The next morning, a soft knock on Aurelia's door stirred her from sleep. She stretched and yawned before hopping out of bed, a smile already forming on her face. She couldn't help but think it might be Hades, checking in on her.
When she opened the door, however, it wasn't Hades standing there, it was room service. A young female attendant smiled politely and said, "Good morning, ma'am. We wanted to inform you that the buffet breakfast is ready, and you're welcome to join."
Aurelia nodded, thanking the attendant before closing the door. She felt a small pang of disappointment but quickly shook it off. She couldn't spend the entire morning thinking about him.
She dressed in a cute pair of pastel pink shorts paired with a crisp, pink and white striped button-down top. She left the top partially tucked into her shorts for a relaxed, chic look and slipped on white sneakers to complete the outfit. Feeling refreshed, she headed downstairs to the dining area.
As she entered, her eyes scanned the room for Hades…. and there he was. Hades sat at a table near the large windows overlooking the city, sunlight spilling onto his chiseled features. He wore a casual but impossibly dashing outfit: a fitted black henley shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and toned chest, paired with dark blue jeans and sleek leather boots. His dark hair was slightly tousled, giving him an effortlessly suave appearance.
When he saw her, he lifted his hand in a small wave, motioning for her to join him. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. The combination of his smirk and that damned outfit made him look like he'd stepped out of a fashion magazine.
As she approached, he stood to pull out her chair, the gesture so gentlemanly that it only made her pulse race more. "Good morning," he greeted, "You look radiant this morning."
"Good morning," she replied, her voice sounding a little breathless as she slid into her seat. "You don't look so bad yourself."
He chuckled, "I'll take that as a compliment."
Breakfast was a feast of fresh pastries, fruit, eggs, and coffee, and Aurelia found herself laughing more than she'd expected.
As they finished their meal, Hades leaned back in his chair, watching her with a soft smile. "Your things are already in the car," he said casually, as though he hadn't just dismantled all her plans to linger over coffee.
She blinked in surprise. "Wait, what? When did you… how did you…. "
"I told you I'd take care of everything," he said with a shrug, "We're good to go whenever you're ready."
Aurelia shook her head, laughing softly. "You really don't waste any time, do you?"
"Not when I have plans with a beautiful woman," he replied, standing and offering her his hand. "Come on. Our next destination awaits."
She followed him out to the car, where they began their journey. Like the day before, Hades drove smoothly into yet another portal and in an instant, they were no longer in Italy but in the heart of Paris.
The City of Light stretched out before them in all its glory, the Eiffel Tower rising majestically against the blue sky. Aurelia gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "Paris?" she breathed, turning to Hades with awe.
He smiled as he watched her reaction. "I figured you might like it."
She couldn't help but grin. "Are you kidding? Like it? This is a flipping dream come true!"
Hades laughed, before gesturing toward the city. "Then let's make the most of it."
From the cobblestone streets of Montmartre to the grandeur of the Louvre, Aurelia and Hades explored Paris like two people living in a dream. They strolled along the Seine, visited quaint patisseries, and even climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
At one point, as they wandered through a charming market, a street artist insisted on sketching their portrait. They ended up laughing at the exaggerated rendition, which made them look so funny.
The evening found Aurelia and Hades in a charming Parisian restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The warm glow of candlelight illuminated their table, and the soft hum of a violinist in the corner added to the romantic atmosphere.
Aurelia couldn't help but admire the setting, the way the flickering candles reflected in Hades' dark eyes as he leaned back in his chair. They had just ordered dessert when her phone vibrated on the table.
Frowning slightly, she glanced at the screen. The number was unknown. "Excuse me for a moment," she said, offering Hades a small smile as she stood.
He raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Don't take too long. Your dessert will get cold."
She chuckled softly, slipping her phone into her hand as she made her way toward the restroom. Once inside, she pressed the green button to answer the call.
"Hello?" she said.
Static crackled on the other end. Her brow furrowed as she held the phone closer to her ear. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Nothing. Just the strange, unsettling sound of static.
Shaking her head, she ended the call and tucked her phone back into her pocket. "Weird," she muttered under her breath.
As she turned to leave, her hand reached for the bathroom door handle, but before she could grasp it, someone grabbed her wrist.
Aurelia's heart leapt in her chest, panic flooding her veins. She whipped around to see a figure looming behind her, their face obscured by a black hood. Before she could even scream, something cold and hard connected with the side of her head.
Pain exploded in her skull, a searing flash that sent her world spinning. Her vision blurred, and the last thing she saw before everything went dark was the faint glow of the bathroom's flickering light.
And then, nothing.