Aurora kept silent for a while and just stared at Vivienne's face, trying to decide whether to speak out her thoughts or not. She knew that even if she didn't say it, Vivienne would still be able to understand her thoughts because if she couldn't even do this much, they really would have to re-evaluate this friendship between them."Don't you know already?" Asked Aurora. "Do you want me to spell it out for you now?"Vivienne raised her brow at Aurora, "I just want to understand your thoughts better so I can clear whatever misconceptions you have.""I don't have any misconceptions," was Aurora's answer in a serious voice. She called for the server to bring the bill and faced Vivienne once more as she went on, "I know you changed a lot in these ten years. You are definitely not what you used to be. And yes, I also knew that telling you about Noah's breakup won't make you hopeful to have a chance with him either. But at the same time, I also know Noah means to you. I have seen your strug
What kind of a person Noah was, Vivienne was well aware. She had spent hours just learning about all his habits, likes, and dislikes. No one might be able to understand Noah like she did. So, there was no doubt that she knew Noah wouldn't have been impulsive under the influence of alcohol. And even if she had such a doubt even for a second, it was gone tonight when Noah met her. She could see that he was truly attracted to her.It was quite ironic though.She didn't think he'd be attracted to her after all this time."Rory," called out Vivienne in a calm voice. "Noah and I belong to two different worlds. We always did. When we were young, there was a distinct line dividing our worlds but now, that distinct line has turned into a raging ocean that is difficult to cross. He belongs to light. He always did meanwhile, I was always living in the darkness. No matter how greedy I had been for the light, I couldn't catch it back then and I don't dare to get close to it now in fear of being bur
"How do you like the interior?" The man settled his glasses on the bridge of his nose as he looked at Vivienne. But when she turned her head to look at him, for some reason, he lowered his eyes, not daring to meet her gaze. There was no other reason except that he always got flustered around this client. He wasn't even an inexperienced young man, he had been working in this society for over six years now. And he had worked for all kinds of people. After all, Los Angeles didn't have a shortage of celebrities or affluent people. However, when he first had a meeting with Vivienne over the video call, he was momentarily lost.And it somehow worsened when he met her in person for the first time. He was even clumsy enough to spill the coffee on his suit. Fortunately, it was cold coffee or he'd have really suffered.Vivienne had looked around the place and she had a satisfied look on her face right now. Just thinking about having her own nest made her feel excited. Although this nest was a
Vivienne found herself in an endless hallway, its walls narrowing as she moved forward, the ceiling lowering ominously. The air seemed to be so thick with an unknown pressure that it made her breath laborious. Dim, flickering lights cast eerie shadows, distorting her perception and heightening her sense of dread. The surroundings were so silent that she could only hear the sound of her own footsteps echoing unnaturally.She wanted to leave but when she turned around, the hallway behind her vanished, replaced by the impenetrable darkness. Panic set in, her heart racing as she realized that there was no way to escape. Since there was no way back, she pressed on forward, her steps quickening despite the growing terror within her. Doors lined up the hallway, identical and closed. She reached for the nearest one, her hand trembling as she twisted the knob.The door swung open to reveal a scene from the past, one she had tried desperately to forget. She found herself standing in a dark fore
The day of the housewarming party soon came and Vivienne had been planning for it since the day she moved in. She could have hired a catering company or even house help to deal with this small but intimate gathering but she didn't want to do so. She'd rather do these things herself as it would seem more sincere to her guests and she'd be able to keep herself busy with physical labor, refraining her mind from being too active with chaotic thoughts.Vivienne was bustling through the kitchen and the pantry when Aurora came over. Since Vivienne had already told her the passcode for the door, she entered on her while looking around with an exaggerated and complicated look. She didn't know what to say to Vivienne about her choice right now."I thought you'd look for a cozy place," commented Aurora as she put down her duffle bag which showed that she came with the intention of staying over. "At least, you could have designed it with a homely feeling. It seems too lifeless just like your eyes
Vivienne couldn't Angelina's words to heart though, how could she possibly ignore the presence of the person in front of her? With eyes the color of the summer sky, he radiated a charm that had always been able to captivate her effortlessly. His sunny smile, warm and inviting, lit up his face, painting an image of ease and joy.It was a smile that beckoned like the sunbeams breaking through clouds, promising warmth and comfort.Noah looked at Vivienne's stunned state and his eyes deepened. He pushed the bouquet of champagne roses into her hands and waved his hand in front of her eyes, "Snap out of it. My handsomeness isn't that hypnotic."Vivienne's lips ticked up at his comments as she really snapped out of it and looked down at the gorgeous champagne roses. She caressed the roses with her slender fingers as she greeted, "What a pleasant and unexpected surprise, Mr. Sullivan."Noah's smile widened as he nodded slightly, "It's indeed unexpected. It's my first time coming to someone's
Downstairs, Aurora had to take on the role of the host as she inquired about what Noah and Liam would like to drink. She couldn't just leave these two men here unattended. "Vivi has prepared a wide variety of drinks," informed Aurora. "So, you both can ask for whatever you feel like drinking. We have iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water, coffee, tea, and even fruit juice. We also have wine but I think it's too early for that. Oh, there is also a signature cocktail but you'll have to wait for Vivi because only she can make that signature cocktail.""I'm fine for now," replied Noah. "So am I," added Liam. He also looked at the interior of the house with an appreciative look in his eyes saying, "Your friend has impeccable taste, Ms. Brooks." "When did you become so formal?" questioned Aurora. "And there is no doubt about Vivienne's taste when it comes to things. But her taste in men can be quite questionable." Her eyes were directed toward Noah when she said that sentence which held qui
Angelina didn't think she needed to hide anything from her husband. They were life partners now and she wasn't the kind of person who felt the need to keep everything inside her heart. She was always talkative and expressive because she believed it was the best way to get along with your partner."I think Noah would understand why my attitude is different towards Vivienne," said Angelina with a slightly teasing smile directed toward Noah who was quite helpless today stuck under the joint attack of Aurora and Angelina at every single turn. And he hadn't even started chasing Vivienne seriously yet.He could only imagine what these two friends would do to him once he really became a little more serious towards Vivienne and he already had an inkling that he wouldn't be able to escape. He might have thought that it was a momentary attraction before but from the moment Vivienne said that they were impossible, his thinking changed. Maybe he had a rebellious attitude now. In view of the fact