Shocked

Aurora checked once again her appearance from behind the mirror. She doesn't think there's anything wrong with checking again whether the dress and make-up that is smeared on her face is still lacking or looks 100% perfect. In fact, he has sprayed countless strawberry-scented perfumes belonging to well-known brands all over his body.

Wearing a black cocktail dress filled with glitter accents, Aurora looked so sexy. His shoulders were deliberately left open just like that. She had her hair in a high bun so that her slender neck was exposed perfectly.

While applying lipstick, Aurora occasionally checked the clock attached to one corner of the wall. He must not forget that the event will start at eight o'clock in the evening. That means, by seven o'clock he should be ready. Remembering that her best friend Cassie would pick her up around that time.

After believing everything was done, Aurora then grabbed the black clutch that she had provided. Just as he was about to step out of the room, his cell phone rang. At first, he thought it would be Cassie who would call to ask him to leave the house immediately. However, after checking carefully, it turned out that it was Mario who had contacted him at that time.

Taking a breath for a moment, Aurora chose to sit back down. She didn't want her husband to know that she was planning to go out, let alone attend a party.

With great care, Aurora accepted the call. Indeed he must accept. Because if he ignores it or refuses it on purpose, Mario will definitely keep calling or, worse yet, call people at home so they can ask how he's doing.

"Yeah, what's wrong, Mario?" Aurora said in a voice as calm as possible.

"I just finished," replied the man on the other end. "What are you doing, Aurora? Have you had dinner? Drink milk? Or take the vitamins the doctor prescribed?"

Aurora already suspected that her husband would ask about news, activities, or reminding her of all the habits that she often does at home. Rather than getting into a long tail which would later interfere with her schedule to leave, Aurora deliberately agreed to whatever Mario said or ordered her to do.

"I was just about to leave my room to eat dinner."

"Ah, I see," said Mario. "Then hurry up and eat. Don't forget to take your vitamins. Then after eating, what are you going to do?"

Aurora took a deep breath. Actually feeling anxious. Afraid that when Mario called him, Cassie also called to inform him of his current position. Because she didn't want any miscommunication to occur, Aurora shortened her conversation with her husband as much as possible.

"Looks like after dinner, I'll go straight to rest. I have a lot of work to finish all day."

"Then hurry up and have dinner. I'm afraid you'll catch a cold."

"All right. Let's end this call first. What's certain, if you call later and don't get the slightest answer, that means I'm already asleep."

"Yes, I understand," Mario replied gently. "Then have a good meal and have a good rest. See you tomorrow. I miss you."

Aurora didn't answer. Choose to hastily end the call. Exactly a few seconds after he hung up, there was Cassie who was now actually calling him.

"Aurora!" cried Cassie on the other side. "Why are you so difficult to contact? I'm almost desperate because I've been trying to call you," complained the woman.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I had an important call that I have to take first."

"Are you ready?"

Aurora who was holding her cell phone subconsciously nodded. "Don't worry, I was already prepared."

"Ah, thank goodness," Cassie said with relief. Then get out quickly."

"You're in front of my house?"

"Yes! Hurry up. Please remember that today is the weekend. The streets can be very busy. If you take too long, you may be late for the event."

Aurora chuckled. The woman kept her ears away because she was lazy to listen to Cassie's endless babble.

"All right... all right... don't be fussy. I'll be out right now."

Ending her phone call, Aurora rushed out of the room. As soon as he crossed the living room, he accidentally ran into Samanta. The woman seemed to have just finished preparing dinner.

"Madam, you want to go out?"

Aurora stopped walking. Turning around, the woman nodded. "Yeah. I want to go to a birthday party for one of my friends."

"Are you going alone? Remember, Mrs. Mario does not allow you to go out alone without supervision."

"Don't worry, Samanta. I was picked up by one of my friends. So you don't need to worry. Besides, I can take care of myself," Aurora said casually.

Samantha was not silent. He tried to convey his argument before the employer actually left the house.

"But madam. Are you sure you will be all right? What if someone at home asks where you are?"

Samanta's face, which was initially calm, now slowly turns worried. He was afraid that something would happen to Aurora for going out without anyone accompanying him. Yes, even if you go with friends, you still feel worried.

"Let's just say I'm asleep. What's the big deal?"

Aurora then continued walking lightly. He really didn't care in the least with all the words Samanta had to say. Preferring to rush outside, then found a black Range Rover car parked neatly in front of the gate of his house.

Taking big steps, Aurora approached. Opened the door, then got into the car and sat quietly. As soon as the vehicle drove, he then turned and made gasp. It wasn't Cassie who picked her up, but a man who was so familiar to her eyes.

"Lucas?" Aurora squeaked with an expression full of surprise. For a few seconds, he was completely sure that his eyes were not seeing wrongly.

"Yes, Aurora. I'm Lucas Fernando. I thought you'd forgotten about me all this time," the man replied, smiling.

"Why did you suddenly pick me up?" asked Aurora with an expression still confused. He must have wondered why it wasn't Cassie in the car. Or perhaps, this was part of her best friend's plan, Damn it, Cassie!

"The other day, I did ask about you to Cassie. I asked her to invite you to come to the reunion this time. And yesterday, Cassie told me that she won't have time to pick her up tonight because she has to check all the needs of the event. Besides, there's nothing wrong I picked you up, didn't I?"

Aurora nodded awkwardly. Confused myself what to answer. To be sure, once he arrived at the venue, he would immediately approach Cassie to scold her.

"I hope you feel comfortable and don't mind one bit because I picked you up," Lucas said later.

Aurora nodded again. Trying to cover a friendly smile, the woman replied.

"It doesn't matter who picks you up. After all, it's the same."

