chapter-23: Like You

Aria Anastasia
I was walking on the road, leaving my car back in the office parking lot.
I knew I should've asked Zaiden about the woman instead of running away from him, but I just couldn't tolerate their closeness. I have never felt like this. Earlier, women used to cling onto Zaiden and I didn't even bother to look at them. But today, I was upset seeing a little closeness between Zaiden and a woman whom I couldn't even see properly.
Was that how liking someone felt like?
I continued walking until there was a sudden thunder. The dark sky was sulking, just like me. The sky would cry as rain, and I would cry as tears.
I didn't know why I felt like crying over this small issue. Maybe I was PMSing��that must be the case.
My phone which was in the pocket of my jeans started ringing all of a sudden. I took out the phone and looked at the caller ID. It was Zaiden.
I was least interested to talk with someone now��and that too with Zaiden. So I slid through the red button and cut the call. I needed some time for myself.
After recovering from fever, I wanted to tell him that I liked him. But was that a sign I shouldn't tell Zaiden about me liking him? That must be the case. It wasn't the right time to tell him.
My chain of thoughts came to an end when small droplets of water fell on my bare arms. I was wearing a crop top with denim jeans. I looked at the sky, only to find it was drizzling.
"Shit," I mumbled and ran to the park nearby. I got discharged today so I couldn't get sick one more time by getting drenched in the rain. Being in the hospital sucked.
Seeing one of the empty benches with a shed in the park, I made my way there to the seat until the rain lessened. I didn't even bring my car, so it wasn't possible for me to go home now.
I was having a bad time after getting discharged from the hospital early. I should've waited till tomorrow to get discharged, but I didn't know today would be an unlucky day for me.
I was mentally scolding myself for being silly until I heard a voice, "You are fucking stupid."
I glanced at the owner of the voice, only to find Zaiden standing near the bench. He took out his blazer and put it over me. When I tried to push it away, he said while glaring at me, "If you land up in the hospital again, I swear to God, I'll make you work overtime for a year."
I became quiet at that instant. Working overtime was really something I hated and he would use it as a threat. Great!
Then he sat next to me in silence. We looked at the sky.
"How did you find me?" I decided to ask since I didn't even pick up his call.
Zaiden looked at me and chuckled. He pinched the tip of my cold nose, saying, "You forgot about me being in the Mafia, Aria. I simply tracked your phone and found the location."
As soon as he said that, I gaped at him being dumbstruck. Tracking someone's phone was usually done when the person went missing. Here I just declined his calls, so he tracked me.
"Am I that much important?" I breathed out and mentally slapped my forehead, realizing I had said that aloud.
Zaiden took his hands in mine and said with a curt smile, "You've no idea."
I tried to pull my hand away as my heartbeat fastened at his touch, but he held my hand tighter.
"Zaid��" I was interrupted by him.
"Why did you leave, Aria?"
"From your office or the hospital?" I asked to be sure but mentally cursed myself later.
"Both," he replied calmly. "You should've waited till tomorrow and if you were in a hurry to get discharged, you could've just given me a call."
I sucked in a deep breath and started speaking, "I wanted to make something special for you to show my gratitude, so I requested Dr. Adrie to discharge me today instead of tomorrow and not inform you."
"I can't believe Dr. Adrie actually lied to me. How do you have such convincing powers, Aria?" he asked in disbelief.
"What can I say? I am talented." I pulled my imaginary collar.
He rolled his eyes. "Anyway, now tell me why you left the office without even meeting me. You also dropped the carrier at the reception."
I furrowed my brows in confusion. Zaiden was busy talking to that woman. Then how did he notice me and the carrier which I left at the reception? I questioned him, "How did you notice me?"
He pulled me closer to him, placing an arm over my shoulder. He whispered into my ear after pushing a few strands of hair behind my ear, "I can always feel your presence, Aria. Whenever you are nearby, this heart," he stopped and put my hand on his chest. I could feel his heartbeats. "This heart starts beating faster than usual," he concluded.
My breath hitched at his words. I didn't utter a single word. It was so peaceful, even the rain stopped. The weather was clear now.
"I saw you and when I ended my meeting with Rehana, the woman whom you saw with me, you weren't there anymore. I thought you were waiting outside and when I got out, I saw the carrier at the reception and you weren't there," he explained to me. "For a brief moment, I was so scared, Aria."
His eyes pierced through mine as he said that. I averted the intense gaze and asked, "Who was she? She isn't our business partner as far as I know. In fact, I saw her for the first time."
I patiently waited for him to clear my doubts. Sensing that I was trying not to lose patience, he twitched his lips. "Well, she is a close person."
I formed my fist into a ball, trying to control myself. I said with a tight-lipped smile, "Is she your cousin?"
He shook his head in denial. "Not my cousin."
"Distant relative?" I questioned further but when he shook his head, I had the urge of choking him to death.
He had a devilish smirk plastered on his face. He was playing with me, wasn't he? Fine.
"Then who is she, Boss?" I asked innocently, pretending that I didn't just call him 'Boss'.
Zaiden narrowed his eyes in my direction. "She's just a spy of the Mafia, Aria," he grumbled, still sulking at why I called him 'Boss'.
A spy?
Oh, that clears out everything. So she was there to give him some information regarding the gang. There was nothing to get jealous of. I knew I was exaggerating the matter for no reason.
"Next time, when you meet a spy or any woman, just maintain some distance," I said sternly.
He arched an eyebrow, amusement covering his face. "And why should I do that?"
I took a deep breath and decided that it was the right time to tell him. I knew I would change my mind if I didn't tell him now. So I confessed after mustering enough courage, "It's because I like you."