Free Web NovelChapter 61: Friend or foe (2)
Aurora took in every small detail about Vincent’s home as she followed Mari to the dining room. She noticed there was only one portrait of what she believed to be his family. Why weren’t they more? Normally, houses belonging to the rich were filled with family portraits because the house was most likely passed down and they wanted to keep family memories on the wall.
She was curious how this society worked and how similar it was to where she grew up as Mari said. What she learned through tutors back home might not be the right etiquette here and she started to worry. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass herself. The best way to learn was to silently observe Vincent’s ways and to also ask Mari questions.
She reached the second floor where the dining room was located and couldn’t refrain herself from looking around. Unbeknownst to her, Vincent was watching her from the head of the table. He silently watched her take interest in everything the room had to offer and she was so intrigued that Aurora didn’t realize she had reached the dining room table nor did she see him sitting there.
Vincent enjoyed watching her for a few more seconds then called out to her, "Does my home suit your taste?"
Aurora gasped, startled by his voice, and now realized she was standing in front of the table. She glanced at Mari whose head was down but she knew the young girl was smiling. She then looked back at Vincent and said, "You have a lovely home. Thank you for allowing me to stay here."
She began to take a seat in one of the chairs furthest away from Vincent but he stopped her.
"Are you scared of me, Aurora?" He asked keeping his burning gaze on her movements.
"No," she replied, confused by the sudden question. If she was scared of him, Aurora wouldn’t have followed him here in the first place.
"Then why are you sitting all the way over there where I have to speak loudly for you to hear me? I won’t bite you if you come near me. I am not a vampire," he replied, pouring himself a glass of water, waiting for her next move.
Aurora took a deep breath and got up from her seat to move closer to him. Where she now sat had one chair in between them. "I prefer to stay here. It’s not that I am scared of you but I just need some distance between us."
"Are you longing after me?"
If Aurora had been drinking or eating something she might’ve choked. Here he was again with the blunt questions. "What on earth makes you think that? I am certainly not longing after you?"
"All I plan to do at this table is eat but you want to put some distance between us. I have no thoughts of doing anything inappropriate even with how beautiful you look now. I can only assume it is you who cannot control your thoughts and desires. Thus, the need for distance." freewebnøvel.com
Aurora felt the urge to rinse out his mouth with saltwater because of the way he spoke. "Your assumption is completely wrong. I just want some harmless distance between us. Why does your mind always have to go somewhere else?"
"My mind? My mind has been perfectly fine but it is you who thinks the opposite of what I mean or does suspicious things. You might be an improper woman but don’t worry, I am not judgemental like others."
Aurora watched as his mouth formed into a grin. Clearly, he loved teasing others but she wasn’t going to allow him to get under her skin. The one question she wanted to be answered now was how were they even lovers in the past? Or even friends. They didn’t seem to have anything in common other than Artemis. Was this a case of opposites attract? Aurora then remembered Artemis saying she wasn’t as innocent as she is now in the past. That could mean her past-life personality might not be so different from his personality.
"You are staring at me, Aurora. Then you’ll be trying to tell me my assumptions are wrong. Don’t be shy and hide what you are feeling. I am a handsome man after all," he smiled showing off how much better he looked when he did so. Vincent liked knowing she was taking some interest in him. The plan was to take baby steps with Aurora by helping to get back her memories first. Teasing her along the way was a bonus.
Aurora looked to Mari beside her and asked, "Has he always been like this? I can’t imagine what it feels like to work for him."
Mari giggled as she also enjoyed the conversation between Vincent and Aurora. "Vincent is a kind boss."
"Right." Aurora had a feeling Vincent could spout nonsense but he would still be seen as an angel in everyone’s eyes. "I would love to go on a tour today with Mari if you don’t mind. I want to see what this area is like. Can I?"
"You aren’t a prisoner where you have to ask for permission to do anything. I will take you on the tour because I need to introduce you to others as my valued guest. It is important that they know you aren’t a threat. Looks can be deceiving and those who have never met you will be suspicious. I will also give you a rundown of you to stay away from." frёeωebɳovel.com
"Thank you," Aurora replied, a bit surprised he was easily agreeing to do this. She didn’t know why she was expecting him to keep her sheltered in his home. Not everyone was trying to hide her away. At least for now that’s what she wanted to believe about Vincent.
"And Aurora," Vincent called out to her. "I can’t help myself as my ears are sensitive and hear a lot of things. If there’s anything about me that you wish to know, please knock on my door."
Aurora blushed realizing he heard her speaking to Mari when she was bathing. The knowledge of him hearing her made Aurora feel exposed.
