Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 22

“Hi sweetheart, how is it going?” Dylan asked before pulling me in a hug.

“Everything is fine since I am alive.” I said as Dylan rolled his eyes.

“I’ve talked to Grayson and he sent me these. Just be careful!” He slipped a USB drive towards me as I rolled it inside the socks and tugged them a little in my shoes.

I made it look casual as if I was pulling my socks or just fixing it while still talking to Dylan. He laughed at my actions.

“Aiden stopped me the other day and by the looks, I think he doubts you a little. He tried to warn me to stay away as if I was ever going to obey him, dimwit!” Dylan made a face.

“He doubts? About what?” I asked feeling intrigued.

“I dunno. That wasn't clear but he thinks maybe I am trying to keep you away from him.” Dylan laughed as it was the truth but in other way though.

He doesn’t know everything about that night. I was uncertain to tell him about Aiden shooting me. So, he isn’t against if Aiden still pursue me. I haven’t kept anything hidden from Dylan but a part of me didn’t want to accept the reality in any way.

“Leave him. I want to know Evelyn’s weakness. Is there any way that could be done?” I asked still thinking hard about anything that could be her weakness.

“Only if you would’ve actually paid attention at home, maybe you’d have known it yourself. Not that it was possible considering her been so up-tight always.” Dylan smirked.

He always disliked my sister. According to him if you ask, she behaved like some arrogant goddess who wasn't born to walk but fly.

“Why do you have to criticize her now and then? Just let me know if you can find it?” I said irritatingly.

“Aiden!” He replied with such intensity that I was afraid.

My head searching everywhere in the cafe but couldn’t locate him and then I felt Dylan squeeze my hand followed by his guffaw.

 “What? It’s not funny.” I whined swatting his hand away.

“Oh god! The look on your face was priceless. I don’t remember you being this scared of him Iris.” He tried to stifle his laugh but failed miserably.

“That time I wasn't pretending to be Sunny and what did you mean by ‘Aiden’ then? I thought you saw him here.” I could still feel my heart racing, ready to jump out.

“Too bad you missed it.” He waited till he was serious but by this time, I already was able to connect the two.

“You mean Aiden is Evelyn’s weakness?” I asked not believing it.

‘How was that possible?’

“Not that it could be the only weakness because as far as I know her, money or power could be her weakness but if you want a person; then it would be Aiden.” Dylan said clearing his throat.

“How do you know this?” I couldn’t believe this man. He is my best friend yet he knew it and from the looks he gave me, it was evident that he had known this from a long time.

“I knew it say from past 9 years.” He shrugged and I swear my eyes must have fallen off the sockets.

“Does that mean it was jealousy behind the hatred?” I muttered to myself.

“Yups. Not that it matters anymore. She should have known from the day one that Aiden was only yours, he never laid his eyes on anyone but you.” I could hear appreciation in his voice.

“I thought you hated him.” I smirked.

“I hated because he was unable to protect you but can’t ignore the fact. Anyways, you should know that there is going to be this international meeting two weeks later whose consignment would mean a huge profit. I hope you could win this deal—”

“s**t!” he looked behind me and quickly rushed towards the next corner.

I stopped myself from asking or calling him out and sat their leisurely. I felt someone’s presence behind me and remained calm till they let their presence known.

“Are you enjoying alone?” It was Aiden.

He eyed the two latte cups and then me. I gave him what am sure was the most awkward smile.

“Yups. I had some thinking to do. What about you?” I studied him for a moment.

He looked tired and in hurry as his tie was out of its place. His hair gave me the idea that they were raked many times as in frustration.

“I heard that Derek dropped you here. So I quickly came to see if you needed some help.” He replied to which I just answered in an ‘Oh’.

We sat there in silence and left when I saw Dylan already exiting his hiding place. As, we neared the parking lot, I saw a man approaching me.

“Madam, sir has asked me to bring you home. Please follow.” I stared at him.

“I ain’t going anywhere. Tell your sir that I won’t be coming. Thank you.” I answered and saw his discolored face.

He looked scared like he was going to get punished. He was quick to call Derek and told him and I saw how he closed his eyes with pale face. I felt bad for this man who was being scolded because of me. I snatched phone from his hand and heard Derek cursing.

“Stop being bossy Derek! I won’t be coming because that is what I chose. You can’t literally dictate my life.” I gritted through the teeth.

“Oh cara mia. Is that what was written in the document?” He said in a polite voice which made me clench the phone in anger.

“You asshole!” I yelled to which he just chuckled.

“I am waiting cara mia.” He said softly as I hung the call.

