Chapter 89

Nina stood transfixed in front of Aiden's room, it had been an hour since he entered his room, there was still no sign of Aiden coming out. If left unchecked, Nina is afraid that the good relationship that has been formed between them could stretch again. 

If Aiden returned to hating her as before, it was certain that the luck she'd had these past few weeks would soon be over. 

"Hah...why doesn't he come out too?" Nina muttered while taking a breath. This mess was really annoying, if she wasn't constantly buying time to sell the used bottles and clean up Aiden's apartment, this problem definitely wouldn't have happened. 

Aiden who has planned a surprise, will definitely come home happy to see his house clean and the woman he loves waiting for his return with joy. But apparently, the simple wish that he hoped for could not even come true. Of course he was very disappointed. 

"Okay, I have to apologize immediately before he changes his mind," she muttered determinedly. Her hands clenched, showing great enthusiasm. 

Knock...knock...knock... 

A soft knock sounded. With a little hesitation, Nina was forced to knock on Aiden's door with the intention of persuading the stubborn man to forgive her stupid mistake. 

"Aiden, open the door...!" Nina said in a soft voice. For some reason now she felt like a mother trying to persuade her teenage son to eat. 

Silence, no answer. She didn't want to guess what Aiden was doing in the room. But, seeing as he had just gotten home, Aiden was probably exhausted and had fallen asleep. 

"Aiden...!" 

Kriiieeett... 

Nina was stunned, but the door was not locked. Carefully, Nina opened the door and stepped into the room. 

On his bed, Aiden lay with his right hand raised and closed his eyes. He didn't even change his clothes and was still wearing the same clothes when he got home two hours ago. 

"You, sleep huh?" Nina stepped toward him who did not respond. As she stood right beside the bed, she realized that Aiden's eyes were closed and his face looked very tired. 

"It's really sleeping! Well, never mind, I'd better cook dinner for him!" She muttered. When she started to move, Aiden immediately held her hand. 

Nina was shocked and looked back, Aiden still didn't budge, even his eyes were still closed. But his hands, yes, his hands still reached for Nina to stay with him. 

"Don't go, I need you!" Aiden muttered. 

Nina paused, her heart beating faster, pumping her blood faster. She didn't know why this kind of feeling came when she felt she wasn't really ready for love. Nina tried hard to fight the attachment, she didn't want to dedicate her whole heart to someone who would leave her at any time. 

Nina wants to trust Aiden because he loves her, just like he realizes that he needs Nina to stay by his side, help him recover his confidence, help him to reassure him that everything will be okay and most importantly, help him to get rid of the fear of love and the feeling of abandonment that made him continue to suffer. 

Nina touched Aiden's hand, grasping his fingers. What Cindy had said to her back then came back into her mind. How about Aiden's painful past and his trauma that may still not be gone. 

"Are you going to keep hiding it from me?" Nina hugged Aiden's hand, the warmth was felt, penetrated to the soul. 

What's wrong with this feeling? She couldn't find the answer. She had never been so in love before. In the past, whenever she began to realize her feelings, she would immediately brush aside and eliminate those feelings before they grew and undermined her soul. But, how to get rid of this feeling? After she began to realize, that she had fallen deeper and deeper.


*** 

Aiden opened his eyes, the sight of the ceiling made him feel empty. He felt his hand, whereas just a moment ago, he had felt warmth enter his heart through the touch. Strange, but there's no Nina in this room. He raised his head to recover his senses. 

"How long did I sleep? Where is he? Is he home yet?" 

After feeling better, Aiden got up and stepped outside to find the whereabouts of the banana girl who had failed his plan. The annoying woman who had ruined the fun he was so looking forward to so perfectly. 

In the living room, he saw no sign of Nina. Aiden began to be disappointed if it was true that Nina left him just like that after everything he had done. 

"If he really comes home, I will not forgive-" he thought annoyed. Aiden was silent, when he heard something from the kitchen. Suddenly, his spirits rose as he thought that Nina was still here. 

Aiden walked into the kitchen to prove his guess. When his eyes caught the figure that was serving food on the table, Aiden's feelings became very chaotic. 

He wanted to cry, there was a strange fear he hadn't felt in a long time. The fear of being abandoned, made him unable to calm down. In his place, Nina who noticed Aiden's presence immediately raised her face and met Aiden's gaze. 

Nina smiled gently, a smile that made Aiden feel very at ease. He felt like a child who didn't want to be left alone, even though in truth, he really liked solitude. Yes, it felt so weird, but there were times when he really hated being alone. 

"Are you awake? Dinner is ready!" 

"You're just like my mom!" 

"Really?" Nina laughed awkwardly, especially when Aiden got closer to her. She was not ready to apologize. 

"I thought you go!" 

"Aiden, I-" 

"Never mind! Forget it!" 

"But-" 

"I was also wrong for speaking rudely to you, I'm very sorry!" Aiden stood right in front of Nina, tenderness clearly visible from her beautiful eyes. 

Nina felt the pulse again, even though before she had tried so hard to fight back. But now, she realized that what she felt right now was no longer just falling in love. 

"Why is your face red? Do you have a fever?" 

"N-no, I just-" Nina answered nervously. She lost her concentration to process the right sentence. 

Nina looked down, her face felt very hot. She did not understand what really happened to her. In fact, she and Aiden have slept together several times. But why was she only now feeling this mess? 

Aiden pulled Nina's hand and pulled her body into his embrace. Tight, his hug felt very tight, but also warm. Nina felt shortness of breath, she couldn't even return Aiden's hug. 

"You know? Every night my heart hurts, I miss you so much. I'm used to being alone for a long time and I face it with a smile. I choose to wait, even if it hurts, I will not leave you. Only your gentleness can save me from the eternal cold. "


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