I couldn't sleep that night after meeting my new butler. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about the new butler. His name, his presence, and the way he seemed so familiar bothered my mind. How could it be that his name matched the one from my dreams? It was a coincidence too strange to ignore.
Morning came too soon without my notice. As I sat at the breakfast table, my grandfather's concerned eyes fell on me.
"My dear, you have dark circles under your eyes. Did you sleep at all?"
I quickly fabricated a plausible excuse. "I was up late reviewing for the upcoming exam." The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was obsessing over the new butler.
"Just make sure you take care of yourself, Auri. Your health is more important than any exam."
"Of course, Papa."
After breakfast, I stepped outside only to find my new butler waiting beside my service car. He looked impeccable. His suit perfectly tailored and his demeanor composed. I hadn't expected to see him so soon, let alone as my driver for the day.
"Good morning, miss," he greeted me with a polite nod.
I managed a small, shy smile in return. "Good morning." I couldn't shake off the nervousness that his presence stirred within me.
He opened the car door for me with a gentlemanly flourish. "Please, allow me."
I slid into the passenger seat, and he closed the door behind me before taking his place in the driver's seat. I felt the exhaustion from my sleepless night catching up with me. I decided to take a nap, hoping to recharge enough to stay alert during my classes.
"I'll rest for a bit. Please wake me up when we arrive."
"Of course, miss."
I let my eyes close while he gentle hum of the car and the smooth ride lulling me into a light sleep.
I found myself dreaming once again of the man with the same name as my butler. This time, however, the dream was different and intensely romantic. We were under the same blanket, his arms wrapped around my naked body, his fingers gently brushing through my hair. The intimacy of the moment was overwhelming, and I felt a warmth spread through me that was both comforting and electrifying.
"Good morning, my love." The man whispered.
"Good morning, Silas," I responded, snuggling deeper into his broad chest. The feeling of safety and belonging is incredibly comforting, making it hard to distinguish between dream and reality. Suddenly, a voice broke through the dream, pulling me back to reality.
"Miss Aurora," I blinked my eyes open, the image of the dream still vivid in my mind. My butler was gently shaking my shoulder.
"Miss, we've arrived."
My face turned beet red as I realized what kind of dream I had just seen. The warmth that had spread through me in the dream now felt like a burning embarrassment.
"Oh, thank you," I tried compose myself. He seemed not to notice my discomfort as he opened the car door for me.
"I hope you had a restful nap."
"Y-yes, I did. Thank you." I just avoided his gaze as I stepped out of the car. My heart was still racing from the remnants of the dream. How could I dream something so intimate about a man? And why did it have to be a man with the same name as my new butler, of all people?
I hurried inside, eager to put some distance between us and the mortifying thoughts in my head. The dream's intensity and the feelings it evoked lingered, making it hard to focus on anything else.
Throughout the day, the dream haunted me, its vividness a constant distraction. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it, something I needed to understand. But for now, all I could do was try to navigate through my classes, pushing the thoughts of the mysterious Silas in my dreams and my new butler to the back of my mind.
It's lunchtime so Yue and I made our way to the canteen. The line was long, stretching out of the entrance. Yue was visibly frustrated.
"This is ridiculous," she huffed. "There should be a priority lane for pretty girls."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You wish."
After what felt like an eternity, we finally got our food and sat down at our usual spot. We were enjoying our meals, chatting about our classes and weekend plans when a shadow fell over our table.
I looked up to see Steven, my ex. His presence immediately soured my mood. Yue sensed my discomfort and was quick to react.
"What do you want, Steven? Go away," she snapped, her protective instincts kicking in.
"I just want to talk to Aurora."
"Well, she doesn't want to talk to you."
Steven ignored her and stepped closer to me. "Aurora, please, just hear me out."
I felt a surge of anger. "Steven, leave us alone. I don't have anything to say to you."
Yue tried to block him, but Steven shoved her aside roughly. She stumbled, nearly dropping her tray.
"Hey!" I stood up "Don't you dare touch her!"
