"So?" She asks dryly rolling her eyes uninterested of the topic, a culinary orchestra fills in the air, the voice of people taking their orders and the giggles of the teens clicking selfies in the next table. Taking the container of the chili paste she pushes the whole portion onto her plate, the colour of the noodles turns red when she mixes the spicy paste, swirling it around her fork she puts it in her mouth and looks straight at him again who was observing her movements.
"Aiden I....,"
"Sure," she cuts him off chewing onto the food in her mouth those eyes making him gulp down his saliva. Curling in his lips he looks around awkwardly and back at her his voice never coming out loud "I didn't even ask you anything," he blurts leaning forward.
"You have no need of giving a lengthy explanation," placing the fork on the surface of the plate she clasps her hands resting the elbow on the table those narrow brown eyes never leaving him "Let's break up as you wish," shrugging her shoulders she gets back to continue her meal while he looks at her surprised even though that he expected this is how she will react.
"I know that our relationship was not strong from the beginning," she speaks after a moment of silence "After all I'm not blind to not know about your little puppy," she scoffs taking a sip of water from the glass she faces him again and this time he is astonished unknown of her information, licking her lips she passes him a glance and back at her plate "All those explanation of me having no time to spend with you is just an excuse," the right corner of her lip twitches up as her brain flashes the day of their first blind date arranged by his mother and hers as they are friends "But it's true," chuckling softly she leans back at the chair resting her shoulders to the head adjusting the collar of her black shirt underneath the leather coat "It's true though, I don't like wasting time on rubbish," moving her head to the left and right she gets back to eat when Mike stands up from his seat furiously, neither of his murmurs of curse under his breath affected her.
Taking his phone from the table he steps aside not passing a glimpse at Aiden "Mike," she calls out sweetly as she used to and the way he liked his name rolling down her tongue, turning around immediately he faces her in the thought of her asking him to explain more, asking him to stay, saying that they have been good together "Yeah," his voice comes out softly.
Moving her gaze from the table she looks up at him "Pay the bill for your dishes," her lips spread to a smile "Goodbye," she waves at him ignore his act of stamping on the floor.
The fork gets into the rolled red spaghetti when his footsteps fade in her ears, letting out a sigh she gulps down the whole glass of Americano. The glass door of the restaurant opens making the crowd gasp and scream, people gather rushing to the door, all their movements stop when a person drags another man in his hold along with another two men wearing masks. The crowd gathers around the three of them finding any chance to get towards the door as the two masked fellow orders them to stay in with the gun.
BOOM!The loud screams turn to gasps and muffles when he shoots a corner where no one is standing, making the crowd to gather around with no space between them, while Aiden stands there behind her chair her eyeballs moving to the left and right examining the surrounding, crossing her arms over her chest she stays still away from the crowd where only a few people of four are beside her. “Give me the pen drive,” the masked man who is holding the old man in hostage orders his eyes watching around.“Give me the fucking pen drive if you want your dad alive,” his rough voice is loud enough to bang on each and everyone’s ears present in the room “ Step forward you bastard!,” the other man by his side yells, those thick eyebrows furrowed, his eyes blood shot red, gripping onto the pistol tighter he lifts it pointing to a random person in the crowd aiming at his leg without even looking at him “Don’t test my patience,” his stern cold voice alerts everyone, the victim at the aim shivers while his heart pounds and he didn’t dare to make a move. The abnormal silence makes everything audible, where his index finger is placed onto the trigger, his furious nerves anxious to pull. Just in the second before he pulls the trigger a person in the crowd steps forward, his fingers brushes over his ear when he removes the elastic of the mask which he was wearing, Aiden’s eyes are glued on his back as he stands in front of her view, the crowd begins to export whispers and gasps when he tosses the mask on the table, the popular idol in their view.“Let him go and I’ll hand over the pen drive,” keeping a step forward he inserts his hand into his pocket “And everyone in here should leave out safe,” he states his voice low making sure that the calmness is maintained. Passing a glance to his dad who is worried more than terrified he blinks his in assurance, pulling out the pen drive from the pocket he holds it straight in the air showing by them “Let him and the others go,” his words come out low yet stern “I’ll handover the pen drive,” standing straight he waits till they make a move as told, the right corner the of his lips slightly twitches up noticing the hold around his father’s neck loosen. Leaving Mr. Mintz to step aside they march forward towards Riley who stays still by holding the needed object, his sight shifting from right to left watching them. The surrounding suddenly fills with the sound of footsteps and slight screams of people rushing out.