidly and often braked abruptly. She was squeezed among dozens of other passengers who looked equ

her bag. She hurriedly reached for it,

red it, but the loud ringtone began to bother the peopl

the green icon and brou

she said

of the bus engine and bra

e gently yet heavi

ora.

and nearly slipped from the overhead bar. That voice... even though

ad

her presence, but Aurora herself seemed

"I don't have much time, but I must

cks in glass. Her father's voice tore open old wounds she had long

now?" she asked softly, bar

_