Chapter 28

It was already nine in the night, because a four hour nap kept Aiden fresh for the night. 

Aiden was busy changing tv channels, but nothing interesting. Want to play the game, it will be difficult with one hand. Aiden the loner who for the past five years has transformed into a man with lots of activities and lots of friends. 

This was the first time he felt bored at home, remembering that all this time he really worshiped his house as the most comfortable and favorite place in the world. But now, he was trapped in a pseudo-comfort that he had created himself. 

Aiden opened his phone, hundreds of messages on his social media accounts were getting more and more. As Chloe said, slowly but surely, Aiden was getting used to it, although he still didn't want to open the messages one by one. 

Suddenly, he remembered the story Nina the banana girl had written. Remembering how Chloe complimented the story, it made him curious as well. 

"Hmm... how good is that story? It must be normal!" He muttered as he opened the Writers app to read the most popular stories on the app. 

He opened chapter 16, because the last time he read it was in chapter 15. Although he was reluctant to read the scenes that made him shudder, he finally did. 

The man showed his smile to the world, as if confirming he was the winner. A lion that roars loudly, making anyone who hears its sound frightened or a gorilla that beats its chest to show its power. 

"I didn't have time to figure out what love is. For me, the satisfaction I get from a woman's body is more than enough. You don't have to do it with someone you love." He said. He smiled cynically, it was clear that he did not need advice and advice from other people, especially from a woman. 

Sophia bit her lips, the kind-hearted Aiden, the smart Aiden and the hardworking Aiden were no more. Now sitting with his feet up on the table right in front of him is only a man with the same name, but a different soul. 

"I don't know what changed you, but you deserve to be happy by changing the course of your life." 

"Sophia, if you want money, you just have to say it directly. You don't have to make small talk like that. I won't change just by hearing your ramblings!" 

"Aiden, I just want you!" 

"I'll give you money because I know you need it. You don't have to worry, I won't force you to serve me, not because I don't want it. But I don't want to tarnish a pure woman like you. Take the money and go! Don't work in a place like this again, because I don't know what they'll do to you!" 

"What about your parents? Don't you care about them?" Sophia was crying, she didn't know how to make Aiden wake up and go back to how he used to be. 

"They sold me for fear of poverty, now you ask me to care for them. Are you crazy?" 

"Aiden, your mom and dad didn't have a choice then, they-" 

"Selling their own child because they feel they have no choice, isn't that ridiculous? Stop blabbering and leave right now!" 

"You don't understand, please! Just look at them for a second!" 

"Sophia, you really pissed me off. If you don't leave, then I will drag you into the room and force you to serve me until morning!" He said. Sophia fell silent, Aiden's cold face confirmed everything. 

It's useless, it's useless to light the way for someone who prefers to walk in the dark. Life is a choice and what Aiden is doing right now is a choice he has made. 

"Hah... why is the story getting more exciting? Dammit, I can't stop reading it!" Aiden muttered who had unknowingly reached chapter 40. 

Even though he was annoyed, he still read it and for some reason, he felt attracted to Sophia's character. Aiden's childhood friend, the main character who takes care of Aiden's biological parents who live impoverished and sick near the city sewers. 

After reading through the chapters, he was slowly getting sleepy. However, because he had reached the conflict part of the story, he had to endure his sleepiness because he didn't want his curiosity about this story to be carried away into his dreams. 

"I can't take it anymore, I'm so sleepy." 

*** 

Aiden opened his eyes, the sunlight came through the cracks in his bedroom window. He lifted his head, next to the pillow, his phone lay, making him realize that he fell asleep while reading the story. He got out of bed, walked to the sink to wash his face and brush his teeth. 

Kruuuukk... 

His belly growled, hunger began to attack him. Last night he only ate macaroni schotel made by the banana girl. 

Drrrtt...drrrttt... 

Aiden's phone rang, Chloe called him. 

"Yes, Chloe? What's wrong?" 

"How are you? Are you better?" 

"Yes, my body no longer has a fever, but my hand still hurts. What's wrong?" 

"Nothing, it's just that Stacy and the others keep asking where your apartment is, they want to see you. But since you told me not to tell, I have to keep it a secret." 

"Good, don't tell them, especially Stacy! If she finds out, she'll definitely come and interrupt!" 

"Hahahaha... you don't have to worry, I told them that I don't know where your house is either. But they know I'm lying, uhm... did Emily not come to see you?" 

"No!" 

"I thought, since you guys live in the same apartment, so you visit each other." 

"She doesn't know what floor I live on." 

"So, really no one came to your house?" 

"Not !" Aiden replied, although Nina was an exception and her arrival also made him very frustrated because of her annoying behavior. 

"You, what exactly are you avoiding?" 

"Nothing, I just don't want to be disturbed. It's been a while, huh? I want breakfast!" 

"Well. Get well soon, okay? Because there are many shooting schedules that have to be postponed. So, you must get well soon!" 

"I see, bye?" 

"Bye, Aiden!" 

Kruuukkk... 

His belly was crowing again like a rooster. Looking at the clock which was already 10.30, he couldn't hold back his hunger any longer. 

However, feeling lazy to shop at the supermarket again attacked him. He remembered Nina, wouldn't it be better if he could use her to order around. Moreover, considering her piled up debt, there was no reason for her to refuse Aiden's orders. 

"What is it?" Nina asked, it sounded quite noisy around her. 

"Where are you?" 

"I'm on campus, what's calling me?" 

"I have not eaten!" 

"So?" 

"I'm hungry!" 

"What's problem with me if you're hungry?" 

"What's that got to do with you? Because of you, I'm in so much pain. My hands hurt and I can't go shopping, I also don't like ordering food for breakfast because my belly will hurt and now you say it's none of your business? You're too much, where are you?"" 

"Okay, how talkative! What do you want me to do?" 

"Go shopping!" 

"Shopping? Now ?" 

"So, have to wait for me to starve to death?" 

"Yeah, all right! So, what about the money?" 

"Use your money!" 

"Why use my money? Are you the one who wants to shop?" 

"You miserly woman! Do you think how much money I have on you?" 

"But, I don't have money!" 

"Ouch... well, just go shopping. I'll tell you what to buy later. Use your money first, I'll pay later!" 

"Okay, there's a reward for me too, right?" 

"My goodness, how could she asked that?" He thought. 

"Okay, hurry up and go! I'm very hungry!" 

"Yes, Boss !" 

***