The Rolls-Royce Ghost pulled up smoothly outside the cozy Echo Park apartment, its deep purr barely noticeable. As Aurora stepped out of the backseat, the sun was beginning to dip, casting the street in shades of golden rose.
As the car began to roll away, with the bags of groceries in her hands, Sophia came up the sidewalk, brows furrowed in curiosity.
"Okay, what was that?" she said, glancing over her shoulder as the luxury car faded from sight.
Aurora laughed lightly, reaching to take half the grocery bags from her arms. "Long story. Let's get inside first."
They both walked into the familiar warmth of their apartment the scent of lilacs from the diffuser, the soft hum of vinyl spinning in the corner, and the comforting chaos of shared creative souls.
Aurora looked... different.
Happy. Glowing. As if the world had whispered a secret only she had heard and she was still replaying it in her heart.
As if her dreams had brushed her shoulder and she turned just in time to see them smile.
"Alright, spill," Sophia said, tossing her keys on the entryway table. "You look like you've just had tea with the Queen."
"I kinda did," Aurora grinned, setting the groceries down. "Well, the Queen of LA society, anyway. Mrs. Charlotte O'Brien."
Sophia's mouth dropped. "The Charlotte O'Brien?! What?!"
Aurora began to recount it all from finishing her delivery earlier, to the surprise invitation, the tea, the mansion, the art collection, Derek... the garden.
"She's taking me shopping tomorrow for the party. Said I need something special."
Sophia was wide-eyed. "Girl, you better find a way to bottle this luck and sell it."
They both burst out laughing, tossing witty remarks back and forth as they unpacked the groceries.
But then, Sophia paused, her tone softening.
"Are you going to be okay... you know, at his party?"
Aurora blinked, then grew quiet. She exhaled slowly. "I don't know. But I'm not going to let him or anyone make me feel like I don't belong."
Sophia nodded. "Good. That's my girl."
(Back at the O'Brien Mansion)
The soft glow of the antique chandelier reflected off the polished floors as Charlotte sat in the lounge with a glass of red wine, looking up at her son.
"Jalen called earlier," she said. "Finalizing RSVP lists."
Derek gave her a sideways glance as he buttoned his cuff. "Oh".
Charlotte sighed. "Same as always. Charming the city, but emotionally constipated."
Derek chuckled, sipping from his own glass. "Sounds accurate."
She turned to him with a spark in her eyes. "You know, I always hoped he'd find someone who could bring out the better parts of him. Someone grounded. Elegant. Intuitive."
"Please don't say Aurora," Derek laughed.
"I'm absolutely saying Aurora."
Derek laughed again, this time with disbelief. "Mum. Jalen isn't built for someone like her. He's... complicated."
"So is she," Charlotte said, eyes dreamy. "And I think she's the kind of complicated he needs."
Derek leaned down, kissed her cheek fondly. "You romantic. I'm heading out meeting the guys at Jeremy's club."
She waved him off with a knowing smile as he walked away.
Meanwhile – Brew & Bloom Coffee House
The fairy lights strung overhead twinkled like stars as Emery sat across from Chloe, her laughter the only sound that mattered.
Her curls bounced with every giggle, eyes glowing like polished honey, and her smile... Emery wasn't sure how he'd gone this long without seeing it. He didn't understand what was happening inside him. Just that he never wanted it to stop.
"So," he said, hand half over his face from laughing at one of his own corny jokes, "I take it you're enjoying yourself?"
"Immensely," Chloe replied between sips of her latte. "You're surprisingly hilarious for a design student."
"I try."
They sat in a warm silence for a moment before Emery leaned in slightly.
"Do you have something to wear to the party?"
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Why? You don't like my anime hoodies?"
"I love them," he grinned. "But this party might demand a little more than 'Kawaii but make it fashion.'"
"I might need help."
"I volunteer as tribute."
They both laughed again, hands inching closer across the table.
