The very next day, after a sleepless night, Aiden got up with a resolution in his mind. He had decided what he really wanted and no matter what, he was gonna fight for it. The first thing he did, after completing his morning routine, was to ring up Ian and ask him to come to his room.
Time skip to evening~
Adina was sitting at her desk and doing her work silently. The same goes for Aiden. They didn't exchange much words except for when it was about work. Adina noticed that since the morning Ian was missing but she shrugged it off thinking he must be busy with some work and concentrated on her work in hand.
Around 6, Ian burst through the office doors, announcing his presence which made Adina flinch in her seat. He came straight to her and sat at her desk and turned her chair so that she was directly facing him. At that very moment Adina subtly tried to gauge Aiden's expression who didn't budge or even spared them a glance making her in turn pout a little and doubt Ian's words from yesterday.
"What are you looking at?" Ian asked looking in the same direction and snickered. "Anyways, I have a surprise for you..."
At that Adina's eyes lit up and she looked at Ian saying,"Surprise? What is it? Show me.. please." She started giving him puppy eyes making him chuckle.
"Ok ok.. stop with those eyes. You gotta come with me somewhere for that surprise."
"Ok then let's go. I'm already done with today's work anyway", she said standing up and taking Ian's hand while dragging him out of the office.
"Calm down princess. You need to get ready first. Go to your room, there you'll find a packet on your bed. Wear that and then meet me outside. I'll be there, ready with a car, okay? Hurry up!" Ian said it all with a big smile.
Adina tilted her head in confusion at first then her eyes widened in realisation,"We are going somewhere out?" As she finished, there was a wide smile plastered on her face and her eyes were glinting with happiness.
"Yes, now go!"
Without further ado, she ran out of the office and happily skipped upstairs to her room. Laughter erupted in the room after she left. Ian looked back at his brother and said," She's cute. By the way, everything is ready. Wish me luck!"
Aiden laughed and wished him luck before exiting the room after Adina.
Thirty minutes or so later, Adina found herself in a car with Ian speeding past the woods. Damn! she had missed the outside world. She pulled down the window pane and closed her eyes, feeling the wind rush through her making her hair a tosseled mess but she hardly cared. A beautiful smile etched on her lips. Ian silently clicked a picture of her through some struggle as he was driving.
A few minutes into the drive Adina asked,"Was this the surprise? Bringing me out of your mansion for a drive and some fresh air?"
"Yes. No. You'll know." He shrugged and she pouted at his words and he continued,"Do you trust me Adina?"
"Huh?" The question was so sudden and out of nowhere which confused her.
"Do you trust me or not?"
"Of course I do! Is that even a question that you have to ask!?"
"Good." He put his hand inside his coat pockets and fished out something like a cloth from it but before handing it to Adina he said," When I'll say then you'll have to put on this blindfold, okay? No cheating."
She got confused but nonetheless nodded her head in answer. When the time came, she obliged to his words and put on the blindfold. She sensed the car stop after a while but didn't question. Then the door by her side opened and a hand gripped her's. She knew it was Ian so she let him guide her.
"Slow steps, okay? Or you'll fall", Ian said every now and then. "We can't have you suffering from a sprain or sum, Be careful."
"Yes, yes but when can I take this off", she said, irritated because of the blindfold.
"Calm down princess. Just a while." She could hear him snickering and she just rolled her eyes which obviously no one would notice.
"Wait here for a while. I'll be back ASAP",Ian said letting go off her hands,"and don't take it off."
"What!? Where are you going? Yaaahhh!!" She shouted but got no response. She pouted and crossed her hands in frustration, waiting for him to return. A few minutes later she felt someone's grip on her hand guiding her forwards. She said,"If you would've taken one more second then I would've ran away." Frustration was crystal clear in her voice.
"Then I would've chased you till the end of the world", a different yet familiar voice said
Adina stilled in her tracks, her body stiffening,"A-aiden?"
"Yes?" His voice was sweet, too sweet for her own sake.
