Waking up today felt like any other day since my mother's death. It's been six months since the funeral, and a sense of normalcy has returned to my life. Mrs. Anderson has graciously let me stay in her home. She has become like a second mother to me over the past few months. Jason pushed back the release date of his clothing line, because he wanted me to have some space. Aiden has contacted me a few times since the funeral as well, but he's been out of the country for a while on business. I still have no idea where he and I stand. He's been a really great friend to me but, at the same time he gives the impression that he wants more out of our relationship. I could also be misreading the signs he's given me. Sighing I run my hands through my hair which currently resembles a birds nest before deciding to get ready for the day.
After a nice hot shower, I walk downstairs to make myself some breakfast. Mrs. Anderson never really said I had to go back to being a maid, but I still help out around the house. Walking into the kitchen, I spot Jason working on his laptop. His eyes met mine briefly before focusing back on his computer.
"Good morning Jason."
"Good morning Christina, how are you feeling today?"
As I poured milk in a bowl for some cereal, I noticed Jason had stopped typing. I got the feeling he was staring at me or rather my ass, so I turned around. He quickly averted his gaze back to his computer, while I eyed him suspiciously before taking a seat at the table. I continued to stare at him until he couldn't take it anymore.
"Can I help you with something Christina?"
"No."
"Then why are you staring at me?" He looked amused rather than annoyed as he tried to fight back a smile.
"Why were you staring at my ass?"
Jason looked down and hid his face while he laughed to himself. "I was not staring Christina, don't get ahead of yourself now."
I sat back in my seat and crossed my arms, "Jason."
"Okay, you got me," he said raising his hands in defeat. "But you can't expect me not to look when you wear tight fitted yoga pants around the house."
"Okay Jason I get it my ass is perfect, you've said it before."
We both burst out in laughter, and I sigh.
"I'm glad you're smile is slowly but surely coming back. I miss the old Christina."
I smile as his words bring me comfort. I am slowly beginning to feel like myself again, but most of all I miss moments like this with Jason.
"Yeah me too, by the way how is your line coming along?"
"I'm just about done, I was hoping you could come by tonight to get your last fitting for all the dresses." I was shocked that he was all but done. I thought I would get to have a few more nights working with him.
I paused and looked down at my hands. This must have caused Jason to worry because he tried to quickly take back his request.
"I mean you don't have to if you're not ready, there's no rush. I have plenty of time before my next deadline."
"Its fine Jason, I'll be there tonight."
Jason smiled while closing his laptop, "Alright I'll see you later then."
He walked out of the kitchen, as I put my bowl in the sink. As I cleaned up my mess, April walked in.
"Hey Christina."
"Hey April, what's up?"
"Nothing, hey do you have any plans for today?"
I picked up a towel to dry my hands while looking at April with a raised eyebrow.
"No I don't, why do you ask?"
"Well I figured we could hang out at the mall, go catch a movie, and then maybe get a little lunch."
"Let's skip the movie, the mall and lunch sound great."
"Cool I'll go get my bag."
April left the room a little too happy. She's never this spontaneous so something is definitely up. I grab my keys and bag and meet April at the door. As we walk to my car she goes on about how there is an amazing sale at Forever 21 and H&M.
In the car she takes on a more serious note.
"So have you heard from Aiden recently?"
"No, I spoke with him about a month ago. He was checking on me, and he told me that he was out of the country on business."
"Do you miss him?"
"April he's not my boyfriend, so technically I'm not missing anything."
"Well answer these questions for me."
"Fine," I say focusing on the road.
"What's the first thing you do when you see him?"
"I smile."
"When he texts you are you surprised or relieved?"
"Most of the time I'm surprised."
"How do you feel when he hugs you?"
"April enough."
"Just answer the question."
I take a deep breath in before saying, "I feel warm and secure. Are you happy now?"
"Exactly, so you're telling me you don't miss all that."
"Maybe I do, but it really doesn't matter. Aiden and I are just friends."
