6. He's Here

♛

Aurora:

I froze in my tracks when I heard the announcement. What?

“Wait, what?” Trish’s voice sounded from the other end of the call. “But you don’t even have a speech prepared,” she added, sounding worried.

I wasn’t sure how I ended up hanging up, but I knew my fingers must have slipped and tapped the screen out of shock. I wasn’t used to the spotlight yet, and an impromptu speech was only going to make things worse.

Trish’s word about Adrian coming here didn’t matter anymore. Because as soon as I gave this speech, I was leaving immediately - at least to avoid running into him.

Adrian doesn’t scare me. Definitely not. I just think my life would be a lot more peaceful if I never had to cross paths with him again.

The crowd settled into clapping for me as I made my way to the stage. As soon as I reached the podium, my fingers brushed against it, and silence fell over the room.

The host, Mr. Robert—a middle-aged man and one of my business partners—spared me a half-smile before stepping back, letting me take the stage completely.

All eyes were on me. Cameras pointed in my direction.

I took a deep breath, then smiled before starting.

“Good evening, everyone. First, I want to thank the organizers of this event for putting together something that truly matters. It’s easy to write checks, to fund projects. But what we’re talking about tonight goes beyond that. It’s about showing up, taking responsibility, and ensuring that our impact isn’t just temporary, but lasting.”

I spoke without pausing, feeling the strain of it in my throat. I had a gut feeling that if I took more than thirty seconds to breathe, I wouldn’t know what to say next.

“When I started my consulting agency, my goal wasn’t just to help businesses ‘give back.’ It was to change the way we think about philanthropy. Charity shouldn’t be a marketing strategy. It shouldn’t be about optics. It should be about real change for the society.”

My fingers tapped the podium absentmindedly, though not loudly, as I scanned the audience. I spotted Noah back at our table, watching me like everyone else.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations that understand that. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when resources are placed in the right hands, and when funding goes beyond temporary relief and creates opportunities. And that’s why we’re here. Not just to donate, but to invest. Not just to support, but to empower.”

I took a deep breath. I wasn’t entirely finished, but somewhere in the crowd, a clap started. Then another. And before I knew it, applause rippled through the room, followed by raised glasses in toast.

Someone walked onto the stage and whispered something to Mr. Robert. I barely registered their exchange because I was too focused on finishing my speech. But then, beside me, Robert stiffened. He murmured something back to the man before both of them left the stage.

Was everything okay? I frowned, it didn't feel so. But I pushed the thought aside and continued.

“I can’t express how grateful I am to be chosen as the lead consultant for this major charity project. This initiative isn’t just about aid. It’s about building and about equipping communities with the tools to sustain themselves long after everything else is gone.”

Suddenly, murmurs spread across the room. I couldn’t hear what they were saying at first, but from the table nearest to the stage, someone whispered, “He’s here?”

I frowned. Who’s here?

A moment later, the large entrance doors swung open.

My throat tightened and I struggled to complete my speech.

“Let’s make sure that when we leave this room, we don’t just feel good about what we’ve done. We should feel accountable for what comes next. Once again, thank you all so much for giving me this opportunity.” I ended it with a smile.

As soon as I finished, the room erupted in applause again. I stepped off the stage and shuffled for my phone inside my bag. The murmurs grew even louder than before.

“I thought he was out of the city?”

“I heard he’s back.”

“Since when?”

“Tonight, I think.”

I didn’t need someone to sit me down and spell it out for me. I already knew what was going on.

Was I scared? No.

Eager? No.

Happy? Absolutely not.

Then why were my fingers trembling?

I pulled out my phone and headed toward the hallway, dialing Edward’s number.

Someone intercepted me, and I stopped walking, looking up to see who it was. I released a breath of relief when I realized dit was Noah.

“That was a nice speech,” he complimented, and I smiled.

“Thank you,” Only if he knew it wasn't planned out before. Something I would need to give Bonnie an earful for later.

I looked down at my phone as the call connected. “Edward?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Where are you?” I asked.

“I’m outside. Are you ready to leave?” he responded.

“Yes, I am.”

There was some shuffling on his end before he sighed. “I don’t think you’ll be able to make it through with the crowd out here.”

I didn’t think so either.

As a security guard passed by, I stopped him and asked, “Is there a back door?”

He simply nodded and pointed toward a hallway.

“Thank you,” I muttered, but he was already gone.

Jesus. Wasn't it just a man? Why was his arrival enough to cause this much chaos?

I sighed because I knew the answer to that. Everyone in New York respected Adrian.

“There’s a back door around here,” I told Edward. “Can you check it out and wait for me there?”

“Sure, ma’am. I’ll be there in two.”

The call ended.

Noah turned to me, watching me. “Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. I’m not feeling well.”

“Oh.” He nodded. “You should go, then.” He sighed. “I guess I’m left without a plus one now.”

I let out a small laugh, about to say sorry, but he stopped me.

“I’ll walk you out.”

Without another word, he led the way toward the hallway.

Before we could get to it, all of a sudden, the entire room fell into silence. Everyone stopped moving.

Noah and I were the only ones still shuffling through the crowd.

And then I felt his presence, even before I turned.

Just a glimpse. Rory, just a glimpse.

As we reached the hallway, I risked a glance over my shoulder. And I saw him.

Adrian hadn’t changed.

His sharp eyes, broad shoulders, and tailored suit framed his build perfectly. His jaw was firm, his expression was blank. Bored, even. It didn’t change, not even when high-profile elites approached him with handshakes and greetings.

I was just about to turn away when his gaze swept across the hall. Like he was looking for someone.

His eyes swept pass me, but then it snapped back to me.

And almost instantly, they stopped.

His bored expression shifted, his dark eyes stared at me intensely.

At the same time, I turned my head—and walked away.