Chapter 39

Behind the mansion, there was a large area completely covered with grass and surrounded by cherry blossom trees. Aurora was there, admiring the bright stars in the sky while talking on the phone.

"I can't understand. Just say one thing at a time," she said.

Adelaide was on the other end of the line, so agitated that her words rushed out of her mouth.

"I talked to Griffin today... he apologized for the New Year's kiss, said it was impulsive... out of fear of losing me," she blushed, remembering the doctor's words.

"And what did you say?"

"I decided to give him a chance. A chance for both of us!" Adelaide's words left her sister speechless.

"And what about Kai?"

"I like Kai, but not in the way I like Griffin. I'm very grateful for what he did for me and for you, and I ended up loving him, but not as a man, only as a friend, and I can see that clearly now."

Aurora smiled, happy for Adelaide's happiness. Regardless of the decision she would make, she would be by her side, supporting her.

"How do you feel about it?"

"Relieved! My heart feels light, and I feel like I'm doing the right thing!"

"And how did the hot doctor react to this?"

"He was happy, more than I expected," she chuckled. "After that, we walked around Times Square. He even bought me flowers!"

She had to admit, she felt a little envious of Adelaide. She was living a beautiful romance with Griffin. She wanted a bit of that in her life.

Ending the call, she gazed at the sky for a while. She shouldn't be there, in Japan. She only accepted that madness because of the photo she found in Tristan's room.

For her, an image goes beyond freezing time; there is a story, invisible bonds, and, most importantly, feelings.

For a moment, she believed that what she felt for him was mutual, but she was mistaken, as she confirmed when she heard his conversation with Xavier. It was like a bucket of cold water being thrown over her head.

"What are you looking at?" Xavier asked beside her, looking at the sky and wondering what she found so interesting about it.

"I was just thinking."

"You must think the world is so big, don't you?" he smirked as she huffed.

"Xavier, don't start! Unless you want a slap!"

"What comes from below doesn't affect me," he lowered his head to meet her pouting face.

"I am short, so what? And if you keep mocking me, I'll grab a stool and punch your face!"

"You'll need more than one stool," he teased, making her roll her eyes, which made him laugh. "Anyway, I didn't come here to tease you, although it's very entertaining."

"So what do you want?"

"To let you know that Tristan is looking for you. We're leaving soon."

Xavier turned ready to enter the mansion, but he stopped when he heard Aurora calling him.

"Xavier... can you do me a favor?"

***

Days later...

The small room service team entered the luxury suite carrying trays with various foods, setting everything on the table while Aurora watched them from a corner, a little surprised.

Tristan came out of the room and saw the breakfast table set as he had requested.

"We have everything ready, Mr. Callahan," one of the maids said.

"Great. You may leave," Tristan replied.

And so the employees left the room.

"Why did you order so much food when it's just the two of us eating?" Aurora asked, turning to the man.

"I like to have options," he said, sitting at the end of the table while the young woman sat at the other end.

They began to eat in silence, well, she was the one eating. Tristan hardly put anything in his stomach and spent most of the time gazing at the girl. The past few days had been busy, and the only time he could be with her was at night. Even though he saw her little, he noticed that he was acting differently, he couldn't explain it, he just felt that something had changed.

The day before, he saw Aurora talking to Xavier in front of the room. They didn't seem to be arguing as they always did or insulting each other with size-related nicknames; it was a serious conversation, he could tell by their expressions.

Speaking of Big Ears, he just entered the room wearing formal attire.

"Good morning!" Xavier said with a smile, grabbing a cookie from the table. "Aren't you ready yet?" he asked Tristan. They had a meeting that morning.

"I just need to grab a coat," he got up leisurely and left the room, leaving the two alone.

"And so? Did you do what I asked?" Aurora asked.

"Yes..." Xavier whispered, opening the folder he was carrying and taking out some papers. "I made copies of all the information you need to know."

"Thank you." She took the papers and smiled kindly. "When did you make the reservation for?"

"For tonight." Xavier ate another cookie, noticing Aurora's eyes widening. "What's wrong? You said you wanted it as soon as possible. Don't tell me you've changed your mind?"

"No." She said firmly, folding the papers and placing them on her lap.

Tristan appeared in the room seconds later, wearing his winter coat.

"Xavier, drop those cookies and let's go," Tristan said.

Xavier filled both hands with as many cookies as he could hold and rushed out after Tristan, who was already leaving the room.

Not even a minute had passed since she was alone, and she got up and went to the room she shared with Tristan. She placed her suitcase on the bed and opened it fully, then gathered all her belongings scattered around the place.

She didn't want to keep waiting for the moment when Tristan would get tired of her, so she made the decision to end it once and for all.

One way or another, she would leave with a broken heart, and she was strong enough to decide not to prolong that pain.

***

In the middle of the night, Tristan opened his eyes, waking up from the few minutes of dozing he had. He turned his body, finding himself alone in the double bed.

"Aurora?" he called as he sat up and looked around. No sign of her.

He got up and checked the bathroom, she wasn't there either. Then he left the room and hurried to the living room, but his steps slowed down when he saw the girl holding the doorknob firmly, and next to her was her suitcase.

"Where are you going?"

She turned around, looking at his sleepy face. Her heartbeats went out of control. Damn it. Why did he have to show up just now?

"Tristan..." she paused to gather strength for her next words. "I'm going back to the United States. I asked Xavier to book a ticket for me."

So that's why they talked a lot these past few days - he thought.

"If you wanted to go back, you could have just told me," he approached her, standing in front of her. "Why do you want to go back? Do you miss your sister?"

"Yes... but that's not why I'm leaving."

"Then why?"

"I... I don't want to continue with the agreement," her words came out with some difficulty, but Aurora knew it was the right decision.