“Aria! We need to go!” Amaya whined from the doorway, causing Aria to smirk evilly.
“What’s taking so long?” Deagan stepped up behind Amaya with a frown on his face, looking as annoyed as his sister.
“Just a few last-minute touch-ups.”
“What are you touching up for and I thought it was only an informal dinner, why are you wearing a dress?” His frown deepened, now he looked more pissed than annoyed.
“‘Cause I want to,” Aria smirked and walked past the pair.
Maya puffed out a breath and walked behind her, sounding relieved that they were leaving.
###
Andrew landed in London early on Monday morning against his better judgment. He was split between the need to leave Amaya be, or fix their “relationship” for the sake of his friendship with her brother. He knew getting involved with her in any way would later prove to be a bad decision, but he found it hard to resist her charm.It hurt his pride to admit to himself that he isn't who she wanted but was similarly turned off by the lack of interest she showed in his pursuit of her, especially after everything that happened when they were still back home.Neither her brothers nor aunt and uncle knew what went down between them and part of him wished it would stay that way, but given their inability to keep things platonic in front of her family, they would eventually ask questions and Andrew was willing to bet he would be the first person qu
“How’s your leg?” Aria looked worriedly at Deagan, he had just had the cast removed and Aria was worried that the leg wasn’t properly healed, but Deagan brushed her off.“Babe, I am just fine, it doesn’t hurt, it hasn’t for a while. The doctor wouldn’t have removed the cast unless I was ready and I still have the boot on for support.” He soothed, taking her hand into his and placing a kiss on the back.“Let’s take a seat anyway,” Aria suggested and Deagan got the feeling that she wasn’t convinced, but nodded for her sake.“Outside?” Deagan asked when he spotted the glass doors that led out to the garden and Aria nodded.“It’s so beautiful here at night if the
Andrew’s flight was leaving in two hours, but the thought of walking out on her without so much as a word didn’t settle well with him, so against the voices in his head screaming for him to take the elevator all the way down to the lobby, he stepped off on the floor her room was on.He sucked in a deep breath and knocked at the door. Glancing at his watch, he cringed when he saw that it was 3 am, she wouldn’t be thrilled about being woken up, she was a beast when woken prematurely.She opened the door with sleepy yet deadly eyes, which much to his surprise, lit up when they landed on him and dropped to sadness when she saw the bag beside him.“Andrew, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?” She eyes the bag cautiously, wrapping her arms around herself tighter as
“Deagan will you get that please?” Aria called from the bathroom when she heard her phone ringing.“Aria’s phone, hello,” Deagan answered, sounding as professional as ever.“Hi Alaster, yes she’s in the shower at the moment. Can I take a message or ask her to call you back?”“Would you please tell her to check her inbox, I’ve sent her some pointers on the history of the event and suggestions of things she can mention in her speech,” Alaster said.“Sure, I’ll tell her to check it out.” Deagan nodded.“Your names are all on the guest list, I understand that your family is still in London?” Deagan nodded and hummed p
Madelyn laid staring out the window of her hospital room with her family surrounding her in awkward silence. Everyone was aware of what happened, but no one dared to ask how.Aria frowned at the floor, Deagan was reading through emails on his phone, while Amaya stared at Maddie worriedly and her parents sat deep in thought with their arms around each other. Aycin was somewhere in the hospital seeing to a work-related problem and Aria envied him for his ability to get away.“I’m going to get some tea, can I get you guys anything?” Aunt Eleanor and Uncle William declined while Deagan and Amaya asked for coffee.“I’ll come with you.” Deagan went to stand up, but Aria shook her head.
“What the hell?” Aycin commented, seeing Andrew seated on Maddie’s bed, feeding her a cup of yoghurt.Maddie looked at Andrew in panic, she knew they would put two and two together when they saw them, but she wasn’t ready for the outburst, especially knowing about Andrew and Amaya’s recent past.“It’s okay, I’ve got this. Did you have enough?” Drew asked, putting the empty cup and spoon down on the table. Maddie nodded and glanced over her shoulder at her family who watched the exchange with confusion and suspicion.“Does someone want to explain what’s going on here?” Uncle William asked sternly when Drew turned around.&
Aria blew out a heavy breath as she stepped off the podium, the bright stage lights made sweat bead along her hairline, but despite the discomfort, she was elated at the response she received. The crowd was alight with cheers after she told her story and made the opening pledge towards the charity of her choice.Taking a deep calming breath, she placed her hand in Alaster’s and smiled at the photographer as he escorted her down the stairs.“You were amazing, Aria.” Alaster complimented seriously, making her smile.“Thank you, Alaster, thank you for giving me the honour of doing this.” He nodded at her, smiling tenderly. She was an inspiration that he was proud to call his friend.
Deagan waited patiently outside the ladies’ room as Aria tried to pull herself together, the redness of her eyes refused to subside and the pain in her heart wouldn’t allow her peace.She sighed for the umpteenth time, throwing away the tissue with resignation.“Hey, you okay?” Aycin asked with a worried look in his eye the moment she exited the bathroom.“Not really, but I will be.” Aria smiled, taking Deagan’s outstretched hand.“Just mingle a little, then we’ll run away.” Aycin winked and Aria grinned.Together they made their way back to the table where Alaster’s parents w