Aurora jumped in shock, staring blankly into those star-like eyes. His gaze was usually cool and detached—but when he looked at her, it was warm, intense, and burning with something deeper.
The air between them grew thick with tension. Just as Everett was about to kiss her, she quickly turned her head. His lips landed gently on her cheek instead.
Aurora wore no makeup, and her bare skin had no scent of powder—just a natural freshness that Everett found himself drawn to.
His slightly upturned eyes narrowed, his expression dazed with longing. But before the feeling could take over completely, Aurora’s soft voice snapped him out of it.
"Don’t... don’t do that."
Breathing heavily, Everett came back to himself. He had promised to respect her—not to push her.
His eyes cleared, the warmth fading.
"Aurora, you’re not a child. Why can’t you face what’s in your heart?"
"Face what? I don’t know what you’re talking about!"
Everett let out a cold laugh, his tone sharp and distant like storm clouds rolling in.
"Really? You mean you haven’t figured out that you’ve already fallen for me?"
"No!" Aurora blurted, her voice shaky.
She didn’t want to admit it.
She’d hated him for so long—for stealing her first time. That anger, that resentment... it created a wall between them. Every time he got close, that fear came rushing back.
Everett sat up straighter, narrowing his eyes.
"You don’t? If you didn’t like me, why would you stay here with me? The old you would’ve stormed out of here without a second thought."
Aurora was speechless. Her thoughts were a mess, and she had no clue what to say to argue back.
"I... I stayed because you’re hurt. That’s all."
"Hurt? My heart’s been hurt before too. Did you comfort me then?" Everett’s voice softened, but the frustration was clear. Why couldn’t she just admit the truth to herself?
"You’re not a little kid, Aurora. When your heart moves, when feelings take hold—you follow them. What’s the point in clinging to the past? Yes, I made mistakes, and those misunderstandings were all on me. But it’s time to let them go. Because... you’ve fallen in love with me."
His words made Aurora’s body tremble. She looked up, locking eyes with his.
Had she really fallen for him?
Even though she told herself she should hate him, each night she found herself thinking about Everett, not Alexander.
Alexander was in the past now. But when she saw Everett treating his gunshot wound, the pain she felt for him made her wish she could take his place.
He got hurt because of her. And ever since, something warm had been quietly flowing through her heart.
Should she face him? Should she be honest with herself?
As she sat there frozen, another steamy scene appeared on the screen. Aurora quickly looked away, her cheeks burning. She stood up, flustered.
"I... can you give me three days to think about it, after I go back to Country S?"
Everett was caught off guard but quietly relieved. She didn’t say no—she just asked for time.
"Okay. I’ll wait for your answer."
"I... can I go now?" Aurora mumbled, her face beet red. She rubbed her hands nervously—something she only did when she was anxious.
Everett raised a brow and glanced at the screen again. Even he felt a little hot now—the tension and desire building inside him was starting to boil over. If she stayed any longer, he probably wouldn’t be able to hold back.
"Yeah. I’ll take you back."
He stood up, tall and composed, and Aurora’s heart started pounding all over again.
She followed Everett out the door and slipped her shoes back on—only then remembering that her clothes were still in the bathroom.
"I’ll have them washed and sent back to you," Everett said, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "You’re not worried I’ll eat those too, are you?"
Aurora flushed with embarrassment. Honestly, the longer she spent around him, the more that original impression she had was falling apart.
She still remembered the first time they met—in a hotel. He was cold, sharp-tongued, accusing her of crawling into his bed on purpose to seduce him.
Back then, he seemed heartless and condescending.
But now... his tone, his eyes—they were gentle. Warm, like spring water.
Aurora followed Everett down to the parking garage and climbed into his luxury sports car.
The interior was cozy and warm, wrapping around her like a blanket.
Neither of them spoke during the drive. The sunlight that had warmed the morning was now gone, swallowed by thick clouds. The sky turned gray and heavy, dragging down the mood like a cold wind.
After ten minutes or so, snow began to fall.
When Aurora stepped out of the car, a flake landed on her cheek and quickly melted into a drop of cold water.
The temperature had dropped sharply. She shivered—the snowflake felt like it melted straight into her bones, chilling her from the inside out.
Nearby, kids were laughing and cheering. Snowfall always brought joy to children.
Just this morning, the sun had been out, warm and bright. Now everything had changed in a flash. The sky really was like a child’s face—changing moods without warning.
Everett, on the other hand, was in an uncharacteristically good mood. Aurora had promised to think things over, which meant he had a real shot at being with her.
Aurora snapped out of her thoughts when she felt his coat fall gently over her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat, instantly pushing back the cold.
"Go on inside. It’s getting colder. Be careful during your MV shoot—don’t catch a cold," Everett said softly.
Aurora nodded, her lashes fluttering.
"You... you should go back too. It’s freezing out here."
She was wearing his coat now. What if he caught a cold?
Everett chuckled, deep and cheerful.
"Look at that—you do care. Alright, I’ll head back."
Only then did Aurora lift her eyes, watching as he got into the car. That tall, lean figure slowly disappeared behind the door. The window rolled up, and snowflakes danced in the air around him.
Such a beautiful winter.
Such a beautiful city—it made her want to stay just a little longer.
The car slowly pulled away, and Aurora snapped out of her daze as a few snowflakes landed on her nose. She had been standing there, frozen, just watching him drive off.
Seriously... what was wrong with her?
Her heart pounded wildly, as if someone had caught her acting like a lovestruck fool. She turned around quickly and marched toward the Shana Hotel.
The moment she stepped into her room, Dominic rushed over, firing off questions like a worried parent.
Aurora gave him a brief rundown of what had happened. Dominic stared at her, stunned.
"God, Everett is so hot! Aurora, come on—just marry him already! If you marry someone like that, you’ll be set for life!"
"If I could swap souls with you, I’d marry him myself, no hesitation. Hehehe!"
Aurora was speechless.
She glanced up, eyes landing on Everett’s coat hanging nearby.
It still looked like him—that tall frame, that clean-cut silhouette... still lingering in her mind.