The next day in the afternoon buzzed with activity as Aurora prepared for the evening.  Gone were the casual clothes she'd worn since her father's departure.  Instead, she emerged from her room a vision in crimson.  The dress clung to her curves, its rich color a stark contrast to the pale elegance of her skin.  Her emerald eyes shimmered with a newfound excitement.

Lorenzo watched her from the doorway, his breath catching in his throat.  He'd seen beautiful women before, but there was something about Aurora in that dress, something that ignited a fire within him he couldn't explain.  He quickly schooled his expression, reverting to his stoic facade.

A black colored Aston Martin stopped Infront of the Mancini family house.
Lorenzo stepped out and held open the door for Aurora.

They both walked into the house and the sight of them standing together attracted gazes. The young men eyeing Aurora, and young females blushing at the sight of Lorenzo. Their arrival was met with a flurry of greetings, a stark contrast to the tense silence that had dominated their days at the mansion.  Familiar faces from Aurora's circle materialized – girls in sparkling gowns and well-dressed men exuding an air of effortless charm.  But tonight, the air crackled with something else – a calculated interest in Aurora.

Several socialites, whom Aurora recognized from childhood galas and charity functions, materialized with predatory smiles.  Each one held a son in tow, a well-polished young man groomed for the sole purpose of securing a wealthy bride.  One by one, the introductions began.

"Aurora, darling!  So lovely to see you again," gushed a woman adorned in enough diamonds to rival a chandelier.  "This is my son, Roberto.  He's just graduated from Oxford, you know, with honors in business, of course."  Roberto, a boyish man with slicked-back hair and a nervous smile, offered a hesitant bow.

Aurora greeted them all with a practiced smile, her wit as sharp as the emeralds adorning her ears.  She parried their thinly veiled attempts at matchmaking with a grace that left Lorenzo both impressed and… frustrated.

He watched, a silent sentinel on the fringes of the conversation, as each eager young man attempted to win Aurora's favor.  Their overly eager compliments grated on him, and the way their eyes lingered on her curves sent a jolt of something akin to possessiveness through him.  He knew, logically, that he had no right to such feelings.  He was here as her bodyguard, not a jealous lover.

But logic did little to quell the simmering irritation that bubbled within him.  His gaze flickered constantly back to Aurora, a dark counterpoint to the vibrant colors swirling around them.  He longed to join their conversation, to be the one drawing laughter from her lips, not these entitled peacock wannabes.

A couple of young girls, emboldened by the festive atmosphere, approached Lorenzo.  Their smiles were bright, their eyes filled with a youthful curiosity.  But Lorenzo, lost in his silent observation of Aurora, barely acknowledged them.  His curt responses and stoic expression quickly sent them scurrying away, a little deflated, but mostly intimidated by his imposing presence.

As the night wore on, and the champagne flowed freely, the revelry intensified.  Lorenzo, ever vigilant, remained watchful.  He discreetly scanned the crowd for any potential threats, his dark eyes missing nothing.  But the biggest threat to Aurora's well-being, he was starting to realize with a jolt, wasn't an outsider – it was his own burgeoning feelings for her.

Aurora gracefully navigated the throng of people, her crimson dress a beacon in the sea of glittering gowns. After a few minutes of pleasantries and forced smiles,  she weaved her way back towards Lorenzo, a small victory glinting in her emerald eyes. In her hands, she balanced two crystal flutes filled with champagne, a mischievous glint dancing in those emerald depths.

"Here," she offered, extending a glass towards him. "A little celebratory toast for surviving introductions?"

Lorenzo hesitated, his gaze flicking to the golden liquid.  "I'm on duty, Signorina Moretti," he replied, his voice a low rumble.  "Alcohol can cloud judgment."

Disappointment flickered across Aurora's face, quickly masked by a casual shrug.  "Suit yourself, Mr. Stoic," she teased, taking a sip from her own glass.  "Though a little fun won't hurt, will it?"

Lorenzo remained silent, his gaze unwavering as she watched the crowd.  A frown creased her brow.  "Speaking of fun," she mused, her voice tinged with a hint of worry, "I haven't seen Martina yet.  She wouldn't miss a party for anything."

The concern in her voice surprised Lorenzo.  It was a chink in her usually composed armor, a glimpse of vulnerability that tugged at something deep within him.  "Perhaps she's running late," he offered, his voice softer than usual.

Before he could speak further, a familiar voice cut through the air.  Danielle Mancini, the birthday boy, materialized beside Aurora, his dark eyes gleaming with an intensity that made Lorenzo's jaw clench involuntarily.

"Aurora! It's been so long" Danielle exclaimed, a wide smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.  "You look absolutely stunning tonight."

Aurora smiled back, a genuine warmth radiating from her.  "Thank you, Danielle.  You don't look half-bad yourself."

" How long has it been since I last saw you" Danielle frowned as he held her hand to give her a light peck on it.

" It's been about four years Danielle, how have you been, finally found any girlfriend? " A glint of mischief tainted her eyes as she smilingly teased him.

Daniel laughed, his voice rich and deep " How could I? The girl I like has not been around for a long time, I have been waiting for her. By the way I missed you a lot" something flashed in his eyes as his said that.
Aurora couldn't understand what it was but Lorenzo did and it made him clench his jaw tight.
This stupid girl probably didn't even know that Danielle was into her, it's quite good let her never find out.  And just as he guessed, Aurora confirmed it

"Oh? Who's she? Do I know her" Aurora leaned in towards him trying to find out more, her gossipy nature unlocked.

"As a matter of fact bellissima you do know her" Danielle replied with a hint of smile in his dark chocolate eyes.

Their conversation flowed easily, filled with references to shared childhood memories and inside jokes.  They spoke of adventures shared and secrets whispered, their body language painting a picture of a bond that went beyond casual friendship.  Lorenzo watched, a bitter taste coating his mouth as the familiar pang of jealousy ripped through him.

Danielle, his gaze lingering on Aurora's face a beat too long, finally extended his hand.  "May I have this dance, bellissima?" he asked, his voice husky with unspoken emotions.

Aurora hesitated, her gaze flicking towards Lorenzo.  He met her eyes, his expression unreadable.  A silent struggle played out between them, a battle of unspoken desires and unspoken duties.  Finally, with a small, resigned sigh, Lorenzo looked away.

Taking Danielle's hand, Aurora allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.  As they swayed to the music, Lorenzo felt a cold fist clench around his heart.  The sight of Danielle's hands resting possessively on Aurora's lower back, their bodies pressed close, ignited a firestorm of emotions within him.  He watched, a silent sentinel consumed by a jealousy he couldn't control.  His jaw clenched, and a dark emotion flickered in his eyes.  The sight of Aurora laughing and twirling in another man's arms ignited a possessive anger he couldn't suppress.  He yearned to be the one holding her, to feel the warmth of her body against his.

The realization struck him with the force of a revelation.  He wasn't just here to protect Aurora; he was here because he… cared for her.  The thought sent a jolt through him, leaving him both surprised and unsettled.

As his mind raced through different thoughts, without knowing how or when, he found himself storming through the sea of dancing people towards Aurora wanting to pull her away from that man's grip.