Around 6p.m. when the office hours were over, Marlee took her leave from her new friends in the office. She had to take a bus home as her father wanted her to experience the difficulties of the normal people so that she develop a better understanding to the world.
Just outside the office building she saw a lady who looked like she was arguing with some guy. That man pushed her and was about to slap her in public. She quickened her pace to help the lady but before she could reach someone held the man's hand and yanked it back making him stumble backwards. It was Aiden. He went close to the guy and said something inaudible to everyone except the man and turned around to leave. The lady bowed to him repeating thank you but he didn't pay her any attention. He caught Marlee's eyes who got startled for a bit and before she could compose herself, he left the scene, sitting in his car which was parked by the roadside.
As soon as he left, Marlee went to the lady's side and helped her sit on a bench while she wept. She tried to console her but her mind was on Aiden. She thought, 'Maybe after all I was wrong. He might not be as bad a person as I percieved him to be. Dad was right, I should stop judging people after only one meeting. Maybe Aiden is not the kind of person who shows many emotions.' She smiled remembering how he came to that lady's rescue and wondered what he might have said to the guy.
On the other side Aiden reached home and without changing, went for a hunt. He really needed to hunt and also he didn't want Ian nagging him about how he hasn't been taking care of himself.
An hour or so later he returned back and retired to his room for a long shower and when he came out of it Ian was standing in his bedroom with a huge smile on his face.
With an annoyed expression Aiden said,"Can I atleast change first? I'll meet you in the dining room." He then walked towards his walk in closet with only a towel wrapped around his waist and yes they now dined in the dining room together as Ian wanted it to be like a bonding time for the brothers but the truth was Ian just didn't want Aiden to be alone longer than necessary.
"Alright, I'll go change and meet you there", saying so Ian left the room .
After a while, at the dining table, both were having their dinner in silence when Ian decided to break it. "My flight was good. Thanks for asking and also the meeting was successful. We got the deal. they'll be coming here the next month." Aiden hummed and didn't say anything. Ian sighed and putting down his fork and spoon looked at this brother with concern,"How are you Aiden? And how has everything been?"
Without looking up Aiden replied, "Good" and contined eating.
Ian looked sadly at this brother but didn't pursue anymore attempts at any conversation and both finished their dinner in silence. When they got up to leave the dining room Ian said,"I have to go on hunt. Wanna join me?"
"I went earlier" and Aiden retired to his study.
Ian tried with no luck to have a normal conversation with him but as it turns out this was how Aiden had been, distant and cold. Ian was just hoping that this facade will soon crack.
Next day 4a.m.
Aiden woke up with a start, sweat dripping down his handsome face while he clutched the sheets on his bed tightly and took deep breaths. A nightmare or more like a terrifying memory woke him yet again in the middle of night. As soon as he had calmed down he slipped out of his bed and left the house.
He made his way to the cemetry where only his family members were buried with one exception, that was , Adina. He sat on the ground in front of her gravestone with his face resting on his knees and his hands wrapped around himself. The epitaph on the headstone was chosen by him. It read:
In Loving Memory of
ADINA LENDL
18Oct. 1993 - 30Nov. 2017
A responsible daughter, a faithful friend
a caring lover and above all
a loving soul.
"You will never be forgotten Mon Amour"
He said while staring directly at the gravestone," bonjour mi Amour (hello my love). I'm back again. Yes, yes... I again had that dream." He talked like there was someone who was replying to him though he was all alone in the graveyard. "Ian is back. That's the only thing new."
He heaved a sigh while closing his eyes then again said with a smile,"You don't worry. I'll take care of myself." He only ever wore the slightest of smiles at these times, a sad one to be clear. He was looking at her headstone but it seemed like he was spacing out,"Three years and the memory still haunts me. I wish things went different. I wish I was not such a dick of a boyfriend so you might still be here in my arms. I wish-". he outstretched his hands and looked at them longingly.
"I failed you. I'm... I'm sorry." He said after a moment while a lone tear made its way down his cheeks. "Forgive me love. forgive me please", he uttered in a small voice barely audible. At that time, wind swept past him and he closed his eyes to feel it. As it was early morning hours the weather was quite chilly and windy. He sat there in silence for God knows how long but he finally stood up when the first hue of the morning coloured the sky. "I'll come again to give you company" and he left.
A few days later~
Aiden was in his office when Ian knocked the door. He told him to come in without looking up. He only acknowledged him when Ian sat himself in a seat infront of his desk
"I just wanted to discuss the Feng Corps. deal. I'll be heading the next meeting. Remember?" Ian said as soon as he saw he had Aiden's attention.
