Chapter 14: CHAPTER 14

Callum’s POV

“I want you!” I tell her straight to her face. She looks away nervously and bites her lower lip. I continue, “You’re right. I have a lot of friends. However, I can’t speak to any of them the way I can speak to you. They are very judgmental people. When you’re surrounded by such people, you regret being born rich.”

Aurora chuckles. “I guess that’s how life is. Poor people wish they were rich, while rich people wish the opposite.”

“I don’t wish I were poor,” I correct her. “It would be nice if I was born into a middle-class family. But what can I do? My parents own the largest art gallery in Paris.”

“Are you bragging to me?” Aurora asks.

“Far from it,” I mutter. “Should we do something else instead of having coffee?”

“I just want to get home and have a cold bath right now,” Aurora says hesitantly. “But if you want to talk, I’m here for you.”

I grab her hand and lead her outside. I pray we don’t run into someone who knows us, and thankfully, we don’t. I help her into my car, about to drive off.

“Where are we going?” Aurora finally asks.

“My home,” I reply excitedly. I smile to myself, knowing the exact plan I have. Aurora doesn’t look relaxed, but she doesn’t protest either. It’s a GO.

The Delaunay mansion isn’t a gigantic structure compared to those of other conglomerate families. However, the architecture is beautiful. My parents are both passionate art lovers, so I grew up surrounded by art. As I show Aurora around, she can’t keep the joy she feels inside.

“It’s so beautiful!” she says, pointing at one of the paintings in the living room.

I go ahead and tell her about the painter and its origin. I know everything about the paintings in our home, and it isn’t a coincidence. At first, my parents coerced me into memorizing the artists’ names. By the time I get into high school, I no longer need to be forced.

I even add pieces I love to the art collection. I can still remember bringing my first girlfriend here and showing her around. She was impressed when I explain the meaning of each painting, and so it becomes a habit. I always bring girls I like home to brag to them.

The butler appears in front of me and, with a knowing wink, disappears. She must understand that I don’t want to be disturbed.

“Do you want to sit down for a second?” I urge Aurora.

I sit next to her, but she shifts away. Disappointment settles in. That’s proof there is still some coldness between us.

“Erm… I… that painting…” Aurora tries, unsuccessfully changing the subject.

“What shall I offer you?” I ask instead. “It’s already lunchtime. Is there something you want to eat in particular? I’ll have the chef make it.”

“It’s fine,” Aurora mutters. “I only came because you said you needed someone to talk to.”

“That’s what we’re doing right now,” I point out. “We’re talking and spending time together.”

“Look, Callum…” she begins.

“Lunch comes first!” I interrupt. “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything is fine,” Aurora finally says. “It doesn’t really matter.”

“Sit tight.” I squeeze her hand. “I still have a lot to show you. My private art collection will shock you.”

I walk away, already calculating what I need to do. The butler is right around the corner, waiting for me.

“Young master,” she says quickly.

“I have a guest. She’s very special, so you have to treat her as such. Where is the chef? I want him to do the best—” I say without pause.

“Wait a moment!” the butler interrupts. She looks unusually serious.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Your parents are here,” she breaks the news.

“What!” I exclaim. My parents have been on a business trip for two months. They aren’t supposed to be back for another two weeks.

“They’ll be in the main building in five minutes,” the butler continues. “I tried to tell you, but you were so busy with your guest and—”

I don’t wait for her to finish. I rush back to the sitting room. Aurora’s face lights up the moment she sees me. She isn’t prepared when I grab her hand and drag her toward my room. She shouts, but I have her inside before I explain.

“Calm down!” I tell her firmly.

“What on earth are you doing?” Aurora shouts. I’ve just dragged her into my room—she has every right to react this way.

“My parents are here,” I announce.

“And so?” Aurora asks. She clearly doesn’t get the full picture.

“If they see you, they will… they might make a scene,” I say carefully.

“Why would they?” Aurora asks, her voice lowering.

“They aren’t bad people, I promise,” I try to explain. “But if they see you, they’ll start asking questions. They’ll want to know your family background, and they might stop me from seeing you once they find out you’re a nude muse at Veridian.”

Aurora takes a deep breath.

“I guess I embarrass everyone I get involved with,” she mutters. That goes badly.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I say quickly. “You don’t embarrass me one bit. I’m just afraid they might harass you. I’m really sorry, Aurora. I didn’t know they would come back today.”

Then I hear a knock at the door.

“Son!” My mother’s voice follows.

“Mom!” I shout back.

“Open the door,” she urges. I can hear my father beside her. They must both want to see their son after being away for two months.

“You have to hide,” I whisper urgently to Aurora as the knocking continues.

“But where?” she asks in a hushed voice, glancing around for a place. I look around too, looking for the best possible spot to hide.

I swallow hard. “Under the bed.”