Lucas then focused his eyes on the street. Drive at moderate speed until you finally reach the venue.

***

Aurora could see how Lucas immediately got off, then walked around as soon as the car he was driving was parked neatly in the VIP parking area of one of the most famous bars in London. Help open the door, Lucas then thrust his hand towards him intending to help so he could get out of the car immediately.

After standing together, the tall, slender man without the slightest hesitation grabbed Aurora's wrist, then took her tenderly. Invited Aurora to immediately enter the venue.

Once inside, all eyes were immediately on the two. Aurora even felt awkward and embarrassed herself because her old friends were in the spotlight.

Meanwhile Lucas is joined by male friends. Aurora chose to approach Cassie and other friends.

"Gosh, Aurora. Long time no see, you just look prettier," said one of Aurora's friends who were gathered in the middle of the bar. They were all amazed by Aurora's beautiful appearance tonight.

"Yes. You used to be beautiful. Now? With an appearance like this, you are even more beautiful, Aurora," continued another friend who joined in. "No wonder Lucas liked you and wasn't even willing to let go of his bachelor period because he was busy looking for your whereabouts all this time."

Aurora just laughed. Don't really care or be affected in the least by what his friends say.

"Thank you for the compliment. I've always been the same. Not the slightest change."

Everyone then talked to each other intimately. Someone is missing. There are even those who talk about business, family, and children's issues. After all the gathering, socializing, and enjoying dinner, Aurora, who felt tired, chose to step aside for a while.

Taking a sitting position at the most corner table, the woman regulated her breathing in such a way. It wasn't long before Cassie came over. Come sit beside the woman.

"Why? Are you feeling tired?" he asked while handing a glass of orange juice to Aurora.

"Not really," said Aurora while accepting a glass from her best friend. "You know, I've never really liked parties."

"But this is different, Aurora. Besides, it's not as crowded as other parties in general. Not to mention, lots of handsome guys from the next class also attended this reunion. Especially Lucas. For God's sake, don't you realize he's so handsome?" with the black shirt he was wearing?

"Nonsense," Aurora chuckled lazily.

For some reason, almost eight years of being friends, Cassie hasn't changed one bit when it comes to men, she's always been expressive. I have never met a handsome man in my life.

In the past, when she introduced her best friend to Tristan, Cassie had the same attitude. He even openly told Aurora that she really wanted to date him or if he could ask Tristan to sleep with him. Aurora remembers that she got angry and wanted to make an enemy of Cassie because of her friend's crazy plan.

"You're not the least bit interested in Lucas?" Cassie asked curiously. "He even asked me specifically to pick you up.

At that moment, Aurora immediately looked up. "So, it wasn't you who asked or ordered it?"

"Of course not, Aurora. It was Lucas who insisted on coming to pick you up. That's why, I told you, that man is still after you. Are you sure you're not interested in him?"

Aurora was silent. Not giving the slightest answer to what Cassie asked her. After all, he didn't know what to answer either.

"Don't overdo it, Cassie. I came here for a party. Not looking for a date."

"Oh come on, Aurora. Open your eyes. Is Lucas not handsome or something?"

"I think I heard my name being called."

Engrossed in talking, suddenly Lucas from behind sounded reprimanding. Inevitably, Aurora and Cassie immediately turned towards the man.

"Yes, Lucas. We were talking about you," admitted Cassie.

"Talking about me? About what?" asked the man curiously.

"Aurora wants to know if you have a boyfriend or not? He plans to ask you out on a date," the woman joked casually.

"Cassie!" Aurora scolded with a glare. It's just annoying because his friend was carelessly talking.

"I'm telling the truth, Aurora." Cassie then rose from her seat. Walking towards Lucas, then pulled the man to sit in his stead, right next to Aurora. "Luc, I think the two of you should have a private talk. This time, don't let your aim slip like it used to."

Cassie then smiled knowingly. Choose to leave. Deliberately leaving Aurora and Lucas alone so they could talk freely.

"Sorry for this mess," Aurora said to open the conversation. "I hope you don't take Cassie's words to heart. She really likes to talk nonsense."

Lucas turned his head. Change the position a little bit. The man deliberately faced Aurora. Review a friendly smile then speak back.

"Even if what Cassie said is true, I don't mind one bit. After all, I've been looking for you for a long time, Aurora."

"Looking for me?" Aurora's eyebrows knit together, confirming what she had just heard. "What are you looking for me for?"

"To say that I've liked you all along."

Lucas looked closely at Aurora's face. Nailing the woman's brown eyes. Staring at him continuously as if so amazed by what was presented before his eyes.

"You're exaggerating," Aurora said with a smile.

"I'm serious." Lucas then grabbed Aurora's wrist. Long kissed the top of the woman's hand. Then speak again quietly. "From the first meeting, it seemed that I already liked you. It's just that I was really late in saying this."

"Oh yes?"

Again Lucas nodded. "For God's sake, I'm serious, Aurora. You can ask my other friends how I've been trying to find you. I've also tried to win over other women. But still, your name can never really get out of my head. "

"Gosh, Lucas. You're really exaggerating," Aurora said again. She really can never just believe in all the words or persuasion of men.

"You don't believe me?" Lucas asked while continuing to stare deeply at Aurora.

"I don't know. But to be honest, I'm actually lazy to discuss things like this," Aurora said clearly.

"But I really like you, Aurora. Until now, my feelings for you haven't changed one bit."

Lucas then ventured to get closer to his face. Unexpectedly grabbed Aurora's nape, intending to kiss her.

However, not to mention until his lips landed on top of Aurora's. One hard tug felt so real touching him. Pulling forcefully, so that Lucas and Aurora were both taken aback.

"Mario!"