Chapter 5

Aurora's POV

The days continued to pass, everything was in perfect order and the same way as usual, except for one thing... Rafael. God! Everything has become so complicated with him, that tension I feel when we're together has only increased every day. Now I notice he's less reserved with me. He's started talking to me more, and we chat a little while we finish work. That's new.

I could even swear that during one of our conversations, I saw him smile for a millisecond. It shocked me, but I still maintain the same thoughts about him: Why does he have to be such a mysterious man? There are so many things I'd like to know about him, but I find it hard to believe he'd be open to having a purely social conversation with me.

Something that still had me confused was the woman who came to the office a few days ago, I wondered if she was his girlfriend or something, but I doubted it since I knew something about Rafael's personality and he didn't seem very happy to see her, but anyway, that wasn't my problem . Today I was in the office assigned to me on the top floor, there were very few times I worked here since I was almost always in Sebastian 's office or Rafael's office. Today had been a very hard day with work and I didn't have time to read the archived cases that Sebastian gave me , so I stayed here after my closing time, it was better to be here than alone in my apartment.

Rafael's POV

I felt like I was going crazy. Having Aurora here every day was complete torture for me, but I couldn't say anything. I'd gotten myself into this situation, and transferring her to another floor or firing her from the company was definitely not an option. Even though it was torture to see her without being able to get close and touch her, I couldn't let her go.

I had to admit that I liked the girl, I liked her quite a bit despite myself, leaving aside the fact that physically she was a complete dream come true, her personality was also one of them, she was fun, kind, responsible and too bright, I was still very surprised by the knowledge she had about everything, it wasn't difficult for Aurora to keep up with Sebastian and me, she was very... impressive.

I hated feeling this way. Why was her presence affecting me so much? That woman was making me want things I never thought I'd want again. This isn't me. I'm not interested in getting to know a woman, I'm not interested in knowing her likes and dislikes, or in wanting to have her by my side all the time. But for some reason I don't understand, this is the only thing I want to do with Aurora, not to mention EVERYTHING else I'd love to do with her... but no, I won't. I have to control myself.

Only staying up late working kept my mind occupied enough to not be thinking about her every fucking second; it was driving me crazy. It was already very late at night, so I decided it was time to go. That was enough for one day. I left my office, intending to leave the building, but I stopped abruptly when I saw an office light on. Given the time, I assumed no one would be here anymore.

Shit... It was Aurora. What was she doing here at this hour? A bittersweet feeling washed over me, and although the goal of staying up late was to avoid thinking about her, seeing that she was still here made me smile, and I couldn't help but walk over to where she was.

- Aurora? - I called her attention, she seemed startled and surprised to see me in front of her. - What are you still doing here? It's very late- I asked softly. - I... - She remained silent taking her phone to check the time, apparently she had no perception of how late it was. - Shit! - She whispered in a low voice getting up from her chair. That doll mouth... - Is everything okay? - I asked seeing her restless gathering all her things. - Yes, everything is fine Mr. Novoa, I hadn't realized the time, I'm leaving, excuse me- She said without looking at me and gathering everything in a hurry. I saw her walk with her bag in hand, when she passed in front of me I gently took her arm stopping her completely, she raised her face so she could look me in the eyes... Fuck, she was so close to me.

"What's wrong, Aurora?" I asked in a whisper, looking into her beautiful eyes. "It's nothing, sir. It's just that I didn't realize it was so late and there are no taxis at this hour. I'm not a fan of walking at night, so if you'll excuse me, I have to go." She looked away and let go of my hold.

Where's she going? I shouldn't care about her at all, but I can't help it. I can't let her go home alone, especially at this hour. I can't let anything happen to her. I walked up to her, reached her, and gently took her arm again, causing her to turn around to look at me again.

-Where are you going? I'll take you home, I can't let you leave like that- I told her looking at her seriously. -No, Mr. Novoa, don't worry, I can walk to...- She began to say until I interrupted her. -It wasn't a suggestion Aurora, come on- I ordered sharply, I wouldn't allow anything to happen to her, she was crazy if she thought I would let her walk away at this hour.