Small jokes turned into big ones, conversations into tangents about the best childhood cartoons and their worst fashion choices in middle school. Time melted.
Eventually, it was late.
"I should head home," Chloe said reluctantly.
"I'll get you a cab," Emery said, standing.
Outside, under the quiet evening sky, he opened the door for her.
"I had a great time," she said.
"So did I."
She gave a little wave as the cab pulled off.
Emery pulled out his phone, sending a quick text.
A minute later, a matte black Mercedes-benz S-class Maybach pulled up, all sleek curves and custom leather interiors. He slid into the back seat, but his mind wasn't in the car.
It was still at the table.
Still with her.
Over at Jeremy's Night Club (The Velvet Room)
Laughter roared from their usual corner as Jalen, Jeremy, Collins, and Samantha sat back with drinks in hand. They were halfway into a vintage bottle of champagne and deep into old stories.
"I still can't believe you wore white silk to a rooftop pool party," Collins said, laughing so hard he nearly choked. "And then slipped straight into the hot tub."
Jeremy groaned, rubbing his face. "I told you not to bring that up."
"Bro, you looked like a soggy croissant," Jalen added, chuckling.
Even Samantha was red from laughter.
Just then, Derek entered, sharp in a blazer over a black tee, giving them a two-finger salute as he approached.
"The gang's all here," he said, dropping into a seat.
"Just in time," Jeremy said, pouring him a glass. "We were talking about fashion disasters and ego bruises."
"I've got a few of those," Derek smirked, "but only if we get another bottle."
The night carried on with more drinks, stories, and a cloud of charm and shadows beginning to thicken over all of them.
Back At Aurora's Apartment - That Evening
The front door creaked open just as the sitcom credits rolled on the screen. Aurora, curled up on the couch in a fluffy blanket, glanced toward the entrance as Chloe strutted in practically floating with joy, a dreamy smile stretched across her face.
She dropped her bag by the door, kicking off her shoes in a single motion.
Sophia, who was rushing around grabbing her bag and jacket for work, paused and raised a brow. "Okay, what's going on, Disney Princess?"
Chloe only giggled and skipped toward the living room, flopping down onto the couch next to Aurora like a love-struck teenager.
"Let me guess," Aurora smirked, reaching for the remote. "Emery."
Chloe clutched a pillow dramatically. "He asked me out!"
Sophia stopped mid-step, one arm in her coat. "Like... on a date?"
"Well, not exactly," Chloe said, sitting upright with excitement. "He asked me to be his plus-one to The Midnight Reverie!"
She couldn't even say the name without squealing again.
Aurora's eyes widened. "Jalen's party?"
"Yep!" Chloe giggled, "He was so cute about it too. Like, shy but trying to be cool. I loved it."
Sophia grinned, grabbing her purse. "Y'all better save the rest of this Hallmark movie moment for later I've got vocals to slay at the club. Spill the rest when I get home!"
"Good luck!" Aurora and Chloe called after her as the door clicked shut.
The apartment fell into a cozy silence. Aurora turned the volume down on the TV and looked over at her little sister.
"You really like him, huh?"
Chloe nodded, her smile softening. "Yeah... I do."
Aurora reached over and tucked a curl behind her ear.
"Then just be careful, okay? Guys like him seem perfect at first. But even the good ones make mistakes. Don't give away your whole heart without checking he's holding his own."
Chloe's smile faded into something gentler. "I know."
"Just... if he makes you laugh more than he makes you cry maybe you've got something real," Aurora said softly.
Chloe leaned her head on her sister's shoulder. "Thanks, sis."
They stayed like that for a while quiet, safe, sisters navigating the maze of love and life, side by side.
The Velvet Room - That Same Night
Glasses clinked and music purred through the air as the crew lounged in their usual spot at The Velvet Room. A second bottle of champagne was halfway done, and laughter filled the private corner.