“You sure have the gut to surrender alone,” one of the men scoffs jumping forward he kicks on Riley’s stomach taking him off guard which makes him to fall on his knees, burying the pen drive in his palm he looks up ready to take the beat. Mr. Mintz rushes to his son, his weak eyes welled up with tears not bearing to watch him being hurt “Give it to them,” he orders holding Riley’s arm helping him to get back to his feet “Take the pen drive and kill them,” the announcement makes them active, dragging his father behind him, he steps forward covering up his fear with bravery. Before he could make his imaginary action his legs wobble backwards when the foot comes in contact to us stomach once again. “Trying to be a hero,” the guy in front of him laughs “One of us is enough to beat his a..,” he stops when the scream gets into his ears before he could complete his sentence with the double 's', their eyes widen in surprise when they turn to their right catching the scene. One of them lies down holding his stomach with one and covering his nose with the other “Help me,” he begs watching his mate, he removes his hand from his face his bleeding nose comes to their view. From him their gaze moves up to the person who breaks her out knuckles chewing onto her inner, inserting her hands into her black jeans pockets she looks straight at them and at Riley who stares at her with his eyes wide open in surprise with the expression of what-is-going-on. “You’ve brought a girl to help,” the guy sneers stepping away from Riley letting the other guy take care of him.Waiting till the guy arrives the spot she marked, Aiden picks up the plate from the table beside her, hopping forward she throws the plate at him, the broken ceramic cuts through his skin in some places, the half-eaten spicy cheese spaghetti staining his clothes, gritting his teeth he steps forward his hands formed into fist his elbow hits through the air backwards coming forward forcefully, a loud yelp leaves his lips when her ankle meets the side of his neck, his body stiffens when pain shoots through the neck making him to fall over the ground, heavy eyelids ready to bring him darkness. Picking up the tissue from the table Aiden wipes the sauce in her hand laying her gaze on the man in front of Riley, his eyes widened in astonishment, wiping off the sweat beads formed on his forehead he removes his gaze from her and looks down at Riley who is completely taken back of the scene happening in front of him, from his face he looks down at his hand in which the pen drive was held, the corners of his lips twitches up slightly noticing that his grip is loosened without his realization taking Riley’s and his father’s absent mind as an advantage he snatches the device with in a second turning around he runs to the door.“Get him,” Riley shouts almost for himself, getting up instantly he chases after the man, the noise of the cop siren makes them to stop in their tracks, walking ahead he takes the main source of evidence from him when the cop barge in cuffing him.“Many incidents took place before your arrival,” he chuckles when the cops look around at the mess curiously.“When did you inform them?” Mr. Mintz questions walking towards Riley, his dry voice clearly showing that he is exhausted.“When they entered with you?” he answers rubbing the back of his neck “Hey, you……,” before he completes his sentence Aiden walks out.Aiden’s P.O.VThe elevator door's part welcoming the white and light pink uniformed young girl pushing the wheelchair, my cheeks lift up below my eyes when I smile back at the old woman seated on the wheelchair with whom I’ve chat for some days when I stayed over at the hospital numerous times, leaving them way to enter I stroll out to the room my heart beginning to pound already before I lay my eyes on her. It’s been quite a while to come back to check on her state as I’ve been caught up in other things, standing by the door I take a deep breath in and let it out, the hold on the shopping bag tightens when my mind recalls negativity, closing my eyes I plaster a smile on my face gripping onto the door knob I push it open the fake smile on my face turns real when I see mom sitting on the bed looking at me, her eyes glistening with happiness.“Good evening,” my voice cheers her up, light wrinkles appear at the corners of her eyes, sitting straight moving forward away from the bed head b
