Aura Finely

A day passed but not more than two words were exchanged between us. After I denied the meeting, Kian distanced himself from me which bothered me more than his flirting with girls in front of me.

I wished to throw my stubbornness away and be normal with him again, but I couldn't anymore. I could not see him the way I saw him at the beginning. And even if I wanted to go near him, he would walk away from me. He had stopped throwing teasing remarks at me. He had stopped smiling at me. He had stopped noticing me. And that stung like bitch.

But I had to put aside my sentiments for the task. A day had passed and we hadn't discussed anything about our plan. No matter what, the plan needed to be executed with perfection. And we didn't have days to waste either. Only five days were until the wedding.

So, ceasing the ongoing battle of my heart, I arranged for the emergency meeting with Kian and Rian. Rian was needed to be involved this time since I had to discuss something important that both Kian and I missed discussing before.

Kian was avoiding me so I texted him notifying him about the meeting I wanted to arrange.

Sitting in one of the deserted rooms at the dusty round table of the basement, Kian and I waited for Rian to end the call she was taking in the corner of the room so we could continue the conversation.

"Done avoiding me?" I heard Kian say. I switched my from Rian to him.

"I wasn't avoiding —" Before I could complete my sentence he raised an eyebrow at me, giving me a who-are-you-fooling look.

I huffed. There was no reason to hide it since he knew better. "Fine. I was avoiding you. But you were doing the same."

I mean, if I was avoiding him, he shouldn't have given up so damn easily.

At my accusation, he ran his tongue inside the wall of his cheek which I could see from outside. "I had my reasons." He simply shrugged.

I scowled. "Then I had mine, too."

He abruptly placed his forearms on the table and leaned forward, and was about to say something when Rian's voice stopped him

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" She questioned as she took her seat on the vacant chair against the table. She scrunched her nose when dirt stuck to her hands as she tried to place them on the table. She rubbed her hands together to wipe the dust. "The plan is coming along fine, isn't it?"

"Yes, the plan is coming along fine," I spoke. "It's just I wanted to discuss something which should have been discussed before."

Kian too didn't have clue about it because he too raised his eyebrows at me. Jesus, how could he have missed such an important part of the plan?

Interweaving the fingers of my hands, I leaned forward and placed the blade of my hands on the table. "Rian, in the hurry of planning your escape we forgot to ask you about the place you want to flee to. We'll have to book a safe flight for you in order not be get caught."

"Fuck! How did that slip my mind?!" Kian cussed, banging his hand on the table. I shrugged at him when he looked at me. What's my fault if he was busy flirting with every female in the world?

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I have already booked my tickets." Rian casually replied, which made me suspiciously look at her.

"Why wasn't this informed to us, Rian? We have the right to know where you are going to make sure you're safe." I questioned irritatedly. How could she hide such important information from us?

"Listen Rian..." Kian spoke. "Though I don't give a fuck to what my clients do after the successful escape, here I'd agree with Aura. As planners, we need to where our client wants to take off to."

For the first time, I heard the gravity in his voice. He wasn't being playful at all. There, I saw the seriousness in his eyes. This Kian was different. This Kian was committed to his work. However, I could only count minutes for him to turn into his usual self.

Rian laughed as if she had no care about the world. Well, she certainly didn't have. She didn't care about her parents, her family business, then why would she give a fuck about the world?

"Guys, you're making it a big deal out of it." She waved her hand. "One of my friends who's brilliant with computers helped me book a flight with a fake name and a fake passport."

I gaped at her. "Just how many people know about your escape?"

I asked as I remembered the phone call I heard her talking on. The matter which was supposed to be kept secret, she was broadcasting to the world. What's the use of escape then? Just tell your parents you're leaving and have your friends arrange a place for you!

"Not many. One or two tops. And a place to stay has also been arranged." Rian replied. I looked at Kian with a clenched jaw, giving him an I-told-you-she's-playing-with-us look.

I saw his throat creating waves as he looked at me with fear. He then averted his eyes from me and looked at her. "Rian, would you care to tell us where have you planned to flee to?" He asked.

She smiled and tilted her head. Her hand crawled towards his on the table and she placed her hand on his, which made me clench mine in a fist.

"Kian, darling, sorry but I'd like to keep it to myself."

They both exchanged looks while I pondered upon how to slap her hand away from his. Rage began to bubble inside me. I tried smoldering her hand with my fierce gaze. Only if my eyes could emit flames.

"Sorry to say Rian but if you wanted to do everything by yourself and so damn secretly then what's the reason for involving us in all this?" I couldn't control it anymore. Bitterness dripped from my voice.

Just then someone kicked me from under the table and I didn't have to look at it to tell who it was. Kian, who else! I didn't look at him but I could feel his heated gaze on me.

Rian gasped as she took her hands back to herself. Good. "You don't say that, Aura." Her shoulders sagged and she ran her fingers through her hair locks.

She sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you that I need you? Yes, I booked my ticket by myself because I can't take risk of being tracked at any cost. Both of you are an important part of the plan since you are going to help me flee, I can't do it on my own when I am under watch every single minute."