"Okay, but do you remember when Jeremy tried to impress that ballet dancer by taking her to that underground speakeasy that didn't actually exist anymore?" Collins cackled.
"I walked her into a laundromat, man," Jeremy groaned, face in his hands. "She still follows me on Instagram. I think just to mock me."
Even Jalen cracked up at that one, sipping his drink with a rare, relaxed grin.
That's when Derek, now more at ease in a crisp charcoal shirt, leaned in.
"My day was interesting," he began casually. "My mum invited Aurora to the party."
The guys looked up, interest immediately piqued.
Samantha, who had just arrived and was sipping a cocktail, raised a brow. "Who's Aurora?"
Before Derek could answer, Collins jumped in. "That's the girl from the art gala. The one who Jalen bumped into again at the club last week."
Jeremy smirked, nudging Jalen with an elbow. "You remember her, don't you?"
Jalen took a slow sip of his drink, not saying a word but his smirk spoke volumes.
"She's got that energy," Collins added. "Not flashy, but she stays with you."
"Charlotte likes her," Derek said. "A lot. They spent most of the afternoon together in the garden talking art and sipping fancy tea."
"Hmm," Samantha said with curiosity. "So she's not just another gallery girl."
"She's something else," Derek said, almost as an afterthought. "And she'll be there."
Everyone exchanged glances one name, suddenly echoing through multiple storylines.
Aurora.
The lights dimmed gently inside The Velvet Room, casting an amber glow across the crowd. A hush fell over the audience as the spotlight shifted to the small stage bathed in rich burgundy velvet.
Then came the voice.
Sophia stepped forward, wrapped in a shimmering midnight blue satin dress that hugged her figure like moonlight on water. Her curls framed her glowing face, and the second her voice floated into the air, the room exhaled together.
Smooth. Soulful. Intoxicating.
Her rendition of an old jazz classic bent every ear in the room toward her. Notes glided like silk through smoke, and even the ice in the glasses seemed to melt slower. Her voice was fire and velvet, thunder wrapped in a lullaby and it moved people.
Even the bartenders paused.
Across the room, at the bar stand, Jalen and Jeremy sipped on aged Macallan Rare Cask whiskey, the golden-brown liquid catching the light as they watched Sophia command the stage.
"She's good," Jalen said, swirling the glass slowly.
"She's phenomenal," Jeremy agreed, clearly proud. "She will also be performing at the party".
But Jeremy wasn't just watching Sophia.
He turned, catching Jalen's profile. "So... Aurora."
Jalen didn't look away from the stage. "What about her?"
Jeremy smirked. "Your reaction when Derek said she'd be at the party was... underwhelming. Considering how you looked at her last week."
Jalen took another sip. "You're reading too much into it."
"Am I?"
Jalen finally turned, cool and unreadable. "She's just another guest."
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "And the sudden distraction with whiskey, jokes, and changing the subject has nothing to do with her being in your head?"
Jalen chuckled, slow and low. "You know what distracts better than whiskey?"
He subtly motioned with his glass toward a velvet-roped VIP booth across the lounge.
Inside were three stunning women, all dressed in designer cocktail dresses, laughing softly under the soft chandelier light. But his focus was on one in particular the one in the emerald green backless dress, her hair pinned in a classic updo, lips stained the color of ripe cherries.
"That one," he said, pointing his glass. "I'm going home with her."
Jeremy looked, smirked. "You always do pick the ones that match the wallpaper."
Jalen laughed, tapping his glass to his friend's. "Nothing wrong with color coordination."
As the men turned back to their drinks, one person took in the entire exchange.
From the side stage curtain, Sophia, just stepping down from her set, caught a glimpse of the boys at the bar. The way Jalen was already watching the woman in green. The way Jeremy seemed curious about something deeper.
Sophia's eyes narrowed slightly.
Same old Jalen.
And while her voice could move hearts, she knew better than to expect one like his to be moved by anything at all.