Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 18

“Sir, Gallon & Co. has sent their quotes. Do you want to check them?” Rick asked Aiden. It was weird seeing his boss in a daze during working hours.

“Uh? Okay.” Aiden replied uninterested. “Wait!”

Rick was ready to leave when his voice stopped him.

“Did Derek contact you or anyone else in the company?” Aiden asked.

Rick was surprised to hear that. It has been months when Aiden informed them not to entertain Derek then why suddenly he is concerned?

“No sir. Is there something that I should know?” Rick asked to which Aiden shook his head in dismissal.

There was something that was bothering him. As if on cue, Sunny came across his mind.

He realized it’s been three days when he last met her and thought to pay her a visit later today.

He had been asking her about her health and even sent his personal doctor to check upon her leg but she refused. He too didn’t push it thinking that it might give away another idea which he wasn't sure of himself.

When he was convinced with the urgent matters settled; Aiden left to visit Iris. He was glad to have his HQ in New York as that saved him time to run to and fro from Boston.

His phone buzzed and without looking at the caller, he picked it up then regretting it.

“Hello sweetheart. So, eager to talk to me huh” Evelyn giggled at the other end.

“I am driving Evelyn.” Aiden gritted through his teeth.

Before he could have ended up the call, she asked him not to.

“Listen, I wanted to apologize.” Aiden was stunned to hear that.

His fingers slowly stopped and clutched his phone tightly. He rechecked the number to make sure it is Evelyn.

“I will call you later then when you aren’t driving. Bye and sorry once again.” Evelyn hung up swiftly.

It was not less than any miracle.

It was for the first time that Evelyn apologized and first time that she hung up without pestering him. It made her feel less... annoying?

Could he jump to that conclusion right now?

No, but it really was a big deal. Not knowing how to process it, he tried to shrug it off and focused on the road. This time, he felt light.

Pulling outside her apartment, Aiden straightened his suit. He felt nervous to see her again as if he was going on a date. Walking through the small stairs, he halted at the door and knocked hesitantly.

The door was opened by Iris who was equally shocked to see Aiden here. Aiden was shocked because of her natural beauty. Her face was pale and flushed like she was having a fever yet she looked so beautiful.

“Hey?” Iris smiled meekly.

She felt giddy to see him here surprisingly. Her hoarse voice felt embarrassing to her but Aiden grew concerned. He didn’t wait to be asked and made himself comfortable in her apartment.

He was about to reach for her cheek; an old habit with Iris but he had made a fist in his pocked to restrain himself. The woman in front of her wasn't his Iris but Sunny.

“What happened to you? You are having fever?” He asked as he looked around to see for his stupid cousin.

“Oh no, I am quite alright. Just a flu.” Iris shrugged.

He narrowed his eyes at her. She needn’t pretend to be okay when she wasn't.

Suddenly, she started sneezing with her eyes shut. Even though her sneezes were not thundering but pleasant, yet her closed eyes and the teary red-rimmed gaze were enough to tell her condition. Her hair spread across her eyes as Aiden reached to tug them back but later quickly withdrew his hand.

His hand accidentally brushed her cheek and it was now when he could feel the heat. Such close proximity was bothering Iris and she regretted not leaving for Boston with the others Anyways, it was due to her last exam which was over-morrow.

“You are literally blazing.” His eyes narrowed in disapproval. “Where is your cousin?” He asked dominantly.

She secretly admired him. He always radiated authority and dominance. His hair strand landing on his forehead made him even more handsome and she loved this side of him- Looking like a devil but with an angel’s heart.

“I-I am okay. Erik had to leave for Boston yester night.” She said making her way to the kitchen.

“You had been living alone here?” Aiden’s eyes widened.

“Why? You could have told me at least and I would have—”

“Come and slept with me? Geez... No thanks.” Iris laughed which made Aiden uncomfortable.

Sure thing that was on his mind but listening it comes that way out loud, it didn’t sound too wise.

“Nope, what I meant was... Leave it. Where’s the kit?” Aiden asked and she needn’t ask what kit he was referring about.

“In the bathroom; on the front shelf.” She replied while fixing both of them a drink.

Aiden was quick to arrive with a medical kit and checked her temperature. The thermometer read 103.6 that angered him but uttered some coherent words.

Iris wanted to laugh but instead, passed him his favorite smoothie. Looking at it, Aiden was emotionally unstable. It reminded him of his Iris. She wouldn’t allow him to drink even beer when they were together and ended up making her special smoothie. He believed it was her special but seeing Sunny offering the same, maybe it wasn't.

