"Come on Aiden, you're like an unwanted boomerang. You always come back at the worst time." Aiden gripped his collar and pushed him down startling Mika, he had really hit a nerve. Aiden had a madman's look in his eyes, he sure was scary when Mia was involved.
"Listen brat, I'm not going anywhere. You're just a kid and you're in way over your head. What, because you have this nice fancy house and a movie star face, they'll just leave Mia alone. Don't f*ck with me!" Mika felt his lip curl as he smirked widely at Aiden.
"Brat huh? I'm sure Mia would get mad at you laying your hands on me."
"You—" Aiden raised his fist.
"Aiden!" a shirked voice yelled out at him from above. Aiden froze and looked up to the balcony, there she was with her long black hair blowing in the breeze and her eyes bluer than ever. In them held pain and fear as Mika winced in pain. This brat sure knew how to act. Mia pulled away from the rail leaving his sight. Aiden released Mika and began walking round to the front door. Before he could reach his destination, Mia appeared out of nowhere and gave him the most brutal punch he had ever felt.
"Are you kidding me! So, now you want to play hero Aiden. What were you thinking coming here, Mika didn't do anything wrong!" Although her words were loud and hate filled, he couldn't hear a thing. Looking at her tear-filled blue eyes.
"You should have told me he was still after you!" he said angrily rubbing his red cheek.
"For what? It doesn't concern you anymore!" Aiden face went dark, there was nothing he hated more than being told it didn't concern him. Aiden gripped her shoulders strongly shocking her.
"Of course, it concerns me. Anything that concerns you concerns me. Got it!" Mia looked up at him at smirked then directed her glare to Mika.
"Tsk…that's it I'm done. Let go of me." Mia pushed his hands away and took a deep breathe lowering her head to the floor.
"I'm done being the damsel. Why don't you two keep each other company, you both have something in common right?" Mika frowned as Mia started walking away down his drive.
"Wait Mia—"
"Enough! I'm hyper-vigilant Mika, I heard every word. It's interesting you kept that personality to yourself. I can fight on my own, relying on others was never my style to begin with." Mika face dropped and Aiden put his hand by his side and sighed heavily. Why must she be so stubborn?
"See ya. Thank you for helping me." With that Mia cut through a small passageway to the woods so they couldn't follow her. Aiden clicked his tongue and walked to his car.
"Your really still going after her?" Mika said tauntingly. Aiden rolled down his window with determination in his eyes.
"I'll always go after her." With that he revved up his engine and sped away leaving Mika in a cloud of dust.
"I wonder what your fiancée would say about that?"
----------------------------The walk home---------------------
Mia dragged her feet kicking rocks aside in frustration, she didn't feel insecure anymore she felt angry that Sam was still ruling her life and attracting the past at that. Hyper-vigilance is gifted to those who have experienced trauma and Mia was a black belt at it. It entailed a heightened sense of awareness, those gifted with it saw the world differently to others. Danger could be smelled, and minds could be broken. It was also one of her biggest secrets. However, when she listening to Mika and Aiden's conversation, she felt like a piece of meat being tugged at by two hungry wolves and it made her blood boil. She wasn't a trophy; she just wanted a simple life without the drama.
As the moonlight peaked through the trees and the vivid sound of cars in the distance entered her vicinity, she felt a sharp pain in her side. It was after Lang Hai had hit her it had been throbbing nonstop, with each step she doubled over. Mia had a high pain tolerance but that man sure could punch. Mia managed to find the road leading to her estate after an hour walk in the woods, it was therapeutic in a way and allowed her nerves to settle. Just as she was about to let a sigh of relief a Black Audi A8 pulled up on the side next to her. Mia immediately clenched her fists ready for a fight but as she spun around, he surprised her.
"I know you won't get inside but take this, it's going to rain." Aiden had his window rolled down holding out a matte black umbrella, the side of his face had swelled making Mia feel guilty.
"Why do have to be so nice to me, I just hit you didn't I?" she said in confusion, Aiden smiled.
"I don't mind if it's you who hits me, I deserved that one after what I put you through." Mia snatched the umbrella and put it up, almost simultaneously the rain came down like a storm splashing coldly at her feet.
"You didn't put me through anything idiot, I put myself through it. Congratulations by the way." She said emotionless, Aiden furrowed his brows feeling a stabbing pain in his chest.
"For what?" he said coldly knowing what she was about to say.
