Chapter 2
That autumn day fifteen years ago was so gloomy it seemed even the sky was mourning Elena Aldridge's passing. I hurried to the Aldridge mansion, my heels clicking crisply on the marble floor as the entire house fell into deathly silence.
"Vivian, thank God you're here." James Aldridge looked ten years older than usual, his political image completely gone, replaced by a desperate man who had lost his wife. "Roman... he hasn't eaten for three days. I don't know what to do."
I was only twenty-three at the time, having worked as a political advisor for James for less than a year. Honestly, I didn't know why I was called to handle this kind of family crisis, but seeing the pleading in James's eyes, I knew I couldn't refuse.
"Where is he?" I asked softly.
"Upstairs, he's locked himself in his room and won't let anyone near." James's voice trembled. "The doctor says he might have post-traumatic stress disorder, but he refuses to communicate with anyone."
I walked up the stairs, hearing my own heartbeat with each step. The hallway was filled with Elena's portraits, her warm smile now seeming particularly ironic. I stopped in front of Roman's door and knocked gently.
"Roman? It's me, Vivian."
No response.
"I know you're in there. I won't force you to open the door, but I'd like to talk with you." I spoke against the door. "Your mom told me your favorite constellation is Orion. The sky is very clear tonight, maybe we could look at it together?"
After a long while, the sound of the lock turning came. The door slowly opened, revealing Roman's pale face. He was only thirteen, but those deep blue eyes were already filled with pain that only adults should bear.
"Everyone says I should be strong," his voice was hoarse as if he'd been crying for a long time, "but I can't do it."
I crouched down to meet his eyes: "Then don't be strong. Let me stay with you."
In that moment, this stubborn teenager finally broke down. He threw himself into my arms, crying like a real child. I gently stroked his hair, feeling a protective instinct I'd never experienced before. 'He doesn't need to be strong, he needs someone to tell him it's okay to be vulnerable.'
"Do you remember?" Roman's voice pulled me back to reality. "That night you stayed with me on the rooftop watching the stars, you said even the brightest stars have their dim moments, but they never truly disappear."
I opened my eyes to find he had moved even closer. Moonlight fell on his face, reminding me of that vulnerable thirteen-year-old boy. But now standing before me was a mature man, dangerous and full of charm.
"Roman, you can't do this..." I tried to push him away, but my voice sounded unconvincing even to myself.
"Can't do what?" His hand gently brushed my cheek. "Can't tell the truth? Can't admit that even at thirteen, I knew I loved you not like a mother?"
"Roman, stop!" I pushed him away forcefully, my heart pounding like it was about to jump out of my chest. "You don't know what you're saying! You were just a child then..."
"A child?" He laughed bitterly. "Maybe physically, but my heart belonged to you from that moment. Do you think I didn't know? Do you think I couldn't feel your heartbeat when you held me, couldn't see the tenderness in your eyes when you looked at me?"
I felt my cheeks burning because he was telling the truth. During those years, there had indeed been some subtle moments, some feelings I told myself were just illusions. But for an adult woman to have those kinds of feelings toward an underage child, even for just a moment, was absolutely something that could never be admitted.
"You're crazy." My voice trembled. "I was just fulfilling my duty then, taking care of a child who had lost his mother."
"Duty?" Roman's eyes became sharp. "Do you think my father chose you to take care of me by coincidence? A twenty-three-year-old political advisor instead of professional psychologists or caregivers? Do you really think it was random?"
I was stunned. I had never thought deeply about this question, only feeling that James trusted me, so he gave me this important task. But now that Roman put it this way...
"What do you mean?" My voice was almost a whisper.
Roman stepped forward, his breath touching my face: "He knew about your mother's situation, knew you needed money, knew you would put your whole heart into this job. More importantly..." He paused, a flash of something unreadable crossing his eyes, "he knew you wouldn't refuse him."
"My mother's situation?" Panic began spreading in my chest. "Roman, what are you talking about?"
But he didn't continue explaining, just looked deeply at me as if trying to see through me. Laughter and music from the guests drifted from the distance, reminding us we were still at James's celebration party. I suddenly realized that if someone saw us like this...
"We should go back." I tried to move around him but was blocked.
"We're not finished, Vivian." There was a determination in his voice I'd never heard before. "This time you can't run away again. Fifteen years ago you could use the excuse that I was still a child, but what about now? Now we're both adults, nothing can stop us from facing the truth."
"What truth?" I was almost roaring, completely losing emotional control. "What truth do you want? Want me to admit I had inappropriate feelings for a thirteen-year-old child? Want me to admit I've been avoiding you all these years?"
"Yes." His answer was simple and direct, like a bullet hitting my heart.
We stared at each other like this, the night wind howling between us. I could hear my own rapid breathing, could feel the heat radiating from his body. 'He's right, I have been avoiding this.'
"Even if I admit it," I finally spoke, my voice light as a feather, "so what? We can't..."
"Why can't we?" He interrupted me. "Because of my father? Because of politics? Or because you're afraid?"
I couldn't answer because I didn't know the answer. Or rather, I knew the answer but didn't dare admit it.
Roman saw my silence and a flash of triumph crossed his eyes. He slowly stepped back, giving me breathing space, but the oppressive feeling remained.
"You know what, Vivian?" His tone became gentle but more dangerous. "These fifteen years, every woman has been nothing but your shadow. I've tried to forget, tried to move on, but it's useless. Because the mark you left in my heart is too deep."
I felt my eyes welling up, not knowing if it was anger or some other emotion. "Roman, please don't make things more complicated..."
"Complicated?" He laughed softly. "Things have been complicated from the beginning. But this time is different, this time I have the ability to fight for what I want."