Prior to Aiden’s scolding, Iris took some pills and swallowed.

“I could have asked a doctor to come.” He was worried for her genuinely.

“That wasn't required. I was just been a lazy ass. Remember, I am an orphan and have memorized almost all the basic medications. So, don’t worry.” Iris replied.

Both were lost in their own reverie. There was a comfortable silence which Iris decided to break.

“You never said your best friend was so handsome.” She smirked making Aiden uneasy.

“My friend?” He wanted to confirm his doubts.

“Eh, yes. Derek. Isn’t he your friend? He came to meet me at the campus two days ago.” She replied sipping her smoothie.

The reason she was ill now was related to it. She had allergy with the pollen and dust and Derek wanted to make sure of it so, he offered her some daisies. He waited for her to refuse but she accepted those flowers with a bright smile and his face fell. He was now sure it wasn't Iris because she would have been suffered a reaction.

When they were seated in a cafe, she excused herself to use the restroom and swallowed an anti-allergic pill for time being. She knew she will have to escape soon and called Dylan. When Dylan reached her, she took it as a chance to elope.

“What did he say?” Aiden was worried.

“Nothing. He said he was hoping to meet me. Maybe discuss some business?” She answered honestly. She wished he knew what he wanted to talk about.

“That S.O.B.! Don’t meet him again.” Aiden said sternly leaving no place for argument.

“Okayyyy” Iris breathed.

“There are things you need to know. I think we can discuss about them after your exam.” Aiden replied tiredly.

They talked and Iris was feeling drowsy due to medication. She couldn’t stay awake and Aiden stared at her. She slept snoring lightly; a smile crossed his handsome face. He tugged her in her bed and slept in another room which looked like Erik’s. He sighed feeling exhausted.

***

“Welcome sweetheart. Long time no see.” Mrs. Johnson welcomed Evelyn.

She wondered the last time they were together was during a family outing.

“Hello aunty. How are you?” Evelyn hugged her as she turned to hug Mr. Johnson as well.

They were exchanging pleasantries when someone else entered the house.

“Hello Jacob and Eva.” Derek smiled at them and the couple were shocked to see him.

They hugged each other tightly not knowing the contradictory relationship between his son and his friend.

The four of them happily joined each other at the lunch and shared laugh.

“So what made you remember us Derek?” Mr. Johnson asked.

“Oh about that, I thought you must have already heard about it.” Derek smiled innocently.

That confused the couple more.

“Hasn’t Aiden told you that Iris is back?” Derek asked enjoying himself.

The color drained from their faces.

She was back! An ecstasy overtook them. Iris was back which mean their son would be back soon. They were overjoyed but then suddenly they thought why Aiden didn’t inform this?

Derek smirked knowing now the couple will force Aiden to bring her with him and his work would be easy.

“Oh looks like he didn’t tell you? I am sorry, I should have contained it. I-I was just...” Derek pretended to be embarrassed.

“Nonsense! You don’t have anything to apologize for. We are thankful to have known this. Now when she is back, I hope everything will be fine.” The couple beamed at each other.

Evelyn smirked. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Derek was indeed a very good actor. Now the only thing they needed was her weakness.

***

Iris woke with an amazing smell of pancakes. For a moment she forgot everything and jumped out of her bed racing towards the kitchen only to see Aiden shirtless and cooking while humming. She secretly took his appearance and blushed thinking how lucky she was to have him but then suddenly her eyes widened.

‘No she can’t!’

Aiden must have sensed her presence as he turned and gave her a boyish grin which melted Iris’s heart.

“Good morning! How are you now? I hope pancakes are good to go?” He gestured towards the breakfast as Iris nodded slightly.

It was her weakness with chocolate syrup and like he was reading her mind; he served it with extra chocolate syrup. She couldn’t restrain herself and dug into it caring less what image it would leave.

Aiden laughed but his eyes watered. He cleared his throat and joined her at the table.

“I would be leaving now but you’ll have to promise me to call if you needed something. Tomorrow I would appreciate if you’ll come with me to my house” He saw her widened eyes.

“Just to discuss few things, nothing else I swear.” Aiden cleared it out immediately.

She nodded and continued savouring her meal.

Aiden was studying her closely. He stood and was ready to leave when he took her by surprise and turned to face her. She was mere inch away and her heart raced wildly. The loud thudding deafened her ears as she watched his lips move but couldn’t decipher what he said.

“You there?” He asked looking concerned.

“Uh, yes.” Iris replied.

“Good, I will go then.” He went outside and saw her standing at the door lost in her thoughts.