She looked surprised but didn't say anything. I let go of her arm but placed my hand on her lower back, inviting her to walk. We entered the elevator, and I punched in the parking lot floor. I felt the damn tension inside the elevator, so much desire inside me. I saw her, in her reflection, bite her lower lip as she stared at the floor. I discreetly shook my head, closed my eyes, and sighed.

We arrived at the parking lot. I led her again, my hand on her back. Touching her skin was like touching fire, and if I continued like this, I was definitely going to get burned. I got to my car and opened the door for Aurora, but she just stood there watching.

- Is this your car? - She asked in a somewhat indecipherable tone, I looked at her confused. - Is something wrong? - I returned the question in a soft voice. - No, no, not at all, it's just that I've never seen one of these in person, it's... impressive- She said with a sparkle in her eyes and a pretty smile. Shit ! She looked beautiful, and now adding to the list of qualities of this doll that you also like cars, I'm screwed. - Do you know about cars? - I asked once we were inside the east, she seemed to get excited when I turned it on. - Yes, a little. I've never seen a McLaren Speedtail , there are less than 120 units in the world. I thought they were banned in the United States- She was always so curious and so observant. - They are, but, I have contacts... let's just say it has its privileges to be the best lawyer in Boston- I answered her with a self-centered tone and a small crooked smile.

I had no business telling Aurora about this, it was none of her business, but here I was, with her in my car, driving her home and answering every one of her questions, and although one side of me was screaming at me that I was a complete idiot for doing this, the other felt quite calm and at peace with her.

He gave me the address of his apartment, it was relatively close to the company, but it was completely crazy that he wanted to walk here at this time of night.

-So, do you like cars?- I asked breaking the silence still feeling that curiosity for her.-Sure, I love them, I have a weakness for fast cars- She answered with a particular emotion in her tone of voice.-It's something... exotic- I said simply looking at her out of the corner of my eye, it took her a few seconds to answer.-Well, I have somewhat... particular tastes- She commented in a damned sexy whisper, I felt her gaze on me, but I couldn't turn around unless I wanted a fucking erection right now, how can she manage to cause all this in me? DAMN IT! I have to keep my distance, you have to focus Novoa, you're not going to fall for a woman, you won't...

We didn't say anything the rest of the way, I couldn't say a single word anymore, I felt like I was going to explode at any moment, I've never felt so powerless as I have in this time that I've known her, I can't go on like this, what am I going to do?

-Thank you for bringing me Mr. Novoa, you wouldn't have been upset, it was very kind of you- She said when we arrived at the apartment building where she lived, I turned to look at her before she got out of the car. -It's nothing Aurora, if you feel very tired tomorrow you can arrive an hour later, don't worry... good night- I said simply once we arrived, she gave me a small smile and closed the car door.

And there I was again, worrying about the girl's health and well-being and letting her do whatever she wanted, I was giving her complete freedom of everything and that wasn't right, at least not in my mind... I'm really screwed.

Aurora's POV:

