Dragan continued, "It was a test. I was just confirming something, that's all."
Aurelia raised a brow, confused. Confirming something made you act like a lunatic? She gave him a side glance and said, "Try a better approach next time."
She then added, gently, "Could you hand me the stored juice in the jar?"
"You can come pick it up," Dragan replied casually.
Aurelia gave a playful smirk and walked over to him. She stopped in front of him, chuckled softly, and smiled again.
"Hey Aurelia, hand me the juice," he said just as the fridge opened.
Dragan started to say something incoherent but paused as an innovative tech-hand extended itself over the jar toward her.
Unbothered, Aurelia picked up the jar and filled two transparent glasses with the vibrant juice. She took a slow sip from one, savoring the flavor.
"You should really taste it," she said with a grin. "It's the best juice in the world."
Dragan looked at her, a bit surprised at how warm and engaging she was. He accepted the glass she handed him and said with a faint smirk, "All girls are the same."
"What did you just say?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Oh, it's nothing," he replied, trying to brush it off. "You're a nice person, that's all."
"You're not by yourself," she said gently.
He smiled faintly.
"Okay," she continued, "so tell me—what's your name? Where are you from? Describe yourself."
"Okay, errh…" he hesitated, tapping his throat. "My throat's stuck. Another drink might help."
He chugged the last of the first glass of juice. Aurelia chuckled and handed him a second glass — this one slightly cooler, freshly poured.
"Here you go," she said, holding it out.
Dragan took a sip, then leaned back slightly, eyes on her.
"I'm Dragan Rex, son of Dr. Megan Norr Rex," he said with a confident tone, watching her reaction.
Aurelia leaned casually against the cabinet, a teasing smile forming.
"You're not done," she said. "You only told me your name and your dad."
Dragan shifted slightly, closing the small space between them just enough to be noticed.
"I'm twenty-one," he added. "I don't think I need to talk about height, complexion, or all that. You're clearly looking at me."
He gave her a playful wink — though she wasn't even looking.
Aurelia's eyes finally met his. "I'm Aurelia. Daughter of Dr. Emerin Rex. I'm twenty-three."
She stepped back, slowly turning her glass in her hand.
"That's all," she said. "You can see the rest."
He smiled at her, eyes gleaming with a hint of playfulness.
"Don't mimic my words," he teased.
"I'm not," Aurelia replied, her tone calm but her smile giving her away.
It was late. Most people would be asleep by now. But here they were — chatting like old friends under soft light and silence.
A moment passed. Then came a voice — soft, mechanical, but eerily knowing.
"He's nice. Just say it. I know you love him."
Aurelia blinked.
"Aurelia Bot, shut up," she muttered.
The voice belonged to her home assistant — a sleek, AI device her father had created. It often acted like a nosy friend… or a sarcastic sister.
"Okay," the bot responded, mock-hurt. "If it hurts you, but just tell him."
"Quiet," Aurelia said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The room fell into a heavy silence. Dragan looked at her curiously.
She cleared her throat. "It… it can be troublesome sometimes."
He smiled reassuringly. "Oh, don't worry. I've got nothing against it."
She glanced at him, the tension melting just a bit.
"It's just friendly," she added.
But her tone lingered. A little too long.
"Yeah," she said quietly.
Aurelia glanced at the time. "It's already late. We should be in bed by now," she added with a small yawn. "It's high time I told them you're not mad—you just freaked out a little."
"You're really gonna say that?" Dragan asked, arching a brow.
"I'm just kidding," she smirked, then added, "But if they ask why you're not acting crazy anymore, what would you even say?"
Dragan shrugged slightly. "I don't know… but they'll understand. Somehow."
Aurelia studied his face. "You seemed so worried earlier. What is it?"
He hesitated.
"It's just that I care," she said softly. "Not just for you, but for… a lot of people."
There was a brief silence.
Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
"But what did you mean when you said 'All girls are the same?'"
Dragan didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced away and tossed back his words:
"What did you mean when you said, 'It's the best juice in the world?'"
Aurelia raised her glass and smiled.
"Because it is," she replied, sipping slowly.
Dragan nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Okay then…" Dragan echoed, his voice trailing into the quiet.
The night pressed in around them, calm but heavy — like the moment had more to say than either of them did.
Aurelia placed her glass down gently on the counter. Her fingers lingered on the rim for a second.
"Truth is," she said, not looking at him, "when you said that thing… about girls being the same… it stung a bit."
Dragan looked up. His jaw tightened.
"I didn't mean it like that," he said quietly. "I just… I've seen people change. Be sweet, then switch up. Pretend to care, then ghost."
He looked at her fully now. "Wasn't about you. I didn't know you yet."
Aurelia gave a half-nod. "But now?"
He paused. The silence held his answer.
Then, slowly, he reached for her glass — the one she hadn't finished — and took a small sip.
She raised an eyebrow. "You know that's mine, right?"
He smiled faintly. "Yeah. Just wanted to see if it still tastes like the best juice in the world."
Aurelia rolled her eyes, but her smile broke through. "You're lucky I'm too tired to punch you."
She started to walk off toward her room, the hallway lights sensing her movement and glowing softly.
But then she stopped.
"I'm not like the rest," she said, not turning around.
Dragan stood still.
"I know," he whispered.
She didn't respond — just walked away slowly, disappearing into the light.
He stood there a while, holding both glasses, her warmth still fresh on the rim.