Chapter 8

I prepared my monologue in mind when I saw him enter the house, checking something on his phone. He went straight to his room after sending a quick glance at me. This was it. I decided to go to his room, knock on the door, and tell him that I needed to talk to him about something.

Letting out a huge sigh, I made my way across his room being hit with a sense of Deja Vu. It was funny though, a few hours ago I decided to just run away from this place and go home. However, I was not someone who'd make impromptu decisions. I didn't want to risk anything or anyone. So, there I was succumbing to the gravity of the situation and standing in front of his door. I slightly knocked on his door and waited for him to say something.

"What?", he snapped, clearly agitated with someone disturbing his solitude.

I cleared my throat before speaking.

"Uhm, it's me", I said, softly.

After what felt like a minute or two, he opened the door. I noticed a hint of faded shock on his face. He probably was not expecting me to talk to him after yesterday's incident.

"I want to talk to you about something", I said, not meeting his eyes, but looking at the window on the other side of the room.

"You're not going back to your place for a while, Haven, if that's what you want to talk about.", he said, sternly. I scowled at him slightly and prevented myself from saying that I'd leave anytime I wanted.

"No, it's not about that. I want to go to work tomorrow.", I said, looking at him. "I can't just stay here all day. I need to work to pay my expenses."

"Come in.", he said, pushing the door wider and allowing me to step in.

We sat on the small couch far across the Queen sized bed. I found Aiden surprisingly calm and patient unlike any of my previous encounters. And I think it was quite obvious that I liked him better when he was like this.

"You don't have to work till we understand who's behind all of this, Haven. You'll find every basic necessity here. If you want something else, don't hesitate to ask me.", he said.

"That's the problem. I can't depend on you for these things when I am more than capable of working. I don't even know you, Aiden.", I said, meaning every word.

He ran his hands through his hair, frustrated with everything.

"It's not like you're depending on me. I brought this mess upon you, Haven, so I owe you my protection. I shouldn't have met you multiple times to let others see you with me. It's dangerous", he said, finally admitting and almost giving me a good reason why he has been acting like this.

I extended my arm and held his large hand, caressing it with my other one.

"I don't want you thinking like that, Aiden. In fact, I was the one who forced you to let me dress your wounds. The other things kept adding on naturally. You are just being kind enough to let me stay here.", I said, giving him a small smile. "Let me go and work like usual. I don't want to feel like I'm a burden even though you don't consider me to be one."

He let out a sigh and relaxed his back, bringing both his hands to his eyes, thinking. I observed his flexed muscles and clenched jaw and hoped that his answer would be something positive.

"Okay", he said, "But-"

"I know there is going to be some catch!", I exclaimed. "Aiden Walters doesn't give in that easily."

He chuckled at my dramatic gestures and continued. However, I beat him into it.

"Told you! You look great when you laugh!", I said, smiling.

"Yeah, that I have been told", he said, holding my hand that I had been using to comfort him. "Anyways, you can go to work but I will drop you and pick you up."

"But what about your work", I said, not wanting him to do something for me by taking out his time.

"I work whenever I want to, Haven. I am not bound to some timings or schedule.", he said, smirking.

"Yes, you work whenever you want to. Which is almost forever.", I said, referring to the past few days.

"Touche", he said, with a playful tone that immediately turned serious as he continued. "I don't have anything else better to do. Just got to keep myself busy-"

"So that there is no room for thinking.", I completed, slightly surprised because the words slipped automatically without much thought. I could not help but relate. His blazing eyes fell on me while he studied me. I guess I looked lost in thought or was reciprocating his stare by staring in return. That moment was hazy. It was like trying to strip our walls and skin to show each other glimpses of our past but afraid that vulnerability could betray us. Again.

"Cause no matter what, your thoughts go back to that time. Memories are not beautiful. They are haunting.", I continued, trying my best to hold my tears.

Aiden brought his hand towards my cheek and gently caressed it. He looked deep into my eyes giving me a clear view of his multi-colored irises. If those orbs are not art, then what is?

"You are safe here, Haven. And you will be safe here.", he said, more like assuring me. I wanted to believe him. I think the major part of me did, which was surprising because I had never given into assurances until now.

I nodded my head and smiled. He continued to study my face while thinking about something. More like questioning his next move.

"Fuck it", he roughly whispered and smashed his lips against mine. If I had mentioned that my first kiss with him was the best. I was wrong. Because this was beyond magical. It started slow so that I could get used to the pace. As it went on, I felt that as more than some kiss because at that moment, I remembered nothing. It was like he was gradually sucking my pain while giving me something better to always think of, a better moment to live in.

He slid his tongue in. This time, I let it in.