"Mia!" A surprised face lit up seeing the one person she never expected to see on a Saturday morning. Yu jumped out of the taxi and ran towards her full pelt before jumping wrapping her arms around her best friend. Mia winced as she began squeezing the life out of her. Aiden stood on the side lines trying not to laugh out loud and Mia's face turned red.
"Yu, it hurts." She chuckled painfully under her breath, gasping she let go. Mia watched the tears stream down from her eyes down to her chin. Mia wiped her tears away quickly.
"Hey, don't you dare, or you'll make me cry." Yu smiled and sniffed up, holding her head back attempting to suck in her tears. Aiden re-joined the circle and snaked his arm around Mia's waist.
"Are you okay? How's your injury? When do I get to murder him?" her emotions switched from concern, anger and relief in the space of three seconds, Mia couldn't keep up as her head wobbled.
"I'll explain everything so let's go and get something to eat. Aiden treat." She added sneakily on the end; Aiden sighed defeated.
"Fine, I feel like western so let's go. Good to see you again Yu." Yu smiled widely; she could see the connection between them both like a red string.
"Good to see you Mr. Li, you better be spoiling my best friend, or I'll kick your ass too." Mia laughed and looked at her friend adoringly, words couldn't describe how much she'd missed her.
"Roger that." Hand In hand Mia and Aiden lead her to a high-class restaurant, Yu eyes lit up like stars seeing the fancy waiters take their coats and guide them to their seats. If there was one this Yu appreciated it was high class food and decoration. Mia squeezed Aiden's hand as they passed a big crowd, Aiden knew it was a sign of fear so pulled her close before sitting down. Aiden had reassuring eyes; they would suck you in until the threat had passed. Like a hypnotist, Yu noticed their eye contact and suspiciously began studying them.
"Am I gonna have to book a surgeon to separate you two, stop showing off." She said jokingly, they smirked and sat down before ordering. Little did Yu know; Aiden was Mia's haven and without him Mia struggled out in public. Mia could tell Yu watch itching to ask all about her ordeal, truthfully Mia didn't want to talk about it again but her best friend deserved to know exactly what had happened.
"Mia…when I saw it on the news my heart almost exploded. I was so worried about you, but I wasn't surprised it was that psycho who did this to you. You almost died." Mia shook slightly, Aiden frowned.
"Thank you for stating the obvious Yu." He said bluntly, Yu panicked and put up her hands.
"I'm so sorry, that was insincere of me. What I meant to say was I knew you would make it; you always do because your Mia James." Mia smiled, being a survivor was tough, but it was heart-warming to hear people commemorate you for your ordeal.
"Thanks Yu. It was tough but we made it through it. I guess me and my mom are more alike than I thought, she's one tough cookie." Aiden nodded in agreement, Yu could feel something different about Mia, the air around her was somewhat distant than usual.
"How have you been since it happened?" she asked inquiringly, she didn't like not knowing important details about her friend. Mia looked a little shaken by the question and even glanced at Aiden for support.
"Why did you have to ask that, you know I can't lie to you…" Yu concern shot through the roof, Mia looked teary eyed.
"Mia you know you can talk to me I've known you for seven years, you listen to my problems all of the time so confide in me this once please." Aiden gave Mia a comforting stroke on her hand as she gulped, for some reason she felt shameful of her diagnosis.
"It got to me a lot more than I thought I would…I'm not working right now because my doctor informed me, I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the attack. Don't worry about me Yu, like you said I always pull through." Yu was in a state of shock, Mia felt wetness on her face unable to comprehend it was her own tears. Mia was talking as if trying to convince herself rather than the people around her. Aiden pulled her face into his chest to avoid people looking at her, Yu reached across the table and took her hand trying to be strong for her.
"Mia, anyone would struggle after what happened to you, but you were a hero. The way you rescued your mom was amazing, I am so proud of you. Aiden and I are here for you no matter what so if your hurting you can talk to us." Mia wiped her tears and hugged Aiden for comfort, his heartbeat was one of the only things that could calm her down when an episode happened. Yu's words really touched her heart and the love emanating from them both was unreal.
"Thankyou, okay now let's eat and you can tell me all about University." They all bypassed Mia's breakdown courtesy before chatting about Yu's university life. Of course, this included her love interest which happened to be her professor.
"Don't even try it Yu, when I was at university a girl in my lecture fell in love with the professor and became so troublesome, he removed her application, trust me it's not worth it." Mia was joking yet serious at the same time. Why did her best friend have the worst taste in men? Aiden was also enjoying the conversation.
"Mia's right, when I was in business school a guy tried to flirt with our head lecturer. After that even if his reports were fine, he'd still get F just for being a d*ck." They all burst into laughter; Yu gulped down her wine enthusiastically then slammed her empty glass on the table.
"Okay I get it; I have bad taste, but I like a man who's good with his hands. You can relate can't you Mia?" Mia almost choked on her foot before delivering a brutal kick to Yu under the table. Aiden looked at Mia slyly, her face was bright red.