Steven's eyes flashed with irritation. "Aurora, we need to talk."
"Back off!" I yelled at him but he continued to move closer.
A firm hand gripped Steven's shoulder, pulling him back. I was surprised to see Silas. His expression calm but his eyes cold and dangerous.
"Is there a problem here?" Silas asked, his voice low and steady.
Steven tried to shrug off Silas' hand but failed. "This doesn't concern you."
"It concerns me if you're harassing the ladies."
Steven glared at him, but Silas didn't flinch. "You're making a scene. I suggest you leave now."
There was a tense moment where I thought Steven might try to push back, but then he seemed to think better of it. With a final glare at me, he muttered something under his breath and walked away.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thank you, Silas."
Yue dusted herself off and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, thanks. That guy is such a jerk."
Silas inclined his head slightly. "It's my duty to ensure your safety, Miss Aurora."
I managed a small smile. "Well, you're doing a great job."
Silas' eyes softened slightly, but his professional demeanor remained intact. "If you need anything else, I'll be nearby."
After my butler left, Yue immediately leaned in. Her eyes wide with curiosity. "Aurora, who is that? Your new butler?"
I nodded before taking a sip of my drink to steady my nerves. "Yeah, that's Silas. My grandfather assigned him to me for extra protection."
Yue's eyes sparkled with interest. "Well, he's certainly a step up from your usual bodyguards. He's really handsome."
I chuckled "Is that all you ever think about, Yue?"
"Hey, I'm just saying. If he's going to be around all the time, at least he's easy on the eyes."
"What about you and Ezekiel? I see the way you look at him."
Yue's face turned slightly pink, and she looked away. "Ezekiel? Oh, come on, Aurora. He's not interested in me."
"Doesn't stop you from liking him, though, does it?"
She sighed. "Yeah, but it's so obvious he doesn't feel the same way. He's always so serious and... distant."
Yue had harbored feelings for Ezekiel for as long as I could remember, but he had never shown any sign of reciprocating. "You never know, Yue. Maybe he's just bad at showing his feelings."
She scoffed lightly. "Or maybe he just doesn't have any for me."
"Hey," I reach out to squeeze her hand. "Don't sell yourself short. You're amazing, and any guy would be lucky to have you."
Yue smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks, Auri. But let's not talk about my non-existent love life. Tell me more about Silas. What's he like?"
I shrugged, trying to play it cool despite my own swirling thoughts. "He's... very professional. And yes, he's handsome, but I hardly know him. He just started."
"Well, you've got to get to know him better. I mean, he's going to be around all the time, right?"
I nodded my head. I could feel a bit of a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Yeah, I suppose." Yue laughed and nudged me playfully.
"See? Even you think he's interesting."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Alright, alright. Maybe I'll try to get to know him better. But for now, let's just focus on getting through the rest of the day without any more drama."
"Deal," she clinked her drink against mine. "But I'm holding you to that. We need more details about this mysterious butler of yours."
I laughed. Despite the chaos of the day, I was grateful to have Yue by my side, always ready to support and tease me in equal measure.
Time passed quickly as the day wore on. It was finally time to go home. I turned to Yue, who was adjusting her cheerleading uniform. "Hey, do you want to come home with me?"
"I can't today. I've got cheerleading practice. The squad's preparing for the big game."
I sighed. "Alright. I'll see you later then. Break a leg at practice!"
"Thanks, Auri. Take care!"
I waved at her and made my way to the gate. The campus was buzzing with activity, and I noticed a group of women gathered, their excited chatter and occasional screams catching my attention. It was clear they were clustered around someone famous or particularly attractive.
I was about to step around the crowd when I felt a firm grip on my wrist. I turned to find Steven glaring at me with a mix of frustration and desperation. What's wrong this guy?
"Aurora, wait! We need to talk."
"I don't want to talk to you, Steven." I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.
"You can't just ignore me like this! We have things to settle."
Just as I was about to turn away, feeling both frustrated and scared, Silas appeared. His imposing presence cut through the crowd like a knife. He stepped between Steven and me.