Third Person P.O.V“Have a seat Ms. Aiden,” Mintz requests after the shaking hands “I preferred cafeteria because there is nothing formal,” he chuckles “Make your order,” he smiles when the young lady stops by their table holding the notepad and a pen.“Iced Americano,” Aiden orders, sitting straight she faces Mintz her lips spreading to a smile.“I hope you remember me,” he asks leaning forward in interest waiting for her reply as she takes some time to recall her memory.“I’m sorry I don’t,” rubbing the back of her neck she smiles crookedly as for her weak memory.“That’s okay,” Mr. Mintz brushes off “I wanted to thank you for your help that day, if it is not for you we would have been beaten to death in the restaurant I guess,” slight wrinkles form at the corners of his eyes when his smile widens “I know that it’s not nice for a girl to be around a guy but I have no one to offer this role,” adjusting his blue tie he moves forward again “ My son is not safe due to my doing and I’ve
You are trending,” Lisa shouts throwing herself to the sofa beside Aiden who is seated down in front of the coffee table, she opens the can of coke letting the gas drizzle when she takes a sip. She looks up resting her head on the sofa to look at Lisa who is scrolling down her phone with an ear-to-ear smile on her face. The excitement on her face drowns when she looks down at Aiden who stares at an empty space her eyebrows furrowed in a deep thought.“Den, are you okay?” she asks tossing the phone to aside.After short moment of silence Aiden closes her eyes and inhales a deep breath in and lets it out as she opens her eyes “Nothing,” she sighs running her hand through her hair as she sits straight taking the can and takes a huge gulp of the chill cola letting the gas play in her throat “Why am I trending?,” she asks picking up Lisa’s phone she unlocks it, her eyes squints when the image displays, moving the screen closer to her vision she scrolls down at the multiple images with dif
What?” Aiden and Riley shouts in unison, taking a glance at each other they face Evan who is seated on the centre sofa and both of them are at his either side.Adjusting his glasses, he lets out a sigh, after a long explanation of the current situation he couldn’t accept their answer, which is still in a question mark. He pulls out a file from his bag and places it on the coffee table in front of him, Aiden’s and Riley’s eyes move to the table following his actions and they look straight at each other and again at Evan. Evan calls out “Riley,” he continues intertwining his fingers he leans forward facing Riley “ I know that you are afraid to read the comments online,” he states which makes Aiden to look at Riley “Articles have been posted overnight and you know that there are people against you already, “Evan explains his eyes never leaving Riley who stares down at the carpeted floor “They're saying that you are playing over another girl to fulfil your desires,” his voice stiffens as
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Evan walks to and fro, he furrows his eyebrows and stops in front of Aiden and Riley who are seated next to each other on the sofa “Something is off,” he exhales observing the both of them.“What’s missing?” Riley asks curiously.“It’s just…,” Evan points at Riley and at Aiden “You both don’t look good together,” he sighs “How come other couples look perfect together even if there is nothing between them,” he explains almost talking to himself.Riley knits his eyebrows and turns to his left taking a glance at Aiden who stares at an empty space her expression clearly showing that she is not interested, his lips move to an uneven smile when he faces Evan “I get you,” he blurts nodding his head understanding the stiff air with in them.Evan orders moving his hand showing the position “Move a little closer,” he states which makes Aiden to pass a glance at Riley when his shoulder touched hers “I doubt that people would believe,” Evan continues his eyes neve
Aiden’s P.O.V“I’m sorry for disturbing,” Mr. Mintz says as he takes a sip of his coffee “Make your order,” he pushes the menu to my direction“I had dinner with your son,” I smile moving forward.“It’s good to know that you can get along with him, he is such a trouble,” he chuckles dryly and exhales “He is very stubborn and immature sometimes,” he continues, I nod in reply agreeing to his statement as Riley is really a brat sometimes, I could see some kind of sparkle in Mr. Mintz eyes when he speaks, the spark which can be seen only on parents “He was on a bumpy road since the beginning of his career and he lost his mother few years back” he removes his spectacles and places it on the table “She was hit by a car in front of his eyes, it took him a long time to get over it,” he speaks his heart out and I stay there attentive to his story, the nostalgic expression on his face shows that he is spilling his heart out “But he is really a good person.”“Yea, he is,” I reply pouring the liq
From Evan my eyes move down straight to the phone stand where the phone is kept with the circular light, letting out a loud breath I turn to my right at Riley, who is seated next to me on the sofa, Evan is standing behind the coffee table staring at us, we stay silent for a while till the count down for the live is done and there the camera is on, the comments keep popping on the left side of the screen. I sit there faking a smile at the screen cooperating with him but neither of his words are getting into my head, the chattering on my right stops when the comments keep slidingAre you both really together?They don’t look good together?How can we believe that he is really into her?Is he playing again?Is she a victim as well?What about Mira?Mira? Who’s that? Seems like he has some kind of history I guessMy eye balls slide to the right corner of my eyes to take a glance at him, he stays still staring at the screen with an unreadable expression, I look down noticing his intertwine
