"Mr. Fletcher, do you really don't want me to look into that woman's background?" Robert asked for the second time.
It's been ten minutes and Aiden is still staring at his mobile screen, his eyes a little red, filled with unfathomable emotions.
Robert has never seen Aiden in this state. So, it really confused him.
"I already told you that it's not needed," Aiden firmly answered. Leaving no room for negotiation.
"And, I want to drive by myself," he added.
Getting the meaning behind it, Robert alighted the car. He didn't dare to make Aiden's mood any worse. The consequences will be horrifying otherwise.
After Robert left the car, Aiden took the driver's seat and started to drive aimlessly.
Although his eyes seem focused on the road, his mind is busy wandering somewhere else.
He is totally disturbed.
Seeing his ex-girlfriend here, that too, after these many years made him very disturbed.
His poor heart couldn't help but walk down the memory lane.
So many sweet memories and at the same time, many bitter or sad memories flooded back.
She is his first love and the last love as well.
Although it's been years, the heartbreak is still fresh and painful. Seeing her here only made it worse.
The dam he has built around his vulnerable heart started to crack slowly, filling him with mixed, bitter sweet emotions.
Seeing her made him happy and at the same time it reminded him of all those painful and sleepless nights he had.
"What is she doing here?" he asked himself. His grip on the steering made his knuckles white as a sheet but that pain is negligible compared to the tumult in his heart.
"And, how could Anna be friends with Danvers' family?" he muttered.
He closed his eyes and tapped his head against the headrest. With one of his hands on the steering, he patted his heart which was drumming painfully against his ribs.
In the midst of his thoughts, his mind totally in a mess and his heart totally disturbed with all the memories flashing back, he failed to notice a danger sign on the road.
And, by the time he realized, it was totally late. The only thing he could do is to veer off course and drive into the trees on the other side of the road.
Because of the speed, his car flipped and stopped only after hitting the tree.
As the car was an expensive one with all the features installed, he didn't have any major injuries.
"Shit!" he hissed, kicking the door. One of his ankles started to hurt and he could only infer that it got sprained.
"It hasn't even been a few hours she came into my life again and she already started playing with my heart" he muttered as he slowly crawled out of the car.
However, he hissed with pain when he tried to move his right hand.
"It should have gotten fractured," he cursed, when he noticed his hand.
He tried to stand up but stumbled back on to the ground. He could only bitterly chuckle before giving a call to his subordinate.
….
Meanwhile..
After Anna alighted from her brother's car, she sat down on the stone nearby.
The place was deserted with only a few people here and there. So, she took off her scarf and rested her chin on her palm, staring into the horizon.
"Aiden is related to my family?" she asked herself.
"I never thought" she chuckled bitterly as a tear rolled down her cheek.
She has been living with their happy memories as her only companion all these years.
Now, looking at him made her remember the bitter memories she owed not to remember again.
This encounter has totally disturbed her.
She had to act indifferent and normal in front of Mia and Kyle. So, she suppressed her emotions till now.
As she couldn't hide them anymore, she alighted the car abruptly, to have some private time.
"God, why are you making it difficult for me?" Anna thought, pursing her lips as she closed her eyes.
She is already stressed after finding out that there are chances that her grandparents' death is planned.
Her heart is already heavy with the concern and responsibilities of looking after her younger brother, protecting him. She is more than capable of doing so but if her grandparent's death is really a planned assasination, Kyle and Ria are the next in line.
Now, meeting Aiden has only reopened the wounds of her broken heart!
Her initial plan was to settle the Danvers matters and return to her normal life but it looks like it is just her wishful thinking.
But meeting Aiden here has awakened the side of her which she was suppressing from a very long time.
Nothing is going as per her plan. She wanted to go back as fast as she can...but
Everything that has been happening is only pulling her more and more away from it.
"Anna…" a man's sudden voice from behind startled her, bringing her back from her thoughts.
By the time Anna could respond, the man was already standing in front of her, shielding her from the blazing sun.
"Your ride is ready" he simply informed, but his eyes are focused on the picture that is being displayed on her phone's screen.
It's Aiden and her picture.
They were happily smiling as they looked at the camera. Their bodies were covered with a black satin blanket and they were sitting near the bonfire on the beach. They looked so carefree and cheerful.
Their eyes are filled with love and affection and their smile was so pure and radiant.