He pulled her out to a corner in the hallway where it was private.
" What do you want to talk about?" Aura asked looking at Francis curiously.
" How about we start with you first what to you want to talk about? You sounded... Urgent?" Francis asked puzzled.
There was awkward silence, both with their own thoughts. Finally Aura cleared the atmosphere by speaking first, she looked at him in the eye...
" Francis, I was thinking we need to talk about us. Do you..." She swallowed " Have feelings for me now?" She looked with anticipation.
Francis was stunned as well as worried. She had always been the calm one, he didn't expect her to say something like this. He was also afraid ..
' If she had developed feeling for me...'
It would be hard to tell her what was going on now, and to respond that he was not into her yet. They were good on the surface cause they could relate as friends but romantically...
At first he was infatuated with her looks, her calm, her intelligence and all. It stood out among the girls he knew. Her calm was nothing in comparison to Avery's though, she's so calm it's cold with her, it's like she's not part of the world around her. An ice queen, a real one that's what.
' I shouldn't compare.'
" I'm not in love with you. I'm sorry" he said looking at the ground guiltily.
Aura breathed out a sigh of relieve. She smiled at him. That makes it easier for me...
Francis was stunned speechless...
'What do you mean?'
" What?" He asked
" Yeah, I figured you were just attracted and a bit possessive." She laughed. No wonder it always felt like he was into her on the surface but something was missing.
To add to that they never got intimate in conversation or physically.
In fact if he didn't have to work with my dad, he probably would not get to know him so soon..
" Then you... What is this all about?" He asked curious
" To know, and... I have a crush her at school" she said blushing.
" Woah, look at you." He said with a smirk. " So who is the lucky dude? Or lady in case you, you know...
She smacked him in the gut in response causing him to groan in response and laugh. He felt relieved. He was also curious.
Aura was glad but she didn't know if she could tell Francis about her and Ethan just yet. So...
" Just... A really handsome, charming and attentive person" if he could guess she wouldn't mind sharing it but ..
" Is it Jeremy? He's been helping you out and stuff." He said wriggling his eyebrows.
Oh my, why did she even bother. She sighed
" Don't worry you'll know soon..."
" So... Are we still, you know, friends at least?" He asked warily.
Aura stared him down a bit making him nervous, then she laughed when she was sure he was.
She actually felt their relationship was more alive now more than ever. So did he, he felt this was probably the best outcome. They'd been dating for about five to six months now. Deep conversations really do deepen a relationship.
He then frowned remembering his arranged marriage to Avery, briefing her on the topic, and she sighed in understanding.
" Anyway let's not say anything for now" Francis said with a smile " we will slowly announce a mutual break up to our friends later."
" Are you going to at least tell Ethan about your arranged marriage first? I mean if you don't want it ...
" It's fine. Let's go?"
" Sure " Aura said as they discussed other trivia matters while heading to class.