The Ravencrest project had finally moved into its next stage, and her team was already working on the adjustments Mr. Voss had requested.
For the first time in several days, Aurora wasn't surrounded by a mountain of drawings.
It was 4:26 p.m. when her phone suddenly vibrated as she was relaxing in her little office chair.
Aurora glanced at the screen.
As always, a warm smile immediately appeared on her face when she saw who it was, and she immediately answered.
"Hello?"
"Rora." His magnetic voice purred through the phone line, the low, velvety vibration humming directly against her ear.
She gripped her phone tighter, her breath catching in her throat as a sudden warmth flooded across her cheeks.
It had been only a minute since she last heard his voice. She couldn't believe she was still so affected by it.
"Hi."
"You sound less tired today."
"Yeah, that's probably because I actually had a fulfilling sleep."
"Finally."
Aurora laughed softly, leaning her head back against the headrest. "Don't sound so surprised."
"I am surprised," Felix replied, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"You're annoying."
"And yet you answered."
"You've used that line on me before."
"Because it works."
Aurora shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "Enough about me. How was training?"
"Exhausting."
She sat up slightly, her playful mood quickly switching to genuine concern. "Still so bad?"
"Coach Vance has decided I need to repeat everything until my body forgets how to complain." He groaned.
Aurora laughed. "Sounds exactly like him."
"Exactly."
Felix paused, his tone shifting slightly.
"Back to you. How's the project with the Voss guy?"
Aurora looked towards the drawings on her desk. "Better."
"Better?"
"Yeah, Mr. Voss actually approved the fourth design."
There was a brief silence.
"Seriously?"
"Yes! It was quite unexpected, though. I thought he was gonna pull one of those cards and choose one of the earlier three."
"Well, I guess not." Felix laughed, the tension leaving his voice.
"Yeah." Aurora smiled, her heart warming at his support for her. "Oh... and guess what?"
"Why? What did he do?" His tone quickly sharpened.
"He even said I did a good job."
"Wow!"
"I know."
"Should I be worried?"
Aurora raised an eyebrow even though Felix couldn't see her. "Worried about what?"
"Mr. Voss complimenting you."
She laughed out loud, tossing her head back.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm just saying."
"There's nothing to worry about."
"Well... if you say so," Felix murmured, though he sounded quite sceptical. "Because it seems this guy has a habit of being nice once, then the next day he messes around with you, then the cycle repeats itself."
"I understand your concern, and I get why you feel like that, but I don't think that is how he's like," Aurora defended.
"I'm just saying, no need to agree with me."
Putting matters concerning Mr. Voss aside, Aurora leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen between her fingers. "So, how close are you to your competition?"
There was a slight pause before Felix answered.
"Much closer." His voice turned more serious. "We've been steadily increasing the training intensity."
"Are you ready?" Aurora inquired softly.
"I think so."
"You think so?"
"I'll be ready." He corrected himself, a firm, confident edge returning to his voice.
Aurora smiled. "That's better."
Felix laughed softly, a low rumble that vibrated through the speaker. "You sound like Coach Vance."
"Maybe he's rubbing off on me."
"Please don't become another Coach Vance. One is more than enough."
"No promises."
They both laughed, the comfortable ease settling between them. After a quiet moment, Felix spoke again.
"Are you busy this weekend?"
Aurora glanced at the neat calendar on her desk. "Not really."
"Good."
"Why?"
"I was thinking we could spend some time together."
Aurora's smile widened, her heart doing a little twirl. "Doing what?"
"I haven't decided anything yet."
"That's not very convincing, dear Mr. Skater."
"We'll figure it out."
She thought for a moment, biting her lower lip. "Alright."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Then it's a plan."
Aurora smiled warmly. "It's a plan."
They went on talking for a few more minutes about things that happened throughout their day before eventually ending the call.
Aurora placed her phone on the desk. Without his voice filling the room, she felt the silence was louder than usual.
She looked at her schedule again, tracing the empty weekend slot. Then it hit her. Since she had promised to handle their second date, she could actually use this opportunity to plan it out perfectly.
...
At Eldlyria Arena Ice Hall, Felix stood alone in the centre of the ice, the ambient chill of the rink hanging thick in the air.
The music started, cutting through the silence.
He pushed off and glided across the pristine rink, his movements controlled, sharp, and precise. Coach Vance watched grimly from the side, his arms tightly folded over his chest.
Felix completed his final sequence and slowed to a smooth stop, ice spraying slightly against the barrier.
"Again."
Felix looked towards him, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Seriously?"
Coach Vance stared him deep in the eye, his gaze unyielding. "I said again."
Felix let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders dropping slightly in mock defeat. "You enjoy this too much."
Coach Vance didn't even crack a smile. "Felix. Again."
Felix shook his head, a wry smirk tugging at his lips before he pushed off into the cold air once more. Not hesitating this time because he knew the competition was drawing closer.
And he intended to be ready.