Third Person P.O.VPassing the main road Aiden walks to the store by the end of the street, she stops in her tracks when she notices Riley seated outside by the balcony where the chairs and tables are arranged. Looking around finding the store lonely she walks towards and sits on the chair next5 to him, he looks up from her shoes and a smile makes its way on his lips when she sits.Looking at the three empty cans on table she exhales “Stop drinking,” she says dryly as she throws the empty cans to the bin by their table.“I did not have enough,” Riley replies staring at the can on the table, he looks at Aiden and says “I don’t get drunk,” he smiles, taking the can he gulps down the remaining alcohol in it, biting his lower lip he curls his lips inwards by pressing the can harder “You can leave,” he states opening another can, the tone of his voice enough to show that he is not drunk as he didn’t stammer. Letting out a breath Aiden inserts her hands into her jacket’s pocket shrugging h
The hall is crowded with people, Emma walks around everywhere greeting the guests present. The guests are seated around the circular tables on the either sides of the walk leading the podium. Pleasant strains of melody music drifts through the crowd. The walk path is arranged with blue and white roses in a row and straight on the stage stands Riley. He is in a black, single breasted, satin tuxedo with a white wing collar shirt. He adjusts his tie and rubs the back of his neck, his stomach feeling weird. He nibbles on his lower lip staring at the large door, waiting to see her. The smell of fresh flowers fills in the air. The music stops, and all heads turn to face the far end of the walk. The opening to the bridal chorus begins to play. The door opens and there she comes down the isle.Everyone in the crowd stares at her, surprised. Aiden has worn a strapless white wedding gown with white embroidery on her bodice. Rhinestone and pearl beads are sewn on her gown. She also has worn a tw
~Three months later~Riley’s P.O. VThe shimmering wet sand sweeps over my bare feet. The drizzling of water and the smell of salt only capture my senses. I stroll ahead closer to the water, letting salt water wash over my ankles. It’s been three months since the tragic incident and it feels like it happened yesterday.The waves are just like our life. The way time washes over us and every time it does, it makes us stronger as it moistens the dry sand. Time teaches us how to overcome obstacles and it makes us a better version of ourselves.Just like how waves bring along the plants in them, it’s like the people who enter our life. Some stay like how plants attach to the sand, but some leave, like how the water takes it back.I was in a relationship with my university crush and we broke after mom passed away as I didn’t hangout with her months and she initially visited me to inform that she is no longer interested in me. And then it’s Mira. She was my colleague, and we worked on a song
Chapter 40: Her saviorChloe lifts his body and stays on his knees, he grabs her tied hands and pins above her head, he lowers his body over hers, their face close to each other “Why?,” he growls, his voice loud enough to scare anyone but not her, she never flinches nor blinks, her eyes looks into his “What’s so good about Riley?,” he grunts “Why are you choosing him over me?,” he asks, his tone stern.“You cannot be compared to him,” she spits, “You killed everyone for your own selfishness “ she controls her breath.“Because they took away what’s mime,” his grip on her loosens “The boy I pushed down from the rooftop in school,” he moves back and continues, his eyes fixed to her wound “He stole the watch which mom gave me,” he says, he lifts her shirt and balls the material in his hand “You know how much I worked hard to take over the company,” he places the material on her wound and applies gentle pressures on it, Aiden looks down at his side features, her ears only on him “My father
The sound of the phone text notification finally gets into her ears, her heavy eyelids lift slowly. She runs her hands through her messy hair and sits straight, her dull eyes look around the empty hall. The phone beeps again. A low weary sigh leaves her lips, Aiden stands and walks to the shelf. Her brows meet looking at the phone screen, an unknown number. She clicks on the message, a current location shared: the underground parking of her apartment.She checks on Emma, a slight smile makes it’s way on her lips to see Emma asleep peacefully. She puts on her shoes and leaves with her phone. The underground parking was closed for a couple of weeks due to construction, the dark alley is brightened with one or two lights which makes the large space dim, some places pitch dark. Aiden holds her phone in the air, with the torch on. She walks through the exit door of the apartment, her eyes observe her surrounding.She doesn’t know the sender of the message but decided to face the music as s
