Chapter 3

My mind concocted different scenarios in which Anna could get hurt. I gently touched her cheek and saw her flinch.

"Anna? What happened? Were you hurt?", I asked, softly, holding her hand.

She fiddled with the hem of her dress, something she used to never do, and looked at me.

"Uhm, it's stupid, I fell down the stairs", she nervously laughed.

I narrowed my eyes, not completely believing her. She would've told me if she fell, right. I brushed it off, not wanting to push her more.

"Let me guess. Here to watch movies?", she asked, eyeing the snacks I bought on the way.

My lips broke into a smile as I dumped all the junk on the couch. In a few moments, we were giggling as we opened the bag of chips while flipping through the movies. I honestly needed it with everything happening so fast.

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It was late at night. I could stay back at Anna's for the night. However, a part of me wanted to see him around. Would he be there lurking around the streets? Is he hurt again?

I brushed off all the thoughts and decided to stay with Anna. Somebody needs to be there with her to help her with the mild injuries. The injuries that I believe she blatantly lied about. I decided to ask her about it once again.

However, I brushed it off, not wanting to make the situation serious again.

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"Haven!", Anna screamed, making me shoot my eyes open and widen them as they meet her worried ones. I sat up, breathing heavily while she stumbled outside to get me some water. I wiped the stagnant sweat beads on my forehead and sighed. The nightmares just keep coming back.

My mind wandered off to the conversation I had with Anna. I couldn't get anything out of her when I asked her about the injuries again. I groaned while sitting up straight as Anna extended a glass of water to me. She observed with utmost concentration and spoke

"Another nightmare?", she asked me, softly. "I thought they stopped."

I have never told Anna about my recent series of nightmares as I didn't want her worrying.

"It wasn't that bad. Not a big deal, Ann", I said assuring her that everything is alright.

She looked like she didn't believe any of it, however, she nodded giving me a small smile. Tears threatened to spill as I realized how fortunate I am to have her. I jumped to give her a long hug sending a clear message of how grateful I am to her.

"Scoot over", she said, tossing her pillow next to mine after we pulled away from the embrace.

I snuggled towards her while she put her arm across me and drifted back to sleep.

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The next day was the usual until I completed my work. I nonchalantly made my way to Blossombee, slightly frustrated at how robotic my life seemed. I smiled to myself reminiscing all the jokes James (my co-worker) had pulled today.

As I wobbled my way across the street, I felt a firm grip on my upper arm. Before I could do anything, I was being dragged towards an empty alley nearby. I opened my mouth to scream only to be clamped shut by a large hand. Tears clouded my vision and I began to take heavy breathes, thinking of the worst possibilities.

"Shh, it's just me", I heard a familiar voice. Aiden.

He gently caged me against the wall and pulled my chin up. His eyes electrocuted my whole body sending involuntary shivers to my lips.

"What do you want?", I breathed, with a mixture of relief and frustration. I was shaken up.

"Where the fuck were you last night?", he had the audacity to ask.

That's it. Aiden Walters is crazy. In fact, he is crazier than he's dangerous.

" Why do you want to know?", I asked, " And, you can't just drag me to an isolated place to ask this. Are you crazy?"

He clenched his jaw and pinched his nose, probably trying not to snap.

"I can't risk talking to you in public. Now, shut that fucking attitude of yours and answer me", he replied, sternly.

I let out a sigh, not seeing any benefit in pushing him for answers.

"I was at Anna's", I whispered, "I slept over at her place."

I realized that he might have shown up at my place yesterday night. Uncannily, I found myself worried as he could have hurt himself like always for him to knock on my door.

"Were you hurt?", I asked him.

He slightly widened his eyes likely surprised by my question. I observed his state while waiting for his reply. His hair was messy from running his hand through it many times. Those majestic eyes still had the dangerous glint in them making me want to stare at them longer.

"No. Why did you ask that?", he replied, seriously expecting an answer.

His gentle grip on my arm tightened when I didn't give a reply. Before I was about to give out a concocted answer, I felt his luscious lips on mine. Glimmers of sparks exploded in my gut at the sudden contact of his warm lips. Aiden Walters kissed me. I was still for a second before reciprocating back. With time, he deepened his kiss and pushed his tongue demanding entrance. That made me pull away suddenly. Before anyone could say anything, I took off.

My heartbeat was loud and I could imagine it leaping out of my chest. I could think of anything just to get away from the realization of what happened. My mind flooded with all kinds of questions. Why would Aiden kiss me, of all people?