"What are you doing here? Where's Ian?" She asked warily.
He didn't say a word but Adina felt the blindfold loosening and then the world came into focus. The first thing she noticed was, Aiden standing in front of him with a toothy smile on his face. Her heart did a double back flip at the sight and her breath hitched. For a moment she even forgot to breathe. There Aiden was standing with an oh-so-handsome smile of his, wearing a dark green suit with a jet black shirt complimenting his eyes and looking just so perfect that it should've been illegal. She was not able to divert her eyes from him. She kept shamelessly staring and even after being aware of it, couldn't help herself. Aiden cleared his throat and gestured towards the surrounding saying,"Like it?" She still didn't stop staring so Aiden chuckled and ruffling her hair said, in a teasing tone,"Take a picture, it'll last longer."
Adina blushed a deep shade of red and looked at her feet embarrassed,"I-.. uhm.. you-y-you look .. d-dashing." She cursed herself for stuttering so much.
"And you look mighty beautiful in this dress", Aiden said with sincerity in his words looking at Adina. She indeed looked very beautiful. The dress was a simple black coloured sleeveless one reaching mid-thighs with dark green embroidery at the hem of the skirt. She was wearing black heels with it and hoops and of course the charm bresclet which Aiden had gifted her. She had let her hair down in soft curls which rested on her breasts. With a start she realised that the clothes were matching with Aiden's.
She bit her bottom lip and whispered a small thanks. She took deep breath before looking up to see the beautiful surroundings. She gasped looking at the beautiful preparation. A candle light dinner was set under trees which were covered with fairy lights, illuminating the view. There was also a lake nearby which gave an enchanting view while having dinner. The sun had set and it was about to get dark which she knew when happen will only make the setting even more beautiful and romantic. She blushed and turned her head towards Aiden,"What is this about Aiden?"
"Do you like it?" He simply asked, tilting his head in question.
"I love it. It's beautiful", she said smiling widely.
"Glad to know." He put out his right hand for her to take which she obviously did and he took her towards the table and just like a gentleman pulled out a chair for her to sit then sat opposite her.
"So what is this about?" Adina asked again as soon as they both settled down.
"First let's have our dinner then we'll go by the lake to see the stars, only if you want.."
"I would love to", she was constantly grinning like a fool. She had to admit this Aiden was her favourite so far. He was smiling, grinning, a sweet-talker, teasing, very boyish, handsome no doubt there and just so loving. She wanted this moment to never end.
After having dinner with small talks and laughs in-between they both got up and Aiden guided her towards the lake. As they reached the clearing Adina let go of his hand and ran closer to the lake "Wow! this is so beautiful", she exclaimed looking at the starry sky. The lake impersonated a mirror, reflecting the beautiful night sky. She was admiring the view when Aiden came and stood beside her. He looked at the sky and took her hand in his intertwining their fingers and gave it a light squeeze. She looked sideways at Aiden and smiled shyly looking at their intertwined hands and gave him a squeeze in return then looked back up again at the sky.
They stayed there like that in complete silence for sometime until Adina sensed him taking a deep breath and letting it go before he said,"You know, I'm not very good with words." She looked at him but he was resolutely looking at the sky. Adina turned herself sideways to get a better look at him. As their hands were still intertwined, it made Aiden to also turn towards Adina and look straight in her big hazel eyes. He also took her other hand in his before continuing,"I can't say for sure that I'll always be able to protect you but yes, I can promise you to do my very best to. I might have a slight idea about how you feel and I'm pretty damn sure that Ian must've told you about my feelings. He can never shut up about these kinda things." He smiled and shook his head looking at their clasped hands.
