The Secret Obsession of the CEO
Chapter 82: Under the Blaze of Many Lights

Chapter 82: Under the Blaze of Many Lights

Rory saw colors reflected in Liam’s irises. She looked up to see the sky above was lit up with colors.

The predominant flashes of green reflected in Liam’s beautiful blue eyes making them seem like pools of emerald.

Aurora Borealis—The Northern Lights.

Rory placed her hands on his cheeks. He was looking at the sky and she looked into his eyes. His eyes were prettier.

She knew those lights are their way home. Even if the compass cannot show them the north, the Northern Lights will—they are right this instant— for they will appear only on the North.

But rather than looking for the way home, once again, she was lost in his eyes.

Where she was born, the Northern Lights were very common. They will see it if the sky was clear during the seasons. After she came here, it was rare to see them. She missed those beautiful paintings of the sky that an invisible painter paints just so beautifully. Those flush of ruddy flames rises from the North to remind her of the love and peace she had when she was living with her parents.

When she was young, she would think that she could hear the voice of her mother in the Northern Lights. And whenever she missed her mom, she waited to stare at the north to see the lights.

It was rare to see the Northern Lights here, and yet, she thought she heard something rarer. Rarer than the northern lights.

She heard Liam’s heart!

From what he said, she thought that Fizzy did not want Burke to meet with her. It was in high school, way before there were plans for their wedding.

Why?

And was he the intern? Why did he not let me know that it was him? How did I not know it was him?

Is this real?

She thought she might have dreamt it or worse, she imagined it. She wanted to know that it was real. And she wanted to know more.

"Fizzy... Was it you?" she asked pressing her hands on his cheek. She wanted to feel the roughness of his cheek to be able to keep herself rooted in reality.

"The doofus in the delivery room? And with Burke why did you..."

Her heart pounded and she knew he is feeling her erratic heartbeat in his chest. His heart was pounding too and she knew he is excited just like her.

But for what reason?

"My sweet Cherry pie..." he looked at her and smiled. Under the colors, his smiling face was as pleasant as a rainbow that appeared after a great storm.

"Yes," she said. Her throat bobbed as a lump formed in them.

"Why do you think?" he asked.

"Why? I don’t know why! Tell me why... I am the biggest dimwit the world has ever seen. I cannot understand implied meanings. My IQ is just two digits and..." she took a deep breath. "Tell me."

"You’re..." he gently traced the back of his hand on her cheek. His eyes watered and the corners of his lips trembled as he tried to smile. He wetted his lips and under the blaze of many lights, he looked erotic.

"... the smartest person I know, Cherry. I know you’ve understood what I meant to say. Do you want me to spell it out for you?" he asked.

He felt her pounding heart on him. Her eyes were misty and she was expecting him to say those words to her.

Why does she look like she is going to hear the most important thing in her life? She wants me this much? I was such a fool to not see it! And I dared to push her away?

He got clouded with emotions.

"Please..." she begged, tears freely rolling down from the corners of her eyes as she looked at him.

He shook his head gently and wiped her tears. "Don’t you cry for me, Cherry... Oh," he pressed his forehead over hers. "How did I not see it till now?"

He sniffed and took a deep breath. His eyes met with hers. He brushed her beautiful red hair that was soaked in the rain with his fingers.

"Not only Burke. There were a lot of boys who wanted to date you in high school. I stopped them all from getting closer to you. Cherry... Rory... Aurora Mauve Roberts..."

He paused and sat up.

"Yes, tell me why, Fitzwilliam Roberts," she pulled his shirt not willing to lose his warmth. "I still don’t understand."

He chuckled and she watched his beautiful face without even blinking. He then held her hands and pulled her to sit. Hugging her knees, she looked at his face.

He knelt in front of her and placed his hand over his chest as if he was making a solemn promise.

Under the colorful lights nature set up for them, Rory watched him, her heart overwhelmed with happiness. For a moment, she forgot about everything else and all she cared about was those words the man of her heart was about to say.

"I love you, Aurora..." he smiled. His face twitched as he tried to control his overwhelming emotions.

"I have, for a very long time..."

"Oh, Fizzy..." Rory jumped at him and hugged him.

"I..." She choked as she couldn’t bear the rising feeling of happiness in her heart.

"I’ve never been happier in my life..."

"Rory..." Liam said and his voice had turned serious. "Run!"

Rory opened her eyes and the sky has become dark again. It was as if the little moment of brightness they had just then was a mere passing cloud.

She didn’t know what Liam was seeing but he was pale. She heard a weird rumbling noise and the sounds of something careening toward them. She didn’t want to turn and see what was following them.

She just took Liam’s word for it and started to run towards West.

"Don’t stop, Cherry!" Liam said and she had no plans of stopping.

In the dark, she scurried through the tall rows of trees without caring for anything else. Her entire body felt prickling pain as cold wind gushed on her wet clothes, her head hurt as if it would split, and her heart pounded making it hard for her the breathe.

Even in that darkness and the tiredness, a smile bloomed on her face. Liam’s voice kept on echoing in her heart.

He loves me! He told me! I always knew! But he told me...openly!

Under the Northern lights, I heard him say what I always wanted him to say...

He loves me! Me alone!

She ran without stopping and it took her some time to realize that she is not hearing the other set of footsteps beside her. She is not hearing it behind her either.

Where is he?

She stopped. She sucked in a deep breath to manage her heavy breathing and turned. It was dark and even in that dim light given out by the peaceful stars, she see his form.

And in front of him was...the creature they encountered earlier.

No!

With no second thoughts, she ran at Liam.