the last time

part twenty-two

"Lucky for you, I worked with this very demanding musician." She smirks. "He was the worst. I'm sure you'll be an angel compared to him."

Stefan lets out a loud laugh and I join him. I pull Aurora close and kiss the top of her head. She looks up at me, her eyes shining brightly.

"I was just preparing you for the real world, kid." I smile.

"Oh, consider me prepared." She says, pecking my lips.

"So, should we discuss the movie?" Stefan says, bringing the whiskey to his lips, hiding his smile.

-

Aurora laughs loudly, covering her mouth when she realizes. I can't take my fucking eyes off of her. She's so fucking perfect. Her eyes glow and her cheeks are slightly red from the drinks she had. Hair somehow wild now but the smile on her lips tempting. Stefan hasn't stopped laughing and I can't be prouder of Aurora in this moment. Everything is perfect.

"Harry?" A voice says, pulling me away from my trance.

I look up to see Olivia Wilde standing less than a foot away. She smiles down at me and I blink, not completely understanding what she's doing here.

"Olivia." I say, standing.

She hugs me and kisses me cheek. "I was hoping I'd run into you. We have much to discuss about our movie." Her hand lingers on my shoulder.

"I'm sure we do." I nod, "But I am preoccupied at the moment."

I gesture to Aurora and Stefan. Aurora's eyes glued to Olivia's lingering hand. A small frown on her lips and I instinctively step away from Olivia's touch. I extend my hand out for Aurora and she happily takes it as I pull her up and by my side. Stefan barely acknowledges Olivia.

"This is Aurora. My girlfriend." I say, snaking my arm around her waist and squeezing gently.

Aurora's smile returns brightly. She extends her hand out for Olivia to shake. She glances at Aurora's hand briefly with a look I can't decipher before reluctantly shaking it. She plasters on a smile on her face and meets Aurora's gaze.

"Olivia Wilde." She releases Aurora's hand. "I've..heard about you."

"Oh?" Aurora says, tilting her head. "I'm sure you have. I auditioned for your movie."

Olivia looks at me briefly before pressing her lips in a thin line. "Yes, but I heard other things about you."

"Like what?" Aurora asks, eagerly.

Stefan finally acknowledges the conversation and stands, buttoning his suit jacket and adjusting his sleeves.

"Olivia, we're in the middle of a very important dinner." Stefan says, his hazel eyes locked in on the side of her face.

She turns to look at him and then glances back at Aurora. "Oh, I'm sure you are, Stefan."

"What is that supposed to mean?" He asks, his eyes narrowing in on her.

"We work in the same industry, Stefan. We run in similar circles. We hear the same things." She says, jutting out her chin slightly.

"What?" Aurora asks, looking between the two. "What has been said about me?"

Olivia looks at Aurora and I see a strange glint in her eye. She opens her mouth to speak but Stefan pulls her back by her arm gently. He towers over Olivia and glares at her. Stefan is a kind man. He hardly gets angry. His sets are rumored to be pleasant for everyone. Yet, there is something terrifying in the look he gives Olivia.

"Nothing to concern yourself with, Aurora. Olivia's friend circles just happen to exaggerate the truth more often than not." He says, dropping his grip. "I think you should head to your own table, Olivia."