Chapter 134
Chapter 134:
Anticipating needs.
He looked at the clock. It was 11:00 PM. Aurora had a seminar at Columbia University tomorrow. She was finalizing her research proposal. The forecast called for rain and a drop in temperature. She usually skipped breakfast due to nerves.
He reached for his iPad. He pulled up his schedule for the next day.
9:00 AM: Board Meeting – Q3 Projections.
9:30 AM: Call with Senator regarding regulatory oversight.
10:00 AM: Strategy review.
Elias tapped the screen. Cancel. Cancel. Cancel.
His phone buzzed immediately. It was Xavier.
Xavier: Sir? You just wiped the morning block. Is there an emergency?
Elias typed back with one thumb.
Elias: Personal matter. Do not disturb.
He set the phone down. He looked at the pink book again.
The Morning Commute.
The next morning, the air was crisp and cold. A gray mist hung over the city.
Elias sat in the driver’s seat of a black Audi sedan. It was understated. Anonymous. He was usually chauffeured in the Maybach, allowing him to work during transit. Driving himself felt inefficient. It required focus that could be spent on market analysis.
But the book said personal effort.
He checked the thermos in the cup holder. He had prepared it himself. Well, he had instructed the chef to prepare it, but he had poured it. That counted.
At 7:45 AM, the doors to Aurora’s apartment building opened.
𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻
Aurora stepped out. She was dressed in a tailored charcoal coat over a cream sweater and dark jeans, clutching a leather messenger bag. She looked tired, her eyes scanning the street for a cab, already bracing herself against the wind. Harper was with her, chattering and waving her hands.
Elias honked the horn once. A short, polite tap.
Aurora looked up. She squinted at the Audi. She didn’t recognize the car.
Elias rolled down the window.
“Get in,” he said.
Aurora’s eyes widened. Harper stopped talking mid-sentence.
“Elias?” Aurora walked to the curb. “What are you doing here? Where’s the tank p>
“The sedan is more… agile for morning traffic,” Elias lied smoothly. “I was in the neighborhood p>
Harper let out a low whistle. She winked at Aurora, a gesture so exaggerated Elias could see it from ten feet away.
“I’ll take the subway,” Harper announced loudly. “Don’t want to crowd the agile sedan. Bye p>
She practically ran toward the subway station.
Aurora shook her head and opened the passenger door. She slid in. The scent of her shampoo—something vanilla and rain—filled the car, instantly overpowering the smell of new leather.