Chapter 43

Ava Pov

I stared at Aiden whilst his head laid on my lap. I began to remember everything he revealed me on the information he had discovered.

I still can't believe Susan, Maxwell and Miranda are involved in all that has been happening to me.

It's baffling to think all this had occurred because I was offered the job as Aiden's personal assistant.

Speaking of Aiden, he has been hesitant to leave me on my own in fear that something could happen to me.

I personally think I am safe in my apartment, but he refuses to accept it. To him I always need security especially when he isn't around.

This meant Aiden would be staying at my place more than usual.

I was taken out of my thoughts when Aiden moved from one sleeping position to another. Hearing him mutter I glanced down at him to see he was still asleep.

Listening carefully at his words I heard 'Ava, I care for you. More than you would ever know'

I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. I knew he cared about me, but I didn't know it was at this extent.

I've always thought Aiden was good-looking from the very first time I laid my eyes on him, but I've never imagined myself in a relationship with him, however.

I viewed him as my boss than a potential mate.

'Knock, knock'

The sudden knock on the door caused Aiden to jerk up in an alarmed manner. He examined me as if I was in some type of danger.

'It's just a knock on the door. I'll go see who is it' I spoke attempting to raise from the couch with him laying on it.

'Let me go instead' Aiden protested trying to get up from his position.

'No Aiden, I will see who it is from the keyhole before I open the door' I exclaimed indignantly as he was being overly protective.

Not feeling obligated to listen to any more of his protests I shuffled to the door.

I peered through the keyhole only to see it was Damien on the other side of the door.

Immediately I unlocked the door to let him in.

Before I could speak Aiden interrupted unbeknownst to me that he stood behind me 'Damien what are you doing here'

I turned my around to see Aiden standing right behind me. Seeing how he gave Damien a stern look I rolled my eyes turning my attention back to Damien.

'Come in' I announced moving away from the door to allow him to enter.

'Thank you' he replied whilst walking into the cosy apartment.

I closed the door after him and ensuring it was locked. When I turned around, I saw both Aiden and Damien staring at each other as if silently having a starting contest.

I cleared my throat causing the both men to look curiously in my diection.

Damien noticing my curiosity in why he had suddenly arrived, spoke 'Ava, I came here to check up on you. The last time I was here you weren't doing well, and I was also wondering if you have gotten better'

'I see you have forgiven Aiden' he continued.

'We were able to talk things through' I replied not knowing what else to say.

'Would you like anything?' I asked Damien attempting to change the subject.

'Water would be just fine' upon hearing his response I rushed to the kitchen to get him a glass of water.

'Ava have you been able to find new information?'

I was about to tell him what Aiden had told me, but It dawned on me that he warned me not to disclose much of what I know.

'I wasn't able to find anything substantial unfortunately' I lied as I filled the glass with water.

As I give him the glass he replied 'there is something I've been meaning to tell you but haven't been able to or I would forget when I met you'

'What is it?' I asked. His sudden change of tone caught my attention further. He looked to be in deep thought possibly recalling the exact moment he was about to bring to light.

'I was retrieving from my car when Susan approached me. She was incredibly friendly, asked me a few questions. It didn't seem off at first because we were conversing about one another, but she eventually asked about you, enquiring about information concerning you' Damien spoke as both Aiden and I listened attentively.

'What sort of information was she looking for' Aiden asked curious as much as I was.

'She kept implying that there was something wrong with you and you're refusing to tell her. She spoke in a concerned tone, which led me to believe she genuinely cared about you. I'm not sure if that's of any significance but I thought I would mention it'

'That's interesting' I spoke deep in thought. It wasn't anything new and I had already figured out and was told by Aiden of her obsession about my life.

She was going beyond just Aiden and I. Anyone she felt was close to me, she would ensure she was close to them to gather more information.

I was beyond angry at this point but choose to calm myself down. In time this mess would fix itself and it would be clear as day that I am the innocent one in this.

'Ava, what are you thinking of doing next? Do you have any plans that could help solve this or at least find out more information?' Damien quizzically asked.

'I don't know yet, I'm still lost in all of this. There is so much to find out still' I simply put it taking Aiden advice about not over sharing.

'If there is anything you need, anything at all let me know' he exclaimed reaching his hand out from across the table to hold mine.

I felt the urge to move my hand from under his but felt it would be rude if I did so.

'There is nothing you can do for her that I can't provide' Aiden blurted out.

We both turned our heads to see Aiden with a look of annoyance on his face. He stared at Damien and I as well as our hands entangled on top of the wooden table.

