The office had grown quieter as the afternoon slipped by.
Most of the staff had returned to their usual work, but Aurora remained at her desk, going through the final documents from the Ravencrest Holdings agreement. The contract had been signed that morning, yet she still found herself checking the details one last time.
She finally closed the folder and leaned back in her chair.
"Done," she murmured.
For once, there was nothing else demanding her immediate attention.
Aurora glanced at the time on her computer before reaching for her phone. Her eyes moved through her contacts until she found the name she was looking for.
Felix.
A small smile crossed her face as she pressed call.
It rang twice before he answered.
"Hello?"
Aurora smiled at the sound of his voice. "Am I interrupting?"
"Depends. Are you calling to tell me something important?"
"Very important."
There was a brief pause.
"Should I be worried?"
Aurora laughed. "I just signed the Ravencrest Holdings agreement."
Felix's voice immediately brightened. "You did?"
"Yes."
"That's amazing, Rora. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"I knew you would get it."
Aurora glanced towards the folder on her desk. "You sound very confident."
"I am. You're Aurora King. You don't exactly walk into negotiations planning to lose."
She laughed softly. "That is true."
"So, how big is this deal?"
Aurora looked at the folder again. "Very big."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"It doesn't need to."
"Rora."
"Felix."
"How big?"
Aurora shook her head, even though he couldn't see her. "Big enough that my legal team probably hates me."
Felix chuckled. "You probably gave them enough work for the entire week."
"Probably."
They both laughed, and Aurora found herself relaxing further into her chair. The conversation was easy, just like it had become lately.
"How was training?" she asked.
"Long."
"That's not an answer."
"It was very long."
Aurora smiled. "Better."
"I think Coach Vance is trying to kill me."
"You're still standing, so I think you're doing fine."
"That's a very supportive thing to say."
"I try."
Felix laughed. "Training was good. He's been pushing me harder lately."
"Because the competition is getting closer?"
"Exactly."
Aurora's expression softened. "Then keep going. You've worked too hard to let the pressure get to you now."
There was a short silence on the other end.
"You really think I can do it?"
"I know you can."
His response came quieter this time.
"Thanks, Rora."
Aurora smiled.
She could almost picture him at the rink, probably with his skating bag beside him and that familiar look of determination on his face.
"Oh, there's something else," she said.
"What?"
"I'll apparently be working directly with Mr Voss."
"Mr Voss?"
"Adrian Blake's employer."
Felix was quiet for a moment.
"The person who owns the company?"
"That's what I understand."
"And you're meeting him?"
"Soon."
"Hm."
Aurora raised an eyebrow. "What does 'hm' mean?"
"Nothing."
"Felix."
"I said nothing."
"You're terrible at lying."
He laughed. "I'm just saying, he must be important if he's personally involving himself in your project."
"He apparently prefers to oversee major projects himself."
"Sounds like a serious man."
"I haven't met him yet."
"Well, when you do, try not to scare him."
Aurora laughed. "Me? Scare him?"
"Yes."
"I am perfectly pleasant."
"Mmmm."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
"Good." she laughed.
...
A few more minutes passed before they finally ended the call. Aurora placed her phone back on the desk, still smiling.
She looked towards the window, watching the late afternoon light stretch between the buildings of Eldlyria. The day had been busy, but somehow the conversation had made it feel a little lighter.
Her eyes moved to the clock.
There was still some time before the evening became too late.
Aurora thought about going home, but another thought crossed her mind.
Her bestiee!
She hadn't seen her since Saturday, and knowing Candace, she was probably still buried beneath sketches, fabric samples and whatever new idea had taken over her mind.
Aurora decided to stop by.
She packed her things, left the office and picked up some food on the way. By the time she reached Candace's home, the evening sky had begun to darken.
Aurora knocked twice.
The door opened moments later.
Candace stared at her.
"You?"
Aurora smiled. "Nice to see you too."
Candace looked behind her, then back at Aurora. "You came to my house voluntarily?"
"Yes."
"Should I be concerned?"
Rolling her eyes, Aurora held up the food. "I brought dinner."
Candace immediately stepped aside.
"You're welcome."
"Come in before I change my mind."
Aurora laughed as she walked inside.
Candace's living room looked exactly as she expected. Sketchpads covered part of the coffee table, several fabric samples were spread across the sofa, and a mannequin stood near the window wearing a half-finished outfit.
"You've been busy," Aurora said.
"I have been working."
"You mean you've been avoiding sleep."
"That too."
They settled down with the food, and Candace soon began showing Aurora her latest designs.
"This one is for the first collection," Candace explained, holding up a sketch.
Aurora studied it carefully. "I like the structure."
"Only the structure?"
"The sleeves need something."
Candace narrowed her eyes. "I knew bringing you here was a mistake."
Aurora laughed. "You asked for my opinion."
"I asked for support."
"You're getting both."
Candace shook her head, but she was smiling.
She picked up another sketch and placed it in front of Aurora. "What about this one?"
Aurora leaned closer to examine it.
"I like this one better."
"Really?"
"Yes. It feels more like you."
Candace smiled at that. "That's what I'm trying to achieve. Something that actually feels like my brand."
"You will."
Candace looked down at the sketch for a moment before nodding.
"I hope so."
"You don't have to hope. You've already started."
Candace gave her a small smile before reaching for her food.
After a while, she leaned back against the sofa.
"So," she said. "How did the Ravencrest deal go?"
Aurora's smile returned.
"Officially signed this morning."
Candace's eyes widened.
"You're serious?"
"Completely."
Candace immediately reached over and hugged her.
"I knew it!"
Aurora laughed, gently patting her back. "It's a business deal, Candace."
"And a huge one."
"That too."
Candace pulled away and pointed at her. "You realise this is a big deal, right?"
"I know."
"You're not allowed to pretend it isn't."
Aurora smiled. "Fine."
"Good."
Candace settled back into her seat.
"So what's next?"
Aurora picked up her drink.
"I have to meet Mr Voss."
Candace's eyebrows rose.
"Mr Voss?"
"Apparently, I'll be working directly with him throughout the project."
"Interesting."
Aurora gave her a suspicious look. "Why did you say that like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're already investigating him."
Candace grinned. "I'm curious."
"There's nothing to investigate."
"You haven't even met him yet."
"Exactly."
Candace nodded thoughtfully. "Fair point."
Aurora laughed and shook her head.
For the next hour, the conversation moved between business, fashion, Felix and everything else that had happened during their week. Candace showed Aurora more sketches, Aurora offered suggestions, and before long, they were laughing over something neither of them would probably remember the next morning.
There were no contracts to negotiate, no board members questioning her decisions and no meetings waiting for her.
Just two friends sitting together, sharing food and talking about their lives.
For Aurora, it was exactly what she needed.
And for tonight, that was enough.