Azalea's pov
I wake up with my head buried in someone's chest.
I don't know how to describe it, but I feel so safe.
And there's also this addicting smell, that I would never forget.
And as I smell this scent I also know who it belongs to.
But I don't wanna leave this save bubble.
I bury my face deeper into his chest and then I feel his arms tightening around me.
"Az?"
"Aiden?"
He chuckles "Hm?"
"Thank you." I whisper. And I am really grateful.
Having Aiden with me wasn't what I expected in a million years but nonetheless I'm grateful he was here.
"You're welcome Az." I smile at him using my nickname.
But my smile immediately falters, as I think about why I am here in the first place.
A look up from Aidens chest to gaze at my mom.
She looks much better than yesterday. I'm glad she's not so pale anymore.
"The doctor was already there. He said she is doing very good, and could go home today already."
"How long was I asleep for?"
"About three hours. I moved us to the other bed."
"Oh." I really don't know what else to say. All this feels so weird. I hope I wasn't drooling all over him in my sleep. God I think I'd jump out of the window.
My stomach chooses this exact very silent moment to grumble and make it known that I should probably eat something.
I cant even remember the last time I ate.
Okay, that might have something to do with the fact that I have something like youth Alzheimer.
At least that's what I tell anyone.
Still, just thinking about a good lasagna makes me drool.
"I'll get us something to eat." Aiden says and I of course accept it.
He can pay for my food every day.
Thats different than paying for my moms healthcare.
I nod and stare at his back as he exits the room.
"Lea baby." I gasp, my mom hasn't called me that since- well since everything went to shit.
I hastily walk over to her "mom? How are you?"
"I'm fine. I'm so sorry my darling. I'm so so sorry you had to see me like this. And I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment as a mother." I take a deep breath trying to process what she just said.
She hasn't been this sane in what feels like forever.
"Mom?" A tear slips out of my eye, without me meaning to.
"Oh baby. Come here."
I walk over and into her arms.
And I have to stop myself from turning into a sobbing mess.
There's nothing that could compete with a loving hug from a mother.
"I missed you."
"I know baby, I know. I hate myself so much for putting you through all of this."
I don't even question her sudden change, too glad to finally have my mom back, even if it's just for a little while.
"Don't say that."
"But it's the truth. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to keep living. I just miss them so damn much. It feels like my heart is shattering all over again when I think of them.
And now I thought I also lost you with the things I put you through."
"You'll never loose me. Do you hear me? We two are forever mom." Now her tears start flowing.
I lay in her arms for a while, just hugging her like my life depends on it and soak up every moment I can get with her.
After a while I wonder where Aiden is. He couldn't take that long to get some food could he?
"Mom?"
"Yes honey?"
"I'll go look for Aiden now."
"If course. I didn't mean to keep you here."
"No, it's completely fine. I just wanna see if he's okay."
"Sure, but after, you have to tell me everything about him. He's quite good looking." I groan and she giggles.
I know none of our problems are really solved but this feels like good start.
While I'm searching for Aiden my phone rings.
"Yes?"
"Azzie? Finally! Why didn't you pick up? I was so worried! First Aiden tells me he couldn't reach you, then suddenly I can't reach Aiden anymore."
"It's okay. I'm fine, all good! I'm sorry I didn't call sooner. I just had a lot on my plate. And Aidens phone died down, so yeah that explains itself. But I think he charged it so you can call him now if you want to."
"Thank god you're fine." I only now notice the music in Theos background. And that reminds me of-
Ohhhh
The party.
I completely forgot. Now everything makes much more sense.
That's why Aiden was noticed me not being home!
He was supposed to pick me up.
"Yeah, that's the morning music after a lit party. I feel really bad for having fun while I didn't know if you were okay."
"It's fine." I look at my phone "I mean, you called me 19 times and send me about a billion messages."
"Okay well, call me if you need anything okay? I'm here for you Az."
"Thank you Theo. I'll update you later."
I hang up and search for Aidens contact but I can't find him.
Huh?
I look at the participants of our little group chat and snort.
Seriously?
He saved his contact under the name 'most beautiful resting face'.
I call him.
"Az?"
"Hey, where are you? You're not still trying to get us some food right? Because I'm pretty sure I'll die if I don't get to eat something soon."
"Mhm sure. You can just tell me how much you miss me. How you can't stand one minute without me by your side."
I roll my eyes "I know you just rolled your eyes at me." I frown. "And please stop frowning." What?
"Hello."
I look up and notice Aiden sitting there.
Oh. Okay. Makes sense.
I look at the bag beside him and pray to whoever's listening that that's our food.
"Stop looking at my food bag, with those psycho puppy eyes, you'll get your food. No worries." He grins and-
How did I never notice him having dimplessss.
Right there is one.
Above his beautiful defined jaw, right next to his left mouth corner.
A little dimple.
I smack myself in my head.
Why the hell am I swooning over a damn dimple.
And again how did I never notice him having it.
Probably because I never saw him smile this genuine. I never really saw him smile at all to be honest.
He probably notices me staring because his smile slowly fades, replaced by a heated look I can't allow myself think about.
I sit down next to him and he gets me a lasagna in a box while he serves himself a burger.
And as soon as I see the lasagna I'm not above worshiping him.
"Thanks." Is what I say instead.
We start eating and it's so damn delicious I could cry.
But if I'll do that he'd probably think I've gone completely insane, and then he'd run out of here as fast as he possibly could.
