Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen

Conan’s POV

5 years ago

I watched as the girl with black hair talked animatedly, her hands dancing in the air like her words weren’t enough to express her thoughts. The girl across from her listened, nodding eagerly. Her laughter tinkled through the small coffee shop, soft and effortless.

I was enamored. Completely… irrationally… drawn in.

She stood up, brushing imaginary crumbs off her skirt before walking toward my table. For a split second, my breath caught—I thought she was walking up to me.

But she passed me.

A trail of vanilla and something floral lingered as she brushed by. I turned, watching her move to the counter, hips swaying just enough to make my jaw tense.

"One cappuccino," she said to the barista. "And a double chocolate muffin. The one with the chunky chips."

Her voice was warm, confident, with a little rasp at the end like she’d been laughing too hard just before speaking.

I didn’t know her. But I couldn’t look away.

Her smile was easy, like she wasn’t trying. Her shiny lips curved and moved in ways that made my fingers itch with the urge to do something…

I was damned. I knew it then.

But it didn’t matter.

Present day

The view from my office has always been beautiful.

A full-length glass wall overlooked downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific stretching beyond it like a moving painting.

And yet, this morning I couldn’t focus on it.

Aurora Daniel has always been an anomaly in my life.

It seems like I act out of character every time I meet her.

Now and definitely five years ago. The most gutting part of it was that she remembered none of it.

I guess I wasn’t that relevant whereas she has been the bane of my existence since the day I met her.

I didn’t expect to meet her again—let alone on my plane. And when she did, she looked like every bad idea I was willing to make.

I didn’t plan to ask her to marry me.

But suddenly, the idea of watching her walk away again made breathing difficult.

When she said no…

That scared me more than anything has in years.

A knock on the door cut through the silence.

“Mr. Grey,” said Rachel, my executive assistant, her voice calm. She entered without waiting for a response— the privilege of someone who has worked with me for so long.

“You have a board meeting at ten. I sent the briefing to your inbox. Also, Lawson international is pitching for the Singapore port.”

“And what was their response?” I asked, turning my chair back to face her.

“They declined.” She frowned. “But there’s more. They somehow got wind of our maximum bid. They upped theirs by eight percent.”

Of course they did.

Richard Lawson was incapable of playing fair.

“Tell them our final number. Lock it in before the end of the day.”

Richard Lawson, CEO of Lawson international, a direct competitor of grey airlines.

An old feud between two old men passing down the generation. I made it known to him that I would be having no hands in that but he’s been proving difficult.

He always tries to play games but I’m always one step ahead of him.

Rachel nodded. “Yes, sir. Also, Grey Holdings sent an invitation to a fundraiser tonight. Should I decline on your behalf?”

Grey holdings was one of our affiliated companies. It was led by my step brother, Lucas.

“Tell them I’ll be there.”

A look of surprise crossed her face. “I will do that sir.”

She has every reason to be surprised. I hardly attended public events. And when I do it's highly private ones. I spend a lot of money and resources to keep my name off the news.

This was the perfect opportunity to announce the engagement to the world.

“Cancel everything else after the board meeting.” I said. My voice gives no space for objection.

“Yes sir.” She said before leaving, closing the door gently behind her.

I’ve never wanted to be home so early but for the first time in a long time, my house… didn't feel so empty.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

The board meeting dragged on for hours, revolving around; business ideas, Lawson international and more of them pressuring me about my marriage.

Rumours about my fiance was spreading faster, the boardmembers are wondering if this would affect the company in anyway. I couldn't wait to get out of there fast enough.

By the time I was in my car I was exhausted.

“Where to, boss?” Fernando asked from the driver’s seat.

“Home.”

For the first time in a long time, the word held meaning.

As we drove past a coffee house, I noticed a familiar car in the parking lot.

“Fernando, pull over” He circled back, parking the car across the street from the cafe.

Just as I was about to get out of the car, I saw a grinning Lucas appear in my line of sight.

What was he doing here? He doesn't live in this side pf town and we didn't agree to meet at my house.

I noticed he was grinning at someone. I traced his line of sight to see Aurora holding a cup of coffee and what I assumed was a cupcake.

Her lips moved before dropping her coffee on the table behind her.

All of a sudden, they hugged.

It wasn’t just a casual side hug. He pulled her in like he’d done it before. Too damn close.

My jaw locked before I could stop it. Blood roared in my ears.

I should have looked away but I couldn't help but continue staring as he pulled away.

I watched as they sat down at a small round table. She leaned in, smiling, and Lucas said something else that made her roll her eyes—but she was laughing. Laughing at something he said.

She has never laughed like that with me before. Not that we've had many conversations.

My throat went dry.

This shouldn’t bother me.

But it did.

She’s only mine on paper..

And yet, something sharp sliced through my chest.

Jealousy? Possessiveness?

I had no idea and I was not going to wait around to find out.

“Take me home.” I said sharply, turning my head away from the window.