The O'Brien estate was, as always, serenely majestic.
Aurora stepped out of the black town car and into the garden path lined with blooming camellias and climbing roses, the fragrant air wrapping around her like a welcome. She adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag and smiled as she walked toward the sunroom where Mrs. Charlotte O'Brien waited.
The older woman stood just inside the doorway, dressed in an elegant powder-blue cashmere set, arms outstretched.
"My darling girl," she beamed, pulling Aurora into a warm, lavender-scented hug.
"You're radiant as ever, Mrs. O'Brien," Aurora said sincerely.
"And you're still as charming as the first day I laid eyes on you. Come in, come in—there's jasmine tea waiting, and some cinnamon walnut scones I had Dennis make just for you."
Inside the Sunroom
Sunlight spilled through the tall windows, dancing across the polished wood and lace. The tea set gleamed on the tray fine bone china with delicate gold trim. The scent of jasmine filled the room.
Seated across from one another on cream velvet chairs, they sipped slowly.
"I heard you've been busy," Mrs. O'Brien said gently.
Aurora nodded, smiling. "Actually, I came to tell you. I received an invitation to display my work at the Heaven's Art Gallery."
Charlotte's eyes widened, her teacup pausing mid-air. "Heaven's? That's extraordinary, darling!"
"It's tomorrow night," Aurora said softly, her fingers curling around the cup. "Gerald helped secure it."
"I always knew your gift would speak for itself," Mrs. O'Brien said proudly. "But I'm thrilled it's speaking louder now."
A soft knock interrupted them. The door swung open.
Derek stepped in, casual but elegant in a navy button-up and slacks. His warm smile lit up the room when he saw Aurora.
"Hey there," he said smoothly. "Didn't know we had such fine company today."
Aurora stood and greeted him with a smile. "Hi, Derek."
He gave her a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek and settled into the armchair beside his mother.
"She's just told me about her art showing at Heaven's Gallery," Mrs. O'Brien informed him.
Derek's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Wow. That's huge. Congratulations, Aurora."
"Thank you," she said, the sincerity in his voice making her cheeks warm.
Derek lifted his teacup. "To talent getting the spotlight it deserves."
Aurora smiled, truly touched.
Meanwhile Across the City
At a rooftop lounge café, Jalen Harris sat with a laptop open, but his focus wasn't on the emails on his screen.
His mind was elsewhere.
Still replaying her words.
Still seeing the fire in Aurora's eyes.
Still hearing the slam of the ladies' room door in his head.
His phone buzzed.
Derek O'Brien.
He clicked open the message.
> Aurora's here. Tea with my mom. Just mentioned the gallery invite.
Jalen stared at the screen for a long second, the wind shifting around him.
He exhaled slowly, leaned back in his chair.
So.
She was already making her moves.
Earning respect.
Leaving marks.
He couldn't stay away.
Not now.
He opened a private contact thread and typed a single message.
> Make sure I'm on the guest list for Heaven's Gallery. Full access. No press.
He hit send.
Then leaned forward, finally smirking.
Let the game begin.
The O'Brien estate stood tranquil in the afternoon light, the air filled with the soft hum of wind through rosebushes and the distant chirp of birds. Inside the grand sunroom, Aurora, Mrs. Charlotte O'Brien, and Derek sat cozily around a glass table, sipping jasmine tea from delicate bone china cups.
The sunlight warmed the room, illuminating the golden patterns on the porcelain, while the floral scent of fresh-baked cinnamon scones filled the air.
"It's tomorrow night," Aurora was saying, her voice touched with both excitement and nerves. "The Heaven's Art Gallery event."
Mrs. O'Brien lit up with pride. "Darling, that's incredible. You've worked hard for this moment. I always knew your work would rise."
Derek smiled as he lifted his tea. "Congratulations. That's a massive platform huge collectors, curators, investors."
Aurora smiled, cheeks flushed. "I'm grateful. Gerald really helped make it happen."
The warm moment lingered, laughter and soft praise filling the room until Derek's phone buzzed.
He picked it up casually, glanced at the screen, then tapped out a reply.
Elsewhere at Jalen's penthouse
Jalen lounged on his designer couch, scrolling aimlessly through his phone, still mentally pacing after a restless morning. His mind kept cycling back to her. Aurora.
He hadn't heard anything since their run-in at the club. And silence from her wasn't just irritating it was maddening.
With a sigh, he tapped into his messages and shot a casual text to Derek.
> Yo. What are you up to?
The reply came back faster than expected.
> At home. Tea with my mom. Aurora's here too.
Jalen's heart gave a traitorous jolt.
He stared at the screen. No emoji. No extra detail. Just Aurora's here.
He cursed softly, got to his feet, and grabbed his car keys without even thinking twice.
Shortly after at the O'Brien estate the sound of wheels crunching over gravel drew Aurora's attention.
Through the large windows, she spotted the sleek black Jaguar gliding into the circular driveway.
Inside the sunroom, Derek's brow lifted. "Looks like someone took my text as an invitation."
Charlotte peered out, a small, knowing smile forming. "Well, speak of the devil."
Aurora looked away, trying to mask the flutter in her chest.
Moments later, the door opened, and Jalen Harris walked in with his usual quiet confidence, dressed in a fitted charcoal sweater and dark jeans casual but refined. His presence filled the room instantly, bringing an undercurrent of tension with him.
"Afternoon," he said, giving Charlotte a quick nod. "Mrs. O'Brien. Derek."
He turned slightly, eyes locking with Aurora's.
"And you," he added, his voice a little lower.
"Didn't realize this was a public tea," Aurora replied, lifting her cup calmly.
Jalen's smirk curled. "Guess I got lucky."
Derek stood to greet him with a handshake. "You're just in time. We were celebrating Aurora's big news."
Jalen's eyes flickered to her again. "Yeah? What news?"
Aurora met his gaze without flinching. "I'll be showcasing my work at Heaven's Gallery tomorrow."
His brows rose slightly. "Impressive."
"It's been a long time coming," Mrs. O'Brien added, beaming with pride. "And very well deserved."
Jalen walked over, pouring himself some of the still-warm jasmine tea and taking a seat with smooth ease.
"Guess I'll have to stop by," he said, tone casual but his eyes never left Aurora's.
"Oh, it's invite-only," she said with a teasing edge.
He raised his cup to his lips. "You think I can't get an invite?"
Derek chuckled. "I think she's saying you'll have to earn it."
Mrs. O'Brien sipped her tea, hiding a smile.
For a moment, the tension between Aurora and Jalen crackled like static in the air muted only by the warmth of the sun and the scent of jasmine.
Jalen didn't say another word about it.
But inside, he was already rearranging everything.
He wouldn't just show up at that gallery.
He'd make sure Aurora wouldn't be able to look anywhere else.