"What do you mean you'll pay any amount?" I asked, my voice trembling between disbelief and fear.Jake's tone softened, but there was a hard edge of determination beneath it.
"Listen, baby… it's going to be very difficult. You'll need two surgeries—one on your spine and one on your brain."
My heart dropped.
"Both?!"He nodded grimly."The spinal surgery alone… it's going to cost ten billion dollars."WHAT?!" I exclaimed, shooting upright in bed.Jake quickly sat beside me, cupping my face in his hands."Don't worry about the amount," he said firmly. "As I told you I'll pay. And even more if I have to."
"But that's a whole fortune," I whispered, my voice breaking. "What about the brain surgery?"He exhaled, his jaw tightening.
"I'm not sure yet… but Mr. William said it's extremely expensive."Jake, you—"
"No," he interrupted sharply, pulling me into his chest. "You don't need to worry. I can pay any amount. I have tons of billions."
I pressed a hand to his chest, looking up at him."I know you do. But at least… let me pay for my own treatment. I know I'll go bankrupt if I do, but it doesn't matter. You've done so much for me, Jake. Let me do this one thing."
His eyes burned into mine, unwavering.
"I'm not going to let you. Everything I have is yours, Aurora. Even if it costs trillions I'll pay."
Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, but he pulled me down gently, whispering,
"Now come on, get some sleep."I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat until sleep claimed me.The next morning, Aurora stretched luxuriously before turning to her right. The bed was empty.Where could Jake be?
She took a slow, warm shower and decided to dress up at her own pace. Strangely, she felt stronger these past few days—almost radiant.Her black, silky hair fell into soft curls. She slipped into a purple sleeveless round-neck flare dress that ended just above her knees. The fabric hugged her in all the right places. A light sweep of makeup, a diamond necklace glistening at her throat… and the mirror reflected a woman who knew she was breathtaking.She smiled faintly. "I know I'm such a beauty."
Descending the grand staircase, she frowned at the empty dining table.Where is everyone?
Then, laughter and giggling drifted from the garden.Ah… so that's where they've run off to.Stepping outside, she found them huddled together, mid-laughter."So this is where you all disappeared to? Why didn't you wait for me?" she pouted.But then, silence. Every pair of eyes turned to her, wide with awe as if they had just seen a ghost or something even rarer.
Jake's jaw nearly hit the floor. Aurora had always been beautiful, but this morning… she looked like a goddess descended to earth.
"If I wasn't madly in love with Angel," Maxwell muttered in a half-dazed voice, "I'd kiss you right now." Aurora's eyes widened at the bold confession, but Jake just stood there frozen—his mouth slightly open, his gaze locked on her."Maxwell's absolutely right, bestie," Angel chimed in, grinning. "You… you look amazing."Aurora smirked, walked over to Jake, and playfully pushed his jaw closed.
A fly might get in. Why leave your mouth open like that?" she teased.But Jake didn't move. It was as if a spell had been cast on him. His eyes roamed her face, her hair, the curve of her lips…
Aurora snapped her fingers in front of him.
And then without warning he came to life, closing the space between them in two strides and capturing her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss.Her knees almost buckled.
"Mmm… ahhh…" soft moans escaped between their lips, her hands clutching at his shirt as if she'd melt without him.
Maxwell's voice cut through like a bucket of cold water."At least take that inside. And if you're not going to, then for heaven's sake let's have breakfast I'm starving."They broke apart reluctantly, Aurora's cheeks flushed, Jake's eyes still dark with desire."Ooo, Maxwell, don't be such a party pooper," Angel groaned. "You just killed the romance in the air."
Jake shot Maxwell a glare sharp enough to cut glass."Fine, fine, I'm sorry," Maxwell said quickly, rubbing his stomach. "But my belly's been growling for ages. Hang on, little buddy," he spoke to his own stomach, "I'll feed you in no time."Jake let out a low growl of frustration."Enough. Can we eat now?" he muttered, still annoyed at the interruption.
But his eyes, even as they turned toward the breakfast table, kept drifting back to her like a man who had just discovered something too precious to look away from.