The next few days went good except for when Adina fell ill and both the brothers were worried about her and took extra care of her. Also, they were still working on Aiden's possessive ass to no avail. Once Adina had calmed him down, things would go smoothly but the second he saw Ian and her close, he would loose his calm that very instant. He did try not to show it to Ian or Adina but Ian was his twin brother so nothing was really hidden from him. Once or twice Aiden was so agitated that he wanted to mate with Adina but she denied saying it was not the right time and they needed to work on their relationship first. This only made Aiden more angry but he of course respected her decision. He wouldn't do anything which he might regret later or which could make Adina hate him forever.
One particular evening Ian approached Adina with a big bright smile on his face while she was busy reading a book on human psychology. As soon as she saw him she put the book down and faced him, returning back the smile,"What brings you here Ian?"
"I had a favour to ask."
"Sure. What is it?"
"A business client cum friend of mine is getting hitched tomorrow. He's one of the close human friends of mine. Of course he doesn't know about me and when I and Aiden refused for any kinda public appearances he supported and respected our decision. So, as I was saying, he's getting married tomorrow and he invited me and Aiden too though he refused to attend. Would you like to be my plus one and accompany me to the function? It'll be a nice change for you. What say?" He graciously put his right hand out for her to take and his left hand behind his waist and bent a little.
Adina giggled at his dramatics and was about to place her hand in his and say yes but got interrupted by a voice that came from the doorway. "She won't", Aiden stood there and said sternly. His face was impassive, devoid of any kind of emotions. He looked at the two of them and then made his way inside her room. Ian stood straight back up after hearing his voice and turned to face his brother. Adina knew what was coming but again before she could say anything Ian interjected in between.
"And why is that? Look Aiden, I get it. You don't wanna go then don't but you can't keep her caged here forever. Let her go out and meet people and Sam is my friend and out business partner too."
"I'm not keeping her caged",Aiden said frowning then looked at Adina who just stood there dumbly beside Ian staring at the two brothers. He pulled her towards him by her arm and made her stand beside himself pulling her closer by her waist. She blushed but obliged anyway. "Also, for your kind information I'm going to attend the wedding ceremony." He then looked sideways at Adina and kissed her forehead. Tightening his grip around her waist, he said,"And she'll go with ME as MY girlfriend."
"Oh! well... that's great then. Good that you changed your mind." Ian commented looking at the couple smiling sheepishly.
Aiden hummed nodding his head but his gaze was fixed on Adina. Ian took it as his cue to leave and winked in Adina's direction who blushed tomato red trying to not get intimidated by the constant stare of her boyfriend.
As soon as the door closed behind Ian, Aiden made her look at him straight in the eyes and asked,"Were you really going to say yes?"
"Uhm.. as a friend... "Aiden sighed at her words and she continued,"Also, did you forget I still work for him? I'll have to do what he tells me to."
Aiden pouted sulkily saying,"I wish you worked for me rather than him."
Adina giggled and pecked his pouty lips. She loved these small moments where Aiden acted like a small kid and she was glad only she got to see the sight."Ian said you refused the invitation then how come you change your mind so quickly?"
"I couldn't let him take you away from me. I hate socializing but I'll bear it if it means I get to be the one to escort you."
She smiled sympathetically at her jealous and insecure boyfie and caressed his cheeks saying,"Nobody is gonna take me away from you, I love you and only you, okay?" Aiden gave a boyish grin which made her heart skip a beat and still gave butterflies in her stomach.
"I love you too." He dipped down a little and kissed her full on the lips to which she happily answered. Their moment got interrupted by Adina's phone. He grumbled under his breath which made her chuckle. She gave a quick peck on the tip of his nose before picking up her phone from bed where it was lying to see who it was.
"It's Krystal. You should go now. We'll talk later, okay", she said pushing him towards the door.
"This is so not done. She ruined such a beautiful moment and I'm the one being pushed out of the room... Why? I should rather throw your phone out the windows", Aiden whined cutely while getting dragged by her out of the room.
"Yaaaahhhh... Go... NOW", she said faking a glare and trying not to laugh at her whiny boyfriend. "Hey Kristie. How are you?"
"Good. Really good. You?" She sounded cheerful.
"Am great. Can I know the reason behind your immense happiness?"
"I- w-well-..."
"Wait, are you stuttering? OH MY GOD! I never thought I'll live to see this day. Who is it? Who's the guy? TELL ME."
"Huh? How do you know?"
"I am your best friend duh! Now tell me who is it?" Excitement laced in her voice knowing that someone was finally able to woo her best friend. "I want every detail... everything.. from the starting till date. Spill. Now."
"Well- I got my promotion a few days back..."
"OmO congratulations girl! You truly deserve it", Adina cut her in between.
"Thanks but lemme continue, okay?" Exasperation was clear in her voice.
Adina chuckled and said,"Okay, okay. Continue."
