~Evening~

~Aurora's pov~

I was running on the treadmill, trying to get Tobias's thoughts out of my head. He's a bad chipmunk. Not the cute ones, but the obnoxious ones.

The more enraged I became at the prospect of Tobias avoiding me, the faster I upped the treadmill's speed. As sweat streamed down my cheeks, my feet thudded on the treadmill. I increased the speed gradually until it was reduced by someone.

I turned to confront Rowan and yelled at him.

"Why did you do that?" I scowled. He smiled as he stepped onto the treadmill.

"Do you want to die from weariness or something? You've been running like this for about an hour. How come you're not tired?" Incredulous, he asked.

I shifted my attention back to the treadmill and quickened the pace.

"It is none of your concern. Please don't bother me; I like to run." I sighed.

"All right, don't mind if I do some pull ups. So, have fun." He saluted me before leaving me alone. I heard someone get on the treadmill next to me as I started to speed up. I stared at the person while running... Tobias?

He wasn't even looking at me as he increased his speed to match mine.

Was he in a competition with me or something?

I raised my speed even more and began to run out of breath. I immediately heard a beeping sound from his treadmill, indicating that he had upped his pace to match mine. What in the world was he doing?

I boosted mine even further, as did he.

I upped mine, but this time I didn't pay attention to my feet and slipped.

I flew off the treadmill and collided with the sweaty towels shelf hanging rack, causing it to fall on top of me. The thump reverberated across the quiet gym.

I grimaced as I gently rose from the heap of damp towels, glancing wearily at the folks around me.

As I cautiously lifted one of the towels from my head, my cheeks began to flush. I wanted to bury myself in these towels and die.

"Hello, are you okay?"

Rowan and this other guy extended their hands to me.

As I stood up, I grasped their hands in mine awkwardly.

"I'm sorry for causing such a commotion." Embarrassed, I rubbed my nape.

"It's all right. That happens, but I'm glad you're okay." Before he left, the man ruffled my hair like I was a child. Rowan also patted my head and walked away. I swiftly grabbed up the big rack and tried to put it back on the wall, but I struggled because it was a little too heavy for me. It suddenly felt lighter as the weight of it was removed. I smiled as I looked at the person, only to see Tobias helping me in pushing it up. We both succeeded in pushing it up against the wall.

"Thank you for-"

He simply walked past me to pick up the towels that were on the floor.

This is getting out of hand. Now he's just being dramatic.

I grabbed the towels from the floor and tossed them over his face, causing him to stagger back.

"Quit ignoring me! It's starting to irritate me! You're very dramatic." I let out a hiss.

He kept gathering up the towels as if I hadn't said anything.

I charged up to him, leaped onto his back, and choked him.

"Speak to me or I will murder you!" I spoke into his ear.

With me on his back, he continued to pick up the remaining towels.

"I mean it, I know 23 methods to murder someone. Don't even try me! "I screamed.

He sprang up quickly, dangling me from his neck.

How does this man remain so unaffected? It's starting to affect me!

He hung up the towels and took my hands off his neck.

"Come on, I'm genuinely sorry; please speak to me..."As I stood in front of him, I said. He tried to flee, but I trapped him between the racks.

"Please?" I mumbled, trying to give the finest version of my puppy dog eyes.

He simply groaned and shoved me aside. Okay, I'll try something different.

"M-My He-Head is dizzy..."I whispered as I dropped to the ground, thinking he'd believe me and hurry over to me, but he just went around me.

I was completely defeated as I lay on the ground.

"I miss you, Tobias." I muttered.

"I miss your cheeky personality, your cocky smile, your kisses, and your protectiveness. I miss you...But if you don't come back right now, I'll marry Rowan and divorce you."

There was nothing but silence around me. I shut my eyes and extended my hands on the floor. I know I looked ridiculous, but I'm sick of it.

"Reeeeally , I'm kidding...I only want to marry you," I said to myself.

"Are you sure?" Someone said. I blinked open my eyes and gazed up at him.

His baby blue eyes were mischievous, and he had that confident smirk I had missed.

"100%," I said unequivocally. He got down on his knees near me.

"Well, then I'd like to marry you as well." His dimpled grin shone through.

I got up and excitedly hugged him, hanging onto him as if he'd vanish at any moment. This time, he hugged me back.

His warmth infiltrated my body as I sagged in his. I deepened our embrace, overjoyed that he was finally talking to me.

"Aww, you missed me," he joked. I yanked away from him and whacked him.

"You nincompoop! I hate you!" I snarled angrily.

"You weren't saying that a few minutes ago."He raised his brows.

I lingered a little too long on his happy smile. I genuinely missed him...

"Dramatic asshole," I grumbled. He hummed cheerfully.

"Jerk." I repeated myself.

He smiled and placed a strand of my sweaty hair behind my ear.

"Please don't do that again..."I said as I looked down, trying to keep my tears at bay. I'm not a crybaby, but this reminded me a lot of what my ex did to me.

He drew me into another hug and massaged my back.

"I'm sorry. I should not have done that, but you really infuriated me." His soothing voice soothed my worries. I hit him once more.

"You made me think of my ex, and that scared me." I muttered. He gripped me even tighter as he apologized.

"I'm very sorry. I had no idea...I should not have done that. I'll make up for it!" He went into a panic.

"Make me some noodles."

"What?"

"Make me spicy noodles that taste like strawberries just like the day we met."

He kissed my lips.

"Your wish, my highness, is my command." He made a dramatic bow.

I burst out laughing.

He was so cute...