Very satisfied with the meeting with his mother, Harry didn't leave immediately after seeing Sara off. He couldn't since he had to conclude his business with the journalists and also had to meet with Aurora there in a couple of minutes.
Immediately he walked back into the restaurant, the journalists gathered around him, "Is Sara Walker really your mother?" One of them asked excitedly.
Harry had not exactly given any one of them the specific detail of what they were to do. He had simply told them to come to the restaurant if they wanted something interesting to write about.
"Everything you saw and heard is true. She abandoned me days after giving birth to me. I only knew of her existence some days ago. You can write about it," Harry said, not minding that he was making his personal business public. As long as Sara was affected negatively by it, he would do anything.
"I will advise you to do a thorough research on Sara Walker. Only then can you understand the importance of this information. Now if you don't mind, I have to prepare for my next appointment. Thanks for honoring my invitation," Harry said, and just as he turned to leave, he paused.
"One more thing. I will reward whoever comes up with the most gratifying but genuine story," Harry said before walking away to find the reserved spot for his meeting with Aurora.
Ten minutes later, Harry rose as he watched a beaming Aurora walk towards the table to meet him.
"Hello!" Harry greeted her with a friendly smile, extending a hand for a handshake but was surprised when she embraced him instead.
"Hello, you! I can't believe I'm actually seeing you for real. You look gorgeous," Aurora said as she let Harry hold out the chair for her, and she lowered herself to it.
Harry cleared his throat, "Thanks. You don't look bad yourself," Harry said as he sat down and signaled to a waiter while Aurora picked up the menu.
After they had placed their orders, Aurora set aside her menu and focused on Harry, "So, how have you been? How is the anniversary week coming?" Aurora asked excitedly.
"I've been quite busy."
"That's not surprising. I've always wanted to ask. How does it feel being Harry Jonas? I mean, working in such a successful company," Aurora asked, and Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Are you a reporter?" He asked, and she giggled.
"I can't believe you caught me. The spa is just a place where I work under a false identity to gather information on other people," Aurora said, and Harry chuckled.
Soon their food was served, and they ate in silence for a while until Harry cleared his throat, "The job is demanding, but it's fulfilling. I love what I do. I love doing it with my best friend...."
"Doesn't that sound weird? Doing it with your best friend?" Aurora asked with a wink, and Harry chuckled.
"Since I'm sure you know what I mean, I won't expand on that. I've done quite well for myself, and although I'm content, I know we are nowhere close to the target yet," Harry said, and Aurora smiled.
"An ambitious man. I like that."
"How long will you be in Ludus?" Harry asked, and Aurora shrugged.
"Well, to be honest, I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking of moving to Ludus," Aurora said, and Harry almost choked on his drink, making her smile.
"Why do you look so surprised? Do you think I'm relocating because of you?" she asked in amusement.
"You're not?" Harry asked before he could stop himself, and this time Aurora giggled.
"Of course not. Relax. A friend of mine who owns a major beauty salon and spa here in Ludus is relocating with her family, and I'm considering buying the business from her," Aurora explained.
"But you have your own place in Varis," Harry pointed out.
"And last I checked, I-Global has various branches all over the country and outside of it, and that isn't stopping you from buying more businesses," she said, and this time Harry smiled.
"You are right. So this is going to be a branch?" Harry asked with interest.
"Yeah. But more like the headquarter since this place here in Ludus has so much more potential. I mean in terms of the quality of the clients. I've been having this itch for some time. Like I've been restless and wanting a change of environment and a change of pace, and I think it's a good opportunity. What do you think?" Aurora asked, wanting to hear his honest opinion.
"You're certain I have nothing to do with your reason for moving here?" Harry asked, and Aurora smiled.
"And here I was, thinking I was the blunt one," Aurora said dryly.
"I like you, Harry. I really do, but I'm not the sort of person who would make such a risky move because of a man. Especially one who I think is in love with someone else," Aurora said casually, and Harry raised a brow.
"In love with someone else?" he asked in confusion, and Aurora grinned.
"Aren't you in love with Jade? Or did I think wrong?" Aurora asked, and Harry's heart stuttered.
Seeing the stunned guilty look on his face, Aurora smiled, "Relax. I'm a lot of things, Harry, but my mother didn't raise a stupid daughter. I mean, the signs were all there from the day you both walked into the spa. Am I wrong?" Aurora asked, and Harry shook his head.
"I'm sorry," Harry murmured.
"What for?"
"For leading you on, I suppose," Harry said, and she chuckled as she waved off his apology.
"You didn't lead me on. I prefer to think I led you on. I lead you all on, actually," Aurora said with an easy smile.
"I was going to tell you about it today," Harry said, and she nodded, still with the smile plastered on her face.
"I figured so when Jade said she wasn't joining us anymore," Aurora said with a giggle.
"How did you know?" Harry asked, and Aurora shrugged.
"It was more of a guess. I didn't know anything for sure. I guess I should attribute it to my sharp feminine instinct, I suppose? It was sort of sweet hearing from Jade that her elder brother's best friend was visiting her. Maybe it was just the romantic in me, but I pictured a romance story when I heard that. And then when I saw how cute you looked, and the way you looked at her like no one else was in the spa but her, I decided you couldn't be doing that solely out of duty to your best friend," Aurora said with a grin.
"Remember I asked if you liked her? (chapter 216) but you didn't exactly answer the question," Aurora said, and Harry sighed.
