Hailey's POV
I woke up to the warm rays of the morning sun, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The softness of the bed made it hard to get up, but I finally managed to drag myself out of bed. I stretched one last time before heading to the bathroom. As I brushed my teeth, I realized I must have slept in Aiden's arms after our emotional reunion. The last thing I remembered was his warm hug.
After freshening up, I was about to ask Aiden for some skincare products when I spotted a box on the bedside table. I opened it, and my eyes widened in surprise. The box was filled with an array of skincare products, each one carefully selected to cater to a woman's needs.
As I opened the box, a sweet and inviting aroma wafted out, blending the scents of lotions and perfumes into a captivating fragrance reminiscent of freshly picked strawberries. I closed my eyes, allowing the scent to envelop me, and breathed deeply, feeling my senses calm and harmonize with the serene atmosphere.
I was stunned; how did Aiden know exactly what to get?
I quickly had my bath, feeling like a new person. As I wrapped a towel around my chest, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My baby bump was more pronounced now, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.
I gently squeezed a generous amount of body lotion onto my palms and began to massage it into my skin, the rich texture absorbing quickly to leave my skin feeling soft, supple, and warmly nourished.
"It's been ages since my skin has felt this kind of pampering and gentle care, and the sensation is nothing short of liberating."
Just then, Aiden walked into the room, and his eyes met mine. I flinched, feeling a little self-conscious about my state of undress.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," Aiden exclaimed, quickly turning around. "I didn't know you were getting dressed."
"It's fine, Aiden," I called out. "I'm not totally naked. You don't have to go back."
But Aiden insisted. "At least put on something first."
I respected his wishes and quickly slipped on a gown. "Okay, you can come in now."
Aiden slowly opened the door, sticking his head out first to confirm that I was indeed dressed. He smiled sheepishly before entering the room.
"What's up?" I asked, curious about what brought him to my room.
"Actually, it's a good thing you're dressed," Aiden said. "The lawyer will be here any minute with the contract."
I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. "Okay, no problem."
As Aiden turned to leave, I called out to him. "Aiden?"
He stopped in his tracks. "Yes?"
"How did you know the right skincare products to get for a lady?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Aiden smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "My ex-girlfriend was a model, so I used to buy her stuff all the time. Plus, my mom knows a lot about skincare, so I picked up a few tips from her."
I felt a pang of surprise. "Ex-girlfriend? You had a girlfriend?" I asked, my curiosity drifting away from the original topic.
Aiden's expression turned somber. "Yeah, we were together for a while, but she cheated on me. That's when I realized I deserved better."
I felt a surge of empathy for Aiden, and I reached out to touch his arm. "I'm so sorry, Aiden."
"You don't have to be, it's her loss, actually," he said. "Be quick, I'll be waiting downstairs," he added.
"Okay," I replied.
I made my way downstairs, where Aiden and the lawyer were waiting for me. Aiden got straight to business as soon as I arrived. I was handed the contract, and as I scanned through it, I noticed it was only for a year. That seemed fair enough. Maybe by then, I'd regain my memories and be able to leave Aiden's life.
I read through the contract carefully, and when I was done, I placed the pen on the paper. But my fingers hesitated. Was I making a mistake? Different thoughts flooded my mind, especially after finding that mysterious note.
"Haley, are you okay?" Aiden's voice brought me back to reality.
"Yes, I'm fine," I replied, quickly signing the contract.
As soon as the pen touched the paper, flashes of light surged through my eyes. It felt like I'd done this before, but the memory remained elusive. I winced in pain, holding my head.
Aiden caught me just in time, holding me in his arms. "Hey, it's okay," he comforted me, signing his part of the contract with one hand.
"Why do I feel like I've done this before?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Did your memory come back?" Aiden asked, concern etched on his face.
"I think I had a fragment of it," I replied. "But it's gone now."
"Don't worry, okay? Everything will be alright soon," Aiden reassured me.
"What's next?" I asked, trying to compose myself.
"The exchange of rings," Aiden replied swiftly, catching me off guard.
"Rings?" I asked in disbelief, jerking out of his grip.
"What? We have to make it believable," Aiden explained with a sheepish grin.
"Oh, okay," I agreed, still feeling a bit stunned.
The lawyer stood up, his voice firm as he announced, "I believe my work here is complete, Mr. Aiden." With a nod, he gestured towards the door, indicating it was time for him to leave.
Once the lawyer left, Aiden turned to me with a serious expression. "We'll be visiting my parents' place tomorrow."
"Are you ready?" he asked, a hint of fear in his voice.
"I was born ready," I replied, staring deeply into his eyes. "I'll be fine, Aiden."
Aiden's expression softened, and he apologized, "I'm really sorry for dragging you into my life's mess."
"You don't have to be," I said with a smile. "I chose this, and like you said, we'll go through this together."