"So yes as I was saying, I got my promotion and I might've forgot to tell you this but a handsome guy was recruited at your place a month after you resigned. His name is Carew. He was an annoying brat when he joined ... not literally though. I got annoyed because whenever I tried to talk to him he wouldn't bother answering and you know I get irritated when someone doesn't answer me. I was just trying to befriend that newbie but he just- aahh!" She got frustrated making Adina laugh. "Don't laugh. Anyway, so yeah things were like that for a few weeks then I got tired of trying and just let him be. That introverted ass had it coming I tell you... humph!! But the day I got my promotion things changed..."
She stopped, making Adina irritated. "And then?" She urged Krystal to speak .
"You know how some seniors are here. They bullied me but guess who came to my rescue and spoke up for me?" Krystal giggled.
"Your introverted ass?"
"Yaah... only I'm allowed to call him that." Adina laughed heartily. "I was gonna make some rude and nasty remarks to them but before that he came and told them off. I was left stunned. He never talked to me and there he was defending me, telling them to back off and leave me alone. After that I thanked him and then afterwards we became good friends. Today, when we got off work we decided to go for dinner where he proposed me."
"Tell me you said yes." She enquired.
"Of course I did!"
"Woohoooo!! My bestie got a boyfieeee... I'm so so so happy for you. I'll be the maid of honour, you listening?"
"Slow down, I'm not getting married", Krystal laughed.
"You soon will... Krystal weds Carew... Niiiccceee...",she teased.
"Shut up. When are you getting a boyfriend?"
Adina's smile fell. She wanted to tell her but now was not the right time. She had no idea what and how to tell her so she kept mum. "When I'll find the right one..."
"I hope you'll meet him soon."
She smiled saying,"Anyways, send me a pic of yours with Carew, I gotta see how your potential future husband looks like."
Krystal laughed and shook her head at the other side of the line knowing well that Adina won't stop with the marriage and husband thing anytime soon. "Sure wait up."
They both talked for a while but then Adina saw that her mom was calling her. She said,"Krystal, let's talk later. Mum is calling."
"Sure. Bye. Love you."
"Love you too and again congratulations." She hung up and picked her mother's call. "Hello mommy!"
"Hello darling. Did I disturb you?"
"No mum. I was just talking to Krystal but what happened, You sound tensed. All okay? Is dad fine?"
"Ah! yes yes. Everything's fine. I just wanted to hear your voice and .... I had to tell you something."
"Yep?"
"Your dad..." Adina tensed,"the doctors are gonna shift him to a bigger hospital."
"Why? What happened?"
"No. Nothing. Nothing happened. They just said his recovery rate might get better if he gets better treatment which cannot be provided in this hospital."
After listening to her she relaxed and let out a sigh,"Oh mom! You had me worried. It's okay and the doctors must be saying this for dad's betterment only. Don't worry about the money, okay? I'll send it to you. He'll get better soon. Also, you should take rest and stop worrying."
Her mother smiled sadly while a stray tear escaped her eyes. She didn't wanna lie to Adina but she didn't wanna worry her either. Her father's condition was deteriorating by the day so they had to shift him as soon as possible to give him quick and better treatment. "Yes sweetie. I'll take care of myself and you do too. Don't overwork, okay?" She smiled wiping away her tears.
"Okay maa. You too."
"I love you sweetheart."
"Love you too maa. Bye. Take care." She hung up the call and saw a notification from Aiden.
Aiden❤️: Are you done???
Adina: Just now. What happened?
Aiden❤️: Nothing in particular....
Adina: Spill🤨
Aiden❤️: I don't know why but I feel a bit uneasy.
If you don't mind...
Can I come over to yours?
Adina:Sure...
A minute later they both were sitting on the bed, facing each other. She took his hands in hers, softly caressing it, then spoke,"Why do you feel uneasy Aiden? Talk to me...."
"I don't know ... I feel something is gonna happen.... something bad", he said with short gaps in between. He looked down at their hands, his eyes blank. She said nothing but engulfed him in a hug which he was glad for. He snuggled his arms tightly around her while she played with his hair. He softly kissed the crook of her neck and buried his face there, inhaling her scent which as usual calmed his nerves. A soft giggle left her lips as she felt the kiss on her neck but at the same time a shiver ran down her spine at the touch.
She hugged him more tightly if it was even possible and said,"Just come to me whenever you want. I'll be here for you." He smiled and snuggled more in her embrace.
Minutes later he broke the hug and said while looking straight in her eyes,"Can I stay and cuddle you till sleep?"
She couldn't deny him after seeing those beautiful green eyes which still had some lingering worried and uneasy feelings. She smiled and pecked his lips before saying yes.
Aiden felt like it was merely the calm before a storm. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was about to go down. He pulled her close into his chest, caressed her back and gave a kiss on her forehead. "I'll always protect you", he mumbled softly in her hair as Adina had already drifted off to sleep. Many efforts later Aiden closed his eyes and went to his dreamland.
Aiden's fears were right. It really was the calm before a storm which was gonna wreck their lives in a way that it was gonna be very hard to fix it. All his fears were for the right reason and he felt so uneasy because he was the one who was gonna be the most affected by this storm. Who knew just a day could change their lives so drastically. Nothing was gonna be the same after that day.