4. WHFL

Tring! Tring! Tring!  

The shrill sound of the alarm yanked Aurora out of her deep sleep. Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped for breath in shock. She quickly groped for the phone beside her pillow, turned it off, and looked at the wall clock. Six in the morning. One hour late from Rafael’s instructions.  

“Oh no!” she hissed, leaping out of bed.  

Aurora stood in the middle of her new room—not too big, but far more decent than the rented room she had before. She swiftly changed out of her pajamas and into the maid uniform Rafael had given her. It fit snugly—maybe a little too snugly. But there was no time to complain.  

Aurora hurried to the kitchen, turned on the stove, and began to grill the waffle batter. Her hands moved deftly, even as her mind was still clouded. A stack of warm waffles was placed neatly on a plate, complete with maple syrup and fruit slices. She brewed black coffee, just as Rafael liked it. Once everything was set neatly on the dining table, Aurora took a deep breath. One task remained—waking Rafael and preparing his clothes.  

With cautious steps, she climbed to the second floor, walking down the long corridor toward Rafael’s room. Her hand hesitated before knocking on the large wooden door. But eventually, she knocked.  

Tok tok tok.  

“Rafael?” she called softly. No answer. But faintly, she heard water running in the bathroom. With slight hesitation, Aurora turned the doorknob.  

“Sorry… I’m coming in,” she said quietly, hoping not to seem disrespectful.  

She stepped into the dressing room adjacent to the bedroom. Her eyes widened. Rows of suits hung neatly, expensive leather shoes lined up on the rack like a boutique display. Exclusive watches were arranged in a glass case, and ties of various patterns were perfectly sorted.  

“This guy is seriously a perfectionist,” Aurora muttered.  

As she examined the suits and tried to pick one for the day, a deep voice suddenly spoke behind her.  

“Does it really take that long to choose one suit?”  

Aurora reflexively turned around and gasped.  

Rafael stood just five centimeters away from her, shirtless, wearing only a towel around his waist. Water droplets still trickled from his wet hair, trailing down his muscular chest. His gaze was sharp and intense.  

Aurora flinched and stepped back, but her foot caught the edge of the carpet. She would have fallen if Rafael hadn’t quickly grabbed her hand.  

In a split second, Aurora’s body crashed into Rafael’s chest.  

Warm. Firm. Their heartbeats pounded so loudly it was almost audible.  

They froze. Only the sound of the shower water continued in the background.  

Then, Rafael smirked. “Are you trying to seduce me, Aurora?”  

Aurora immediately pulled away, her face flushed red. “Keep dreaming!” she snapped, exhaling in frustration and turning away.  

Rafael chuckled lightly, then eyed the uniform she was wearing. “That uniform suits you. Makes me wonder if you should be working in the office at all.”  

Aurora rolled her eyes and tossed the chosen suit at Rafael. “Wear this. And hurry up. Your breakfast is getting cold.”  

She turned and walked out of the room as quickly as possible, not wanting her still-racing heartbeat to betray her.  

Meanwhile, Rafael smiled meaningfully.

*** 

Rafael’s footsteps echoed down the marble stairs of his luxurious home. The sound of his shoe soles reverberated through the still, empty dining room that morning. The scent of waffles and coffee greeted him but that wasn’t what first caught his attention. 

At the dining table, Aurora was already sitting neatly, wearing a cream work outfit, simple yet elegant. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and work shoes were already on her feet. In front of her, half a waffle had been eaten, and a cup of steaming coffee sat quietly. She looked calm, enjoying breakfast as if nothing was wrong. 

Rafael’s gaze instantly hardened. “Who told you to change before finishing your duties?” he asked coldly, his voice piercing. 

Aurora turned to him, chewing slowly and then sipping her coffee. Her eyes met Rafael’s with unwavering firmness. “If I don’t get ready now, I’ll be late for work.” 

“And whose fault is that?” Rafael raised an eyebrow. “You woke up an hour late. That’s your negligence.”

 Aurora sighed softly. She knew Rafael was right. But she hated being humiliated like that, so she chose silence, lowering her head and biting back the words that almost spilled out. 

Rafael smirked, satisfied that Aurora had no comeback. 

A few minutes later, Rafael’s black car was waiting in front of the house. The driver stood ready at the back door. Rafael opened the door to get in but stopped when he saw Aurora already seated in the front seat beside the driver, her work bag on her lap.

 Rafael’s gaze sharpened. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked firmly. 

Aurora turned quickly. “Going to the office.”

 Rafael snorted and then let out a mocking laugh. “In my car? You think we’re partners?” 

Aurora stared at him, confused. “Why not? I’m almost late. Aren’t you going?” 

Rafael slowly shook his head. “Do you want to be my assistant at the office too? Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Not a bad idea.” 

Aurora fell silent. She gripped her bag tightly and then let out a sharp sigh. “Why do you keep tormenting me?” 

“Get out, unless you’re volunteering!”

Without a word, Aurora stepped out of the car and shut the door a bit harder than necessary. Rafael got into the back seat, leaning back with a mocking smile clearly visible through the car window.  

“Make sure you’re not late, Aurora,” he said flatly before signaling to the driver.  

The car sped away, leaving Aurora standing alone. Her eyes stared sharply at the disappearing vehicle, then she quickly turned and jogged toward the bus stop at the end of the street.  

Aurora stood gripping the overhead bar tightly. Her body swayed along with the jerky motions of the bus, which moved rapidly and often braked abruptly. She was squeezed among dozens of other passengers who looked equally tired and rushed. Hot air mixed with perfume and sweat filled the atmosphere, making it hard to breathe.  

Suddenly, her phone rang loudly inside her bag. She hurriedly reached for it, and the screen showed an unknown number.  

Aurora stared at the screen hesitantly. She almost ignored it, but the loud ringtone began to bother the people around her. Some frowned, while others sighed loudly.  

Reluctantly, Aurora slid the green icon and brought the phone to her ear.  

“Hello?” she said shortly.  

Silence. Only the sounds of the bus engine and brakes filled the background.  

Then, a man’s voice gently yet heavily said her name.  

“Aurora…”  

Aurora froze. The hand holding the phone went limp, and her other hand nearly slipped from the overhead bar. That voice… even though she had only heard it once, there was no way she could be mistaken.  

“Dad?”  

The passengers around her began to forget her presence, but Aurora herself seemed to be thrown out of the bus—through time.  

“I’m sorry,” the voice said quietly. “I don’t have much time, but I must talk to you. Please don’t hang up.”  

Aurora tried to hold back the emotions that began to rise like cracks in glass. Her father’s voice tore open old wounds she had long buried. Disappointment, longing, and anger all clashed together.  

“Why are you only calling me now?” she asked softly, barely audible amid the crowd.  

*_*