"Thank you for that valuable piece of information Yu." They both high-fived childishly. Mia rolled her eyes and pushed Aiden out of the booth so she could go to the bathroom.
"Idiots." She said under her breath leaving them snickering with each other. Mia made her way to the bathroom mirror after walking through the crowded restaurant independently. People touching her was one of her worst fears other than Aiden, that contact triggered her condition and she would lash out subconsciously as a defense mechanism.
Washing her face with cold water she rubbed the tender bruise beneath her right eye. If only mental scars healed that quickly she thought to herself but according to her clinician Mia was making great progress. Going outside in general was a victory for her never mind eating in a crowded restaurant. As she stood up to leave her phone began ringing, as she reluctantly glanced at it the name of her lawyer popped up, her heart filled with anxiety as she answered the call.
"Doctor James, sorry to disturb you on a weekend but the judge had informed me your case will be moved forward accounting a recent quittance." Mia tried to speak but her throat closed up, this was too sudden.
"Doctor James, are you there." Mia leaned against the stall against support as her legs went to jelly.
"My apologies, I understand so when is the new date." She clenched her fist praying it was later than she was expecting. The court was closed on a Sunday so at least it wasn't tomorrow.
"Luckily we now have a slot on Monday for the first hearing, basically all you have to do is state your testimony in-front of the jury and they will take all of your injuries into consideration." Mia couldn't breath anymore, that was only two days away…she would see Sam in two days.
"I-I understand, what time is the hearing." Her lawyer was a respectable man and the top lawyer in Shanghai curtesy of Aiden who fought nail and tooth to get him, but this was still too soon for her.
"It will be at 9am, don't worry he'll definitely pay for what he did to you. You have my full support thank-you for your time."
"Thank-you very much see you then." Mia hung up before sliding to the floor and dragging her feet towards her, her chest wouldn't expand, and her lungs burned from hyperventilation. All of strength seemed to fade and before she knew it her vision began to blur. Aiden…his name repeated in her head until it began looping on its own. At times like this she wished she was a telepathic.
"Mia?" Wearily she heard Yu enter the bathroom, it didn't take long for her to find Mia collapsed against the bathroom stall. Immediately she rushed over and tried to talk to her, but Mia hearing was replaced with a high-pitched ring that cancelled out anything else.
"A-Aiden…P-Please get Aiden." Yu nodded and ran out, Mia looked around for somewhere to pull herself up, but she was immobile. It was the first severe episode she'd had but just thinking about being in the same room as Sam again made her want to vomit. Like lightning Yu and Aiden both rushed into the bathroom. Aiden gripped her face sternly, Mia tried to focus but the adrenaline gushing through her veins made her dizzy.
"Hey, Mia look at me. You have to breath." Aiden was amazing and staying calm in situations like this even though his heart was ready to burst. Yu stood with her hand over her mouth trying not to cry hearing her best friends panicked wheezing. Mia leaned forwards resting her head on Aiden's chest to open her lungs. Aiden hugged her close, blocking her view so she would only focus on her heartbeat. Mia slowly began to steady herself until her hearing returned. At times like this her wound would throb as if feeling that knife impale her over and over. She gripped her stomach and caught her breath.
"T-They M-oved the court case…f-forward…it's on Monday." Yu watched Aiden clench his fists.
"I told him to only call me, that f*cking idiot." Mia could feel the rage emanating from him, but it wasn't the lawyers fault he was only doing his job. Mia sat for a while until her legs could move but she was still too weak to walk.
"It's okay I got you. Hold onto me." Mia was exhausted and weakly wrapped her arms around Aiden's neck, he picked her up bridal style effortlessly. Yu followed behind as people turned heads, she glared at them rudely. This wasn't a reality show; Mia had her face buried insecurely into Aiden shoulder. Yu felt a sharp pain in her chest witnessing the tears flooding from Mia's face. What the hell had happened to her?
Aiden placed her delicately in the passenger seat and opened the back door for Yu. His face was painted with anxiety and sadness, he clearly hated seeing her that way too. The car ride home was silent, and Mia was so tired she blandly rested her head against the window watching the trees go by. As they pulled In Mia groggily exited the car but stumbled, luckily Aiden was there to catch her and carried her straight upstairs to the bedroom.
"Thank-you." She said weakly as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, Aiden smiled and kissed her head before returning downstairs to greet Yu.
"Take a seat I'll make some tea." Yu nodded still in shock over seeing Mia in that state. Aiden made some Oolong tea and sat down on the couch with her, she deserved an explanation, or she'd never stop worrying.
"You look a little pale." He said concerned, Yu snapped out her daze and gripped the warm cup in her hands.
"I've never seen her like that…how could you be so calm." Aiden scoffed at her.
