Chapter 72

Aiden couldn't hold back his smile, when Nina whispered words of love like that. As happy as she may seem, Nina admits her jealousy, but Aiden still needs a stronger reason. A more convincing reason for his heart, that they do have each other. 

When their lips separated and were no longer together, he made that moment a moment where he could look into Nina's eyes and look deeper into her. Nina did the same thing, because she couldn't deny that a few minutes ago, her heart felt very jealous. 

"Are you feeling any better?" He asked, smiling. Nina pulled her blushing face and immediately turned her gaze to the window. 

"What are you talking about? Come on, hurry up, run the car!" 

"Are you my master? Just like to order like that!" 

"If so, how? Do you want to protest?" Nina answered loudly with her chin raised and made her look haughty. Seeing her annoying behavior made Aiden burst out laughing. 

"Hahaha...well, today you are the master and I am your personal driver, are you happy?" 

"That's fine, why not every day?" 

"Don't be careless!" 

"Hahaha...I love you!" 

"Tch, nonsense!" 

"Hahahaha...why? You're not happy? Have you changed your mind?" 

"Shut up!" Aiden said while holding back annoyance. His flushed cheeks made Nina feel exasperated and immediately pulled her hard. 

"Ugh...what are you doing?" 

"You're so funny, could be serious!" 

"What's wrong?" 

"It's bad because I love you more and more."


*** 

Aiden rubbed his wet hair with the towel. Thinking of regrets that could make him not sleep soundly tonight. After he saw Nina get out of his car and into the apartment, he had wanted to hold that hand and pull her back into the car and take her home. 

He was disappointed, he wanted to spend more time together, considering the busy life he would have in the next few days. He doesn't like holding back homesickness and he very rarely misses someone except his mother. Because of this, he feels uneasy about long distance relationships even if it's just for a few days. 

"Ah...what kind of man am I? Stress over something like this!" He muttered. 

Drrrtt...drrrttt... 

Aiden's cell phone rang, from where he stood, he could see Cindy's name appear on the screen. 

He immediately looked at the clock in his room which already showed 10:30 pm. Suddenly, Aiden thought back to Cindy's conversation this afternoon about the man in his office who was so obsessed with her. 

Aiden felt worried, considering that Cindy lived alone in the apartment. Although she could call the police or security in case something bad happened. However, the police will not always be there to help her. 

"Yes Cindy, good night?" 

"N-night, Aiden-" Cindy's voice sounded scared, as if something was making him feel uncomfortable. 

"What's wrong? What's wrong with you?" 

"N-no, I just wanted to call you, you're home already, Aiden?" 

"Yes, I'm home. Where are you? Are you home too?" 

"I'm waiting for the elevator, but it's so quiet in here. I'm a little scared!" 

"Waiting for the elevator where?" 

"In the apartment where I live, it was like someone was following me. I was so scared!" Cindy's voice trembled, as if she was holding back tears. Feeling the woman's fear made Aiden even more worried. 

"Isn't there anyone there? Security guards or passers-by?" 

"No! The main elevator is out of order, when I try to go up the stairs. The person follows me, I have to go down and look for another elevator. But it's so quiet here, I'm afraid." 

"Oh my God, come on, you need to calm down, ok? everything will be fine. I'm going to your place now!" 

"D-don't, Aiden. You don't need to come here. I called you not to be too scared, so-" 

"It's okay! I can't relax at this rate. I'll go over to your place and make sure everything's okay. Then don't hang up, okay?" 

"A-alright, thank you Aiden!" Hearing that Aiden would come and help her made Cindy feel a little calmer. 

Even though the mysterious man she meant was still standing in front of the stairs wearing a jacket and mask that made his face invisible. Cindy swallowed hard, holding back her fear. 

Silent in front of the elevator that never opened made her almost lose her mind. If she wanted to go back to the front door, she had to pass the man, similarly if she wanted to go back up the stairs, automatically, the man would follow her again. 

This is bad, because the location of this place is near the baseman, rarely anyone passing around here especially at night. Cindy was careless, she shouldn't have come home late if she knew that the main elevator was broken and forced her to use the elevator at the baseman or climb the stairs. 

"How is this? Why doesn't the lift open too? But, if I go in and there's no one. What if he follows me? Oh God, help me!" She thought. 

The man who was originally just standing and looking at her, began to take steps slowly. His body language looked so suspicious, making her forced to walk backwards to avoid him as far as possible. 

Cindy stepped quickly, even though it meant she had to walk to a much quieter and more dangerous place. She hoped that at least one person would pass by and she could ask for help. 

"Please, help...!" She screamed when the man started showing signs that made her look even more suspicious. She ran as fast as she could to avoid it. 

The man continued to follow her with a look that looks scary. Poor Cindy really felt that she was in danger. 

"Please, please! Somebody help me...!" 

Bruuukkk...

A hard punch flew to the mysterious man's face, making him immediately fall down. 

"Cindy...!" Someone shouted her name. She stopped walking and looked back. 

"Damn it, what are you doing, huh? You bastard!" Aiden shouted as he threw his fist back at the man's face and body. 

"Aiden?" Seeing Aiden who came to help her made her tears flow. The fear she felt a few minutes ago, slowly disappeared. 

Aiden continued to beat the man who couldn't even fight him. Not wanting to get his hands dirty any more, he grabbed the man and took him to the security post for inspection. 

He threw the man's body against the wall in annoyance, making some of the people in that place look confused. 

"What is this?" Asked one of the apartment security guards on guard at the front post. 

"This man was caught following this woman in the baseman. Didn't any of you hear her screaming?" Aiden asked annoyed, seeing the poor security system in this apartment. 

"R-really? We're sorry, Sir. We really didn't know!" 

"You don't know? You should pay more attention to the movements of suspicious people like this. Then let me see his face!" Aiden said while pulling the mask the man was wearing. 

"David?" Cindy felt very shocked, because she knew exactly the face of the man who was sitting weakly on the floor. 

The man reluctantly looked at Cindy who was standing scared behind Aiden. It turned out to be true, the bad feeling that Cindy had felt since living in New York City came from a man she had rejected. 

"He's the co-worker you mean?" 

"Yeah, he's the one-" 

"In that case, this matter should be finished because soon, he will have to be held accountable for his actions!" 

"We'll be calling the police soon, thanks for the help, Sir. We've really been helped!" 

"Yes, it is okay." 

Cindy looked at Aiden's back who looked very dashing. She realized that the Aiden who was near her at this time was very different from the Aiden she used to know. The cowardly chubby boy. But now, that cowardly figure has transformed into a brave man who can be very reliable. 

"Thank you, Aiden."


***