When we arrive at the mall April drags me into H&M and basically throws everything in my face.
"Go try these on now."
"Fine." I didn't even bother to see what she was picking out until I put the clothes on. I walk out and she claps her hands clearly pleased with her choices.
"April, this isn't really my style. I'm not into the whole short mini-skirts and crop top trend."
"But you look great."
"What's the point of looking great if you don't feel comfortable?"
April sighed and brought me clothes that were definitely my style. She brought me some regular black skinny jeans, tank and some halter tops.
"Thank you."
Once we paid for our clothes April complained about how she was dying of hunger, so we decided to get some Chinese food at General Wok's.
"I haven't had Chinese food in a while," I say while sitting down with my chicken and broccoli.
"Yes and yet you choose one of the healthiest dishes on the menu."
"I don't want to get fat."
"Christina please."
As April and I eat our lunch in peace I notice her look up and start to smile.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
She wouldn't answer so I turned around to see Aiden standing behind me with a bouquet of roses.
"Aiden," I say standing up. He looked every bit of handsome just as I'd remembered him.
"How are you Christina?"
"I'm fine thanks for asking," I say while laughing. "Are those roses for me?"
"As a matter of fact, yes they are."
He hands me the roses, and I smell them before giving him a hug. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back today?"
"I wanted to surprise you, besides April already knew."
I turned to April and shook my head at her.
"What Christina, he wanted to surprise you and you know I'm all about surprises. Anyway I'll be in Victoria's Secret if you need me."
"April what are you doing?"
"What did you say Christina I can't hear you," she says as she walks away from our table as fast as she could. My guess is that she thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me and Aiden to be alone."
I turned to face Aiden who had a curious expression on his face.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said before taking a deep breath. "Christina we need to talk."
I sat back down and gestured for him to do the same. "What's up?"
"Well remember when we went on our first date?"
My face dropped, that day brought back so many sad memories. "Yeah I remember."
Aiden took my hands, "Sorry I made you remember that day but do you remember the picture I took of you."
"Yeah."
"Well I showed the photo to my father, and he would actually like to meet you and April."
"Really?"
"Yeah he said whoever did your makeup has a gift, and he would like to help develop her skills."
"Aiden that's incredible April will be so excited, but why does your father want to meet me?"
"He says you have the potential to be a great model"
"Aiden the thing is I don't really want to model."
"I know, but just think about it okay. I really believe you could succeed in this industry." I see the hopeful look in his eyes and sigh before giving in.
"Okay I'll think about it."
Aiden smiles at me before his phone goes off, and he holds up his hand for me to wait a sec.
"Hey dad, can I call you back I'm in the middle of something really important." He hung up his phone and put it back into his pocket, "Sorry about that."
"It's fine."
"Christina I didn't only come here to let you know about the plans my father has for you two."
"Oh, well what else is there?"
"Us," he said with the softest expression I have ever seen from him.
"I don't know exactly what's going on between us, but I feel a strong connection with you and I know you feel it too."
"Aiden," I say trying to stop whatever he was going to say next.
"Christina I have to get this out please."
I gestured for him to go on. "Christina ever since I met you I've been captivated by you. Looking back on it, I'm glad I decided to take the train that day otherwise I wouldn't have met you. Everything about you is perfect, from you smile, eyes, body, to your personality. I've never seen someone sacrifice so much for the sake of their loved ones before. I've seen the many sides to you, and with each day that passes I wish I could see more."
"Aiden..."
"Let me finish, I think you are the perfect girl for me. I feel energized whenever I hear your voice. I know this may sound corny, but I smile every time you text me. Christina what I'm basically saying is, would you consider becoming my girlfriend?"
"Aiden," he raised one finger to my lips to silence me.
"You don't have to answer that question just yet. Please just take your time and think about it."
"Okay."
He looked at his watch before getting up. "Sorry I have to run I'll talk to you later okay," he said before kissing me on the cheek.
I nodded and waved as he walked away. I walked over to Victoria's secret to find April.
