He struggled to find the right words to explain the rest. His ambitions, his hopes, his desire to see his ideals take shapeâall of them felt distant, unreachable. At this moment, he was stuck, paralyzed by uncertainty, unable even to figure out something as simple as a cold remedy.
âArenât you still thinking about developing a cure for cancer?â Aurora asked.
Dunnâs heart suddenly felt a soft, unexpected sting. His eyes narrowed, his face reflecting confusion as he looked at her.
Auroraâs smile was warming.
âYou told me when you were younger about your great-grandmother, about how she suffered so much before she passed away. You said back then that there were no good medicines. You wanted to find a way to change that, to invent something that could save lives.â
The memory was blurry, but the words rang in his mind. It was the very dream heâd held close to his heart since childhood.
âYou still remembered that?â he asked.
Auroraâs eyes softened as she stared ahead, her gaze filled with the same determination he had seen in himself moments ago.
âIâve always thought you were incredible, even when we were kids. You were always so thoughtful, so good at everything. And as I got older, that feeling only grew. Every time I met someone new, they would praise you. Iâve always believed that whatever you set your mind to, youâd accomplish it.â
She turned to face him. âSo, if youâre feeling worn out, itâs okay to take a breather. Rest for now, and when youâre ready, youâll find that youâve already moved closer to your goal.â
On top of that, sheâd be right there beside him, backing him up every step of the journey.
Dunnâs ideal had become hers too, their dreams now interwoven in ways neither could deny.
âAuroraâ¦â
Night had fully fallen, the world swallowed up by the darkness. A streetlamp beside Aurora cast a warm, golden glow around her, and in its light, her eyes seemed to sparkle, shimmering like polished gems.
âIs it just some kind of coincidence that everywhere you go, you hear people singing my praises?â Dunn asked.
Aurora didnât dare meet his gaze. Time seemed to slow, stretching into a quiet eternity. For just a moment, she wished the silence could last forever. That way, she wouldnât have to rack her brain over what to say.
âI hadnât really noticed that,â she said.
Dunnâs face remained unreadable, that familiar, steady expression taking over as he pondered Rickeyâs words. Rickey had said that Aurora was following his every step, that she had feelings for him. If that was true, why hadnât she said anything?
Both of them sat there, lost in their own thoughts, for a good ten minutes.
Finally, it was Aurora who broke the stillness.
âDunn?â
âYes?â Dunn looked at Aurora.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Aurora knew he was about to leave because of work.
âItâs getting late. I should head home. Thanks for the fortune cookies again,â she said with a smile.
.
.
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