I didn't say a word. I only gave her a hard look. Kian chose the moment to meddle. "Rian, don't fret about it, Aura didn't mean that. She's upset because our job is not the one where you can keep secrets from us."

I clenched my jaw. How could he be so damn calm with her! She was not the one to be dealt with gently. She could create problems for us. But he couldn't see because he was held captive under her mystic spell.

She let out a soft breath, warmly looking at him. "I get it, but you have to understand me too." She then looked at me. "Aura, please bear with me for a little while?"

When I didn't reply, Kian again kicked me from under the table and this time I gave him a murderous glare. He bobbed his head, giving me a pleading look for me to agree to Rian, again. And damn it to hell, I agreed.

"Thank you and your remaining payment will be given on the day of escape." Saying that Rian stood up. Kian followed suit, but I remained seated. Both of them walked behind me.

"Kian, I have invested my trust in both of you, don't let anything wrong happen at the last minute." I heard Rian mutter. My jaw clicked again and I fought with myself not to look at them to see how closely they stood.

"I told you not to worry Rian, I assure you Aura and I will get you out of here," Kian assured her. I could bet on my brother that they both exchanged private smiles.

Once Rian was out of the room only then I stood up and faced Kian with my arms folded across my chest.

"Still not convinced she's up to no good?" I questioned grimly.

He visibly sighed. "Aura, I'd only say you are looking into it a little too much. I've told you many times our job is to get her out of here that's it."

"Fine. Do as you please." I dropped my hand to my side and walked past him only to be stopped by a tug on my wrist.

"You can't leave just yet." He ordered.

I withdrew my wrist from his hold and faced him again. "And the reason being?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Us."

Us! Just a week ago I would have kicked him in his butt and threatened him not to bring out the word when it came to him and me. But now, I wanted to be called us. But again, I couldn't find the courage to tell him what had been whirling inside me, so I decided to leave.

"I do not have time for this."

I tried to walk away but this time I was harshly pulled back through my wrist and was forced to face him. Closer. We were closer than we should be. But it didn't affect me in the wrong way. If anything the closeness ignited delicious shivers inside me.

"Stop it, Aura. Just stop it now. You can't run away from me anymore. Your distance is bothering me. At least tell me what I did." His voice was hard and firm, yet it held pleading.

My eyes met his blazing ones. The closeness almost paralyzed me, my knees quivered.

"Tell me, Aura." He whispered, studying my eyes, but it was as if I lost my capability to speak. I wanted to shout my heart out but I was apprehensive about getting hurt.

Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulder and shook me harshly. "Tell me, Aura, tell me. I want to know what suddenly happened that made you so fucking distant. I want to know. Tell me!"

Swatting his hands off my shoulders, I angrily pushed him by his chest. "You want to know why I distanced myself from you, right?" I shouted. I couldn't care less if we were heard by the passerby. All I cared about was my feelings for him. I had had enough of hiding like a coward.

"Because your closeness with girls has begun to upset me. I can't see you flirting with girls anymore." I let out angrily, my chest heaving heavily.

"Why? Why does it bother you?" He barked in anger. "Why can't you see me with them? You never questioned before, you never cared about that before, then why now? Why would it bother you even if I slept—"

"Because I want you to do all that with me!" I screamed, which turned his eyes wide and parted his lips in shock.

I felt emotional, my throat started to clog up, but I restrained myself from crying. I lowered my eyes and spoke. "You're right, I didn't care about it before, but spending time with you changed everything for me. Your cheerful personality, and your efforts to make me smile ignited joy inside me. I never felt so alive before."

Lifting my head, I looked at him and let out a humorous chuckle. "You won't believe how many questions I threw at myself for having developed feelings for you, but it was as if my heart had made up its mind to fall for you. I resisted, I tried, but your closeness with your ex, and Rian, brought my emotions to the surface. I still avoided accepting my feelings for you, but my resistance broke when you kissed that girl right in front of me."

He kept staring at me, listening to me without uttering a word. I took a deep breath. "I know it's not the best of the things to fall for a womanizer, a flirt because chances of getting hurt are always higher. Regardless, I did. I can't help it."

I paused. I felt light, it was as if tons of weight were lifted off my chest. He was still quiet. My abrupt confession must have shocked him. And honestly, I felt like I made a fool out of myself by confessing my feelings to him. My fears were valid. He must have heard the same from countless women because women threw themselves over him. I was just a new addition to his list.

And it hurt. Being just another one hurt.

"Forget I said anything." Hurt, I turned away and was about to take a step when within a second Kian stood before me, stopping me from moving.

I was left stunned and was taken off guard when he grabbed my neck, pulled me to him, and his lips descended on mine.

The gasp that left my throat was muffled by his moving lips. My eyes turned wide in shock and my hands curled into a fist on his chest. His lips moved softly against mine, but there was hunger in the movement. My body trembled deliciously.

He nibbled at my bottom lip, urging me to give in. And I gave in. I gave in to the temptation. Closing my eyes, I surrendered to him. He pried my lips open with his tongue and invaded my mouth, and kissed me deeper. His lips wiped out all apprehensive thoughts and sanity from my mind. 