 I'm freaking out, that man was going to make me lose my mind. How could he be so odious but so fucking sexy and attractive at the same time? The fact that he offered to drive me home even though I insisted I could go alone made me feel somehow... special. It may be silly, and it probably is, but I couldn't help but feel overly flattered. Something that drove me crazy was seeing that gem of a car he has, as I mentioned, I had a weakness for fast cars, and I felt how my emotion became very present as soon as I saw that beauty, and one thing that could have affected me in the same way, was feeling all of Rafael's damn perfume impregnated in the car, everything smelled deliciously like him, it really made me feel very eager to be able to do something, but I know that any movement with him was a sure dismissal and I wasn't willing to lose this opportunity to continue in the company. The next day I woke up at the same time to go to the office, despite Rafael's offer to be able to arrive an hour later to the office if I needed to rest a little more, which boy did I need, I decided to just continue maintaining a good image and continue being that punctual person that I have been since I entered. When I arrived I noticed that Sebastian and Rafael were talking outside their offices, both turned to look at me when the elevator doors opened on the floor, Rafael seemed very surprised to see me there, I guess he thought I would arrive much later. -Good morning Mr. Stan, Mr. Novoa ...- I greeted them politely, Rafael just nodded slightly contrary to Sebastian who approached to greet me. -Good morning Aurora- Sebastian responded with a big smile leaving a kiss on my cheek, it was very common for us to greet and say goodbye that way, but it surprised me a bit that he did it in front of Rafael, it was the first time that happened. He just looked at us with confusion, I saw that he clenched his jaw a little and without saying a word he went to his office closing the door once inside, that confused me a lot. -Are you okay?- I asked Sebastian as we walked down the hall to go to our respective offices. -Yes, you know how he is- He answered unconcerned. We started with our tasks diaries, as usual I was not in my office, at this moment I was in Novoa's office, he was behind his desk reviewing documents and I was sitting on the sofa in his office reading a case that Rafael had given me, I felt his intense gaze on me, What does this man intend? He confuses me too much! ... I was entertained in those papers when I heard someone enter the office with us. -God! Why so quiet? It seems like a funeral- Indeed, it was Sebastian joking as always, I laughed when I heard him. -What are you doing here? Didn't you have to go to a meeting?- He asked with his typical cold tone. -Exactly, that's why I'm here. Do you want to accompany me to the meeting, beautiful? It can help you gain more experience- He questioned as he approached me, I looked at Rafael for a second and then looked back at Sebastian . -I would love to go with you Mr. Stan, but I have work to finish- I informed, timidly raising the folders I had in my hands. -Oh come on old man, let her go, it won't affect you if I steal her from you for a couple of hours- I looked at both of them feeling strange, What does this mean "I stole her from you"? They looked at each other for a few seconds as if they were having a mental argument until finally Rafael looked at me intensely. -Go with him...- He said simply in a slightly softer tone, I smiled slightly and looked at Sebastian again . -Excellent, just one thing... before we go, can you bring me a pack of empty folders? They're in the warehouse on the 18th floor," Sebastian asked me politely. "Sure, I'll be right back, Mr. Stan," I said, getting up and leaving to go down to the 18th floor, which was where I used to work. I quickly went to the aforementioned floor; the small room they used as a warehouse was right in front of the elevator. It practically didn't take me any time to grab them. I was about to return to the top floor, but just after leaving the small room, I heard someone whisper my name, and I couldn't help but stay and listen. "I insist that that little girl, Aurora, must have done something to get sent to the top floor to work with the boss. There are two options: either she's getting into Mr. Stan's bed and he asked Novoa to take her up to that floor with them, or she's getting in the way of Novoa and brainwashing him to keep her there." I don't believe that little fly's ass about being very well-prepared. I'm a much more well-prepared woman than she is, and look at me, I've been in this stupid office for 8 years just as a junior lawyer... But of course, since I'm old and I'm no good enough for either of them to be their personal bitch-WHAT THE FUCK?! It was Greta, she was talking about me to some women I didn't know, how dare she?! I felt furious, oh no, this wouldn't stay like this... I approached quickly to where she was, when she saw me she seemed to pale. -Listen to me carefully Greta, I have tried to be cordial and respectful with you since I entered this place, I do not know what the reason for your hatred towards me is, but it is not my fault that you are frustrated for not being able to continue improving yourself, I am a very prepared and intelligent woman, and I am not going to allow you to question my ability and try to defame me and humiliate me with false accusations, so I suggest you stop doing it and start respecting me... Excuse me- I tried to tell her with the greatest respect I could and left her there with her mouth open. I left the place feeling very powerless and angry, it is not the first time that they try to degrade what I do and what I am just for thinking that I have a certain type of preference for "being pretty", I have tried to strive every day of my life to show that I can do things on my own merits and I am capable enough to deserve what I have. I dialed the top floor of the office, while in the elevator tears started to come out of my eyes, I was a really sensitive person and it was not that I cried because I believed what that woman said, of course not! I cried from helplessness and the anger I felt inside, I felt tired of always having someone trying to accuse me of something like that. I got out of the elevator covering my face a little, I didn't want them to see me like that, I quickly passed in front of the offices and went to mine just to try to calm down before going with Sebastian ... I was really fed up.

