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Aurora

Aurora heard a sigh behind her and tightened her grip on Cordelia. She knew how irritated he was by how long she was hugging his sister, but she hated that she was leaving. She was going to miss Cordelia, her first and true friend, and didn't want her to leave.

It was already late in the evening and Matteo's driver was waiting for Cordelia outside, but Aurora couldn't let go of her. Cordelia didn't seem to mind either.

"Aurora that's enough." she heard before she was pulled away by a strong hand.

She pouted. "I don't want her t-to leave."

"Don't worry. You will be seeing more of me soon." Cordelia winked.

Aurora smiled. "Really?"

Cordelia nodded and looked behind Aurora with a cocked brow. "That's if my brother allows me."

Aurora spun around, raising her head to look at Matteo. He scowled slightly at Cordelia before looking down at Aurora. She clasped her hands together and her lips spread wide into a smile.

"Can s-she?" she asked.

He didn't say anything but only gave a small nod, which was enough for the two girls to start squealing. Matteo cursed under his breath and the girls giggled.

"I'll call you later." Cordelia said when the driver hooted for her.

Aurora nodded vigorously. Matteo had gotten her a phone and made sure that she only had his number, but she asked Cordelia for hers too. The phone was only for emergencies and she didn't understand what type of emergencies.

The girls hugged again and Cordelia left.

Lying in her bed, she began to tremble. With every flash of light and loud roar of thunder, she shook under her covers. She was never one to like hearing the thunder and seeing the white flash outside her window, especially when she was alone.

Her room was dark as it is and adding to that eerie feeling, there was a storm outside. She loved seeing the rain hit against her window, but with harsh weather like this it was scary. She ducked under the covers whenever lightning would strike and thunder would roar.

She felt like a child. An adult like her shouldn't be afraid of something like this and she felt like she was just being foolish. There was no bravery in her and she was a coward who couldn't face her fears.

When the next one struck louder than the previous ones, she shrieked and sprang out of her bed. Throwing open the door she ran, her little feet padding along on the carpeted floor that echoed around the house. Her heart thumped inside her chest and her breathing picked up as she sprinted across the hallway.

It wasn't clear to her until her fist had already pounded against the door, what she had done. She wasn't thinking at that moment about what she was doing but when she realized she had knocked on his door, her body froze. She was so scared and with him being the only one with her in this house, she needed someone to be with her.

Her mind screamed at her to run away back into her room, but her feet were glued to the ground. Hearing some heavy footsteps on the other side of the door caused her anxiety to seep its way into her body. This was one of the worst decisions she has ever made, and she couldn't believe she had woken him up over something silly.

The door opened slightly and his toned chest was the only thing she could see as soon as it opened. She took a step back to be able to get a clear view of his face, with their height difference having her craning her neck. He looked down at her, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Aurora?" he asked.

He didn't seem tired and it appeared that he wasn't sleeping. It was a bit late into the night and she wondered what it was that kept him up. He was dressed in his sleepwear she assumed, which was his grey sweatpants and a plain white tshirt.

Even in his casual attire he looked really good.

"What are you doing up so late?" he asked her.

She placed her hands behind her back, looking down at the floor. "I just-"

The sound of thunder resided and as soon as it did Aurora's body shook, letting out a little screech as well. That movement didn't go unnoticed by Matteo as a look of concern washed over his face. It was not entirely noticeable but it was there.

"You don't like the sound of thunder?"

She shook her head. He must have thought she was behaving like a child, being scared of something so silly. She was a bit embarrassed since she couldn't behave like the adult she should and wanted to. It wasn't her fault, she really was scared in this moment.

She heard the slight creak of the door and it was Matteo, opening the door a bit wider. She tilted her head to the side, looking at him in confusion as to what he was doing.

"You can stay with me for the night." he said.

This couldn't be real. It was maybe a dream that she was having. Did Matteo actually say that to her? Her mind couldn't wrap around what he has just said, so her body didn't move from it's position. All she did was stare at him wide eyed.

He looked at her for a moment and then left, disappearing into his room. He had left the door open and she took it as a sign to follow him inside. She took one step forward, releasing a breath before stepping into his room. She closed the door behind her and stood still.

