Chapter 129
Chapter 129:
“Why did you go that far?” she asked.
“Define ‘that far p>
“Punching Sterling. Claiming I was yours in front of the press. Risking your reputation, your family standing… for me. Why p>
Elias looked at her. He could lie. He could say it was strategic. He could say it was to annoy his nephew.
But the deal was the truth.
“Because,” Elias said, his voice low and steady, “when I saw him grab you… logic left the building. I didn’t calculate the risk. I just knew that if he touched you one more time, I would burn the city down p>
Aurora’s breath hitched.
“And the girlfriend part p>
Elias reached out. He took her hand again. His thumb traced the sensitive skin of her wrist.
“That,” he said, looking deep into her eyes, “was wishful thinking p>
Aurora stared at him. The silence was thick, charged with unsaid words.
“Elias p>
“You don’t have to answer,” he said quickly, pulling back slightly. “I know. Friends. Partners p>
Aurora grabbed his hand, stopping him from retreating.
“I didn’t say no,” she whispered.
The tension in the room was so high it could have powered the city grid.
But then, Aurora’s stomach growled. Loudly.
The sound tore through the romantic atmosphere like a chainsaw.
Aurora covered her face with her hands. “Oh my god. I’m sorry p>
𝒢𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝑒𝓍𝓉 → 𝓰aⳑ⧫𝗇𝗈⧫ν𝖊𝗅⧫𝘀⧫ⅽ⧫𝗈⧫𝗆
Elias blinked, then chuckled. “Biology is efficient. It demands fuel p>
He checked his watch. “It’s 10 PM. The kitchen here is closed p>
They walked out of the tea house onto the street. The West Village was bustling, but most high-end restaurants were booked solid.
“I’m starving,” Aurora groaned. “I can’t wait for a reservation p>
She spotted a food cart on the corner. The smell of grilled meat and spices wafted through the air.
“Tacos,” she said, pointing.
Elias looked at the cart. He looked at the grease stains on the sidewalk. He looked at the guy handling money and food with the same gloves.
“That,” Elias stated, horror in his voice, “is a gastrointestinal disaster waiting to happen. It violates at least seven health codes p>
Aurora grabbed his sleeve. “Come on, billionaire. Live a little. Unless you’re scared p>
Elias stiffened. “I am not scared of a taco p>
Ten minutes later, Elias Thorne was sitting on a park bench, holding a spicy pork taco in a paper boat. He had spent a full sixty seconds aggressively applying hand sanitizer before touching the paper boat, and he had placed a silk handkerchief on the bench before sitting down. He looked at the food like it was a live grenade.
“Eat,” Aurora commanded, taking a huge bite of hers. Sauce got on her chin. She wiped it off with the back of her hand, laughing.