Chapter 90

"Aiden, how long are you going to hug me like this?" She said who was getting bored since he started hugging her 10 minutes ago. 

"You are, even though it's only been 10 minutes, right?" Aiden protested, even for him 30 minutes wouldn't be enough to show how he felt. 

He began to act spoiled, after several times before he showed this hidden side to Nina. He doesn't feel ashamed, in fact he really likes moments where he can easily show his wants and needs to this woman. 

"Aren't you hungry? Let's eat! I've cooked it, now the food must be cold!" 

"Even if it's not delicious, I'll still eat it, don't worry!" Aiden pulled up a chair and sat directly in front of the table which was already being served a rather simple dinner of salmon steak and a bowl of vegetable soup. 

"Let's eat!" Nina took a place in front of Aiden and prepared food for this spoiled man. 

"Sounds delicious, but why don't you cook Indonesian food anymore?" 

"I didn't know you'd be coming home today, that's why I haven't shopped yet. So, this is all that's in the fridge. Ok, I'll just cook the ingredients I have!" 

"In case there's nothing else, just cook the instant noodles that time. I want to eat those again!" Aiden answered very honestly. He couldn't deny, the strong taste of the spices was felt on his tongue, making him still imagine the savory taste. 

"Hahahaha...it's delicious, isn't it? If you like it, I'll bring some more later, we can eat instant noodles while watching a movie again!" 

"That's okay with your ideas, just bring lots of them!" 

"The money?" 

"You, just meet me once without discussing money, can't you?" 

"So you think you don't need money to buy instant noodles, is that it? If you don't want it, that's fine, I won't bring it anymore!" 

"Tch... you miserly girl! The money I sent you is still there, right? Just use that money!" 

"No! That's different. There's no agreement, if you want me to bring lots and lots of flavors, you have to pay for it!" 

"Nevermind, I'll keep losing if I argue about money with you. What's the flavor? But the shape is still the same, isn't it?" 

"Of course it's the same! Only the seasoning tastes different. There's chicken curry, chicken broth,"

"What is it?" 

"Asian food, a kind of soup but a little different." 

"You try to cook it once in a while, I want to taste it!" 

"Okay, if it's your birthday, I'll make something special for you." 

"You have to wait for your birthday first, okay? So, you have plans to celebrate my birthday, is that it?" 

"You don't get any surprises from your model friends on your birthday?" 

"Usually there are, but they will definitely have a party at a nightclub, I don't like it. So, every time it's a birthday, I won't make any plans outside the house." 

"So you spent your birthday alone?" 

"Yes, that is so-"

"Why?" 

"It's okay, I'm comfortable like this," he replied. Aiden smiled gently, but his eyes looked sad. Nina didn't know why she felt sad every time she saw Aiden showing an expression like that. 

"Then how about we celebrate your birthday together? Well, that is if you want-"

"What are you talking about? Of course I do. Actually, I was planning to take you on a vacation and celebrate my birthday together. I just want to spend time with you, that's all!" 

Heartbeat...

Nina felt the strange throbbing again. Aiden's smile managed to make her lose her mind, since when did she start to realize that this man in front of her looks so cool? 

Nina stopped swinging her spoon, her face was downcast while holding back the loud pounding that even she could hear clearly. Dream, it feels like a dream. Since when did a beautiful dream that he rarely even saw in his sleep come true like this? 

"What are you doing? Are you full?" 

"No, it's nothing-" Nina answered nervously. She still reluctant to lift her face and look back at that face again. 

"Really? Your face is red, you have a fever?" Asked Aiden while touching Nina's forehead with his hand. 

"N-no! I'm fine, really. Let's eat some more!" Nina who looked nervous and restless, made Aiden even more curious. Why did she suddenly change, from an overconfident woman to a shy and clumsy woman like this? 

"Is that so? Erm...how about after this we go out for a walk?" 

"Go for a walk, where?" 

"There's one place I usually go alone, it's really nice. I'm sure you'll like it too!" 

"Really? But, if we both go out together, what if someone sees and-"

"Don't worry, this place is not a place that many people usually go to. So, trust me, okay?" 

"Okay, I believe you."


*** 

"Ride a motorbike? Are you sure?" asked Nina surprised when Aiden showed his favorite motorbike. 

"Why? You don't like riding motorbikes?" 

"No, but what if someone saw us hanging out? There could be paparazzi and..." 

"Never mind, just shut up! You don't need to worry about things like that. So, do you want to go or not?" 

"Ma..want..." 

"Then let's go!" Aiden started to ride his motorcycle and put on a helmet. While Nina who was still confused, was suddenly stunned to see Aiden who was so cool with his motorbike. 

"Why am I so fascinated like this?" Nina thought annoyed. She felt that very disturbing strange feeling again, a flutter that made her face always blush red. 

"Let me put your helmet on!" Aiden said while helping Nina put on her helmet. 

Nina's feelings are getting erratic, for her this is really troublesome. The pounding was so disturbing and made him feel awkward. Moreover, when he had to sit behind Aiden. Seeing his broad shoulders that looked manly made her feel like she was going to have a nosebleed. 

"How is this? It feels like blood is coming out of my nose. Why am I like this?" She thought. Her body was hot and cold, it felt strange if she was only getting restless now after everything they had done. Nina just realized how ridiculous she was. 

"Hey, hug me tight! You'll fall down soon-" Aiden said with a chuckle. 

Aiden started the engine of his motorbike and was ready to go fast out of the apartment building and through the streets of the capital towards one of his favorite places. 

Nina tightly hugged Aiden's back like he said. Slowly her anxiety disappeared, when her eyes caught the view of New York City at night directly like this. Yes, this is the first time in her life that she feels this strange happiness. 

"That's great, isn't it?" He said. 

"Yeah...that's great..." Nina started to feel comfort from this man's back. The feeling of love that she realized was increasingly penetrating into her soul. 

Nina can't avoid it anymore, any reason to deny her own feelings will surely fail. She really fell in love, fell so much that it would be very painful if separated. 

"Aiden, I love you."


***