Chapter 63 Aroused Desires
Upon hearing "Peach Blossom Mountain," Aurora felt a bit deflated.
It was forty kilometers away from the company, and a round trip would take three to four hours.
The road up the mountain was difficult, and she might not make it back before the end of the workday.
Still, Aurora never declined a task at work.
Linda said, "Take the company car."
"Okay," Aurora replied. "I'll get ready and head out."
Aurora first went to the restroom before heading to the underground parking lot.
Worried she might not make it back in time, Aurora called Sophia. "Sophia, I have something to do and need to go up the mountain. Can you pick Loren up from kindergarten for me later?"
"Loren? Who's that?" Sophia didn't know that Aurora had adopted Loren.
"I'll explain later. I'll send you the kindergarten address. Remember to pick him up." Aurora sent the address and then drove the company car to Peach Blossom Mountain.
As soon as she left the company, the sunny sky turned dark. A storm was approaching.
Aurora drove out of the city and headed straight for Peach Blossom Mountain.
Before long, it started to rain.
The higher she went, the heavier the rain became. The mountain road was difficult to navigate, with a section under repair.
The mountain was shrouded in mist, making visibility poor. It was only two in the afternoon, but the dark sky made it feel much later than that.
Aurora slowed down, driving very carefully. The car skidded several times, and her palms were sweaty with anxiety.
Aurora reached the top of Peach Blossom Mountain around four o'clock, and it was still raining.
Holding an umbrella, Aurora took the design drafts and went tofind Master Bates.
Master Bates preferred solitude, choosing to live in the mountains rather than the bustling city.
There were only a few households on the mountain, and Aurora quickly found out where Master Bates lived.
Standing in front of a small courtyard, Aurora knocked on the door and asked, "Is anyone there?"
After a moment, she heard footsteps approaching, and the door opened.
"Hello, I'm from the Lewis Group..." Aurora started to say, before she was stunned into silence by the person she saw in front of her. "John, what are you doing here?"
"Picking up guests." John noticed Aurora was half-soaked and coldly said, "Come in."
Although surprised to see John, Aurora didn't forget her purpose in coming.
"This is Master Bates' home, right?"
"Yes," John replied, walking inside.
An elderly man in his sixties or seventies, with white hair, came out of the house. "John, who is it?"
John?
How was he on a first-name basis with John?
Aurora looked at John, realizing that Master Bates knew him.
It seemed they were more than just acquaintances, given the familiar way Master Bates addressed John.
Master Bates, leaning on a cane, squinted at Aurora and smiled. "John, is this your girlfriend? She's beautiful. You two make a great couple."
Aurora and John exchanged a glance, and John didn't explain.
Aurora said, "Master Bates, I'm Aurora from the Lewis Group. I'm here to deliver the design drafts. I'm not his..."
"It's cold, come inside and sit," Master Bates said. He was seemingly hard of hearing. He looked at the sky and continued, "This rain doesn't look like it's going to stop."
The rain continued without any sign of letting up.
Master Bates then said to John, "John, let your girlfriend rest inside. I'll make dinner. You two can stay for dinner before leaving."
"Master Bates..." Aurora hadn't finished speaking when Master Bates had already gone to the kitchen.
"Mr. Bates is hard of hearing. It's pointless trying to call him," John said. "Have some coffee."
John poured some coffee.
Aurora's clothes were still wet, and a cold wind made her sneeze.
John frowned, took off his coat, and draped it over her. "Be careful not to catch a cold."
"Thank you," Aurora said.
The sudden concern made Aurora feel like she was back in the days of their passionate romance.
Suddenly, there was a noise from the kitchen.
John quickly ran to the kitchen, and Aurora followed.
It turned out that Master Bates, with his poor eyesight, had dropped something.
"Mr. Bates, you should rest. I'll cook," John said, helping him out of the kitchen.
Master Bates said, "I must be getting old."
Seeing Master Bates' white hair and poor eyesight, Aurora hesitated to take out the design drafts.
John said, "Aurora, keep an eye on him."
Aurora was surprised to be addressed so directly.
John hadn't called her by her name in a long time.
Aurora composed herself and replied, "Okay."
John left Master Bates with Aurora and went to the kitchen.
"Sit down," Master Bates said to Aurora. "You mentioned design drafts earlier. Let me see them."
"Master Bates, are you sure?" Aurora doubted that Master Bates could see the drafts clearly.
Master Bates was displeased. "I'm not that old yet."
Aurora chuckled awkwardly, thinking that Master Bates' hearing was quite sharp and that he didn't seem hard of hearing at all.
Aurora took out the design drafts, and Master Bates put on his glasses to look at them. "The data is inaccurate. Go help John in the kitchen. Leave the drafts to me."
Aurora didn't dare to question Master Bates' abilities anymore, as he had spotted the problem at a glance.
Aurora went to the kitchen.
The kitchen was rustic, with a wood stove and dim lighting.
John was busy washing and cutting vegetables.
Aurora said, "I'll handle the fire."
"Okay," John replied, handing her a lighter. "Can you manage?"
"It can't be that hard," Aurora said, taking the lighter. Although she had never used a wood stove, she thought starting a fire wouldn't be difficult.
It turned out Aurora couldn't manage. After several attempts, the fire would light and then go out, filling the room with smoke and making her cough and tear up.
"Ugh, ugh!"
The thick smoke made Aurora close her eyes, and when she stood up, she bumped into John's chest.
She heard him say, indulgently, "How stubborn."
Aurora wanted to retort but realized she really couldn't manage. "You do it then."
John took the lighter, found some kindling, and quickly got the fire going.
"You did that so easily. Do you come here often? How do you know Master Bates?" Aurora asked, her face showing admiration and curiosity.
Instead of answering her questions, John reached for her face and said, "Don't move!"
"What's wrong?" Aurora asked, her heart suddenly racing as John approached.
For some reason, Aurora found John particularly attractive today. She saw her own blushing face reflected in his deep eyes and felt a sudden surge of warmth.
His hand touched Aurora's face, and she widened her eyes in surprise. The feel of his fingers on her skin left her breathless.
"You had soot on your face," John said softly, wiping the dirt off her face.
Aurora stood still and asked, "Is it gone now?"
Aurora swallowed hard. John was so close that she could clearly hear and feel his breath on her face.
John's hand caressed Aurora's face, and her blushing made him momentarily lower his guard. His gaze was intense, focusing on her eyes, nose, and lips...
John's heart stirred, and he leaned in to kiss her.
Aurora was shocked and didn't know howto react. At that moment, she felt like things were about to spiral out of control.
The kiss deepened, and their breathing grew more rapid.
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