Aiden had been watching everything as he grabbed my wrist and made me sit in the passenger seat. Turning to the driver, he asked him to lead the way.

When we reached the mansion, Aiden stormed out of the car as I managed to run behind him. Derek looked at the gate beaming but later frowned to see Aiden. He saw Sunny running behind him.

“Hello man what’s up?” Derek asked with a fake smile.

“What the hell is your problem? You can’t force her to stay here against her will.” Aiden gritted through his teeth.

Derek glared at him. “Who are you to interfere in between?” “It is between us and not you so better stay off.”

Derek walked passed him towards Sunny who stepped back glaring at him.

“I already told you what I want. I would indeed do what you want but that doesn’t mean I will have to live here in order to pretend.” Sunny almost yelled at Derek which annoyed him.

“Just to make it believable, you’ll have to!” Derek hissed.

“In that case, it would be great that I live with him. You know, considering that I am his fiancée.” Sunny smirked.

Derek clenched his fists.

“Now, I think the lady has made her point fairly.” Aiden said amusingly as he held her wrist and walked away from Derek.

Derek couldn’t believe this! He dared take her away from him again!

He had been his best friend since they were just five. He had spent his entire life taking care of his baby sister. He was more than happy when Aiden decided to court her. I mean, who wouldn’t be glad to have a trust worthy person take his sister?

He permitted them but realized that it wasn't what he wanted. When he saw them getting closer; Iris’s free time was utilized by Aiden, he felt uneasy.

He started getting gloomy to see Iris’s coy look for Aiden, her laughter whenever they were together and also her eyes that would gleam with happiness seeing him. He wasn't sure why but he started hating Aiden.

Flashback

He had planned a trip to Orleans and excitedly entered Iris’s room. He had this bad habit of barging her room without even waiting for her permission or knocking the door. As he pushed the door open, he saw Iris sitting on the window edge within Aiden’s embrace.

Aiden lowered his head to kiss her and when their lips met, he couldn’t fathom the idea of their intimacy. The smile on her face and the blush pierced his heart and it was then he realized that he liked his sister in a way he shouldn’t.

“What are you doing?” He couldn’t hide his hatred.

Aiden and Iris startled seeing him there. Iris was quick to pull away but Aiden smirked.

“Shouldn’t you be knocking at the door knowing we could have been doing something else?” Aiden chuckled.

He teased but Derek’s imagination took better of him and he couldn’t help but dislike the idea.

“Shut Up!” He yelled which surprised the other two and he pulled Iris from her room and away from Aiden.

He had a hard time explaining it later but he feared his uncalled feelings for her. He tried everything to stay away from her but it only increased his feelings for her. So, when Evelyn came and manipulated him; he actually thought it to be a great idea. He was filled with hatred for her and it was upto this point where he considered her as the reason for all this mess.

Inwardly, he hoped that maybe it was all her problem. With Iris gone, his problem would be solved. He would be lying that he wasn't afraid and nervous with the plan but he needed to do it. It was all that was on his mind at that time- to get rid of her.

Flashback ended

He sighed.

Remembering when he saw her face while Evelyn stabbed her. He called her ‘Brother’ with so much love and like a prayer that it shattered his belief and hope. It was that time he knew that she couldn’t love him like he loves her.

For her, he was her brother she had grown to look up to but he wanted more; anything that she finds in Aiden, anything but not her brother.

Frustratingly, he knew he had to do it now and threatened Aiden to kill her. If he cannot be her lover then so Aiden be.

The moment he saw her eyes turn white, he felt his heart break. He realized at this moment; he wasn't falling for her but he already fell hard for her. He loved her and now he lost her.

What’s worse? He couldn’t share it to anyone. He can’t and pretended to remain calm whereas, he had stopped eating and lived wasted until Evelyn supported him. It wasn't long when he lost his parents as well in a most mysterious way but he was totally lost in his own world enough to not have investigated their demise.

Evelyn reminded him of Iris. Not by her looks or behaviour but the fact that she was his sister like her and so, when she seduced him; he went with the flow. Only he knows that he doesn’t have a tiny bit of emotions for her.

‘How could he? When he knows well enough that she hated his Iris and she was the one behind all these. If she couldn’t be her sister’s, could she be trusted with his life?’

He felt hopeful to see Sunny. This way, he could get his love back and needn’t hide his relationship from anyone. He was sure he could easily woo her but she was too stubborn and he wanted to know more about her. Then again, Aiden came between them like before but this time he will make sure that Sunny belongs to him and not Aiden.