Chapter 73

"I don't know, what would happen if you didn't help me," Cindy bowed her head with a gentle smile. Aiden who was standing in front of her was confused, what kind of reaction should she show seeing her friend like this. 

"Don't sweat it, thank goodness you're okay. If anything happens, just tell me, okay?" 

"Did I not trouble you?" 

"Of course not, uhm... this is your apartment?" Aiden asked as they arrived at Cindy's apartment door. 

"Yes, I live here. Why don't you come in first. I'll make some tea!" 

"Yes,,that's fine!" Aiden answered doubtfully. 

Aiden opened her apartment door and turned on the light switch on the back of the door. This medium-sized room with a minimalist style amazed him. Very neat and clean, a residence that shows the character of its inhabitants. 

"Nice house, did you design it?" 

"Yeah, I thought since I'm going to be staying here for a long time, I should make it as comfortable as possible. Please sit down, I'll make some tea first!" 

"Thank you." Aiden took a place on the sofa while continuing to look at every corner of this room. 

Seconds later, Aiden realized he was in a woman's apartment at this time of night. For some reason he felt bad and thought that he was an impolite man. 

"Should I just go home?" He thought. Shortly after his inner turmoil, Cindy came carrying a tray containing two teacups and placed them on the table. 

Seeing Aiden who was suddenly nervous made Cindy wonder, was there something strange at home that made Aiden's reaction change? 

"Aiden, please drink the tea!" 

"Oh yes, thank you." Nervously, Aiden held the teacup and gulped down the hot tea with some difficulty. He really cares about how others think of him. 

"Are you okay? Is something bothering you?" 

"N-nothing, I just feel bad for having to stop by this late. You must want to rest, therefore, I better go home now!" 

"Is that so? I think you're feeling uncomfortable. I understand, but I thought we could chat for a bit. Plus the tea isn't finished yet!" 

"Yeah you're right, so how did that guy follow you?" 

"After you took me home this afternoon, my co-worker picked me up and asked me to accompany her shopping. When I came home, suddenly someone followed me. For some reason I felt, that person was the co-worker I told you about. It can be seen from the shape of the body and the way it walks." 

"It seems he is very obsessed with you, huh?" 

"I don't know, I don't really understand either, but I really hope he doesn't bother me anymore." 

"But, after hearing your explanation earlier, it looks like he will get a proper punishment as a stalker. The next time you are questioned, just tell me the truth. Do you understand?" 

"Yes, I understand. I'm really very helpful, thank you very much." 

"Don't mind, uhm... it's already 12 o'clock, I better go home now. Good night?" Aiden said while getting up from the couch. 

"You brought a car?" Asked Cindy as she walked with Aiden to the door of her apartment. 

"No, I was riding a motorcycle earlier. Have a good rest?" 

"Yeah, have a good rest too. Be careful on the road!" Cindy waved her hand, looking at Aiden's back which was slowly moving away until it was no longer visible. 

Cindy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. For a moment, she forgot that the man was Aiden, her childhood friend and for a moment, she felt something was different in her heart. The feeling of calm and comfort when he was by her side.


*** 

Samantha stared into the mirror, peering into her face with arrogance. The man's image appeared everywhere, even in the reflection of the mirror. Annoyed, Samantha felt very upset. All the negative thoughts were growing in her head since that painful talk with Aiden yesterday. 

The feeling of being betrayed, perhaps that was what it felt like and for the first time, Samantha was experiencing this kind of pain that made her suffer so much. 

"Damn it! Why can't I stop thinking about it? Ugh... my head feels like it's going to explode." She thought as she hit her reflection in the mirror. 

Samantha is so obsessed with Aiden, a man who rejected her because he prefers ordinary women who are not at all attractive. It is her obsession that slowly undermines her soul, because the more she tries to forget, the greater her desire to have Aiden. 

Knock...knock...knock... 

Someone knocked on her office door. Quickly, Samantha changed her expression so that no one noticed the misfortune she was experiencing. 

"Who?" She cried quietly. 

"Clara, Miss!" 

"Come in!" 

Clara, Samantha's personal assistant came in and walked over to her boss who was still standing in front of the mirror. 

"What is it?" 

"Miss Emily has come!" 

"Just come in!" 

"Yes, Miss!" She said as she stepped out of the room and a few moments later, came back in with Emily. 

"Oh Emily, I thought you wouldn't come today!" 

"I told you I would come, only, maybe the timing wasn't right. All right, then can we talk about it right away?" 

"You're in such a hurry, aren't you? What do you want to drink?" 

"Don't bother!" 

"Alright, since you've come, I'll show you the dress I designed!" Samantha said while showing the design dress displayed on the mannequin. 

"Really good!" 

"Is your compliment sincere?" 

"According to you?" 

"Erm... perhaps, do you already know about my relationship with Aiden?" 

"You want to talk about it?" 

"Hahahaha... you look jealous, Emily! I think you were part of Aiden's life in the past, right?" 

"Yeah...while he wasn't as attractive as he is now, I thought I was really stupid for letting him go. If I had known what would happen in the future, I would definitely have kept him." 

"Does that mean you're sorry?" 

"You could say that, and I didn't expect that his attitude had changed so much from Aiden I used to know." 

"I wonder what he used to be like?" 

"You didn't know?" 

"I'm not really sure, I've seen pictures of him when he was in college. I think he was already very attractive." 

"It turns out you really don't know anything about him, Sam! Aiden I know isn't the athletic and very charming Aiden like now. He used to be just a fat guy that no girl even wanted to date him!" 

"Really? Are you serious?" 

"Yeah, anyway why would I lie to you? Aren't you his girlfriend right now?" Emily emphasized her words, waiting for the unexpected reaction Samantha showed. Just as she had suspected, Samantha knew nothing about Aiden's past. 

"So, do you have any evidence you can show me?" 

"Of course I have, are you sure you want to see it?" 

"Yes, let me see it!" 

"Hmm...alright, I still have a photo of when we were together!" Emily opened her cell phone and looked for high school photos and she was sure she still had photos of when she and Aiden were still lovers. 

After finding the photo, Emily immediately showed it to Samantha who seemed impatient to see and know more about Aiden's past. 

"This is Aiden? Are you sure?" Samantha asked with wide eyes as the photo flashed before her eyes. 

"Of course! So, what do you think?" 

"Hahaha...oh my God, how could he change so much? I can hardly even believe it, this is really crazy!" 

"I told you, only I really love him and accept his past. I'm sure, you are very shocked and will think twice about continuing the relationship!" 

"Why are you so sure I'll leave Aiden just because you showed me his past? I'm just curious, not that I'm going to hate him. Unfortunately, he has stolen my heart and I want to take it back!"


***