"I must insist you stop harassing Miss Aurora." Silas expression was cold and unwavering.
Steven's face reddened with anger. "Who the hell are you?"
"I am her personal butler," Silas replied smoothly. "And I will not tolerate any further disturbance."
Steven looked at Silas with a mix of confusion and irritation. "You think you can just boss me around?"
"I think you should leave before things get worse." Silas countered, his gaze steady.
Steven's anger flared, but he seemed to recognize that continuing this confrontation would only escalate things. He glared at me one last time, his expression a mixture of contempt and frustration, before storming off.
Silas turned to me. "Are you alright, miss?" His tone gentle despite the earlier tension.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for stepping in."
"It's my duty to ensure your safety."
When we finally reached the car, I glanced at the crowd still buzzing with excitement. I realized that the commotion was entirely because of Silas' striking appearance. His undeniable handsomeness had clearly captivated the students.
Silas slid into the driver's seat and started the car. I couldn't help but remark, "It seems you have quite the effect on people. I had no idea your looks would cause such a stir."
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "I suppose my appearance does attract attention, though it's not something I make a point to highlight."
I chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious about the attention we had just received. "Well, I'm sure you didn't expect to be a center of attention at the university."
"It's not something I usually concern myself with. My role is to ensure your safety and comfort."
I smiled. I somehow appreciate his focus on his duties. "Well, I'm grateful for your dedication. It's nice to know I'm well cared for."
"It's my duty and privilege to serve you, Miss Aurora."
As we drove, the occasional curious glance from passersby reminded me of Silas' effect on those around him. His presence had clearly made an impression, purely due to his striking features.
As the car's gentle hum lulled me to sleep, I drifted into a dream- a dream that felt more like a memory. I found myself in a magical landscape of tall trees, their leaves shimmering in sunlight, and a kaleidoscope of flowers in full bloom. Butterflies fluttered among the petals, and the soothing sounds of chirping birds and a flowing river created a tranquil symphony.
"Where are we?" I asked the man beside me, my voice echoing in the dreamlike tranquility.
"We're in my secret place." He handed me a pristine white box, tied with an elegant ribbon. "Open it."
With a mix of curiosity and anticipation, I carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside, resting on a bed of soft fabric, was a breathtaking silver necklace with an amethyst pendant. The pendant sparkled with an otherworldly beauty. My heart skipped a beat at its exquisite craftsmanship. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen.
"May I?" He asked and held the necklace up.
I nodded excitedly, unable to tear my gaze away from him even though I couldn't see his face clearly. He gently fastened the necklace around my neck, and the weight of the pendant against my skin felt both comforting and surreal.
"You look stunning."
Feeling a surge of emotion, my body moved on its own accord. I stepped closer and embraced the man. The moment was so intimate and perfect that I felt as if I was floating in a bubble of bliss.
Suddenly, I was jolted awake by the sound of my butler's voice. The dream's warmth faded as reality returned.
"Miss Aurora?" I slowly opened my eyes and Silas' blue gaze met mine. "We're home, miss." His voice was calm and reassuring, yet it carried a strange resonance that sent a shiver down my spine.
It was in that moment, with his words echoing in my ears, that a startling realization struck me. Not only did my butler share the same name as the man from my dreams, but their voices sounded remarkably similar as well. My heart pounded in my chest as confusion swirled around my mind. How could my dream and reality be so connected?
When I turned eighteen, my nights began to fill with strange, unsettling dreams. In these dreams, I found myself in a different era, though my body remained the same. It was as if I was living another life while still being me. The voice I heard was my own, and the movements of my body felt oddly familiar, as if I had experienced them before. Yet, I could never see my face or the faces of those around me.
Everything about these dreams felt eerily familiar, as if I was reliving moments from a past life that I couldn't fully grasp. Each time I woke up, there was a sense of having touched something profoundly significant, but the details always slipped away just as I tried to hold onto them. The dreams left me with an unsettling feeling, like a puzzle missing crucial pieces that I couldn't put together.