Chapter 83

Aiden threw his backpack on the couch, that's the first thing he did after arriving at the hotel where he was staying for the next few days. Feeling hot, he immediately took off the short-sleeved green shirt he was wearing.

"This way is better!" He thought.

Aiden took a cell phone from his backpack pocket, like a message from his beloved woman asking him to call her when he arrived in Paris.

"Hello, my love?" Greeted Aiden spoiled. He had completely forgotten that the woman he should treat like this was not Nina, but Samantha.

"You've arrived? Are you at the hotel yet?"

"Yeah, I just arrived at the hotel. Where are you?"

"I'm on campus, but I'll be home soon!"

"To my apartment, right? If you weren't there, who would feed Squishy?"

"Yeah, I'm going to your apartment, don't worry! So, all this time, if you've been traveling abroad, how's Squishy?"

"I put him in a pet hotel!"

"Wow...great, oh yeah, did Samantha contact you?"

"Samantha? No, why?"

"Erm...no, it's nothing!" Nina answered doubtfully. Her behavior made Aiden even more suspicious.

"Something happened? Did she come to my apartment?" Aiden asked according to his heart. Aiden's question immediately made Nina flinch because it was right on target.

"This morning after you left. Suddenly she came-"

"So, what happened? Is she bothering you? Did she say something bad to you?" Asked Aiden who was getting carried away with emotion. His image of a meeting between two women involved in a love triangle is just like the drama on television.

"Hahaha...why are you so worried? What will happen if she comes?"

"I don't know, I'm just a little scared if he incites you or-"

"Or?"

"Or ask you to stay away from me!"

"If she asks for it?"

"Are you going to do what she wants? You really want to leave me?"

"Maybe, if circumstances force it. Besides, what we're in right now is just a relationship without status and your real girlfriend is Samantha."

"Is status important to you? Weren't you the one who rejected me that time?"

"But for Samantha, status seems important. That's why she's so adamant about defending you even though she knows you've betrayed her."

"Why do you say it like I'm the bad one here? I love you but you rejected me, whereas she forced me to stay with her even though she knows I don't love her. Is it all my fault?"

"Yes."

"Ok, fine. Maybe it's the guy who's always wrong. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, I think so!"

"Okay, so what were you guys talking about?"

"Maybe you can already guess it and I think he really loves you sincerely."

"Sincerely? But I feel like she's just obsessed with me and it's not love!"

"What's the difference? You also seem to be obsessed with me. How are you sure that your feelings for me are really love or just a desire to possess?"

Aiden was speechless, what exactly happened? But not one day he left the city. But why did Nina's attitude suddenly change? This is what he always worries about when he separates from the people he cares about. He will always receive bad prejudice, even though he feels that he has done the right thing, namely following his heart.

"You sound different, I'm sure she scared you and said something to corner you!"

"She just wants me to get away from you, isn't that a natural wish?"

"Actually, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting sick like this?"

"I'm sorry, maybe I'm just a little affected because I realized that my position is the third person from your relationship. I'm sorry!"

"You're afraid people will reproach you if our relationship is exposed, is that it?"

"No, that's not it-" Nina was afraid not because of the risk she would take, if their relationship was known by everyone, but because Aiden's life and career would be ruined.

"I don't know what happened. But I beg you, don't even think about leaving. I love you, I know my feelings are not just an obsession or just wanting to possess you for a moment. I really love you and I believe in my heart, so I beg you, please trust me!"

Nina held her head, which felt dizzy, since meeting Samantha this morning, her soul felt chaotic. She realized that her level was very far from a classy woman like Samantha. After all, who would support a relationship that looks so impossible like the one she and Aiden are in?

"Don't talk like that, you don't deserve to beg me. You're a great man, you don't need to beg a woman. So, don't do that again!"

"Does begging a woman make me look pathetic? A man really can't lower himself like that?"

"Yeah, a man doesn't need to do that. Especially a guy like you!"

"Then, what must I do to make you stay?"

"Be a great man!"

"Not a nice guy?"

"You are a good man and that's what made me fall in love with you."

"Hmm...is that so?" Aiden smiled, he didn't know that in other people's eyes he was a good man. He didn't know from which side the kindness was seen from him.

"Yeah, keep being a good-natured Aiden even though it's a little bit annoying!"

"You really are the best at playing with someone's feelings, huh?"

"Of course, I'm a writer. If I don't have this kind of ability, how can I write a good story!"

"All right Miss writer, then I'll take a shower first. I'll call again tonight!"

"Ok!"

"I love you."

"I know."

"So?"

"I love you too."

"See you later?"

"Yes, see you later!"

After ending the conversation full of plot twists, Aiden could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He didn't expect that being in a relationship with a novelist could be so complicated. A few minutes ago, he had thought that Nina would leave him. But in the end, he was grateful because she wanted to be honest and open about what happened to her and Samantha.


***

Aiden came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel that covered his hips to his knees, while his body and hair were still half wet.

He opened the fridge and took out a can of soda. His eyes were fixed on the view outside the hotel room window, where the legendary Eiffel Tower was clearly visible, making he think about taking Nina on vacation to this place.

Drrringg...drriinggg...

Aiden's cell phone rang, Samantha's name that appeared on the screen made his feelings go wild. Even when they are far away, he still feels afraid of this woman.

"Hello Sam?"

"You arrived?"

"Yeah, I just arrived. Where are you?"

"In my office, I called you earlier, but it seems your number is always busy. Who did you contact?"

"Should I say it?"

"Yes, because I want to know!"

"You guessed, right!"

"Is that so? Why didn't you call me too? Should I always call you first?"

"Yes, alright-alright, I'm sorry! Are you satisfied?"

"Did she tell you we met at your apartment this morning?"

"Yes, she already said it!"

"I just found out that she actually works as a maid at your house. Why didn't you say it from the start? That way, we don't have to argue."

"She told you?"

"Yeah, I don't know what she said was a lie or not. That's why I ask you, is she really your maid?"

Aiden paused and thought for a moment, how could he admit it? if in the end his confession will only backfire. Besides, why did Nina admit it to Samantha?

"If so, why?"

"Nothing, I'm just a little surprised because apparently, you have such poor taste, Aiden!"

"Oh yeah? If you think I'm lowly, why are you still chasing me?"

"Because I want to change your way of thinking, you know Aiden? You deserve the best and I want to make you realize how valuable you are!"


***