"BLONDE LIKE HONEY"

Aurora walked beside the man, still absorbing the events of the evening. The fear she had felt when attacked in the square seemed to dissipate as she moved away from the scene, but the memory of her saviour remained vivid in her mind. He had not only protected her from imminent danger, but also accompanied her with a calming presence, as though it were natural for him to act in such a way.

The soft light of the gas lamps illuminated the narrow streets of London, casting a warm glow on the cobblestones. The silence of the night was broken only by the distant sound of carriages and the conversations of a few passers-by. Aurora felt a mix of emotions: gratitude for being saved, confusion over the man's behaviour, and, most of all, a sense that something had shifted within her.

As they walked, the man glanced at her with a watchful expression, as though assessing her state. He appeared simple, a man of the people, but there was something about him that seemed to go beyond his appearance. His gaze was deep, almost penetrating, making Aurora wonder who he truly was.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice deep yet comforting. "I... I don't like seeing a woman like you in a place like that."

Aurora looked up at him, trying to gather the words to express how she felt. She wasn't exactly fine, but she knew he was referring to her experience in the square. The kindness in his voice touched her, and she felt awkwardly vulnerable.

"Yes... I'm fine now. I... I just needed to get out of there," she replied, trying to smile to reassure him, but insecurity still lingered in her mind. She knew she had to continue hiding her true identity from him, not revealing that the Ritz, the luxurious hotel he thought was just a place she lived, was actually one of her properties.

The man gave a slight nod, as if he understood, but didn't ask any further questions. In silence, they continued walking through the dark streets until they reached the grand facade of the Ritz. Aurora stopped in front of the entrance, and the man, sensing they had arrived at her destination, paused as well.

"This is where I live," she said, with a slight hesitation. She couldn't tell him the true nature of the Ritz, how it was her property, with all its wealth and prestige. To him, it was just a hotel, and that was how she preferred it to remain. She wanted to keep the mystery for a little longer, not revealing who she really was.

The man looked up at the imposing building, seemingly unaware of anything more. He probably saw her as just a simple woman, as she had presented herself, and didn't realise how her life was intertwined with that luxurious edifice.

"It's... a nice place to rest," he said with a slight smile, not in any hurry to say goodbye.

Aurora looked at him with gratitude. She knew that, despite the apparent calm of the night, he had been a stranger who had helped her without asking anything in return, without interest. A simple man, without the weight of the social conventions that haunted her in her daily life.

"Yes, thank you again," she responded. "For everything."

The man took a small step back, but before she entered, he made an unexpected movement. Moving closer to her naturally, he looked into her eyes, and in a spontaneous gesture, without words, he slightly leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers in a quick, respectful kiss.

Aurora froze for a moment, feeling her heart race. The kiss was not one of passion, but rather a greeting, something simple, as was common among people of lower social standing. Yet, for her, it was a surprise. She didn't know how to react, feeling both confused and touched by his delicacy.

The man, sensing her surprise, stepped back slightly, but his eyes didn't leave hers. "I hope to see you tomorrow night," he said, with calm confidence. "I'd like to meet you here, at the Ritz."

Aurora didn't know what to say. The invitation was unexpected, yet at the same time, she sensed there was something genuine in his words. He didn't see her as someone of high status or a lady of the elite. To him, she was simply a woman, who for some reason, was caught up in something larger than he yet understood.

"I'll be here," she replied, with a shy smile, still trying to process what had just happened.

The man nodded and, with one last glance, turned and disappeared into the dark streets of London. Aurora watched him for a moment before entering the hotel. When the door closed behind her, silence enveloped her heart. She stood there, at the entrance to the Ritz, looking around, feeling the weight of the night settle upon her.

Aurora knew she couldn't continue living in the shadow of lies forever. What had happened that night was a reflection of her internal struggle. She wanted something more, something real. Perhaps, when she met that man again, she would discover more about what she truly wanted. She didn't know what the future held, but she felt that, in some way, that encounter had changed something within her.

She climbed the stairs of the hotel, heading to her room, but before entering, she stopped for a moment. The kiss, the man's kindness, all of it was etched into her mind. He had seen her in a way few men had. And that made her feel a sense of belonging, as though, for the first time, someone had looked at her not as a public figure or a woman with a title, but simply as a real person.

She didn't know what the future would hold for them, but one thing was certain—something was about to change. The mystery surrounding the man, his simplicity, and his unexpected gesture had left a mark on her. Aurora felt that when she saw him again, something important would happen. She didn't know what, but she was willing to find out.