"Your engagement, she's beautiful. Your parents must be happy, I'm glad." Mia gave him a genuine smile before walking off. Aiden flopped back into his seat feeling his heart break. Mia was the last person he wanted to hear that from. He wanted her to say marry me instead, wasn't that their plan. What the hell was she saying? Instinctively Aiden sped forward until he caught up with her.
"Are you f*cking with me!" he shouted out of the window, Mia stopped dead and spun around in surprise, it was rare he was this pissed.
"I wouldn't do that."
"Then your serious! Your happy I'm with another woman?" Mia thought about her answer carefully, could she possibly win in this situation or was it time to tell the truth.
"It doesn't really matter but if you want some piece of mind, I'll be honest with you." Aiden slid over to the passenger seat so he could hear her clearly over the heavy rain.
"When I heard the news, you were getting married it made me sick to my stomach because deep down I knew that is what I wanted for us in the end. Then, when I saw it was the same woman kissing you in the office, I was so angry I wanted to beat you to a pulp. Then, when I saw you on the street covered in paparazzi, I felt sorry for you because I know you better than anyone. You hate people getting involved with your personal affairs, but it made me realize something… You really did treasure me; we were never bothered by publicity or your fans because you wanted me all to yourself. I'm sad I didn't realize that until now. I'm sorry." Aiden had tears in his eyes, she had seen straight through the façade, she was the only one who had noticed just how miserable he was because Mia knew him like the back of her hand. Mia gave him a soft smile; he could see the pain in her eyes.
"So, why…" Aiden stepped out of the car and lifted up her umbrella so he could clearly see her face.
"If you really feel that way then why won't you stay by my side. No-one else gets me like you do. I'm spoiled, possessive, secretive and hopelessly in love with you. You're the only one who knows all that so why?" Mia looked away and bit her lip, her big blue yes glistening.
"This might not be relevant now but when you were gone, I went through a lot and it changed me. The problem is…I hate being dominated, I hate being spoiled and after you left, I hate being in love. It's ironic isn't it… that beating in my chest, that flushed feeling in my face. It's a reminder that I'm not in control. Every time I see your face, I'm reminded that with you I have no control and that I let go of who I truly am so I could be by your side. My whole life I've dedicated myself to other people but now I want to be selfish. Again, I'm sorry." Aiden came to a sudden realization, the Mia standing in-front of him was different. The way she smiled was different, the way her eyes looked at him were different. They didn't contain any light like they once did back in high-school. Aiden never really asked her what happened in the five years he was gone.
"Do you remember the Judo tournament you watched when we first started dating?" Mia looked at him like an idiot, it was so long ago but gradually the memory came flooding back.
"I remember. What of it?" Aiden sighed in frustration.
"It was the finals. I was up against my senior; he was a third year. That guy had never been beaten in his life. You were in the front row watching us fight and I remember everyone else cheering for me, but you sat there, and you stared. You remember?" Mia nodded still trying to work out what he was getting at.
"I was wondering why you weren't rooting for me and then I finally understood. In the last round, I took a break and sat at the corner trying to catch my breath. I thought I was so uncool having my girlfriend watch the first match where I would lose. Then, you stepped down from the bench and walked to my side sitting down next to me. Do you remember what you said to me?" Mia eyes darted back and forth until she froze. Aiden smiled as he watched her recall.
"Don't you think that guy is a little too cocky? The reason your losing is because your fighting with your ego and not your heart, so I want you to win for me. If you lose, I'll break up with you in-front of everyone here. Sometimes in life people have to give up something important in order to gain something useful. I promise you if you keep worrying about winning you will lose, but if you accept loss then you will lose. So, what's left? Don't win for your sake, win for his. Once you taste defeat it makes you stronger, don't ever concern yourself with how another person feels because I guarantee you that kindness does not exist as strongly in others. Your lucky I can see it or I'd think you were an asshole right now." Mia looked sheepish, she really did say all that to try and motivate him but all of it was her own calculations.
"That day changed me. You knew I was afraid to win because I had respect for him, but you reminded me I didn't have to be so considerate of people because this is a harsh world and people are animals. After you said that to me you sat back down in your seat and waited for your words to hit me. After 60 seconds I understood what you meant and I beat him hands down, and he cried when they raised my hadn't for victory but I didn't feel guilty. I felt proud I had taught him a lesson. That was the first time you smiled during that match. You remember?" Mia nodded; it was a principle she stuck by since being a child.
"Why are you telling me this?" she said coldly, Aiden took her hand and held the umbrella above them both.