"If you thought I was in love with her, why did you keep trying to--a�" I mean, why did you keep reaching out and wanting to meet me?" Harry asked, and Aurora shrugged.
"Because I like you. And because I wanted to see how long it would take for you to open up about your feelings, especially since she kept calling you old uncle Harry," Aurora said with a wink.
"Does that mean you're not interested in me?" Harry asked, wanting to understand her before he relaxed.
"Maybe if Jade weren't interested in you, I would be. But after seeing how pale and distressed she looked when I talked about getting married to you and making her my maid of honor (chapter 395), I can't do that to her. I consider her my friend," Aurora said with a giggle, and Harry's brows pulled together.
"You did all that deliberately?" Harry asked, remembering what Candace had said about Aurora's conversation with Jade.
This time Aurora laughed out loud as she bobbed her head and then raised a hand to her lips, embarrassed when heads turned, "Of course. In the same way, I know you deliberately asked me to give your regards to Jade and ask for your favorite shirt (chapter 391). I was taken aback when you asked me to accompany you to the anniversary dinner, so I wanted to subtly check with Jade to be sure everything was okay. Her reaction told me all I needed to know," Aurora said, and this time Harry smiled.
"You're much smarter than I gave you credit for. I'm sorry," Harry said, and Aurora grinned.
"It's fine. I have to say I like your circle. The lady with Jade kept scowling at me when I talked about marrying you...."
"Candace?" Harry asked in amusement.
"I believe that's her name."
"She is my twin sister," Harry said, and Aurora's eyes widened in surprise.
"No kidding?"
"Yeah," Harry said with a proud smile, happy to tell someone who wasn't already part of the whole family about Candace. He hadn't realized how much he had wanted to say the word to someone else.
"Wow! I had no idea. Jade didn't introduce her as such, either. And there is no mention of her in the articles online. Well, I'm glad I'm not in competition with Jade," Aurora said with a genuine smile.
"You both have really loyal and amazing people in your lives. Lucy kept looking at me with her pitiful doe eyes like she wished she could tell me the truth, and Tom tried his best to be friendly," Aurora said as Harry watched her in amazement.
"You are something else," Harry said, and Aurora laughed gaily.
"So, I've been told. I guess one of you has worked up enough courage to confess your feelings to the other?" Aurora asked, and Harry pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Everyone has been worried about this meeting, especially Jade, who has been scared you'd be mad at her. And I planned to lie to you."
"About what?"
"That I haven't told her how I felt. I've always been in love with Jade from the first time I met her four years ago," Harry confessed, and Aurora smiled.
"I'm glad to know you were all worried. And I'm extra glad because I went with my gut feeling and didn't make a fool of myself. It would have really hurt," Aurora admitted.
"Thank you, Aurora. You have no idea how relieved I am," Harry said, and Aurora raised a finger and shook her head.
"Not so soon," she said, and Harry raised a brow.
"I'm going to forgive you both and give my blessings on one condition," Aurora said, and Harry sighed inwardly.
"What?"
"Fishing. I want you to go fishing with me. Jade is welcome to come as your girlfriend, of course," she quickly added.
"And she has to be willing to learn how to fish. That should be enough punishment for trying to hook me up with a man who has eyes only for her."
"Why do you want me to go fishing with you?" Harry asked, remembering that she had asked him that the first time they ate together (chapter 216).
"I used to go fishing with my dad when he was alive. None of my friends know how to fish or are interested in fishing. And finding someone whose company I enjoy and who can fish has been almost impossible. You could see it as a romantic getaway for you and Jade. I just need the company out there in the water while I do something I love to do," Aurora said, her eyes pleading with him to agree.
Before Harry could respond, they both heard his name and looked up to see Philip approaching, "I was told you were around here somewhere," Philip said with a pleasant smile, and Harry rose to shake hands with him.
"You didn't get back to me as promised about the hangout," Philip said in an accusatory tone, even though he wanted nothing more than to ask Harry if the rumors he had just heard about meeting his mom were true.
"I'm sorry about that. Things have been sort of busy for us," Harry said as they shook hands.
"I forgive you then. I received the invitation to the anniversary dinner. Thanks," Philip said as his gaze shifted to Aurora, who was still seated and watching their exchange unashamedly.
"Phil, meet my friend, Aurora. Aurora, this is Philip Foreman," Harry introduced, and Aurora flashed Philip a smile as she rose.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Foreman. I'm Aurora Adams. You can call me Aura," Aurora said as she shook hands with him.
"The pleasure is mine. And you can call me Phil. I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting," Philip said with a pleasant smile.
"It's fine," Aurora assured him as she sat down, and Philip returned his attention to Harry.
"I will get out of your hair once you give me a sure date for the hangout," Philip urged him.
"Can you fish?" Harry asked, thinking fast, and Aurora's ears perked up at the question.
"Of course. That's my favorite pastime activity when I need to relax. Do you want us to go fishing?" Philip asked with interest.
"I want to," Aurora blurted out, and Philip turned curious eyes on her.
"You can fish?" He asked, and she grinned.
"Of course," Aurora said with smiling eyes while Harry watched them in amusement.
"Really? Do you mind if I join you both briefly? Maybe we can share fishing tips?" Philip asked, looking from Aurora to Harry.
"You're welcome to join us if she doesn't mind," Harry said, and Aurora looked at Harry for a moment before looking at Philip.
"You're welcome to join us only if you don't have a girlfriend or someone you've been in love with for four years," Aurora said, and Harry chuckled while Philip grinned as he sat down.
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