I answered his every demand. Kissed him with full vigor, and greedily explored his essence. Pure unadulterated passion attacked my senses and the intimate part of my body awakened in need. He was a master in the art of kissing.

I felt him untie my hair from the bun and he caressed his fingers through my hair to loosen the locks. One hand in my hair and the other around my waist, he pulled me closer, and my hands up around his neck. We kissed as if there was no tomorrow. The kiss turned sweet, arousing, and deliciously threatening.

None of us made an effort to pull apart, it was that intense. Our muffled moans and loud, wild heartbeats filled the empty, quiet corners of the room. Gradually, he removed his lips from mine and pressed his warm forehead against mine as he cupped my face.

____________________________________________

Kian Turner

Euphoria lifted the corner of my lips, spreading an unstoppable smile across my face. I wasn't the only one, she too was burning in the same desire.

Years of restraints I had built around myself shattered in millions of pieces at her one confession. I did not regret kissing her. I did not regret breaking my control over her.

I had to lose control because I had a feeling she could be the one for me. She could be the one I had been searching for.

With my forehead against hers, I rubbed my nose against hers. Her eyes were still closed, probably savoring the essence we shared a moment ago.

"Where have you been?" I excitedly whispered. 

She opened her eyes and looked into mine, dazed. The bright blush on her face glorified her beauty.

"I had been searching for you all around the world, but see where I found you. Right here in the city that I left years ago to search for myself, to search for the one for me."

My smile knew no bounds, it spread like wildfire. "You are not the only one burning in flames of desire. The newly developed passion for you has been slowly scraping my layers. And I now, after your confession, I am left naked."

My choice of words brought a smile to her face. "Fucking finally. You smiled." I laughed and she chuckled, shaking her head.

I showered a few pepper kisses down from her forehead to her mouth and slightly inched my face apart. I held her chin and raised her face.

"And FYI, I did not kiss that girl."

Her gorgeous eyes narrowed as her forehead crinkled. "What do you mean? I saw you with my own eyes."

I chuckled. "Aura, I did not. You are the only girl I kissed in years."

"No way! Don't lie to me. I won't judge you—"

I silenced her by placing the index finger on her lips. "Shh, let me finish. I am not the guy you take me to be, cheesesteak. I may pass flirty remarks here and there but after the breakup with Gemma, I had decided to give myself to the girl I could call mine forever. I had control over myself... until you smashed my restraint and yanked me in your enchanted Aura."

She laughed and joked. "And you want me to believe you have been roaming celibate for all these years?"

"Well, there are other ways to satisfy the thirst. I still have my hands, you know?" I winked at her and blushing, she pushed me away.

"You are such a jerk!" She laughed. Carefree.

Taking her hands in mine, I again yanked her towards me. "About Gemma. You don't have to feel jealous of her.  I don't feel anything for her. Besides, she's already engaged."

"I know." She smiled softly, tilting her head. "She told me. We had a friendly chat with her the other day."

I fake gasped. "You girls are so damn fast. You have already ganged up against me?"

"Don't overreact, Kian." She rolled her eyes, then the mirth in her eyes washed away and it replaced with softness.

"Kian." She mumbled, looking at me. "You know, all this happened too fast, and I don't regret it even a bit. But I'd like it if take it slow."

I smiled warmly. "I completely understand you. I don't wanna rush things either. Okay, let me do this the proper way." I eagerly straightened myself and looked for something inside the room. The room was deserted and had almost nothing in it but I found a crumpled paper on the floor. I picked it up, flattened it with my hands, and rolled it in a tube.

I approached her again and starched the paper tube out for her. "Since you only give me one chance for the day, I'd like to ask, would you allow me to know you, understand you before we went on an official date?"

"If yes, then..." I wiggled the paper tube that I was holding out for her. "Consider this a flower and accept it as a token of the beginning of something new."

She sighed, her shoulders lifted and dropped. "I will...only if you promise me you'll stop flirting with other girls."

"I promise. I am aware of the fact that flirting with others when one is with someone else is considered cheating. And I am not a cheater. I solemnly pledge to be honest with you." I sincerely told her.

Without a word, she clasped the paper with her fingers and took it out of my hold. She then, surprisingly, pulled me towards her and embraced me through my waist.

"I am rooting for the things to go right." She mumbled against my chest.

I wrapped my hands around her and kissed the side of her head. "They will."

We stood there embracing each other in silence. In all honesty, the hug was comforting, more intimate than the kiss we shared.

I promised myself to be the best for her. She had awakened the long-lost feelings inside me and I wanted us to work. I hoped I hadn't hurried in making a decision and she would not want to change me when she get to know the real me, my ambitions, my way of living. I feared the uncertainties of what will happen if she failed to understand me like Gemma.

No, I had to invest my trust in her. She was different. I had observed her.

"Aura?" I mumbled, lost in my thoughts. She pulled away and looked into my eyes.

I lowered my eyes to look into hers. "Can I kiss you again?" I bet she could see the pleading in my voice and my eyes.

I had always known she was bold. She didn't have to prove it to me, but she stole my heart when she grabbed my t-shirt, pulled me to her, and crashed her lips on mine.

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