"Wow! This is really good!"

Aurora munched on the delicious pasta, relishing in the way the savory meal melted on her taste buds. The moment she had one bite, she knew she was gone. Ryan had an amused expression as he stared at her,


"Slow down or you'll choke," He warned with a teasing tone.

Aurora simply shook her head, in fairness she couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten pasta. Her mother abhorred the dishes, ranting about how much carb it contained and how it was harmful to her health. So pasta was a no-go for her family, until now.

"I can't," She mumbled mid-bite, "It's too good."


Ryan huffed a laugh, "Well, if you want more there's still some left in the pot."

She nodded absentmindedly, too invested in slurping the contents of her plate. She didn't realise how much good of a cook he was, Aurora had expected him to be like the typical guy he portrayed.


The kind that lived on takeouts and Chinese food. Ryan Thorne was definitely hiding a lot more underneath those good looks and charm.

After her first plate and second, Aurora was so full she could barely walk. She wasn't kidding. Ryan had to carry her from the makeshift dining to one of the couches in the living room, he placed her legs on his thighs and busied himself with massaging the back of her foot.

When she asked him why he was doing that, he said to help her food digest faster. Aurora wanted to call him out on his bluff but found herself belching noisily, much to her embrassment and his amusement.

"I don't remember the last time I ate so much," She blurted out after minutes of silence and he shifted to face her, "Usually, after two bites I have to pretend like I'm full and push the plate away."

When she looked at him, he had an expression she couldn't discern. He placed a hand on her thigh, rubbing the area in a comforting manner,

"I think I'm becoming a bad influence on you, Miss Rochester."

She couldn't help it, she chuckled, placing her hand on top his, "You're way worse than a bad influence," He returned her smile and hers widened until she remembered what she'd found earlier this evening and it fell.

"What is it?" He queried gently, his fingers still swiping back and forth on her skin.

She shook her head, "I found out what those drugs were for," His movements faltered and she smiled weakly, "Anti-depressants."

He completely froze, a frown marring his face, "What? Why would he need those?"

Aurora sighed, placing the back of her palm against her forehead, "My question exactly."

She'd thought about it the entire afternoon but couldn't come to a reasonable conclusion. Evan was crazy, sure but he didn't seem like the anxious type. Especially not the one who needed drugs to curb it. So if the drugs weren't for him, then who did he purchase it for?

Aurora couldn't for the life of her figure out the answer to that question.

"Flower," Ryan spoke suddenly, breaking into her train of thoughts, "I want to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me. Can you do that?"

The sincerity in his eyes merged with the concern evident in his tone caused her to inhale softly and then nod,

"Yes."

He leaned forward, watching her with unwavering scrutiny, "Why are you doing all this? Are you in danger?"

Aurora expected a lot of questions from him but definitely not what he just asked. She contemplated lying to him but he'd been the one to help her and besides, he needed to know the truth too. He deserved it.

So she squared her shoulders and told him everything. She watched the range of emotions that flickered in his eyes and how his face shifted when she got to the gritty part, by the time she was done, he was practically fuming.

"Who else knows about this?" He questioned, spearing her with a dark look.

She consciously shook her head, "Nobody, no one but you."

He inhaled deeply and she grimaced. She didn't regret telling him, no, she actually felt a little bit lightened that someone else knew about Evan's wicked schemes. Now, she didn't have to be so alone.

"Come," He suddenly said, splaying his palms in an open invitation, "Let's go."

Although she took his hand, she was still confused, "Where to?"

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes and pulled her up, rising with her, "You'll see when we get there."

They exited the house and he locked the door behind them, throwing the key under the mat. She threw him a skeptical look which he shrugged off, saying something about the only valuable thing in there being his microwave oven. Aurora didn't enjoy the joke.

They raced downstairs and went to the back side, she was surprised to see that there was a mini garage and when they meandered towards his prized motorbike, her skepticism rose,

"Ryan?" She called fearfully but he gave her a reassuring grin.

"You're fine," He said, placing one of the helmets on her head and securing the lock. He did the same to his own before climbing the black machinery,

Aurora took in two deep breath and climbed after him, wrapping her arms tightly around his middle section.

"Hold me tight," He announced, kicking the machine to life. It rumbled so loud, she swore her eardrums almost burst from the sound and with one last reeve, Ryan sped out of the garage amidst her screaming.

Aurora clutched him like her life depended on it, her eyes were glued tightly shut and she chanted prayers. This was insane! Why didn't they just take a normal taxi?!

Ryan chuckled when he tilted the motorbike to the side causing her to screech in terror. She smacked his shoulder aggressively,

"That wasn't fun!"

He laughed, "It was for me."

Aurora huffed and rested her chin on his back, closing her eyes once again. She couldn't deny it though, she was enjoying the way the breeze caressed her skin and the adrenaline rush pumping vigorously through her veins.

Finally, the ride came to an end and she jumped out of the machine of death, regretting her actions instantly as her legs wobbled. She had to clutch the seat for support. Ryan was still laughing at her expense, helping her take off the helmet.

"Here, let me help you," She yelped when his hands went underneath her, scooping her into his taut arms.

Aurora threw him something that was between a glare and a smile, "You're crazy," She muttered and he winked,

"All the best ones are."

He stopped walking and she took the time to look around her surroundings. That was when she realized where he had taken her,

"No way!" She gasped even as he set her back on her feet. Aurora clutched the handle of the bars, looking down at the expanse of river beneath.

It was always her dream to come to this bridge but she'd never gotten the chance because it was too out of town and her mother would've never let her.

"I didn't imagine it was even more beautiful at night," She exhaled, spreading her arms wide and inhaling the fresh air.

She heard him chuckle softly, "I'm glad you like it."

Her eyes flew open and she snapped her head to face him, "I love it, Ryan," She hoped she was able to convene the sincerity that she felt in her heart.

His expression shifted and her smile fell. Had she said something out of turn?

However, his next action shocked her. He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his warm lips to hers. Aurora sighed softly, leaning into the kiss, her hand holding his elbows.

When they pulled apart, his lips was stained with a little bit of red and she giggled, using her thumb to wipe the smear.

"Aurora?" The way he called her name startled her by she smiled nonetheless, letting him know that she was listening, "We'll find a way, okay? I promise."

In that moment, she didn't care that they were both powerless and under the thumb of her maniacal brother. In that moment, she didn't care that she was Aurora Rochester and he, Ryan Thorne.

At that time, at the top of the bridge with the air blowing around them, Aurora's heart beated in sync with his and she believed him.

"I believe you," She whispered tenderly, brushing her thumb across his lips, "I believe you, Ryan."

She sealed her confession with a kiss, wishing that time would stand still in that moment.