Chapter 67 I love you
After the emotional speech given by Aurora ended, Arthur picked his microphone and started talking again.
“Once again, Thank you, everyone. But before we leave here, the celebrants want us to go one more thing,” Arthur uttered, turning to look at Aurora.
Aurora’s heart began to beat very fast as their eyes locked. ‘Do we still need to do this?’ She wondered, but Arthur was pertinacious about getting a kiss from her.
He moved closer to her, his ethereal smile drawing her closer to him as he cupped her face in his hands.
“Oh, they are going to kiss!” Carter gushed, playfully hitting Derick on his arms as they held each other.
Closing the gap between them, Arthur leaned closer, while Aurora’s eyes slowly went shut. This time, she felt her heart beat faster and louder.
She feared that her nervousness could be seen by the people watching, so she began to tell herself that everything was okay.
Eschewing her anxiety, her lips slowly parted as she felt Arthur’s breath breeze on her upper lips, and before she knew it, his lips covered hers.
“Oouuuuuu!” The people cheered in excitement.
The boys squealed very hard, hitting each other, showing how happy they were to have succeeded in their plans.
Aurora melted into his arms, and he pulled her even closer, his hand around her waist. Their lips molded together in a rhythmic pattern, and just when Arthur wanted to introduce his tongue, Aurora slightly drew back.
She opened her eyes and let out an affable smile. “Kids are here.”
She uttered in a whisper, and Arthur gulped and nodded. He had almost forgotten that they were in front of people.
There was an awkward silence in the room, while Arthur and Aurora were engrossed in their world.
“Why did you stop?!” Ryan yelled, breaking the silence and everyone burst into laughter.
“It’s your day, not hers!” Arthur answered, holding Aurora’s hand as they walked down the stage.
Jack, even though he was despondent after seeing the connection between Aurora and Arthur, put on an affable smile, staring at Aurora as she left Arthur and mingled with others at the party.
“How are you?” He heard someone ask from behind him. He looked back and saw Carter.
“Oh, I’m fine. You?”
“There are horses in my belly, right now. That kiss is the most passionate kiss I’ve ever seen.” Carter uttered, holding his heart and putting on an emotional facade.
Jack nodded and smiled feebly, looking away from Carter and at Aurora again.
“Are you mad about it, though?” Carter further inquired, and Jack scoffed.
“I’m blithe about it.” Jack lied, causing Carter to laugh softly.
“No, you’re not. I saw the look on your face when you watched them kiss. You don’t have to keep that from me. I know you like Aurora very much, and it’s not a bad thing.”
“It doesn’t matter how I feel. She will never stop loving that man.” Jack answered coldly.
“She told you that?”
“When she was drunk, Yes. I just hate that he takes her feelings for granted. I mean, it’s Aurora. She’s a wonderful woman.” Jack uttered.
“Yes, she is a wonderful woman. And I believe Arthur’s eyes are beginning to open. Don’t worry, she will be fine.”
“Yeah. Thank you. And…” Jack looked at Derick, who was having a conversation with Arthur.
“Congratulations on your engagement with him. I was happy to see it happen in my restaurant.” Jack responded.
“Really? Thank you, and all thanks to Aurora. That lady is a boon to me.”
“She is to everyone.” Carter added, their eyes glued on Aurora as she smiled heartily with some of the parents from the boys school.
Just then, Arthur approached Aurora from behind and wrapped his arm around her waist. She looked up to her side and her face met with his.
“Can I get you a drink?” Arthur asked, and Aurora chuckled.
“What are you doing, Arthur?” She asked amidst laughter.
“I’m chasing you.” Arthur answered, waving down one of the hostesses that served drinks.
He took the glass of wine from the hostess and gave it to Aurora. “Here.” He said to her as she collected the glass from him.
“Thank you. But just so you know, this doesn’t count.” She answered, acting unfazed with his sudden act of service.
“Really?” He raised his eyebrows as he moved to her front. “What counts then?” He asked, and Aurora shrugged.
“I don’t know. You’ll have to do it for me to know.”
“So will asking you out on a dinner date count?” Arthur further inquired.
“I don’t know. I may be busy. Remember, I work now.” Aurora answered, taking another sip from her glass.
“Then I guess I have to ask permission from your boss.” Arthur answered, and without any further ado, he walked up to Jack, who couldn’t help but stare at Aurora.
“Hi. Jack, right?” Arthur asked, and Jack nodded.
“Hi.” Jack answered.
“Okay, so I was told you are Aurora’s boss. So I’m here to ask if you could give her a break from work tomorrow.”
“What?” Jack chuckled. “Why are you the one asking for this?”
“Because she wouldn’t just joke with her job and take random leaves. That’s why I’m here. I’d love for you to help me out.”
“Why though?” Jack asked, folding his arms on his chest.
“Because I'd love to take her out, and I can’t let her get stressed before the date. So, are you going to help me with that?” He further asked.
Jack nodded and moved closer to Arthur, almost like he was going to walk past him.
“Listen, if you hurt her again, I swear to you that you’ll never ever get the chance to get close to her, ever again. Left to me, I wouldn’t stop showering her love until she finally forgets about you.
“So this is your last chance, I’d advise you to take it seriously. And for the leave tomorrow. I’ll help you out with that.” Jack answered, tapping his shoulder.
He was about to leave, but then Arthur stopped him.
“And before you go, I have to tell you this. Stay away from Aurora. I know you’re her boss, and that is practically not possible, but you understand. Forget about anything happening between both of you. It’s never going to happen.”
“I know, but that doesn’t depend on you. It depends on Aurora. Hurt her once more and see how hard I’m going to come at you.”
With clenched jaws, Arthur walked out from Jack’s presence and returned to where Aurora and the boys’ were.
“Let’s take pictures, Daddy!” Riley yelled, waving at him.
“Okay, son!”
Aurora and Arthur bent down, while the boys stood in their middle, posing for the camera.
After a while of taking pictures, the boys moved away from them.
“Now it’s turn for mummy and daddy.” Rowan suggested.
“Yes!” Ryan and Riley yelled in excitement.
While they took more pictures, Arthur turned his head to look at Aurora, his eyes filled with so much emotion as he watched her smile softly.
“I love you.” He whispered to her, causing the smile on her face to disappear in awe.
“What?”
And just when she turned her face to meet his, he covered her lips with his.