Chapter 19: SHOULD AURORA GIVE HERSELF TO MAX ?
Aurora never imagined that her life would take such an extraordinary turn when she met Max Perutz. He, a man of Austrian descent, had moved with his family to England, where they established a dairy farm. The simple, peaceful life he led, combined with his passion for science, created a deep connection between them from the moment they met. When Max invited her to meet his family, Aurora could not foresee that this meeting would further change her life.
Arriving at the Perutz estate, Aurora was surprised by the grandeur, yet welcoming simplicity of the place. The farm was vast, with wide green fields and the distant sound of cattle grazing in the background. The Perutz home, a sturdy and traditional building, had a rustic charm, with stone walls and windows offering a stunning view of the hills beyond.
Max proudly introduced her to his parents. Mr. Otto Perutz, a man of serene yet severe appearance, greeted her with a firm handshake and a cordial greeting. "Welcome, Aurora. Max talks a lot about you," he said, with a light Austrian accent. Aurora, surprised by the warm reception, immediately felt at ease. Mrs. Ingrid Perutz, an elegantly understated woman with a nurturing presence, also embraced her with genuine affection. "We are so happy to have you with us. Max has been very happy lately, and that makes us happy too."
The dinner that evening was a true celebration of family and tradition. The table was filled with traditional Austrian dishes, and the conversation flowed with laughter and family stories. Karl, Max's brother, animatedly spoke of Max's scientific projects, while Ingrid shared memories of when the farm was purchased. Aurora felt like part of the family, as if she had found her place in the world.
Over the following days, the bond between Aurora and Max deepened. Long walks across the fields, afternoons spent by the lake, or simply talking by the fireplace, became special moments. Aurora was enchanted by the way Max related to his family, the love and respect he had for his roots, his land, and his values. It was so different from her own life amid the bustle of the city, and she found herself drawn into a sense of calm and belonging.
However, as their connection grew stronger, something within Max began to change. He grew increasingly restless, with a distant look in his eyes, as if something was eating away at him from the inside. Aurora started to notice that, despite all the harmony between them, a growing tension developed in Max, an unspoken need to move their relationship further. He seemed increasingly impatient, as if he could no longer tolerate the emotional distance between them.
One evening, while they were alone in the garden, under the soft moonlight, Max finally opened up. He looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race. "Aurora," he began, his voice low but filled with restrained desire, "we can't keep going like this. I can no longer ignore what I feel for you. I want to be with you in every way possible. I… I want to give myself to you."
Aurora looked at him, her eyes meeting his. She could feel the intensity in his words, the burning desire he could no longer hide. She knew how passionate he was, but at the same time, she felt the weight of the decision. She didn't want it to be something impulsive, something that happened without due care. She wanted more than just physical desire; she wanted a complete union, where both of them could surrender emotionally, without rushing.
"Max, I understand what you're feeling," Aurora replied, her voice soft but firm. "I also have deep feelings for you. But we need to be cautious. We can't rush things just because the desire is strong. Our relationship is more than that. I want our connection to be complete, but I don't want it to happen unless we're both truly ready."
Max sighed, frustrated, but also understanding Aurora's reasoning. He knew she wasn't rejecting him, but he still struggled with the thought that, if they didn't move forward, he might lose her. The tension between them grew, but at the same time, there was a kind of silent understanding. They both wanted the same thing, but with mutual respect that could not be ignored.
"Aurora," Max said, his tone softer, "I understand that you want to wait, that you want more time. I just… I don't want to lose what we have. What I feel for you is stronger than anything else, and I just wanted you to know that."
She looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. She knew he wasn't trying to pressure her, but at the same time, his desire for her was palpable. "I don't want to lose what we have either, Max. But we need to make sure that, when it happens, it's something we both want fully, without reservations."
The conversation ended without further words, but the tension between them remained. They didn't make an immediate decision. Aurora knew there was still much to explore and understand, both in her own heart and in their relationship. But one thing was clear: the feelings she had for Max were real, deep, and undeniable. However, the idea of moving forward without thinking about the consequences still frightened her.
The following days were marked by a new level of closeness between them, but also by the awareness that something greater was about to unfold. Their conversations deepened, and the desire to be together grew, but always with the understanding that they needed more time to truly know each other.
Meanwhile, Aurora's relationship with the Perutz family continued to strengthen. Every moment with them made her feel more connected to the new life she was building. The love Max had for his family was evident, and that made Aurora see a new dimension in him, a passion for science and the land that captivated her.
She knew that, at some point, she would have to make a decision about their future, but for now, she wanted to enjoy the present, the peaceful days spent with Max, without rushing. After all, what was happening between them was deep and true, and Aurora believed that time would help them understand what it meant to be together.
The magic of her life, which now seemed like a fairy tale, was far from over. But Aurora knew that, for this story to be written, each page needed to be turned with care, patience, and the commitment that their future together would be something they would build, step by step.