"Alright", Aiden said before they started discussing all that took place in the last two meetings that Aiden had to head in Ian's absence. They were soon interrupted by a knock on the door. It caught both the boy's attention and they looked up to see Marlee poking her head between the double doors.
"May I come in sir?"
Aiden quirked up his left eyebrow and said,"yes."
She went in with a smile and put down a file on his table then said," Noah... ah" she instantly corrected herself then said,"I mean, Mr. Walker sent you this file for review and your signature."
He nodded, picked up the file and skimmed through its pages and said,"As I recall correctly, I didn't appoint YOU his secratary".
She smiled nervously then said,"Stephy was busy with some work so I told her I would deliver you this file as I was free at the moment."
"Then I guess I should tell Noah to fire her and appoint you as his secratary. You seem keen for the job." He looked up at her and continued sternly,"It would be appreciated if you just did your own work Ms. Davies. Your father is an old friend of ours, I expect you to stand upto the expectations that is needed of you. You are dismissed and tell his secretary to collect this file fron me in an hour."
"I- I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again. I promise." She felt hurt at his harsh words but didn't dare say anything that might upset the male more and hastily left the office.
Ian who was silently sitting and observing the scene finally asked Aiden,"Is she Joe's daughter? What is she doing here?" Aiden filled him up on everything and soon summed up their discussion from earlier too.
A while later when Ian was going to make himself coffee in the cafeteria he spotted Marlee and changed his track. He went to her and said,"Can I have a word with you Ms. Davies?"
She looked up from her laptop and stood up saying,"Sure sir. Did I do something wrong?" Nervousness and surprise was quite clear in her voice and also she didn't have had anything to do with Ian Simmons and he wanted to talk to her which made her quite uneasy.
Ian gave a warm smile which helped ease her nerves then said," Oh no nothing. I just wanted to have a word with you. Do you mind accompanying me to the cafeteria if you aren't too busy?" He said the last bit, looking down at her laptop in which she was typing something down.
Marlee warmed up at his gentleness and smiled saying," Not at all."
They made their ways to the cafeteria and started making themselves coffee. they sat down in front of each other in silence with coffee mugs in hand. "So what did you wanna talk about sir?" Marlee finally asked, noticing that she was not quite as nervous anymore.
"Oh, I merely just wanted to apologise for my brother's irrational behaviour earlier. I hope you won't hold him down as a bad person or anything. He realy isn't."
"I know", she replied with a glint in her eyes and a smile playing on her lips.
"You... know?" Ian frowned in confusion.
"He isn't a bad person. Harsh with words sometimes but not bad. You need not worry." She took a sip of her coffee humming at the taste as her insides melt in satisfaction. This indeed surprised as well as confused Ian. He wanted to ask but before he could, she said," He is a very kind hearted person and I admire him for that. Even I judged a book by it's cover but then my opinion changed about him and I learned my lesson. I saw him helping out a lady just outside the office when her... boyfriend I'm guessing.. was about to abuse her in public. I mean he didn't have to step up and help her at all after all it was their personal matter but he chose to do the right thing and stopped the lady from getting humiliated. After that incident I've come to respect him a lot and learned not to judge people without even knowing their stories. I'm sure sir has one too."
Ian was taken aback by the girl. He was surprised yet happy. He smiled and took a sip of his coffee, saying,"Thank you. Thanks for understanding."
"You need not thank me." Marlee smiled in return and they chatted about work for a while until their mugs were empty and then got back to work.
At 6 in the evening when Aiden got off work, he bumped into Ian in the parking lot.
"Do you mind I come with you? Also I have to go meet mom and dad today, maybe you can join us for dinner?" Ian purposely didn't mention Michelle but it wasn't like Aiden didn't know.
"No thanks", Aiden said unlocking his car and opening the door to the driver's seat. "Though I can give you a ride."
Ian sighed and sat in the front passenger seat. As Aiden pulled the car onto the road Ian asked,"How long are you going to avoid her? Come on! at least come for me."
"No."
" I am your brother... please."
"No."
"You know she didn't mean any of that to happen that day. She had no idea of what was going on here or she would've never done what she did. Give her a chance. She regrets the part she played.... please. Talk to me Aiden. I can help."
"Can you let me drive in peace? Or I can drop you off here. Choice is yours." Aiden said with a straight face, eyes on the road.
Ian sighed and didn't pursue that topic anymore. After a long silence he said,"Marlee is a nice girl. Knows her work. You could've been a little polite towards her earlier. She was only trying to help a collegue.
Aiden gritted his teeth then said,"I'm in no mood for a chit-chat so if you please.... " After that Ian didn't say anything for the whole ride back home.