I took this opportunity to move my hand away and said ' I am sure the both of you are hungry. I will make something for us to eat'

'I am afraid I won't be able to stay long enough to eat. I hate that I'm missing your amazing cooking, but I have to be on my way to a meeting' Damien spoke turning his attention from Aiden to me.

'That's a shame, maybe next time' Aiden exclaimed not looking too upset about Damien sudden announcement in fact he looked pleased.

'Can you not stay longer at least long enough for me to cook and give you to go?' I asked saddened about of his departure.

Although I could tell Aiden did not like Damien for whatever reason, I have grown to like him as a friend.

Yes, we may have had our little incident and we crossed boundaries, but I don't think that's enough to throw our blooming friendship away.

Don't throw the baby with the bath water as the saying goes.

'Ava I'm afraid I have to leave; I will find time at another stage to spend with you and eat as much food as you are willing to feed me' Damien smiles while looking down at me.

'Okay'

Aiden and I escorted Damien to the front door.

'Nice of you to come and thank you for telling me about your encounter with Susan'

'I'm not sure how that would be useful, but I hope it's something or an aid to the complex situation' Damien expresses hugging me.

He shook Aiden's hand before making his way out of the door. He turned around waving then finally leaving our viewpoint.

As we closed the door Aiden huffed 'I thought he would never leave'

'Aiden you're being incredibly rude. Why the hostility?' I asked bringing his behaviour to his attention.

'I'm not welcoming him with open arms when there is so much more to what is going on than we know. He could be involved but is trying to save face' Aiden exclaimed. What he said was logical, but I doubt Damien has anything to do with this.

He has been nothing but nice ever since I met him and besides, he is extremely busy with his business what time would he have to be involved.

'If he was involved with Miranda and co. What motive would he have to do so?' I asked waiting on an answer from Aiden.

'I have several' he exclaimed walking towards the sitting room to where we were before Damien made an appearance.

'Come back here' I called after him.

'I'm going to lay on the couch first' he says while lying his whole body on my couch and taking up all the room.

'Come here'

I made my way towards him. He grabbed me by the waist and pulling me causing me to land in front of him.

'Aiden' I shrieked when I landed on his chest.

'You are so light' he laughs.

'No, I'm not you're just strong, I don't know how you could be when you sit on your ass all day everyday' I shot back laughing. Not with him but at him.

'How dare you I go to the gym every morning before the office' he confesses.

'You do? I wasn't aware' I said in response to the newfound information.

'Of course, you weren't. It's my little secret' he whispered into my ear gripping my waist a little tighter.

I stared at Aiden's lips and wondering what they feel like.

How about you kiss him and find out.

Kiss my former boss, what could possess me to do such a thing.

Before I could wave the thoughts away Aiden's lips came colliding with mine softly. Out of instincts I kissed back with as much eagerness as him.

The feeling I that overcame me could not be put into words. I was in absolute euphoria and there was nothing I wanted more than to continue experiencing it.

I loved the feeling of his tongue against mine, wrestling with mine but in the most pleasurable and enjoyable way.

I couldn't find it in me to stop and neither could he. His caresses my cheeks as his tongue guided mine.

I felt his hand trying to pull my top, that was enough to pull me out of my daze. I was breathing heavily when I had retrieved my lips from his.

'About that food I said I would make' I nervously shrieked getting off him. My heart was beating uncontrollably that I was afraid I could pretentiously have a heart attack.

In an attempt to avoid his gaze, I hurried to the kitchen.

'What would you like to eat? I was thinking of making pizza' I asked once I was no longer in the same proximity as Aiden.

'Pizza would be great' I heard him say.

'Let me come help you' I heard his feet smacking against wooden floors as he made his way towards me in the kitchen.

Before I could protest, he had already reached the kitchen. Pulling his sleeves, he asked 'what can I do?'

'You can start by washing your hands. We can both make the pastry for the base' I explained as he did as I instructed.

'Ava'

'Yes Aiden'

'You don't have to act as if we didn't just kiss' my eyes lit up in embarrassment by his bold words.

I turned around to face him 'It just seems sudden; you were my boss and now we are kissing on my couch. If anything comes out the blogs are going to see if as a confirmation that we have been together secretly'

'Ava who cares what they think. If you are constantly thinking about what others will say about you then you are never going to live a fulfilled life. They are going to talk regards. What you need to be doing is living in your truth and not allowing anyone to dictate that' he appeared to be frustrated as he spoke those words.

'I need more time. To think about what I need'

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Hey everyone, it looks like Aiden is tired of not having his feelings reciprocated. What do you think of Ava's hesitance? What do you think of Damien's visit? Let me know what you think of their relationship dynamic? Thank you to those who have read my new book I greatly appreciate it. Thank you for reading this chapter till now! I will try and have a few uploads this week. See you all in the next chapter.