The afternoon sun hung high above the city as crowds moved through the busy streets downtown. Luxury boutiques and cafés lined the wide avenue, their glass displays reflecting the golden light.
Aurora Rodriguez walked a few steps behind her two best friends, looking far less excited than they were.
Olivia Ashford and Celeste Anderson, on the other hand, were practically glowing with enthusiasm.
"Come on, Aurora," Olivia said, pulling her arm impatiently. "You're walking like someone forced you to attend your own funeral."
Aurora sighed.
"That's exactly how I feel."
Celeste laughed softly.
"You're being dramatic. We're just shopping."
Aurora glanced at the elegant boutique in front of them.
"Your definition of 'just shopping' is very expensive."
Olivia pushed open the glass door.
"Stop complaining and come inside. It's not not like you are poor ."
The boutique was quiet and elegant. Soft music played in the background while rows of beautiful dresses were displayed beneath warm lighting.
Aurora suddenly felt underdressed just standing there.
Celeste began browsing through a rack of dresses with expert precision.
"We need something classy," she said thoughtfully. "Tonight isn't just any dinner."
Aurora crossed her arms.
"It's still just dinner."
Olivia turned toward her.
"A dinner between the Ashford, Rodriguez, and Anderson families."
Aurora shrugged.
"That happens all the time."
"Yes," Olivia said dramatically. "But tonight my brother is coming."
Aurora rolled her eyes slightly.
"You've mentioned that five times already."
"And I'll mention it five more times if necessary."
Celeste laughed.
"I'm starting to think Olivia worships her brother."
"I do not," Olivia protested.
"You absolutely do."
Meanwhile, Aurora picked up a simple black dress from a rack nearby.
Celeste noticed immediately.
"Oh! Try that."
Aurora raised an eyebrow.
"You're very enthusiastic about dressing me today."
Celeste smiled sweetly.
"Someone has to."
Aurora sighed but eventually walked toward the fitting rooms.
While she disappeared behind the curtain, Olivia and Celeste continued browsing.
Celeste lowered her voice slightly.
"So… your brother."
Olivia immediately smiled.
"What about him?"
Celeste examined a dress carefully.
"Is he really as intimidating as people say?"
Olivia shrugged.
"He can be serious."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Olivia laughed.
"Fine. Yes, he can be intimidating."
Celeste smirked.
"I knew it."
Just then, the curtain opened.
Aurora stepped out.
Both girls froze for a moment.
The black dress fit perfectly. It was elegant and simple, highlighting her figure without being overly flashy.
Aurora looked uncomfortable under their stares.
"What?" she asked.
Celeste clapped her hands happily.
"That's the one!"
Olivia nodded immediately.
"You're wearing that tonight."
Aurora turned slightly to look at herself in the mirror.
"I look like I'm attending a business meeting."
Celeste shrugged.
"Considering our families, that's not far from the truth."
Aurora sighed but didn't argue.
Meanwhile, across the city, Adrian Ashford had just finished his final meeting of the day.
Inside a sleek glass office building, he stood near the large window of his office.
The city skyline stretched endlessly before him.
He loosened the collar of his shirt slightly, exhaling slowly.
The day had been exhausting.
Three meetings. Two negotiations. One long video conference with international partners.
Adrian glanced at the time. Even after coming from a buisness meeting, the work never stopped.
Late afternoon.
He finally grabbed his car keys and left the office.
Twenty minutes later, he arrived at his penthouse apartment.
The space was quiet and modern, with large windows overlooking the city.
Adrian placed his phone on the counter before walking toward the rooftop area.
The private pool shimmered under the soft evening light.
Without hesitation, he removed his shirt and stepped into the water.
The cool water wrapped around him instantly.
For the first time that day, Adrian allowed himself to relax.
He swam slowly across the pool, letting the tension in his muscles fade.
After a few minutes, he surfaced and ran a hand through his wet hair.
Water droplets slid down his shoulders and across the defined lines of his torso.
Years of discipline and training had shaped his strong physique.
The quiet moment didn't last long.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Adrian turned his head slightly.
Dominic Anderson stood near the pool with a smirk.
Adrian rested his arms against the edge of the pool.
"You're early."
Dominic shrugged.
"I was bored . You really treat swimming like therapy. By the way , how was the buisness meetings ? "
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"That can never be gone wrong. It was successful. We and Smith Corporation had signed a great deal "
Dominic sat down on one of the lounge chairs." Glad to know that bro "
"You know what else is rare?"
