The sound of gravel crunching alerted her that someone was approaching, she didn't bother to turn around because his familiar scent wafted into her nose,

"How long has he been in there?" Ryan questioned, coming to stand beside her.


Her eyes flickered towards him for a moment and back to the coffee shop across the road. From where they stood, they had a vantage point of what has happening inside the shop. Matt was currently seated on one of those tables that were beside the large glass window,

"A few minutes," She answered, checking her wristwatch for accuracy, "I'm still waiting for her."

Ryan hummed, tucking his hands into his pocket, "And where is she?"


She tipped her head to face him, showing her the text message that was just sent, "On her way, I should go in."

His gaze caught hers and she caught something flash in his eyes and he sighed, reaching out to her. Aurora held her breath in anticipation,thinking that he was going to take her face into his hands rather, he wrapped a hand around the nape of her neck, the other going to arrange the baseball cap on her head,


"Be careful," There was a silent war waging in his eyes, he looked like he wanted to say something but must have decided not to.

She nodded and squared her shoulders before facing the road. She waited until the traffic lights changed to green before crossing to the other side, as she walked towards the shop entrance, Aurora looked over shoulder and smiled when she saw him standing there still.

He tipped his head in discreet manner and she returned the gesture before walking in, the small bell above the door tinkling lightly.

She turned towards Matt's table, walking briskly towards his direction. He didn't seem to notice her, not even when she slid onto the chair opposite him, his eyes glued on the device in his hold.

Aurora loudly cleared her throat and his head snapped up, the confusion on his face morphing into surprise,

"Rory?"

She removed the cap from her head, revealing her fiery locks. She'd styled her hair in a high ponytail, mostly because it was easy to place the cap.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," She started, placing the cap back onto her head, "You didn't order anything?"

He shook his head, tucking his phone into his pockets, "Um-No, I'm not hungry. But I could order if you'd like-"

"I'm fine, thank you."

He dropped his hand, slowly snapping his jaw shut, "So why did you call me here?"

"I have a proposition to make."

That piqued his attention, he leaned against the table, "A proposition?" She nodded and he tilted his head to the side, "And what might that be?"

She inhaled sharply and straightened, "My mother told me that you agreed to be the sacrificial lamb, I don't understand why you would choose to still go on with the wedding when you know I slept with someone else."

He cocked a brow, "That was before we got engaged, right?" She didn't respond and he smiled, "Your mother told me already."

"But why would you want to pretend to be him, don't you feel ashamed?"

He shrugged, "I'm doing it for you, we might know the truth but the public won't believe that that happened before our engagement and you should know how the media loves to twist the truth," Matt shook his head, brows furrowing, "I don't understand why you would be unsatisfied with the arrangement, you don't have to face public backlash and they'd think that we are a passionate couple in love with each-"

"You're not in love with me," She blurted out, interrupting his speech and he faltered blinking, "And I'm not in love with you either."

His mouth parted but he didn't say a word, Aurora took that chance to press further,

"Don't you see it, if we marry we'll only hate ourselves more," She shook her head, "I don't want our relationship to end like that."

Matt shook his head, a small crease appearing between his brows, "You're not in love with me?" She nodded and he blew out a breath, "But you always said-"

"Times change and people do too," Aurora admitted, smiling ruefully, "To be honest, I don't know if what I feel for him is love but what I'm certain of is that he's the only thing that makes sense in my life. He completes me, Matty."

Matt's expression morphed into one of understanding and a hopeful feeling bloomed in her chest.

"Everyone says we make a good match," He tried weakly and her lips quirked,

"We'll only end up like our parents or worse."

"And you're willing to give up our engagement for someone you're not sure of?"

Her heart skipped a beat and she dared to look out the window, sure enough Ryan was still standing there, his piercing eyes staring at them intently. He looked so devastatinglg handsome, she felt like throwing everything away and running into his arms. Those arms were the only place that she felt truly at ease.

Their gazes met and something in her clicked into place, like a puzzle that she'd been trying to fit.

When she returned her attention to Matt, her response was more confident,

"Yes."

But he didn't seem satisfied with her answer.

He licked his lips, throat bobbing as he swallowed, "We'd find an arrangement that works. We could-I could-"

"I know you love Louisa," She cut in gently, placing her hand atop his, "And I know that she feels the same way towards you too. Don't you want to at least fight for your love?"

"Aurora?"

She smiled inwardly, slowly looking over her shoulder at the newcomer. Louisa appeared confused, her eyes darting from Matt to Aurora and back,

Matt quickly withdrew his hands from hers and straightened, "W-What's going on here?"

Aurora cleared her throat and picked up her purse from her lap, slinging it over her shoulder, "I'll leave you two to talk," She rose to her feet and passed Louisa an encouraging smile.

She didn't stop walking even when Matt hollered her name, she rushed out the door and meandered towards the road. Ryan was still standing there, his hands still buried into his pockets,

"How was it?" He mouthed and she chuckled softly.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled as she watched the two lovebirds interact. Now that she was looking at them, she saw the way Matt looked at Louisa, like she was the most beautiful thing that he'd ever seen.

That was the same way Ryan looked at her and it brought a warm feeling to her chest, knowing that someone looked at her that way too.

Aurora's smile widened and she turned to face Ryan again, she raised her hand and gave him a thumbs up.