POV Rafael

Something I'd never felt before in my life came to the fore today. I felt a little jealous seeing Sebastian kiss Aurora when he greeted her in the morning, just like he always called her "Beautiful" or "Pretty" to ask her for anything. I wish I was the one who always called her that, not him. When he came to ask me to Aurora accompany him to the meeting, I hesitated to say yes, but in the end I think it would do me good not to be thinking about her every second, so I ended up saying yes. When Aurora went to get the folders Sebastian asked her for, I took the opportunity to talk to him. "Do you want to explain to me what the hell that "I'm going to steal her for a couple of hours" was? What will Aurora think of me?" What do I think her damn owner is? - Oh come on! We both know you're crazy about her and that you're always looking for ways to have her here to see her, I'm not an idiot- Stan said mockingly. - Stop talking nonsense Sebastian , what she does doesn't matter to me... - Now repeat it a million times in your head until you believe it, I reproached myself... We continued talking for a couple of seconds, Aurora had left the door open, from what I could see when she came back with the folders, but what I saw left me with a strange tightness in my chest. - She's crying... - I whispered almost inaudibly. - What are you saying? - Stan asked confused. - Aurora, she walked past the office crying, she went down the hall, something happened to her... - I reported feeling instantly worried, I wanted to run to ask him what had happened, but Sebastian was faster and ran off in the direction of his office. I couldn't stay with the doubt, what if they did something to her? I walked slowly until I was outside Aurora's office, the door was ajar, I felt like a fucking stalker but that was the least of my worries, I just wanted to know that she was okay, I listened to the conversation she was having with Sebastian . -What happened, honey? Tell me- He asked in a soft tone. -No, I don't want to tell you- She answered between sobs, I had never felt this way, I never thought that hearing someone cry could make me feel so... affected. -Please tell me, let me help you, okay?- Sebastian insisted . -It's just that, I don't want to get anyone in trouble... Please promise me you won't say anything... -So someone is to blame for the fact that she's crying right now... poor wretch. -I promise... tell me- -Broadly speaking... there's a person at 18 who is insinuating that they changed my position because I sleep with you or with Mr. Novoa, he's insinuating that I'm only where I am because I'm sleeping with one of you. I cry because it's not the first time they've tried to put me down and I'm so tired of it. You know I've worked hard to get where I am and it's degrading that they think each of my achievements is because I have sex with someone. She finished explaining, still crying. I felt my blood boiling with anger. How can they be capable of talking about her like that? She is an incredible woman who although it is true I have an uncontrollable desire to touch her, she has earned respect all the time and is with us for the simple fact that she is brilliant at what she does, I would take care of this matter ... Sebastian tried to comfort her telling her not to believe the stupid things they said. - Sebastian ... promise me you won't tell Rafael what happened, if he finds out that someone thinks I'm sleeping with him he'll fire me, you know how much he cares about maintaining his position and the firmness of his rules, he would hate me if he knew what they are inventing about us ... - She asked with fear. Oh, honey, how do you think I would be able to fire you? I shook my head with a small smile touched by her innocence and went back to my office sitting behind my desk and playing the security camera videos, this was not going to stay like this ... I spent a few minutes searching for the recording until I found it, I listened to everything that son of a bitch dared to say about Aurora and also the exact way in which she defended herself, I admit I felt proud of it, but I returned to my stance feeling the fury invade me again. I left my office, Sebastian and Aurora had already left, but I went down to the 18th floor to make a couple of things clear. I arrived and walked up to the group of women who were gossiping, when they saw me I saw them pale, it's obvious, I never set foot on these floors, they knew something bad was coming when they saw my furious face. -I want to make one thing very clear, positions in this company are earned solely with the abilities that each one of you have, something I will not allow is for me or my colleagues to be defamed with the idiocies that you have been gossiping among you. Miss West is where she is because of her ability, not because of any other situation, and if that doesn't seem right to you, Mrs. Jones, the door is wide open for you to get the hell out of this stupid office," I told her threateningly, remembering her own words. " Let them know from now on that I'm not going to play any games, and if they dared to speak in a degrading way about me, my company, and much more, about Aurora, let them know that a dismissal could be the least of their problems, they were warned..."