He looked back up again and continued,"I'm just gonna confirm those things he said." Adina's heart thumped loudly in her chest like it was threatening to come out any moment. Blood rapidly rushed to her cheeks making her look like a beet root. Her pupils dilated and her eyes widened. She started sweating nervously and gulped down the lump she didn't know had formed. 'This it it',she thought. "Yes Adina, I do like you... more than just friends do. I'm sure you are not ready to her what I really have to say but I can wait. I'll tell you that when the right time comes." He was actually right. She wasn't ready for the 'love' word yet. He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for getting jealous over Ian" This was news to Adina. She didn't know he was jealous of Ian but now that she knew all things started making sense as to why he used to get angry and slam the door in their faces before walking out of the room with gritted teeth."You see.. I'm just very possessive. You'll have to deal with that side of me. I'm a very difficult person to deal with, totally opposite of what Ian is." She was smiling internally at his words. He was being completely honest with her and she was only too happy to hear it and help him with it. "I get angry over smallest of things. I get irritated really very fast. I have many shortcomings but for you, I'm willing to try to become a better version of myself. You came in my life and unknowingly filled it with so many emotions that I never thought I would ever get to explore and experience but now I want to... holding your hand, with you by my side. I've done mistakes in the past... some pretty terrible ones which I'm not very proud of. I'm not the perfect man. I tried to run away from all these feelings for so long.. until now... I want to embrace them now, will you help me with it? I'm ready for whatever the future will bring... I'll face it all, if only I have you by my side. I'm not the ideal type of boyfriend that you might've pictured. Heck! I've many flaws but still I'm willing to try to become that ideal one for you. Will you give me a chance Adina? veux-tu être ma petite amie (will you be my girlfriend)?"
Adina's face paled but when he spoke French, shivers ran down her body and she blushed red, "Y-yes. I'll give you a chance Aiden." He broke into a big smile and hugged her tightly. Adina hugged him back and buried her flushed face in his chest. They stood like that for ages, inhaling each other's scents, enjoying the other's proximity and just forgetting about the world. It was a new, forest start for them and they were ready for it.
After what seemed like hours, they finally broke the hug. Adina was smiling shyly while Aiden was grinning. His eyes flickered to her lips for a brief moment and then back to staring at her eyes. She noticed it and blushed yet again. "Can I ?" Aiden asked in a slow, measured tone. He was not gonna do anything to make her uncomfortable. Adina looked down at the question and slowly nodded. "Mignonne (cute)", she heard him say and looked back up just to be met with a soft pair of lips on her's. It was not her first kiss but she could definitely say it was the best one she had. They both lost themselves in the kiss. They slowly moved along their lips matching the other's pace. It was just a pure kiss on the lips, no tongue involved and it was full of love.
Aiden got this sudden urge to taste her, to feed on her so he immediately pulled back which made Adina open her eyes in confusion. He took a few deep breaths, controlling himself then smiled at her which she gladly returned. Aiden's hands were tightly wrapped around her waist while Adina's were in his hair which had now travelled to his chest when he broke the kiss and stayed there.
She very gently caressed his cheeks and asked, concern laced in her voice,"Everything fine?" He just smiled and nodded reassuringly. He had promised to protect her, even from himself and he had no intention on backing away from his words. He said he'll try his best and he was determined to do so.
He grabbed her hand giving a kiss on her knuckles and pulled her behind him towards the table saying,"Let's have our desserts then we'll get you home." She giggled and let him drag her.
As they were making the way towards the car a cold breeze blew making Adina shiver a bit. Winter was on its way do now the evenings we're getting chilly. Aiden took off his coat and draped it around her shoulders. She smiled greatfully at him while he kissed her forehead lovingly. 'And he said, he's not an ideal boyfriend', Adina thought while blushing and shaking her head in disapproval. The reality of the situation the hit her. 'He is my boyfriend. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! who must've thought that THE AIDEN SIMMONS was gonna be MY boyfriend.' She squealed in delight at that thought which made Aiden look at her quizzically. She laughed in embarrassment and looked out of the window at the view passing by. 'I just embarrassed myself. God! I'm a mess', she thought and pouted. Aiden shook his head at his girlfriend's weird behaviour while a smile tugged on his lips. He was so in love with this girl. With a smile on their faces they drove back home.