Sir?!

Ring ring.

But just as quickly as it had started, the moment was shattered.

Aurora's eyes widened in shock, her senses snapping back to reality. She pulled away, breathless, trying to regain her bearings as Dante stood there, flushed and momentarily blank-minded, his heart still racing from the close encounter. He answered the phone which was on the study table.

"Sir, we are back at the hotel. Is there anything you need?" His bodyguard's voice came through, clearly unaware of the chaos on the other end of the line.

Dante cursed under his breath, frustration flashing across his face. He muttered to himself, Why did I not put this on silent? His mind raced, replaying the moment that had just unfolded. Why am I... did I want something to happen? he thought, his chest tightening with the question.

And then, as if the realization hit him all at once, Do I want Aurora to be mine?

The thought lingered in the air like a quiet confession. Dante, surprised by the clarity of the idea, smiled before he could stop himself. The smile was small but genuine, a rare moment of pure thoughtfulness, one he didn't even realize he had shown until it was already on his face. 

He looked up at the mirror in front of him, and the first thing he saw was Aurora sitting on the edge of the bed, both hands pressed to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. Dante couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. In that moment, he completely forgot he was still on the phone, his attention entirely fixed on her. The phone call, the situation, it all faded into the background as he watched Aurora, frozen in the aftermath of what had almost happened. The soft, genuine smile that had crept onto his face lingered, though he barely noticed it, his gaze still locked on her.

"Sir?!" came the voice from the bodyguard on the call.

"Yes, yes," Dante replied, snapping back to attention.

"I've been calling you. Are you alright, sir?" the bodyguard asked, concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine. No help needed for now, thank you," Dante responded, setting the phone aside.

Both of them, uncertain of how to break the silence, stayed in their respective places, lost in their thoughts for a moment.

"So... why did you lie about your ankle? You still haven't answered," Dante asked, his voice calm but curious.

Aurora's gaze drifted to the floor, her voice soft but laced with a hint of sadness. "I didn't want them to worry about me. They already have enough on their plate, and adding mine would be too much."

Dante's thoughts shifted as he watched her through the mirror. So this is the real Aurora... he mused silently. She never wants to burden anyone with her pain, hiding it to protect them... His eyes softened, the sadness reflected in his own gaze.