Kazia
Aidan's hand wraps around my waist as we both walk down the stairs. I've noticed he's been a little more touchy since the kiss last night. It's kind of comforting to feel his fingers lingering on my body longer than before.
"Congratulations on soiling the family's name," I hear Olivia's voice, coming from the dining room as I take the last step down to the living room.
She strides toward me, shoving an envelope into my hands. "A letter for you. I mistakenly read its contents; I hope you don't mind," she says with a scornful smirk, her eyes flashing as she exits the room.
Aidan takes the letter from my hand, glancing at the contents. I notice a slight smirk playing on his lips, amusement flashing in his eyes as he reads. I quickly reach for it, curious. Of course, it's from Tyson, filing a lawsuit against me. But why does Aidan find this funny?
He pulls me close, his hand firm on my waist, guiding me out of the house. "Don't worry about it," "I told you to trust me, remember?" He signs.
My heart flutters with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I'm putting my faith in him, betting everything I have on Aidan. Please don't disappoint me.
As we head toward the car, my father-in-law suddenly appears, looking as imposing as ever. I wonder where he's been this early in the morning.
"Father," I greet him warmly, stepping forward to give him a hug, but his bodyguards block me.
"Let her," he says, waving a hand to dismiss the guard who stopped me. He steps forward, embracing me lightly.
"If you hadn't seen me here, would you not have come to greet me?" he says with a look of disappointment. "You and Aidan have been avoiding the rest of us."
"It's not like that, Father," I respond, trying to hide the awkwardness. "Aidan and I have just been… busy." It's only a partial lie.
"Too busy to have breakfast and dinner with the family?" His eyes search my face, and I'm not sure how to answer. This moment feels more uncomfortable than I expected.
"At least I'm glad my son finally has someone he can be with," he says with a sigh, glancing at Aidan, almost as if he's hoping for a response. But Aidan just stares off, avoiding his father's gaze.
I know Aidan harbors resentment. After all, his father's infidelity and the scandal surrounding it were no secret. Rumors even circulated that his father's mistress was somehow involved in a tragic incident that affected their family deeply.
"If you're ever interested in working at the company, let me know," his father says, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'll arrange a position for you."
My heart races. Working at Armani, even if it's in mobile and computer devices while I'm more used to electronics, I would be more than happy to work with them. Gratis, my family's company, deals primarily in home appliances, but I'm sure I could adapt. They've collaborated before.
I stifle a squeal of excitement, mentally adding it to my list of future plans—if I can get through my current mess.
I hesitate, considering telling him about the lawsuit. I know he could likely help me, but Aidan told me to trust him. I don't want to seem ungrateful, or make it seem like I doubt him. I'll hold back for now and hope I made the right decision.
As Aidan and I stand off to the side, his bodyguards conduct a thorough security check of the car. I'm used to this process, but it still feels surreal watching different teams scrutinize every inch of the vehicle. This routine has been like this after the incident fifteen years ago, and I can't blame Aidan for his vigilance.
"Clear, sir!" one of the guards announces, finally allowing us to get into the car.
The ride is peaceful, yet intense. Aidan hasn't taken his eyes off me since we left. His gaze feels almost invasive, and I shift uncomfortably, wondering if something's on my face.
"Stop staring at me like that, you creep," I mutter, my voice low. I'm almost sure he heard me, but he doesn't react, only offering a faint smile.
We've been on the road for a while when I realize we're heading in the direction of Jules and Leo's place. I thought we were going shopping?
When we pull up at their apartment, Jules is already waiting by the gate, practically bouncing on her feet. She hurries to my side of the car, flinging the door open before the chauffeur can.
"Kazia!" she squeals, sliding in next to me without hesitation. Her excitement is contagious, and I can't help but smile.
"I'm so proud of you, my girl," she says, giving me a big squeeze and ignoring Aidan's presence in the car completely. I scoot closer to Aidan, making room for her in the back seat. Although the front seat is free, none of us seems inclined to sit there, and honestly, I like the feel of Aidan's thigh touching mine.
"So," she says, winking, "do I need to ask how yesterday went? Spill the tea, darling."
I blush, caught off guard. "Well, we… we only kissed. Nothing more," I say, lowering my voice.
She gasps. "Why?"
"I don't know. I guess we're not ready to… advance yet," I admit, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Not ready?" She raises an eyebrow, grinning. "Do you not want it?"
I look away. "I do, but… should I just come out and say that?"
"You don't have to tell him outright," she says, laughing. "You seduce him! He's your husband, Kazia. If you want something, go for it. Unless, of course, he's unwilling…" Her teasing tone makes my cheeks flush.
I shake my head. "What if he is? What if he doesn't want that yet?"
She snorts. "Trust me, Kazia, from the way he was moaning last night, he's probably more than willing." She teases and my face flush in embarrassment, I don't like the joke. I should be the only one to ever hear him make such sounds.
"When we get to the mall, we're getting some lingerie. Something that'll make his jaw drop," she says with a wink. "Consider it a little encouragement."
I laugh, rolling my eyes. "I am not buying lingerie."
"Oh, don't worry, your husband will pay for it. We just won't let him know what he's paying for," she whispers mischievously.
"No," I protest, dismissing the idea. "I don't want to spend his money on… that."
She frowns. "And why not?"
"He didn't explicitly say I could spend his money, and I don't want to cross any boundaries," I explain, feeling oddly defensive.
"Kazia, he's your husband! He'd probably be delighted if you spend his money, especially on something like this," she argues, a glint of determination in her eyes.
I hesitate, caught between excitement and my sense of propriety. "I don't know…"
"Fine, if you won't do it, I'll spend his money on your behalf," she says, grinning. "And I won't hold back!"
I laugh, unable to resist her energy. Spending my husband's money feels strange, but there's a tiny thrill in it that I can't deny. As we pull up to the mall, I glance over at Aidan, hoping he doesn't suspect anything.