Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 20

Aiden waited for Sunny patiently at the University but it was unlike her. He finally decided to call her and when she answered, his heart sank. She sounded weak and broken. He asked where she was and sped to reach her; seeing her slummed near a wall with teary eyes.

He ran outside the car and appeared beside her, embracing her.

“Hey? What happened?” He asked to which she didn’t answer anything but clutched his shirt and leaned closer.

For a moment she wanted to forget her revenge, she wanted to yell at him and tell him what she thinks of him. She had so much to say yet she couldn’t.

Aiden stiffened feeling her so close as old emotions rushed to him. He rubbed her back in a calm manner and when he felt her breath steadily, he was about to pull away when he felt seeing a mark on her nape.

His heart raced in anticipation.

‘Could it be her birth mark like Iris? I need to check, I need to make sure.’

She pulled away and gave him a tight smile.

“You said you wanted to talk, what it is?” she asked.

Her head throbbed in pain.

“Let’s go.” He pulled her up and gently made her sit in the passenger side.

She remained silent till they reached his apartment and she regretted it. The memories were still fresh in her mind as her hand trembled. Aiden noticed this but kept mum.

He sneaked his hand around her back and felt her still under his touch.

“Relax. We are here.” He gave her an assuring look which was so familiar to her.

She sighed and followed him inside fighting hard to keep her feelings at bay.

Aiden ordered some food and asked her to freshen up, he had handed her Iris clothes which she was so grateful to have. Feeling comfortable in her favorite clothes, she breathed in relief.

When she walked out, Aiden’s heart was in mess. He really missed Iris right now and he excused himself because he didn’t want her to see his tears.

Later they were seated after dinner as Iris felt the need for liquid courage. It was her first time but Aiden needn’t know.

She accepted it as they talked about it all.

“Derek asked me to sign some document.” She was nervous before but when she said it out loud, she relaxed a little.

“What? Why did you meet him? Didn’t I ask you to—” Aiden wanted to punch something.

“You could have told me earlier and it wasn't like I wanted to sign it myself. He made me do it.” She sighed loudly feeling tears roll down her cheek out of frustration.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“He threatened me using my family and cousin. I had no other way but accept his demands which said I will do everything he asked.” She wiped her tears away roughly and Aiden felt helpless.

“f**k! I should have known. That bastard dared to threaten you? I should have known it better. He wants to use you to attain the family business. Iris had a huge business under her name but they never thought that the board would refuse to transfer the business unless Iris would be present in front of them to sign the deed herself.” Aiden explained as her eyes widened.

“Does that mean that the Reider group is still under Iris?” She asked.

Aiden raised an eyebrow in confusion.

‘How does she know about the Reider group?’

“Yes. Derek is working as COO but the business is still Iris’s and he hasn’t been doing well. The business can go to shambles anytime. It is just the name that is making it run. I hope Iris is back soon or else her grandpa’s business will leave to nothing. She had this talent of running the business in an amazing way even when she was young.” Aiden recalled.

She saw his face smoothen up and a smile crossed his face as he recalled her.

“Is there something about Derek that we don’t know?” She asked him.

Aiden wasn't sure what she wanted to know.

“We can’t let that happen now, can we? I will need your help Aiden. You can help me save my family from his reach and in return I can help Iris’s business from falling in the wrong hands.” She arched her eyebrow at him.

There was something in the way she talked about that reminded him of Iris.

“Okay, deal.” He smiled.

He noticed that she looked zoned out and why not? She had been drinking alcohol like a thirsty crow. He felt concerned and snatched her glass but she didn’t let him take it.

It was now her alcohol talking as she narrated about Marcus and Maria. How they would bicker with each other and when Erik would point out something, they would stand against him. She laughed and it was contagious. Aiden was laughing with her.

She was wasted now but kept rambling about many things, even discussed about each examination questions and Aiden was enjoying until she became serious and talked about Derek.