"Well," she asked excitedly.
"Well what?"
"Are you two together yet?"
"No April we're not, but he did ask me to be his girlfriend."
April just about blew my ears with her scream.
"And what did you say?"
"I haven't given him an answer just yet, he told me to think it over thoroughly. I do however have some news for you."
"What is it?"
"Remember that time when you did my makeup for me?"
"Yeah."
"Well Aiden took a photo and showed it to his father, and now he wants to meet the both of us."
"Oh my god Christina this is amazing."
"Yes it is, this could be your chance April to become the makeup artist you've always wanted to be."
April began to tear up, so I gave her a hug. "It's okay April I'll be right by your side."
"Thanks."
"Let's go home."
On our way home, April and I stopped for some Ice cream at Carvel. We came back early in the evening around six o'clock.
"Today was fun wasn't it?"
"Yeah surprisingly it was."
"We need to do this more often."
"I agree, anyway I'll see you tomorrow okay."
"Sure."
I went to my room and watched a movie, until it was time for me to head over to Jason's. When I arrived at his room, the door was open so I let myself in.
"Hey Christina glad you could make it."
"No problem Jason, let's see what you got."
Jason led me into his studio, and when I saw the dresses he had made my mouth dropped. I walked in slowly admiring each piece. The silks, satins, jewels which adorned the walls captivated me and I couldn't believe I had the honor of trying them on.
"Jason these are beautiful."
"Thanks."
"Try on the fuchsia one first, I'll be waiting outside."
I slipped on the dress, and walked up to the mirror to admire myself.
Jason walked back into the room and stood motionless. His eyes racked up and down my body. He walked over to me and felt how the dress fit against my body.
"It's perfect," he said placing his hands on my waist.
"You're perfect." You could feel the tension in the room, and I was slowly losing myself in his gorgeous blue eyes.
Just as Jason was about to kiss me, I snapped out of trance and pushed him back a little.
"Christina what's wrong?"
"Nothing, its just we can't do this."
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "Are we back to playing this game of cat and mouse? I want you and you want me!"
"Why are you fighting this? Why are you fighting us?"
"I'm not fighting anything!"
"Bullshit Christina!" He walked up to me grabbed me by the waist and pulled me against him. I felt my nipples harden as they came in contact with Jason's broad chest. By the look on his face he felt them too. His vibrant blue eyes slowly began to turn a shade darker as I saw the desire in his eyes.
Without warning his lips were on mine. I felt my knees buckle as he held me in place so I wouldn't fall. His kiss was fierce and intoxicating. Jason slowly moved us towards the wall pressing me against it as he grabbed my ass causing me to gasp. He took that opportunity to slide his tongue in and that was my undoing. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and bit on his lower lip as our tongues continued to fight for dominance. I heard Jason let out a primal growl which had me aching to be touched all over.
I felt Jason's hand cup my breasts as his other continued to squeeze my ass. I moaned his sensual touch and felt him smile against my lips. As I felt the sleeve of the dress being pulled down, I remembered what Aiden had said earlier today.
"Christina will you be my girlfriend."
My eyes opened wide and I pushed Jason away again. Our breathing was ragged and I watched Jason's chest move up and down his muscles contracted with each breath which made me want to be in his arms again.
"Why did you stop Christina?"
"I...I..." I was in full panic mode now. How was I going to tell Jason about Aiden? When I didn't speak up, Jason began to make his way over to me again. I had to do it now or I would be done for the minute he touches me again.
His hands cupped my cheek as he began to lean in. I felt my heart rate increasing and a light smile formed on Jason's face.
"Relax Christina, I'll be sure to be gentle."
"Jason no..."
"Don't fight me." He kissed along my jawline and I felt my eyes roll back as he nibbled on a sweet spot behind my ear.
"Jason...Jason."
"Hmmm."
"Stop please."
He paused and grabbed my face again his eyes searching mine as I began to tear up.
"Jason today Aiden asked me to be his girlfriend."