Chapter 86

Nina couldn't stop staring at Aiden's photo, for her this was a real shock. Aiden looks like an adorable fat boy, with round cheeks like a tomato and a faint smile on his lips. 

"I didn't expect the change so far, huh?" 

"Yeah, I thought so too. But, all humans change when they hit puberty, right? I heard, he started dieting in middle school." 

"Is that so? What's the reason he's on a diet so people stop bothering him?" 

"I don't know about that, but it's possible. Even though we only met in elementary school, I heard that even in middle school he received bad treatment from his friends." 

"How are his parents? Didn't he tell his parents that he was being bullied?" 

"I don't know, but I don't think so. When he was little, he always kept his problems alone. His mother never came to school to complain about his problems, that means he didn't say anything to his mother?" 

Nina was silent, the more she learned the truth about Aiden, the more she realized that all along she had known nothing. What does Nina really want from Aiden? Until she thought that getting to know him was not important. 

Is it just to share warmth? Or a friend when he needs help? Nina felt ashamed of herself. However, she also realized that asking him to tell him about his past was not the right thing, considering that he had hurt him because of her rejection. 

"But, his parents are still alive, right?" 

"Still, but divorced. H3 lives with his mother, while his father is married and has a family of his own." 

"Is that so? I really don't know!" 

"Why do you look so disappointed?" 

"Ah...haha...no, I just can't believe it because he was a victim of bullying at school, so-" 

"I've heard that when I was in middle school, he almost died because some of his friends beat him up!" 

"Beat him up? You mean, beaten up by several people?" 

"Yes, I was already living in Sweden at that time. However, a friend told me the news. Aiden was hospitalized and in a coma for two weeks. His body was covered in bruises that came from a blunt object, he must have been beaten very hard," Cindy looks angry at the memory. 

Nina who was already in shock, couldn't believe it when she heard Aiden's past, which was far from her imagination. Looking at him now, people would only guess that he was born from a fairly wealthy family with perfect physical appearance since he was born into the world. 

But apparently, what he got now actually came from his hard work over the years. Aiden is not a lucky person since birth, that's what makes Nina begin to understand why he is so exaggerated in being in a relationship because he has never felt it. 

"Nina!" 

"Ya?" 

"Do you have special feelings with him?" 

"F-feeling?" 

"I just want to know how you feel. You know? A few days ago, he came to my apartment when I told him that a strange man was following me. It was already night, panicked, I immediately called Aiden and he came right when the strange man tried to chasing me at the baseman. Aiden beat up the guy and subdued him easily. It was then that I realized, Aiden is no longer a cowardly weak boy. He is now a strong and very reliable adult man. For some reason my heart flutters when I see his back, he is looks very different." Cindy smiled gently, her eyes looked very shady. 

Nina realized one thing, Cindy was different from the other two women who were so crazy about Aiden, Samantha and Emily. Yes, Cindy is different. Although she can't be sure if Cindy's eyes show that she also loves Aiden. 

"So, you like him?" She asked. Instead of guessing, it would be better to ask directly, that's what Nina thought. 

"I think so, but I also don't know how I really feel. Whether it's just admiration or true love. I can't say for sure!" 

"Is that so? I see-" 

"Nina, do you think I'm wrong?" 

"Wrong? Wrong why?" 

"This feeling of mine, is it a mistake?" 

"Why do you think so?" 

"Aiden already has a girlfriend and I'm just his childhood friend. I'm afraid if my feelings interfere with our friendship, I don't want him to hate me." 

"He won't hate you!" 

"Is that true?" 

"He's not someone who hates someone easily, you know how many times I've gotten him in trouble? I've always gotten him involved in the troubles I've made and even though he's having a hard time, he still helps me. Yes, even when he's angry, hahahaha...but still alone it made me realize that he was a really nice guy." 

"You're right. Now that I remember again, in the past he always helped me, he even taught me to study. At that time I once asked him why he didn't repay those who were mean to him? Whereas, he could have complained to his mother and his father, but he didn't. He told me then that it was them who needed to be pitied, because they torture someone just to vent their frustration. People like that must be unhappy in life." 

"He said so?" 

"Yeah, I still remember it. I don't know why, but it makes me feel very sad. Because what I know, Aiden isn't happy with his life either!" 

"Cindy, you are really a very good friend for him. Keep being a good woman like this, okay?" Nina smiled as she gently touched Cindy's shoulder. 

Cindy felt calm, her desire to get to know Nina more closely seemed to be the right wish. Nina is a good woman, because of that he feels comfortable being by her side. Because what Cindy knows, it's very difficult to get close to Aiden. He tends to keep people at arm's length and if there's someone he truly trusts completely, it's definitely someone special to him. 

"Okay, I have to get back to work!" Cindy said while getting up from her place. 

"Oh...yes, then, welcome back to work!" 

"Can I save your cell number? Uhm...I hope someday we can chat together again like this or we can also go shopping together!" Cindy asked sincerely. 

"Of course! Nice to know you!" 

"I'm also glad to know you. I hope we can get closer in the future!" 

"Hahahaha...don't worry! Oh yeah, did you already know Aiden is in Paris now?" 

"Yes, I already know. A few days ago we exchanged messages and he said he was in Paris for work. Maybe he'll go straight back to Canada to meet his mother?" 

"Canada?" 

"Yeah, his mother asked him to come home. Also, it's the anniversary of Aiden's father's company soon. I think he was asked to attend!" 

"Company anniversary? Is his father a businessman too?" 

"His father owns the biggest construction company in Canada, every time that company has a birthday, it must be a very luxurious event. In the past, my parents and I have been invited to the event several times." 

"I-is that so?" 

Construction company? Somehow it feels familiar to Nina. Back then, when she wanted to find out more about Julian, yes, Aiden admitted that Julian was the main heir of a well-known contraction company, but it all turned out to be a lie. 

"Tsk, so what he said that time was actually about himself, huh? Geez...!"


***