"You've always been calculating, it used to scare me the way you could break someone down in seconds including me. But, that's just who you are, and I'm not scared of you anymore. So, if you're afraid to show me your bad side you don't have to worry because I've already seen it. Did you know that guy I beat ended up being a professional Judo player? In an interview he talked about his first defeat and how bitter it tasted so he strived to become the best so he wouldn't ever have to taste that again." Mia was wide eyed, she felt like a plate of glass and he was looking straight through at the person behind it.
"You always manage to break down my defenses, it's annoying." Mia smirked at herself, he was way past annoying in fact, she really hated him at times like these.
"I can't argue with that. What I'm saying is I need you so I can be successful, and I want to be selfish too. It's not fair that I would ask that of you but I'm tired of sugar-coating my feelings. You know me better than anyone, I'm selfish. I will kill anyone who hurts you and I won't forgive those who try to take you away from me." Mia was getting tired and the rapid rain around made her skin quiver.
"If I stood by your side again, I know for a fact we will never have that happy ending we both strived for Aiden. When we lived together for the first few weeks, I felt happiness like I had never felt in my whole life. But I learned one very valuable thing…It was me who destroyed us. The common factor in all of our problems was me Aiden think about it. You'll be much happier without me." Mia sighed as her shoulders dropped like a weight had been lifted.
"I'm f*cking miserable." Aiden said abruptly shocking her on the spot, he was so filled with emotion Mia wondered who she was speaking with.
"Eh?" she said stunned.
"I hate my fiancée; my business is declining. Every time I hear my parents speak to me kindly it makes me want to vomit. Mia…I'm barely holding on right now. When I saw you with Mika Hu, I snapped?" Mia's mind began dissecting like scalpel, so his emotional attachment to her had adverse effects on his lifestyle. Aiden was struggling more than she ever imagined and suddenly she felt dark guttering sensation in her gut. This usually happened when faced with an ill patient.
"One day a week." She said abruptly. Aiden furrowed his brows what was she getting at?
"I will see you one day a week. If your life improves then it will be my responsibility but if you can't accept that then the responsibility Is yours." Aiden clenched his fists, one day a week. That wasn't enough for him. Mia patted his shoulder hard then began walking off.
"Mia—"
"By the way, I'm not your mistress. I'm your ac-quittance, if anyone pays attention, I'm currently treating you in private." With that she ran across the road and cut into a side street leaving Aiden glued to the pavement. It was hard to understand Mia at times like this, was this her kindness? Experiment or was this to prove to herself she actually did need him after all. Aiden was so dumbstruck he started chuckling to himself as he paced back and forth occasionally glancing where she had disappeared. This would be interesting…
Mia's Apartment…
Mia shook off her umbrella before entering her homely apartment, this one had working heating and it was bliss as the warm air consumed her body. There was so much animosity trapped inside her chest it was hard to breath. Mika was a dark horse and she was more upset with herself for not working him out but yet again he was an actor. His last words to Aiden were ringing in her ears. How do I make you go away for good? Mika was just as brutal as Aiden. Men were so troublesome she thought to herself.
Mia changed her clothes into some lounge-wear and sat down on the couch staring at the red rings around her wrist from Sam's grip. Today was too close for comfort, what would have happened if she had been dragged into their car. Mia was deep in thought when she felt her phone vibrate, a sickness washed over her praying it wasn't a crisis she was too exhausted to support someone right now. Thankfully, it was a confirmation message from Hangzhou police department to let her know there was a warrant out for Sam's arrest after he had breached the restraining order. Mia lay her head back and smiled happily, karma surely was a b*tch. As she felt her consciousness start to drift her phone buzzed again, groaning she looked at it and it was another message.
"Unless you don't value the life of your mother your going to drop the charges. I warned you not to f*ck with me beautiful. You have two hours." …
Droplets began splashing from her chin onto the horrifying message deep rooting itself into Mia's brain. Anything but her mother…A million safety concerns popped into her head; her mother was still a patient at Hangzhou psychiatric clinic meaning the other residents were also in danger. Security was very tight so infiltrating the facility would be difficult, but Yakuza always had way of getting into the impossible.
Mia felt her adrenaline shoot back up and she began running through the house getting dressed, it was too late to drop the charges it was out of her hands now. It meant she had no leverage and she would have to face him head on when Aiden's face popped into her head. Could she bare to cause him anymore trouble? She had just lectured him on seeing him one day a week and she was summoning him already, it was unfair to him.
However, this was her mother and she needed al the help she could get. This was no longer just survival, this was war…