Chapter 10

Aria

“ What if I said yes?”.

I turned around and looked at him. I didn't say anything. He stood up and walked over to me , standing as close as possible without touching me.

“So that day at the creek you told the truth and that night in your kitchen”, I said looking at him. That's when I smelled it. I walked into him closing the distance. I stepped back instantly and looked at him.

“ You, why do you have the same…?” ,I stopped short.

“ Same what?” , he asked

“ Sorry, I must be really tired. I should probably Head out now ” , I said, closing the shutter on the door. When I turned around he was standing behind me closer. It happened in a split second. He braced me against the door and his mouth was on me. His hands in my hair and he kissed me with desperation, his tongue invaded my mouth and I accepted him , I suddenly realised what was happening and I pushed him away.

“ I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that ” ,he said, grabbing his laptop while walking out. I stood there for a minute. Why Did it feel the same?. I kissed him back, Jesus Christ what the hell is wrong with me. I closed up the doors and walked out to the side gate. And up the stairs.

I went into the apartment and locked the door. That's weird the lights were off. I walked over to the light and before I could switch it on someone grabbed me.

“ Sorry baby girl” ,he said

“ Wait, stop”. I said putting distance between us. Something isn't adding up here and I needed to get to the bottom of this one way or the other.

“ How long have you been here?” I asked

“ A few minutes ” ,He said

“ What is your name?” I asked

“ I already told you baby girl “ ,he said

“ Caleb?” , I said on the off chance. He was quiet.

“ Baby girl you're playing a dangerous game ” he said ,he tried to grab me but I pulled away.

“ No one in this town would ever do what you did to me. How Did you get into Cross's house that night?. I didn't tell you which room I was in. My number isn't on the outside of the cafe . I just stood close enough to Caleb to know that smell, And your height is uncommon so Caleb Cross is this how you want to do this?” ,I said into the darkness. I was hoping I was wrong.

I started putting the pieces together when Caleb kissed me ,it felt the way Lucian kissed me ,he smelt the same. I walked over to the light and switched it on. When I turned around he was standing right behind me.

“ Why ?” ,I asked him

“ The same reasons, I told you baby. Your house went up in flames. I have someone looking into it. I don't know if it's because I'm here and speak to you alone or someone that you know. The minute I came to Payson and to this cafe. The first day I saw you, I fell for you and I'll never stop “ ,he said, backing me into the wall.

“ Everyday for the last how many weeks,you sat at that table knowing fully well What you've been doing to me?. Leave right now “.

“ Aria?”

“ I said leave Caleb. I don't want to see you ” ,the anger I felt was beyond what I felt when Anthony betrayed me. Knowing he was the one that did that to me and he sat in the cafe everyday and acted like nothing happened. Acted like a friend, acted like he cared.

“ I already told you why I did it . I'm sorry Aria, just…..” ,

I didn't let him finish. “ Leave now Caleb ” ,
I yelled at him. He didn't say anything, he Walked out. I sank to the floor in confusion and disgust. I began crying. Why me ? Why am I the only one being lied to and deceived. I sat crying and feeling sorry for myself. After feeling sorry and wallowing in self pity, I got angry.

The next morning, I let Grace do the baking.It probably isn't a good thing to bake desserts while you're angry. I went down to the cafe around nine. When I walked in Holly looked at me.

“ Hey Aria ,I saw Cross leave your apartment last night. What was he doing with you?” Lacy Asked ,at the same time he walked through the door and my anger went to an all time high.

“ Who I speak to doesn't concern you. You're a Damn adult act like it ,if you want a man then go and fucking tell him . Why the hell Are you questioning me ?. I Will make this fucking clear. I have nothing to do nor do I want anything to do with Caleb Cross. He's right there you can fucking Have him”. I said walking into the office slamming the door.

Jesus Christ, she was pushing my buttons. Was she watching me last night?. The door opened and Holly walked in. She stood quietly looking at me. I sank into the chair.

“ It was him ” ,I said in a whisper

“ Meaning?” ,she asked

“ Cross. He's the stalker. He kissed me yesterday while I was closing up . When I got to the apartment he was already there. I just.. it was the same smell.,the same ..” I was getting a headache.

“ Okay, I'm guessing you're pissed, that's Why you reacted to Lacy's question like that ?” She said taking a seat next to me.

“ I just….” I didn't know how to feel or explain what I was feeling.

“ Well he just walked out of the cafe but not before telling Lacy he's not interested in her and he won'tbe coming back here. Everyone heard. He looks like he had a rough night” , she said looking at me.

“ I don't care, Holly. I just want to be left alone. I don't want to see him nor do I want to hear his name ” ,I said quietly.

“ Okay “ ,she said, patting my hand.

She left me alone in the office for the rest of the day.

Caleb

I didn't mean to kiss her but Fuck I had to. When she said the same , I realised she was starting to put the pieces together. What she didn't understand was that before she even came back to the apartment above the Cafe, I had already texted Max and had him get me access to the apartment. So when I left her a few minutes ago I came here.

When she flipped the lights on and saw me , I saw the look in her eyes,I knew she was hurt. I didn't expect her to react that way. I left her and went back to my place, when Ryan saw me he instantly knew something happened. I told him and he just remained quiet. I started drinking and didn't stop until Ryan took the bottle away from me.

I felt like shit. I decided to go to her and explain everything. I didn't expect to Walk into the cafe and hear her yelling at Lacy. Fuck she was really angry. I made it clear to Lacy I had no interest in her and told her I won't be returning to the cafe and left. I went to the construction site and stayed there .

With her anger like that , I'm sure she won't want to see me. For Two weeks ,I didn't go to town. Ryan gave me space. He didn't mention her , he probably thought I was over her but I wasn't. I missed seeing her. I spent two weeks locked away at home. Max let me know she was okay but he rarely Sees her ,she is always in the apartment above the Cafe. I needed to fix this.

It's almost one month and she's still angry. I called her but I guess she blocked my number. I was brooding when Max called me to let me know she got into an altercation with Lacy Which resulted in her firing Lacy. That girl was fucking trouble.

I was working on Saturday morning when the call came. I saw Ryan was calling,he went into town early this morning.

“ What now Asshole?”., I asked

“ There's a problem",he Said. I figured It was about work.

“ What now?” , I asked

“ Aria's Cafe and Apartment was trashed and she got hurt. She's at the hospital, Holly told me in confidence . ” He said

I was already out the door,and in the car the minute he said she was hurt.

“ Which hospital?” I all but yelled into the phone

“Banner Payson Medical ”, he said