Off to war!
Her father had a habit of dressing impeccably and smiling through everything. There was a time when he was hurt badly. He couldn't even get out of bed. But he had to attend a peace meeting with a rival. Her father wore his best suit even though it was uncomfortable.
Back then, she used to go with her father everywhere. She was his shadow. Worried for her father, she asked him why he must force himself for the sake of others when everyone knew how powerful he was.
'Clothes make a man, Bambina,' he ruffled her hair. He always had the sweetest smile for her. 'They all know I am hurt. Even if they didn't, my smile is my biggest offense. They will see my smile and know that nothing can break me. And that will create fear in their heart. They will piss their pants,' he chuckled. 'You want my enemies to piss their pants, don't you, Bambina?'
She took his advice to her heart. Too bad she didn't follow it after she left her family home. But her father knew life. It took her pain to learn that.
Yes, she was hurt badly by Aiden. Maybe, she still was not above the damages he caused her.
But she will not show it to him. She didn't want to prove anything to him. She didn't care for him anymore. But she didn't want him to give him the satisfaction that he affected her in any way.
"I am fine, Aiden," she smiled clutching her coat.
She forgot the pain of the open wound in her stomach. His deep-set eyes almost turned into a line. He looked sharp as always. He must have gotten a pretty good raise to wear an expensive brand of suit.
Black surely is his color. It brings out his heart.
"It has been a while. How did you find me?" she asked.
After she broke up with him three years ago, she tried her best to not cross paths with Aiden. But he found her near her residence. She was not going to trust everyone.
"You do not sound happy to see me," Aiden smiled.
His smile was lopsided and stiff, just like his strictly coiffed hair. The downwind failed to move the hardened hair that reflected his heart but brought the overpowering scent of his expensive branded cologne. It nauseated her.
"Do I?" She chuckled. "Of course, not."
You know! But you are going to ignore it until you get what you want.
"Oh, Ella…" Aiden's eyes warmed up. He reached for her cheek. "My beautiful doe…"
Marcella clenched her jaws and her eyes turned distant. She did not appreciate him trying to take advantage of the good times they had in the past.
He was the only one who used such a feminine nickname for her. She had no problem being feminine after being raised like a boy. She even loved it. It took her long to realize that Aiden was not turning her "feminine". He was making her submissive. The worst part, he did that not out of love but for his own gain.
Aiden sighed seeing her distant eyes. His conceited smile disappeared for a moment before returning.
"You hurt me when you said all those…" he choked, and a layer of mist formed in his eyes. In the past, her heart would have melted seeing the tears in his eyes. She wasted another year of her life with him for his crocodile tears.
But no more. She looked away to see if Tony had returned. She could hear Aiden cracking his knuckles. Of course, he got mad she didn't listen to him.
When she looked a Aiden again, he wiped his forehead bowing his head.
"Abusive…" he rubbed his nose. "You made it seem like… I never hurt a single hair on your head. But you…"
"Are you running for congress, Aiden? Or for the senate?" She asked. "Don't worry. I won't talk to the press about you."
Why else would he find her now?
"You think you're smart, Ella?" Aiden raised his voice. "I don't need your f*cking~" He stopped seeing Marcella smile.
This time, Marcella smiled from her heart.
Here comes the real Aiden!
"Of course, Aiden. You do not need anything of Don DeAngelo's daughter to succeed. Except when you do," she scoffed and walked to her building.
"I miss you, Ella. I came to say that I miss you!" Aiden shouted.
Marcella did not look back. Like a majestic war steed that only knows to move forward, she walked into her building.
"Do not let him in, Mr. Williams," she told the building security.
She did not want Aiden to follow her in.
"Marcella!"
She almost got inside the elevator when she heard the familiar voice.
"Tony! I'm coming…" She walked to the entrance. She felt guilty for forgetting him.
"You forgot these," Tony held out her purse and her gift bag.
Yeah, I forgot these too.
She smiled seeing Tony standing by the door. Mr. Williams held the door open for him seeing Marcella interacting with Tony. Even then, Tony did not step inside and waited for her to walk to him.
She didn't see Aiden anywhere. She got her purse and the gift bag from Tony.
Tony held the plastic bag near his face. She could see first aid products in the bag. He had a pretty smile that made her heart skip a beat as he shook the bag.
"I may not be a doctor, but I was told I resemble that guy who plays one on TV," he said with a cheeky smile. "I can help you…"
Marcella folded her hands over her chest. She couldn't control her smile.
Why is he this cute?