Alia sucked in a breath, but she t his gaze evenly. She put down her own utensils gently and dabbed her lips clean with the napkin, while Aiden stared at her, seemingly amused, yet enraptured by her actions.
"Emline Hawthorne is welco to aim at all she likes," Alia said finally. "Matteo had defended when I was nothing more than a poor waitress being humiliated by Caleb, simply because it was the right thing to do. That is the man I am willing to spend the rest of my life with, and no one, and nothing, will possibly change my mind."
Aiden let out a low wolf whistle, clapping his hands. "To think you can be won over so easily... If only I was your knight in shining armor back then. We would be leading a very happy life now."
Alia raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you might want to consider an alternative career in storytelling since your imagination is so vivid. It’s probably safer than racing your bike on the streets," she said, craning her head to look at his bike parked outside before shaking her head in disapproval.
"One bad accident would be enough to ruin that handso face of yours."
"So you think I’m handso?" Aiden asked, preening proudly in their little booth, and Alia fluttered her eyelashes before delivering a death knell.
"Of course. You look just like Matteo!" Alia said winningly, and Aiden’s face turned dark for the briefest mont before he collected himself.
"Oh well done. I can’t believe I fell straight into that trap." His eyebrow twitched in irritation, while Alia smiled serenely at him. It was the sa pleasant, non-committal smile she gave to rowdy custors, drunk patrons, or simply people with too much ego and too little sense.
It felt great to be able to do it again.
"So familiar..." Aiden sighed to himself, shaking his head forlornly. "Well, I guess the old saying was right. Early bird catches the worm and all."
"So you think you’re the early bird?" Alia asked innocently. "Not the worm?"
A bark of laughter escaped his throat, and Aiden began to laugh.
"Are you sure you want to stay with my brother? He’s too serious and unfunny for you. You’re wasted on soone like him."
"I’m humorous enough for both of us," Alia said, taking a quick look at her watch. This lunch outing had gone on for long enough, and it was about ti for her to return to the office. Any longer, and the rumor mill might assu she was eloping with Aiden. "We should be getting back now. Finish your drink and we’ll go."
"What are you, my mother?" Aiden exclaid, deliberately not touching the milkshake that was set aside.
"No, just your future sister-in-law," Alia said, standing up. "Co on. Since you’re done, we can go."
She didn’t wait for him to react before leaving the booth, and Aiden could only splutter in surprise before quickly getting up to chase after her.
"Hey! Wait for ! How do you plan on going back to the office without my bike?"
"Well, in case it escaped your notice, there’s sothing called public transportation," Alia said dryly. "Frankly, it might be safer for than on your bike."
"You wound ," Aiden said, clutching his heart. "This cuts deep. Did I not make sure you arrived at the diner in one piece? How could you inflict such grievous injury on ?"
"Go to the hospital then," Alia said blandly. Aiden should have entered the entertainnt industry. With his face, he would have teenage girls and mature housewives eating from the palm of his hand. "I’ll go back to the office on my own."
"No, I’ll send you back," Aiden declared, straddling his bike. "Hope on."
Alia wondered what he would do if she simply walked off, but then decided against it. She did want to get back to the office. Once again, she put on her helt and reluctantly wrapped her arms around Aiden tightly, and sighed.
"Let’s go. And don’t you dare speed ah―!" Alia’s words were eaten by the wind, and Aiden let out a delighted laugh as he sped through the streets as though the mob was hot on his heels.
In no ti at all, they had arrived back at the office, and Alia nearly hurled every bit of her greasy diner lunch all over the polished marble floors.
"Oops, sorry," Aiden said cheerily when he saw her green face. "I thought you might have gotten used to it from the ride there."
"Ha ha," Alia wheezed. "You did that on purpose."
"Guilty as charged," Aiden said.
Thankfully, Alia’s stomach settled when they arrived at Matteo’s office, just in ti for Matteo to storm out. His anger monetarily ceased when he caught sight of Alia’s figure, but then his brow furrowed when he caught sight of her pallid complexion and windswept hair.
"Alia! Are you alright?" Matteo asked, imdiately stroking her hair as his eyes roved all over her, checking for signs of injury.
anwhile, his father erged from the room, also looking none-too-pleased. Clearly, whatever discussion they had did not yield productive outcos for both of them.
"I’m fine, I’m fine," Alia reassured him. "I just had a new learning experience. Apparently, I’m not one for motorcycles."
"You took her on your bike?" Matteo whirled around to glare at Aiden, who only gave him a jaunty grin in response. "You were supposed to be eating in the office cafeteria. This is incredibly reckless of you."
"Could you bla for wanting a change of scenery?" Aiden asked. "Anyways, I delivered her back in one piece so you don’t need to nag at , dear brother." A glint entered Aiden’s eye. "I can see why you’re so enamored by her though. She’s a lot more interesting than Emline. Witty too. Too good for an iceberg like you. How about you share her with ?"
A low growl escaped Matteo’s throat, and he reached out a hand to pull Alia closer to him. Alia could only sigh in mild exasperation, while butterflies began to flutter in her stomach at his protective gesture.
"It’s fine, he’s harmless, if a tad bit delusional," Alia said, patting Matteo’s arm consolingly. "We simply had a good chat."
"Should I be offended? I’ve been called many things, but harmless is not one of them," Aiden said.
"So you’ve been called delusional?" Alia couldn’t help but point out.
"That’s because it’s true. I’ve called him worse," Matteo grumbled. He then addressed Aiden, "You got what you ca for. Scram."
Aiden smirked. "Fair enough. I see I’m overstaying my welco. But Alia, if you ever wish to go on more joyrides with , I’m just a call away."
Reviews
All reviews (0)