A fond smile sweeps across Riley’s lips, he rubs her knuckles with his thumb, her hand in his. His fixed on her sleeping face, he smiles wide when some strands of hair falls over her face kissing her cheek. He moves his bent legs closer to the sofa where Aiden is laid, his fingers brush her, hair away from her face and tucks behind her ear. “Your dad was right,” he says, his voice low and gentle “You are ironically weak inside,” he moves his head closer, his lips softly lands on her forehead. A kiss on the forehead has many reasons and the most affectionate kiss than a kiss on the cheek and lip. It means I will protect you, I’ll be by your side and I will care for you.His phone rings, immediately he grabs it from the short table and mites it, taking another last glance at her, he stands and walks out.“The person who killed Johnson is released,” Eric reports as soon as the call in answered.“Are you following him?,” Riley asks, his thumb cracking the other four fingers.“Yes,
Aiden stands from the stool beside the bed and pulls the duvet over Emma who is asleep. She didn’t want to take her mom back to their house soon after the funeral, she thought the place will bring sad memories… A home is always full of memories… She accompanied Emma since Johnson’s funeral, the two passed days already excruciating. She never left her side, giving her courage and consoling her mother like she is totally fine where as she is broken terribly… There is no human who are strong, everyone is weak in one way or another. She tucks her hair behind her ears and inhales a deep breath, she bends and places a kiss on Emma’s forehead. Riley waits outside Lisa’s room watching Aiden, it’s been a couple of days which seems like ages for him to see her, he rarely saw her even though they are under the same roof, when ever she walks out the room she passes him a forced smile, to show him that she is fine but he knows, he knows that smile is fake. He knows that she isn’t alright. He kn
The grey sky darkens the environment, few faded rays of sunlight gets through the heavy dark clouds. The box pleated joint of skirt fits around her unsexy waist, the peach material blended with faded red roses brightens her pale skin tone. In front of the mirror she steps back and moves her spread legs closer, taking another complete glance of her reflection. She adjusts the sleeve and pulls up the precise deep neck feeling uncomfortable in her attire, a low vexed sigh leaves her lips when the zipper at the back cracks down… Her brain requests to give up despite her heart which orders her to wear it on as she is sure it will make her parents happy, she looks forward to witness Johnson’s reaction as he loves to see his daughter dressed up, in addition she wants to try it on for Riley because he has set up a grand dinner tonight.“This is annoying,” she grunts under her breath and snakes her arm behind her back trying to pull up the zip, she slides her other arm over shoulder…. She zip
“What?,” Riley exclaims, his voice loud to grab the attention of the two nurse in the elevator.He looks at Aiden and closes his open mouth, he waits silent making no move until the elevator door part, the two nurse walls out and the doors close again going up to the seventh floor.“Blake called and told that Chloe has prepared an abrupt press meeting tonight,” she says.He rubs the back of his neck and stands straight… he was in glee expecting victory on his way but it hadn’t end yet….“What’s up with his action?,” he frowns.“Isn’t it obvious!,” Aiden pulls out her phone from her grey coat and scrolls through the feed “Neither of the photos we uploaded in the video aren’t true except Catherine’s clip,”“So, what can he do because they were fake,” he looks at her with raised brows, curious.“Maybe he can prove those fake,” she shrugs.“Then what about Catherine, he can’t tell she is not his sister,”“They are not biological,” she reminds him “And Catherine doesn’t like to be involved
The air around the room stiffens, the two guards who are called to Chloe’s room exchange glances, they wait in silence till Chloe gives them permission to explain what happened. Seated on the sofa at the center of the office room, Chloe stares at the laptop screen , his clenched jaw tightens as he narrows his eyes in rage, his eyebrows dragged down, he forms his hands to fist, veins pop out his skin. He taps onto the enter button again for the sixth time, the video footage of the hall replays ; the clip of Riley and Aiden. The blue orbs fixed on the two figures in the screen, his eyes are blazing flames; dangerous.“Sir,” Kevin calls out, he swallows down the lump in his throat and strolls to the sofa, his feet stop when he observes Chloe.“What?,” Chloe asks, his tone low and stern.Kevin lowers his gaze and informs “The reporters are waiting outside, Sir,” he looks at Chloe, whose focus is on the laptop screen “All the news is about you and,” he stays silent for a second.“And what?