3 years later~
In these three years many things changed. Aiden had shut himself off from everybody. As he had said he didn't forgive Michelle. Even when she tried talking or apologising, he didn't reply and mostly left the room as soon as she entered. He spend all his time in either work or alone. He avoided everybody's company, even Ian's who never gave up on trying. He even detached himself from his parents. If he was not an introvert enough previously, he sure was now.
As for David, he was warned by Aiden to stay away from him which he did. Aiden had forgotten to smile. Its like he didn't know what happiness was anymore. He had built walls around himself big and stong enough to not be breached by anyone. He preferred to be alone. He went on hunts alone, went on business trips alone, worked in his study alone, worked in his office alone.
There was only one person he had not shut out fully and that was Ian but it wasn't like he had opened up to him either. He didn't talk but did listen to what Ian had to say. He didn't ignore him or mostly he tried not to. He knew deep down that Ian could feel the pain he suffered from. He just didn't have enough strength or will to open up to him.
There was one thing that did remain unchanged or more like Aiden didn't let it change and that was Adina's room. It stayed just the way she had left it. Nobody was allowed to touch anything or enter the room. He had locked the door and kept the key with himself 24×7.
About Krystal, she did call a few times but Ian didn't answer and one day he decided to let her know. He picked up her call and pretended to be a friend of Adina and told her that she died in an accident. Krystal broke down on the other side while Ian cut the call. She tried calling again but Ian didn't answer and then after a few months she stopped calling.
The major change was that Aiden decided to appear publically and break the secracy thing. It was hard at first but with time he got used to it, got used to the crowd. He took this step because somewhere he did blame himself for her death. There was one thing he always held on to, that was Adina's bracelet. He kept it with himself all the time scared that if he lost it he will loose the want to live, the memories he had, the part of Adina which he believed to be still with him ...he will loose his life.
He drowned himself in work, not caring about anything and anyone. It wasn't healthy but it was the only coping mechanism for Aiden at the time. Once every week he went to visit Adina's grave and talk to it like Adina was there listening to him or sometimes he just sat there in silence. He didn't try to move on neither did he want to. According to him he deserved the pain.
Current time~
Aiden was in the car on the way to his office after giving an interview about their new deal with other big corporations in the area. His phone rang and someone an the other side informed him about the meeting. He replied,"Tell them to wait in the conference room. I'll be there in five." With that he cut the call and didn't wait for a reply.
After parking the car he took the elevator and reached the desired floor. Everyone bowed to him as he strode his way to the conference room. He didn't even spare them a glance but before opening the door he put his hand in his pockets and grasped on Adina's bracelet tightly taking in a deep breath then entered.
The meeting went on for two hours and when everyone was leaving somebody called Aiden,"Mr. Simmons, a minute please?" He turned around to face the man and said," Yes Mr. Davies?"
"I wanted to have a quick word with you related to our project before I leave for my company",the man said.
"Surely Joe. In my cabin?" Aiden asked. The man, Joe, nodded enthusiastically and followed Aiden. "So, what is it Joe?" Aiden asked as soon as he settled down behind his desk and offered Joe a seat who sat opposite him.
"I needed a favour from you Aiden. I hope you will agree on it. We have been partners since long back in time and please take that in account when I make my request."
"Certainly", Aiden replied curtly.
"In this new project I want my daughter, Marlee, to take the lead from our side and I'm sure if she'll work under you she'll get so much to learn. It will be her first big project but she's very ambitious and I know she'll not disappoint you. So, will you.....?" Joe asked with a questioning and a little bit pleading look.
"I have no reason not to. As long as she does her work and follow the instructions given to her I have no problem. You and your family have been trusted people in my family so don't worry much. You can send her here from tomorrow", Aiden said while picking up a file kept on his table and turning the pages over.
"Thank you Aiden", Joe said with a genuine smile while getting up from his chair.
Aiden just nodded his head and without sparing him a glance said, "Its my pleasure." Joe left the office taking his cue and Aiden immersed himself in work until it started turning dark outside. Aiden sighed finishing reading one of the files and looked at the four or five files which were still left. He looked at the files for some minutes then stood and left for home.
Next morning~
Aiden was getting ready for office, standing in front of the dressing mirror. He hadn't gone for hunt in a while and the effect was prominent on his face. He took up his phone and dialled a number then put it on speaker while he buttoned up his shirt.
A male voice answered from the other side, "Good morning Mr. Simmons. What is it I can help you with?"
"What's on today's schedule Mr.Smith?"
"Oh! There's a meeting with Feng corporation at 11 then there is a board meeting to discuss the new project at 3. Other than that your schedule is cleared for today."
"Hmm. What happened to the meeting with the Harrisons about the new project they said they wanted to discuss?" Aiden asked while fastening his cuffinks.
"They rescheduled the meeting just this morning. Said, they'll notify us the next date."
"Ok then."
But before he could cut the call Mr. Smith, Aiden's secratary, said,"Also... the other Mr. Simmons is returning today. Will you be going to recieve him at the airport?"
There was silence for about a minute or two after which Aiden asked,"What time?"
"8 in the evening."
"I'm busy. Send a car."
"Sure sir. Have a good day!" He hung up the call.
"Good day!" Aiden said under his breath and scoffed, putting on the coat.
At around 9:30, Aiden was finishing off yesterday's files when he heard shuffling outside his office then a knock on his door. He continued to concentrate on the file and said,"Come in" in a cold voice. An unfamiliar scent hit his senses, making him look up at the person who just entered his office. The smell was of freshly mowed grass filling you with life, energy and happiness.
There stood a beautiful woman beside his secratary. Her eyes were such a vibrant blue, full of compassion, hair as black as raven and skin, fair. She had a fairly good height. She bowed down to him and smiled sweetly.
In return Aiden gave her a nod and looked at his secretary with an eyebrow raised. He said,"Mr. Simmons, Ms. Davies here told me that her father had told you about her arrival earlier so she's here."
"Oh! please have a seat Ms. Davies. Just a moment. Thank you Mr. Smith. You may go back to your work." Aiden motioned her to take a seat in front of him which she did and his secretary went out.
Aiden held up the reciever of his office telephone and pressed a number. He said on the phone,"Noah, have a desk ready in your department right now and come to my office." He put the reciever down and again immeresed himself in the files.
Marlee was sitting across him, fidgeting with the hem of the pencil skirt she was wearing with a shirt. She didn't know what to say or do so she just sat there silently until some guy entered Aiden's office
"Noah, Ms. Davies here is gonna start working in our company on behalf of her company's project lead. I'm placing her under your care. Take care of her and report me about her wok." The man nodded and Aiden turned to Marlee and said,"Ms. Davies you are going to work under him. Get familiar with the office and people here and if you have any problems you can report to Noah. Am I clear?"
She answered hesitantly,"Uh ....yes sir.." She had such sweet voice that for a split moment Aiden got distracted.
"You may leave now. I hope you work diligently and make your father proud." She bowed once again and said,"Sure sir and Thank you."
Aiden dismissed them with a wave of his hand and concentrated back on his work. He clenched the bracelet in his coat pocket and thought 'Why am I getting this weird feeling? Is something gonna happen?'
As soon as Marlee left his office she muttered under her breath,"Cold Ass."
Noah turned to look at her,"Did you say something Ms. Davies?"
"Oh! No no... and please just call me Marlee or Lee is fine too."
"Sure Marlee. Come on then. Your desk is ready. I'll introduce you to everyone" and she followd him without another word. What the future had in store for them? Nobody knew.