My Boyfriend From The Store

The moment Aurora hooked her hand to Theo's arm for the second time tonight, hush whispers rippled through the crowd again.

This speculation hadn't started tonight. It had been building for a week now-whispers that had begun after the first picture of the both of them together came to light.

First, it had been the time Theo held her in his arms after the ball accident. Aurora knew her father had sent someone to tail her to Vincent 's house, because how then would her father know about Theo's background in a short period of time.

Then there had been another picture, one with Aurora and Theo going up the stairs to Vincent's house, a well timed photo with the caption:

#Aurora Everly's new obsession.

Aurora then knew her father hadn't posted those pictures; someone else did. She had her team delete the pictures from a week ago.

Aurora had scoffed when the IP address of the post turned out to be from an internet cafe with multiple people using the computers a day.

Aurora and Theo walked through the gala with all eyes on them. Heads turned as they passed, whispers weaving between clinking glasses and soft music.

"It's showtime, darling." Aurora exhaled slowly, pushing down the tension in her chest. She had known this moment was coming, but her father knowing about Theo set him a step ahead of her, and it put her in a tight spot.

"We should start thinking of answers to any sudden question," Aurora murmured, keeping her expression poised. "The sooner we get through this, the sooner we get to go home."

"Spoken like a true businesswoman," Theo teased, following her deeper into the ballroom.

Aurora kept her smile in place, checking her phone. This was exactly what she wanted-her relationship was now the night's biggest story.

#Has the Everly Princess decided to settle down?

#Is her new relationship going to affect her company?

#Who is Aurora Everly's new boyfriend?

#Is Aurora's new man the new face of Everly Elite Enterprise?

"Aurora!" A familiar voice called out, and Aurora turned to find Lily, one of her father's business partner's daughters, approaching with a champagne flute in hand.

"Well. I have to admit, when I heard the Everly Princess got a man, I thought they were all joking. I'm still surprised seeing it with my own eyes."

Aurora lifted her chin. "We wanted to wait for the right time to share the news."

Lily tilted her head. "You're saying it like it's going to last. It's been only a week."

Aurora smiled tightly. "Oh, but it will, Lily. I mean, just look at my man."

"Hmm." Lily hummed, her gaze lingering a little longer before she sipped her champagne. "Regardless, congratulations, Aurora."

Before Aurora could reply, another voice interrupted, smooth and calculated. "Aurora! It's been long since I saw you. I was hoping to run into you."

Aurora stiffened as Samantha Kimberly appeared. You know those kinds of girls that do everything you do just to be like you but get angry when they can't have what you have? Samantha was that girl to Aurora, right from their university days.

"It's been too long," Samantha spoke again before turning to Theo. "Nice to meet you, I'm Samantha."

Theo smiled. "I'm Theo, Aurora's boyfriend."

Samantha's gaze flicked toward Aurora's hand on Theo's arm, her lips curving. "So what made you date my friend, Theo?"

"She's pretty," Theo replied smoothly. He unlocked their hands and gripped Aurora's waist for Samantha to notice.

Samantha hummed, unimpressed. "Well, congratulations, I suppose, but there are a lot of pretty girls."

Theo met Samantha's gaze, a smirk pulling on his lips. "I haven't seen anyone as pretty as Aurora."

The tension lingered before Lily dragged Samantha away, and Aurora exhaled slowly.

Theo looked down at Aurora. "Samantha seemed jealous."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "She's always been like that."

"Well, she's interesting," Theo murmured, his thumb brushing absentmindedly against her lower back.

Aurora ignored the way her skin heated at the contact. "We're just getting started, boyfriend."

-

Aurora barely had a moment to breathe after the gala. The night had been an exhausting whirlwind of congratulations, scrutiny, and Theo's persistent closeness.

They had convinced the world about their relationship; now they had to convince Aurora's Aunt-Aunt Flora.

Aunt Flora could talk sense into her brother-Aurora's father-about Aurora's arranged marriage with Mr. Carlos, if and only if Aunt Flora believed Aurora was in love.

Dinner with Aunt Flora was set at an upscale restaurant downtown, a private dining room reserved just for them.

"Aurora, darling." Aunt Flora called upon seeing the two, gesturing toward the seat opposite her. "Come, sit. I was just on the phone with my husband, telling him how relieved I am that my baby is finally in love."

Aurora smiled as Theo took the seat beside her. "Oh, Aunt Flora, you can't be happier than I am."

"So," Aunt Flora continued, pouring herself a glass of water. "Tell me, how did this young man catch your interest? Honestly, I was starting to think you were into women."

Aurora let out a breath of laughter, keeping her voice light. "Theo is good with words. He said I am the prettiest girl he's ever seen."

"That you are," Theo agreed. And Aurora turned to her aunt with a smile that said see?

Aunt Flora ignored her, turning to Theo with a beaming smile. "You look wonderful, dear. I must say, I was surprised when I heard the news about Aurora's man."

She gave Aurora a knowing look. "Now I know why you fell for him, Aurora. Since this dinner started, he hasn't taken his eyes off you."

Aurora smiled softly and turned to Theo, only to see that Theo's eyes were indeed on her, with a look that she didn't understand but didn't want to question.

The next hour was a blur of introductions, mostly from Theo and Aunt Flora.

Dinner passed in smooth conversation-Aunt Flora doting on Theo and teasing Aurora, acting as she's known Theo for years.