"Are you kidding me?" Aiden lifted his hand to show it shaking violently and his emerald eyes were glassy due to the shock. Yu felt guilty not being able to help her, but she'd never seen someone so distressed in her life not even Mia's mother when she used to visit.
"What happened to her Aiden please tell me. I'm her best friend." Aiden looked reluctant and clamped his lips together. Finally, after thinking he let out a sigh.
"Mia doesn't want people to know because she thinks it makes her weak but as you can see, she's not handling it well but who would, she almost died." Yu looked away in disdain, just the implementation made her want to curl into a ball. Without Mia she wouldn't have anyone.
"I sat in her mental clinician meeting with her and she walked us through what exactly happened and it was mortifying, I would be uneasy too after what he did to her, It makes me want to bash his skull in for even touching her." Yu nodded in agreement, their feeling were the same.
"You were really good back there, Mia calmed down really quickly." Yu was impressed at Aiden's skills considering he had no medals in the mental health field.
"I'm Mia's grounder for when she has an episode, for some reason if I'm not there she won't calm down." Yu looked at him concerned and Aiden knew what she was going to say.
"I'm on leave working at home right now. I want to close to her and support her like she did for me. Don't worry about me." He eased her mind, but she wanted to know more.
"Can you talk me through it?" Aiden lay back trying to relax, it was painful for him to talk about never mind Mia.
"Um…Mia got a text from Sam saying he was with her mother at the clinic and it pretty much spiraled out of control from there. You know how much her mother means to her after everything they've been through so Mia didn't hesitate, she was there within ten minutes." Aiden glanced up towards the stairs to ensure Mia wasn't hearing any of this, she was under enough strain. Yu knew he was trying to protect her and couldn't imagine the panic Mia must have felt knowing Sam was in her clinic never mind with her mother.
"Mia didn't hesitate once, and she stormed straight into her mother's hospital room where she was attacked by two men Sam had hired to help him. Those guys beat the life out of her so she would stop fighting but she never stopped." Aiden smiled proudly, nothing could hold Mia down and he was so thankful for that stubborn personality.
"They had already beaten her mother and when Mia finally saw her, she really believed she was dead and that was where her PTSD started. Her therapist said that guilt is one of the most soul-destroying emotions and Mia feels responsible for her mothers' injuries." Yu sighed.
"Mia's always been that way, she blames herself for others misfortune. I think that's why she chose the profession she's in, it wasn't her fault at all.", Yu.
"It's easier said than done. We know Mia like the back of her hand, there was something about this incident that destroyed her, and I think it was seeing her mother like that." Yu's eyes filled up; she knew exactly why it had hit Mia so hard.
"Did she ever tell you about when her father died?" Aiden looked up alarmed, it was too hurtful to ask about such a thing but maybe Yu and him could exchange information to try and understand Mia better. Aiden shook his head worriedly.
"Mia came back from school one day and walked in like usual. When her father didn't answer her, she began scanning the house. At first it just looked like he was sleeping but when he didn't wake up after she shook him Mia checked his pulse but didn't find anything. Soon after her mother came downstairs and broke down." Aiden was shell-shocked.
"Mia was the one that found him?" Yu nodded trying to hold back her tears.
"That's probably why it had such an effect on her. One parent dying is one thing but seeing both of them die in-front of you is agonizing. Mia tried to forget but I think maybe seeing her mom that way triggered those memories." Aiden didn't have the strength to speak, thinking of her glassy blue eyes staring at her father forever asleep was devastating. Yu finally couldn't hold back her tears and covered her eyes with her hands.
"Mia is one of the most lovable, caring, beautiful people I have ever met, and she didn't deserve that. I wish I could take it away for her." Aiden also choked up clearing his throat.
"I feel the same. Yu that asshole will not get away with this, I will fight with my last breath to make sure he spends his life in prison just like Mia did on that night. We have to be there for her.", Aiden.
"Your right, I'll extend my break until I know she's okay." Both stopped as they heard the stairs creaking. Aiden immediately went into a panic, just how long had Mia been awake? The minute Mia's face walked into the light he could see the anger emanating from her. But her eyes were glued to Yu.
"Not only did you try and diagnose me, but you told him about my father?" Yu was frozen her body flooding with guilt.
"You have no f*cking right to tell other people about my past especially Aiden. I don't want him to feel pity for me anymore and you're not helping!" Mia's lip quivered, she felt betrayed by her best friend. Mia only confided in Yu about that incident and it was a secret she protected with her life. Mia spun around and threw on her coat and shoes.
"Mia where are you going?" Aiden stood up to stop her, but her eyes were dangerous.
"I'm going out, I'll be back in a few hours. I just need to cool my head." She was trying to sound composed but her gritted teeth removed the façade simultaneously. Yu stood up too trying to talk but the hurt in Mia's eyes sewed her mouth shut.
"Next time you want to discuss my past ask me first." Mia slammed the door leaving the air thicker than blood. Aiden collapsed onto the couch rubbing his eyes.
"We f*cked up big time."