"How's your mom? Have you guys talked?" I can see how he watches me carefully while asking, because he doesn't wanna overstep any boundaries and I like him even more for it.
"Yes, we did. She's doing okay. I-" I pause hesitating.
"I swear this will stay between us! Please don't ever question that again. I promise you."
I nod "I don't know, how much you know, but she wasn't doing well since, well my sister and then dad." He nods "she kinda became this shell of who she was before everything. And I have no idea what gave her the mind change but she spoke to me earlier. Really spoke to me and it felt so good, I thought I would burst into tears any minute- I'm sorry you-" Aiden puts his fingers on my mouth to shush me
"You really need to stop apologizing. I like listening to you so don't think you're annoying me or anything just as stupid as that." I nod.
He's right nothing was ever my fault.
That's what my therapist told me about a million times after the thing I won't think about.
"And never forget Azalea, it is never your fault."
We finish eating and Aiden brings me to my moms again.
In her room a doctor waits for us, telling us she's good to go.
But I have no idea how, because we got here with the ambulance.
As if reading Reading my thoughts, Aiden speaks up "I'll drive you both home."
I'm so grateful I could kiss him right now.
When we're back at home I have to take a couple deep breaths because I'm not sure if I'm about to have a panic attack.
Breathe in breathe out.
Everything's fine Az.
You're all good.
Aiden notices that something's wrong because he immediately walks towards me and looks at me in concern "are you okay lux mea? Deep breaths okay? I won't leave you don't worry." That does the trick and my breathing turns normal again.
He helps me get everything ready for mom and then he says "come on."
"What?" I stare at him dumbfounded.
"You're staying with me tonight."
I shake my head.
"I can't just leave my-"
"Go honey! I'm fine, please don't let me stop you." I hear mom shouts well-
"Come on now."
I reluctantly agree, grab the most important things and get into Aidens car.
~
I wake up as I feel someone putting me down on something soft.
A cloud maybe?
"Keep sleeping lux mea."
I recognize Aidens voice so I keep sleeping.
~
I wake up alone.
I try to open my eyes and slowly look around.
I don't think I'm in Aidens room.
Is-
I hear someone scream and I immediately get worried.
I take some shirt out if the drawers and walk out of the room.
The only problem is I still have no idea where to go, thanks to Aidens mega mansion.
As I get nearer to the, living area I think, I hear, some more screaming, and I even hear something break.
What the hell is going on?
I open the door and look down at the living room, which is a mess.
As soon as I enter both men freeze.
I look at Aiden checking him to make sure he's okay.
Then I peer over at the other man, who is basically Aidens twin in just older.
Holy shit do they look alike.
"Who the fuck is that?" Aidens obviously father, snaps as he looks me up and down with distaste.
Okay I see what kind of a person he is.
"Azalea, please go back to your room." Aiden asks and I wanna listen, but I also don't want to leave him alone.
I walk closer to them.
"Good morning, mister Torres. I'd love to say it's a pleasure to meet you but that'd be a lie so let's get straight to the point. What do you want from Aiden?" He immediately recovers after his short lived shock and glares at Aiden again.
"Who the hell is this whore? And why does she think she got the right to speak to me like that in my own house?"
I swear I see Aidens gaze darken in some way, don't ask me how.
And I'd be scared if I was his father right now.
"Don't call her that ever again." He states strangely calm. But I notice his tense shoulders and look right through him.
"Or what son?" His father asks in a mocking voice.
"Because otherwise you can get the fuck out." I try to keep quiet.
"You think you can kick me out of my own-"
"We both know that in 3 months it'll be mine anyway."
"You're not worth my time anyway." He snaps then glares at us both for good measure and finally leaves.
After a minute I look at Aiden.
I'm scared he's mad at me but he walks towards me and takes me into his arms.
I breathe out in relief.
I hug him back and burrow my face in his chest.
"I'm really sorry."
"Don't worry. It's not your fault okay? You're not responsible for the things other do."
"Thank you." He mumbles but still won't let go of me.
"Let's make some breakfast." He kisses my head, and I swear to freaking god my heart melts.
It's still so weird but I'd be lying if I said I didn't really like this Aiden.
Aiden makes us a cute little breakfast, for once not prepared by one of his butlers.
"Its really good. You know, we should open a restaurant together, then Theo could be our main customer." I smile "where is he by the way?"
"I don't really know, he just told me I shouldn't worry." I raise an eyebrow.
And Aiden chuckles.
"Maybe he's hooking up with someone."
"Yeah I already thought about this possibility. We'll ask him when he returns." He states.
When we finish breakfast Aiden suggests to watch a movie.
And I'm so glad I remember a special detail again.
"You do know I caught you crying to a cartoon last time right?"
He narrows his eyes at me and I put my hands in the air in frontet me."don't worry I won't tell anyone. As long as I'm not forced to." I giggle an kinda embarrassing giggle but his mouth turns up so it's worth it.
I sit on the couch next to him.
Our arms and thighs touching and I definitely won't be able to concentrate on the movie one bit.
I slightly look up at him, hoping to not be too obvious.
From down here he seriously looks like damn Demi god.
With his straight nose, defined and high cheekbones, his full soft lips (I have to ask him what lip balm he uses because damn) and his dark chestnut locks falling onto his forehead.
"Take a picture, it lasts longer." Of course he had to ruin the moment.
Now I for sure won't tell him what I just thought.
Not that I was doing it anyway.