Matteo looked at her. "Come." he motioned for her to come closer towards his bed.

She hesitated but moved over to him. "A-are you sure?"

He sighed. "Get under the covers."

She didn't say anything further and did what he had instructed. His thick sheets brought her body warmth and she sighed in content. She glanced Matteo, seeing him tuck her in and then walked away from the bed. She didn't understand where he was going until she saw him make his way over to his couch.

She felt bad that he had to give his bed up because of her. There was also a part of her that didn't want him to be away from her. Did he not want to stay with her in the same bed?

"I can take the couch." she said.

"No."

"But you will be too uncomfortable. You should sleep on your o-own bed."

"I'll be fine."

She bit her lip. She really couldn't see him suffer on that couch and decided to voice her opinion.

"W-we can share the bed." her voice went softer as she spoke.

The blood rushed to her cheeks and she couldn't look at him when she suggested that. She could feel him looking at her, but did not look up once. She felt stupid for saying that and just wished she could take it back.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

She gave him a nod.

There was silence between the two when he moved over the the other side of the bed. Aurora had her yes focused on the covers while he maneuvered around. Agreeing to her suggestion was very shocking for her, and she expected a no from him.

He was never like this to her ever since she moved here. To be honest, she liked this moment. Even if it would be for one night.

Her cheeks heated up when she saw from the corner of her eye that he took off his shirt. It reminded her of the first she saw him without a shirt on, and she mentally smacked herself for being okay with it. He must be uncomfortable sleeping with a shirt on.

He got in the bed, keeping a bit of distance between them.

He moved over to put the bed lamp off and her hand shot out. "L-leave it on, please." she nearly screamed.

Matteo nodded, saying nothing. When she realized that her hand was on his forearm, she snatched it away as if it burnt her skin.

No words were spoken further between them as time went on. The chaotic sounds of rain slapping against the window was what could be heard. She was still uneasy but with Matteo next to her, she felt a bit safe.

It was about an hour into the night, and the storm had not calmed down. The raging thunder and the sparks of lightning still had gone ballistic. Aurora was lying down on her side, her eyes switching back and forth from Matteo to the wall behind him.

He looked so peaceful in his sleep. He had a beautiful side profile and she admired how powerful his facial structure appeared. He was truly a remarkable sight with adorned features that would make any woman want to fall to their knees.

He didn't make a sound nor move which meant that he was probably sleeping.

"Thank you." she whispered.

To her surprise, his deep voice had answered her. "For?"

Her eyes widened as she hadn't expected him to be awake. He was still and didn't move for a long time, she thought he was asleep. She got over her frozen state soon enough, thinking about his question.

What was she thankful for? She didn't truly know. The only thing she knew what was that she would forever be grateful for this man.

"For letting m-me stay here."

"You already said that."

She giggled softly. "I know."

"How o-old are you?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"Twenty six."

He is six years older than her. He is really old.

"Sleep."

"I can't." she whined.

Without a slight warning, she felt an arm crawl under her body. It lifted her up and swiftly moved her over to his side. Her hands flew up in a flight response and her palm was placed on his bare chest. Her cheek also knocked against his side, causing them to heat up like they normally do.

Her body froze when it came into contact with his. She was more surprised to realize what he had done and she couldn't believe what had happened. He had pulled her over, flush against his body with his arm tucked under her back, wrapping it around her side.

She felt the warmness of his hand through the fabric of her pajama top. She hoped he didn't feel how fast her heart was beating, with her chest pressed against his side.

"Matteo-"

"Sleep."

"A-are you-"

"Shhhh." he silenced her.

Her face and now her entire body felt as if it was set ablaze. His hot touch and his body against hers was something unimaginable, the most contact she has ever had with him. She knew in the next morning that he would walk past her as if nothing had happened.

But tonight she didn't care. Tonight, she was in his arms.

In the arms of Matteo.

Hey hey hey!!!

I am so sorry for the slow updates blame school. I have to keep rushing to get these chapters updated and I'm trying my best to be on time.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter btw. Ily guys!!!

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