She looked shattered and he kept asking what was bothering her but she seemed to have stuck on her own words. Before he could have pushed her any further, she had passed out. Aiden shook his head staring at her.

He sat there watching her and lifted her to place her in her bed. He was getting more comfortable now with this new routine; with her in his arms. He laid her on her bed and when he moved the duvet to cover her, his eyes falling on her bare stomach. With trembling fingers, he pulled her shirt lower and covered it before tugging her properly.

***

Loud knocks disturbed Aiden from his sleep as he wondered who it could be at this hour. Realizing it was already 07:30 A.M; he picked up a shirt and pulled it making his way towards the front door.

Frowning, he opened the door and was astonished to see his parents.

“What are you doing here?” he asked them.

This wasn't a good thing; with Sunny here, they weren’t suppose to be here.

“Way to say good morning. Well, good morning to you too son.” Jacob smiled and entered his room.

“If you would have the courtesy to answer your call for once, then maybe... just maybe you would have known why we were here.” Jacob huffed making his way to the couch, picking up the newspaper in process.

Eva made way to the coffee machine as Aiden run to the kitchen to fix them something for breakfast. He was feeling guilty for once. If only he would have answered then they wouldn’t have been here.

He prayed that they take their leave sooner. As he was making breakfast, he heard soft footsteps approaching them.

“Arghhh! I swear my head will burst open. Please Aiden, help me.” Sunny’s voice caught everyone’s attention.

He saw her standing there in Iris’s baby pink shirt and denim shorts with her messy hair and fingers massaging her head with eyes closed. She looked adorable.

He could hear his parents gasp and knew it would be a long day.

“Iris my child!” Both his parents jerked up like seeing a cockroach or something and rushed to her, embracing her.

Luckily, she had showered and smelled fresh. Being attacked by Aiden’s parents she was stupefied at first but then her heart pierced seeing their genuine love.

“Where were you? How could you do this to us? We were scared and thought we lost you after all those rumours.” Eva sobbed still embracing her.

“I am glad that my son didn’t give up on you. He was confident that you are alive and look at you! I am so proud of him and you my child.” Jacob kissed her forehead lovingly.

Aiden saw her conflicted look. She was about to cry and he relaxed. Maybe she understood what she has to do or maybe she hasn’t. He could only hope she did and pretend to go with the flow.

“Uh... I am sorry, actually I had some complications and had to stay away you know... It’s a long story.” Iris gave them apologetic look which they ignored and pulled her into a bear hug, finally letting her go.

“Aiden, is this the reason you weren’t picking up the call?” Jacob teased his son to which he actually blushed.

“Hush now dear, stop doing it. It is totally understandable if they needed some alone time. Anyways, we are glad Derek informed us already and we rushed to see her ourselves.” Eva laughed.

Aiden could feel anger rising.

“Derek told you?” He asked.

“Yea, both Evelyn and Derek came and visited us. They told us about Iris or else I don’t know after how long you would have decided to bring her for a visit.” Eva explained.

“So, where are you staying Iris? I don’t mind if you want to stay here but Derek could be a pain in ass sometimes you know, I don’t want him to kill my son before your wedding.” Jacob teased.

Iris and Aiden both shared a meaningful glance knowing full well that Derek had an ulterior motive with that.

“I don’t care about him dad. You know that already. She will be staying with me of course, as she is my fiancée.” Aiden smiled innocently as the couple chuckled.

“Yea and since I have practically lived with Derek my entire life, I think it is only right that I stay with my fiancé now.” Iris beamed.

The elderly couple stared at her as if she had grown two heads.

“Is that Iris saying it? I can’t believe it. Surely, something good came out of this whole mess.” Eva was more than happy.

Considering the fact that Iris wouldn’t defy her brother’s choice and she wouldn’t leave her brother herself, it was for the first time she willingly agreed with Aiden.

“Great then, it is settled. We will do something about Derek if that’s what the two of you wants.” Jacob wiggled his eyebrow and Iris laughed.

Aiden felt his heart melting.