006~ THAT IS

Leah,

Friday.

"Did we come for a family dinner or to watch those two flirt?" Ivy whispered, eyeing our parents.

I followed her gaze. Across the table, my mother giggled at something my father said, her hand resting on his arm. I smiled and turned back to my sister, who wore a look of pure disgust. "Let them be, Ivy. This is the only time they get to see each other."

She raised her eyebrow, folding her arms. "Really. Is that what you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"I came home last month to a scene that will traumatise me for life... right in the living room! Buck naked! Both of them!" She emphasised the last words. "I can't unsee it, Leah."

"The fuck!" My eyes widened in shock.

"Yeah, these two old geezers are fucking each other behind our backs!"

I turned to face them. "Dad!" I screamed, startling both of them.

They jerked, like they have been caught doing something they shouldn't. I narrowed my eyes at my father, feeling betrayed. He was hooking up with his ex-wife behind my back while acting like he needed help. I thought we were a team. Unbelievable!

"What's the problem, sweetheart?" He asked, his eyes darting between me and Ivy confused.

"That's what I want to know, Mr. Carter," I said, my eyes still fixed on him, filled with silent accusations.

"Don't," Ivy whispered. "He got me my new car to keep it a secret."

"You..."

She placed her hand on my thigh and squeezed it hard. "They are adults, Leah. Save them some face."

More like I should help you keep your new car.

The waiter arrived, serving the food. I kept my eyes on my father, my glare unwavering, even as my plate was placed in front of me. He cleared his throat awkwardly, picking up his cutlery to eat.

"Eat your food, Leah," my mother said coming to her man's defence.

"Sure, Mrs. Carter." I narrowed my eyes at her too.

"What is wrong with your sister?" She turned to Ivy, who merely shrugged.

I was lifting a forkful of pasta to my lips when I felt a finger graze my bare arm, the scent of his cologne announcing his arrival before he spoke. "Good evening, Mr. Carter," he greeted my dad.

My heart hammered against my chest, the fork stopping midair, hands trembling as the colour drained from my face.

"Aiden Kingston," my father said, his voice tinged with barely concealed anger.

"What a lovely family you have here, Mr. Carter," he said, his hand sliding shamelessly onto my shoulder.

The fork slipped from my hand, clattering into the plate, and my mother looked at me concerned. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" She asked.

"Yes," I nodded, trying to pull away quietly from him but he held tight.

"Are you sure you are alright, doll?" He mocked his finger, moving to brush my hair behind my ear all of a sudden. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. "You look like you have seen a ghost." His voice dripped with amusement as he turned my face toward him.

A cold dread washed over me as our eyes met, his threat from the elevator echoing in my mind. His grin widened as his gaze dropped to my lips, lingering there, then slowly lifting back to my eyes. My lips tingled in memory of his kiss in the elevator, and I quickly looked away, my cheeks burning in shame.

My father slammed his hand onto the table, and I flinched. "I made it clear to you last time, she is..."

Aiden chuckled, a low sinster sound, that made me shiver. "Sorry about that, Mr. Carter. I don't take warnings seriously," he said, his voice deceptively calm. "In fact, they only make me want to cross the line even further."

My father's jaw tightened, his fist clenching on the table as if controlling himself from making a mistake. I could feel the tension from both men. It was thick, and the room felt like it was closing in on me.

"Micheal," my mother said softly, her hand resting on his arm. Her touch did little to ease the growing tension between the two men. Her touch usually did the magic, but today, my dad wasn't about to let the uninvited guest think he could just do as he pleased.

"Mr. Kingston," a voice called from behind me, interrupting the charged atmosphere, drawing Aiden's attention turning away from my father.

My heart skipped a beat when our eyes met again. He reached out, brushing his fingers against my cheek gently. "You look beautiful in red," he murmured, his eyes dropping to my lips again. A smile curled up his lips as he leaned down and whispered, "I will see you later, doll."

I exhaled shakily, my body trembling as I gripped the edge of the table. I didn't realise I was holding my breath the entire time until he left.

"Where did you two meet?" My father asked, his eyes searching mine.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart. "Elevator," I replied, leaving the part about running into him at the car park. "It was the day he came to the company."

"Is he... a member of the Kingston family?" My mom's voice trembled in fear. My dad remained silent, looking away from her. "Micheal, he is part of a crime family! Why is someone like that interested in our daughter?"

The Kingston family. The biggest crime family ruling the underground in this city. We are talking guns, murders and every other illegal shit you can think of! Why didn't I think he was one of them?

I knew he was dangerous. I felt it in my guts the day we first crossed paths. He looked like a fucking gangster, but to think he was with the mafia?

My dad reached across the table, taking my hand in his, his grip firm. "You need to avoid him, honey. I know you might not have a reason to see him, but there is no telling what goes on in a mind like his."

"I-I will."

The rest of the meal was torture. This was a dinner I had been looking forward to all week, but his presence ruined everything.

"Drive home safely, sweetheart." My mom said, waving at me before my dad's car drove off.

The hairs on my arm stood on end, as a sudden unease settled in my guts. Turning around, I flinched slightly at the source of the unease. He stood, his hands buried in his pockets as he watched me through the glass doors of the restaurant.

A dark smile curled up his lips, and he gestured for me to come over. I clutched my purse tightly, turning away immediately, my heart pounding. I started to walk towards where I packed my car.

I could have sworn I saw him leave earlier.

A chill ran down my spine as I heard footsteps behind me. I glanced quickly over my shoulder, confirming my worst fears as I saw him with a wide grin stretching across his face as he stalked me, enjoying the way I scrambled away from him like a prey.

"I thought we agreed to meet later, doll," he taunted.

My pace quickened, my pulse racing as I fumbled inside my purse for my keys, fingers trembling.

Almost there, Leah. Just a few more steps. Once you get into the car, you will be safe.

Relief washed over me as I finally found the key, pressing the button. The car door clicked open, and I reached out, grasping the handle and pulling it slightly ajar when suddenly, a hand clamped down on  the top from behind me.

A shudder ripped through me as I felt his presence, dangerously close.

"Were you running away from me, doll?" He whispered his voice laced with mocking amusement in my ear.