Chapter 12

Something about last night helped me have a better sleep. I did not know whether it was because of the assurance that Anna would be safe or the certainty that Aiden would always be there for me no matter what.

I woke up later than usual with heavy body aches. I blamed it on Lisa for tiring me out by taking me out. My daily ritual continued until it was time for me to go to work. I had second thoughts about going to work with my fatigue, so I decided to inform James and go late.

"Hey, James.", I chirped into the phone. " I can't make it early today. Is it possible to cover for me for a few hours?"

"Sure, Haven. Is everything okay?", He asked, worried.

"Yeah, just a little sick, Jamie.", I said.

It was understandable for him to be worried because I had not usually asked him to cover for me unless it was an emergency.

.

.

.

I made my way down the stairs and greeted Martha. Aiden was at the breakfast table as expected. Before he could say anything, I beat him to it.

"I won't be going to work today", I said.

He seemed surprised. He probably expected me to never skip work even if the world was ending. So, before he could ask me why, I continued speaking.

" I feel a little sick. It is nothing big but I want to rest a bit. I will go later", I said, pulling out a chair to take a sit.

"You sure you don't need anything?" He asked while I nodded negatively.

In the meanwhile, Martha rushed towards me to check my temperature after listening to our conversation from the kitchen.

"Oh my God! Martha! I am seriously fine. There is no fever.", I said, entirely adored by her actions.

She continued to check my temperature ignoring my assurances. I glanced at Aiden to find him giving his signature smile, flexing his dimples.

"I will make soup for lunch today.", said Martha, still believing I could get a fever.

I gave up arguing with her. So, I replied with an okay and relaxed my elbows ok the table.

"Are you going to work?", I asked Aiden, wanting to start a conversation.

"Yes.", he said. "When shall I come by to drop you off?"

"I think I can manage this time, Aiden", I said, not wanting to be a burden.

"No.", he replied, making me huff. "I will be here at noon. Is that cool?"

I nodded, knowing that when he usually decides something there is no point arguing. Also, if he did not find any trouble picking me up and dropping me off, I should not bother.

I put an alarm half an hour before Aiden would come so that I could get ready. In the meanwhile, I helped Martha with the dishes and then took a long nap.

I woke up with my phone ringing on the nightstand, making me grumpily snatch it and scowl at the caller id. My frown immediately turned into surprise when I saw that it was Anna.

"Hello?", I spoke as soon as I picked up the call. " Oh my God! Where have you been?"

"Where have you been, Haven?", she replied, her voice surprisingly grim.

"It is a long story, Anna.", I said, releasing a huge sigh. "I will tell you all about it soon. How are you?"

" I am okay.", she said, before giving a long pause.

"What is going on with you and Aiden that you never bothered to tell me?", she said, with a hint of agitation in her voice.

I froze. At that moment, I could not come up with anything to drain that skepticism in her voice.

"It is a long story. I would have told you everything but a lot has been happening.", I said, contemplating whether to ask her what was going on with her.

I never imagined a day would occur where I would feel awkward with Anna of all people until then.

"You used to tell me everything even though a lot used to happen with you, Haven", she said and I could hear the hurt in her voice as she spoke. "I have always cared about you. That is the reason I warned you about Aiden. Did you not want to tell me because I do not like him?"

I shook my head confused with the way the conversation was going.

"Anna. Firstly, Aiden and I met under some circumstances. And everything I did to hide it from you was to protect you. I care about you. I do. And that is the only reason I had not told you everything.", I said, hoping that she would understand.

I waited for her to say something only to be disappointed by her silence.

"Say something, Anna.", I said, hoping she would understand what I was meaning to convey.

"What do you want me to say?", She said. " That if the roles were reversed you would understand how I have been feeling all along?"

I stayed quiet for a minute. I could not imagine how I would have acted if the roles were actually reversed.

Her agitation was understandable because I could not think of any other way I would have reacted.

"I understand.", I said, making up my mind for my next move. "I will meet you tomorrow and tell you everything."

I knew that Aiden was not exactly okay with me telling her the whole thing.

But I rather get on his bad side than lose Anna.

She let out a sigh which I considered a yes. I said my goodbyes and made my way down the stairs to go to work to see Aiden waiting by the dining table.

"Give me a minute .", I said, running up the stairs again to grab my bag.

During the car ride home, I was contemplating how to tell Anna about everything.