"What?"
"You taking time to relax."
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Before he could reply, another voice joined them.
"Looks like I missed the dramatic entrance."
Leonard Rodriguez walked onto the rooftop, holding a bottle of water.
Dominic grinned.
"Perfect timing."
Leonard looked at Adrian in the pool.
"Rough day?"
Adrian nodded slightly.
"Meetings."
Leonard chuckled.
"That explains everything."
Dominic leaned back lazily.
"Don't forget we have dinner tonight."
Adrian sighed quietly.
"With our families."
Leonard nodded.
"Aurora will be there", Dominic commented.
Adrian glanced at him.
"So what are you trying to say ?" Adrian asked .
Dominic smirked and raised his eyebrows playfully ," if you know ,you know !"
"What do you think I don't know you have a huge crush on Aurora since the time you have known about what is love " Leo Said .
Leonard was confused, " Hey hey what are you talking about?. Who is Aurora here ?
Adrian gave them a warning glance " Dom ."
But obviously Dominic clearly wasn't planning to stop .
"Hey Leo , Your sister your lovely deary sister
I'm talking about ".
"What ! Mr. Adrian Ashford has a crush on my darling sister Aurora. Woah ,, That's too hard to digest ". Leonard crossed his arm .
Adrian tossed the towel onto the chair .
"You two are being dramatic ."
Dramatic? You used to ask about her all the time." Dominic grinned .
Leonard was still shocked.
"Adrian Ashford… having a crush? This I need to hear."
Adrian sighed.
"It wasn't a crush."
Dominic raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
Dominic smirked.
"Then why did you attend every university event she went to?"
Adrian remained silent.
Leonard leaned forward, clearly entertained.
"This is getting interesting."
Dominic continued mercilessly.
"And let's not forget the charity gala."
Adrian immediately looked at him.
"You promised never to bring that up."
Leonard frowned.
"What happened at the gala?"
Dominic laughed.
"Someone spent twenty minutes rehearsing what he was going to say before talking to Aurora."
Leonard nearly choked.
"Adrian? Rehearsing?"
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You're exaggerating."
Dominic shrugged.
"Maybe a little."
Leonard looked delighted.
"So the great Adrian Ashford used to get nervous around a girl."
Adrian gave him a flat look.
"You're enjoying this too much."
Dominic leaned casually against the railing again.
"Seriously how can I not know" , Leonard sulked.
Adrian sighed.
"This conversation is over."
Dominic ignored him again.
" I know something more interesting. It was during the university orientation party," he said.
Leonard listened with interest.
"Adrian walked in, saw Aurora across the room, and suddenly forgot what he was saying mid-sentence."
Leonard stared at Adrian in disbelief.
"You froze?"
Adrian crossed his arms.
"I did not freeze."
Dominic laughed.
"You absolutely did."
Leonard shook his head slowly.
"This is unbelievable."
Adrian glanced toward the city lights.
"That was years ago."
Dominic smiled knowingly.
"Still… tonight you'll see her ."
Dominic grinned.
"This dinner suddenly sounds much more interesting."
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the glass doors leading back into the penthouse.
Leonard called after him.
"What's the plan, Adrian?"
Adrian stopped briefly.
"What plan?"
Leonard smirked.
"Are you finally going to tell her you had a crush on her?"
Dominic laughed loudly.
"Yes please do. I want to see that."
Adrian turned his head slightly.
His expression remained calm, but there was a faint hint of something thoughtful in his eyes.
"We'll see."
Leonard crossed his arms.
"That sounds like a yes."
Adrian ignored him and walked inside.
Dominic shook his head with a grin.
"I can't wait for tonight."
Leonard looked toward the city skyline.
"Neither can I."
Back to boutique,
Aurora, Olivia, and Celeste finally stepped out of the boutique with several shopping bags.
The afternoon sun had softened into a warm golden glow.
Olivia stretched happily.
"Perfect."
Celeste nodded.
"Tonight will be interesting."
Aurora glanced at both of them.
"You're both suspiciously excited."
Celeste grinned.
"We're curious."
"About what?"
"Everything."
Aurora shook her head.
"You two are impossible."
But despite her calm expression, she felt a strange curiosity growing inside her.
Tonight was just a dinner.
At least… that's what she kept telling herself.
Sometimes , the most ordinary evenings turned into unforgettable moments.
And none of them knew it yet.
But the dinner tonight would be the beginning of something unexpected.