Chapter 19: Feeling different

Third Person P.O.V The ever silent hall gets filled with chatters, Aiden stacks the plates and turns around to see Blake who takes the glassware from the pantry. The plan of hanging out together in the restaurant was called off because she wanted Harry to join the meal with them as he has been locked in for a long time. Aiden places the plates by the sink "Why is everything dusty? I'll wash these you unpack the takeouts," she rolls up the sleeves of the blazer and opens the tap, she squeezes the dishwasher onto the sponge and begins to clean. "Any help?," Riley enters the kitchen, he walks behind her. "Nah, just carry the washed plates to the tab...," The last two letters 'le' stuck in her throat when he unclips her hair, his fingers brush over her skin as he gathers her hair to his hand. Aiden's body freezes her movements stop for a second at his touch, she stares at the water which flows, her eyes forgot to blink. He clips her hair and steps closer his body brushing over hers as he snakes his arm over hers, her heart paces, her body reacts in a bizarre way. "You are wasting the water," he closes the tap which brings Aiden back to reality. She turns around immediately the unseen subtle distance disclosed, she faces him and curls her lips in when Riley examines her, his passionate eyes exposing his action. "What are you doing?," She snaps, her voice comes out dry and cold. He straightens his posture immediately as he steps back "Nothing," he blurts nervously. "Take the plates," she orders and lifts the tray of glasses, Riley follows her to the dining area, he argues with his inner self on whether she heard his thumping heart or not. The large table is surrounded by guests for the first time and the first official greeting between Riley, Blake, Lisa, Harry and Evan. They get along well. "Cheers," Everyone shouts in unison as they hit their cans of alcohol, only one is a can of soda which is held by Aiden, taking a sip of it they sit on their seats. The room doesn't take over silent even a minute as they continue to chat and laugh introducing themselves. Aiden sits back watching them, her eyes taking a glimpse at Riley every passing second. Her mind recalls the scene, confused of how her body reacted at that moment. She sits straight when her phone messenger notification rings, Riley turns to his right, the wide smile shrinks as he raises his brows in curiosity when a spontaneous smile makes it's way on her lips when she opens the chat. Her fingertips reply fast. Chloe: Can we meet? At the usual ice cream corner. Aiden: Now? Chloe: Yes! I just arrived and I want to see you. "Hey everyone," She stands "Sorry I have to go," She requests as she steps aside. "Where are you going?," Lisa asks. "To meet a friend," Aiden rushes to the door as soon as she bid goodbye. The ice cream shop at the lane top of a high school remains unchanged, the same old statue of the clown with a cone at the entrance, the only difference of the shop after years is the colour of the paint. Aiden gets off the car and she stands by the shop, the view of it makes her nostalgic. The chime hung at the entrance clings when the door opens, Aiden enters, her gaze directly falls to the left corner table, a slight smile spread across her lips when she spots him, he stands immediately and waves at her when she walks toward the table. "My God, Aiden," he gasps as she sits across him "You've never changed," he says, the pair of ocean blue eyes never leaving the sight of her. "Is it?," She arches a brow playfully. "Yes," he rubs his hands against each other and moves forward in interest "I just arrived a few hours ago and you are my first destination." "Hmm," she nods as she hums "I'm glad that you are back safe," she looks around "The place has never changed right?," She says as she fixes her eyes on the board of sticky notes. "I know right," He follows her gaze "Do you think our note is still pinned there," a wide grin forms on his lips as he gazes at Aiden. "Maybe," she looks straight which makes him to avert his gaze instantly "How are your parents?," She questions, there meeting after years made them to have a pile of topics to share about yet she didn't ask for anything. Chloe, the once lonely boy who was bullied in high school, he mingled with no one except Aiden who helped him at every circumstances. His parents were busy with business that they had no time to spend with their son which caused him to have a special interaction with his only one friend Aiden. They hanged out together always and studied together, their relationship holding many sweet memories. Every relationship has separation in one way or another. He migrated for college however they were in touch but no matter how much time you spend online with that person meeting in person is different. "They're...," His voice comes out low "No more," "Oh sorry ,"she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly yet her voice came out dry showing no empathy. "That's okay, I saw you in....," He stops when a young boy places the tray of two sundae on their table, Chloe continues when the boy leaves "I saw you in news today, into some case?" He asks interested of the topic. "Yeah," she blurts and begins to eat. "Something serious," "Not exactly," They eat chatting some random topic, the little awkwardness gone. "Aiden," she looks at him, the mention of her name in his husky voice had made her heart flutter in teen "Why don't you quit?," "Why should I?," She questions calmly. "Just kidding I know you won't" he brushes off chuckling at his own statement, taking a moment of silence he continues "Who was that guy with you?," "Riley!," She says as she sits back "We are working on the case together. He is such a dramatic person, I'll introduce you to him it's easy to get along with him," She stops for a while, her mind realising that she is strangely talkative about him. "He is a lawyer," she completes her introduction. "I see, seems like you both are close," Chloe says forcing a smile, almost like talking to himself. "Not exactly," the last two letters drag when her phone rings, she sits straight "Speaking of the devil," she utters under her breath and answers the call. The empty plates remain on the table, it's been a while the dishes are over. Riley stays still unmovable on his seat staring at an empty space absent minded, his eyes fixed on the empty chair opposite to him where Evan was seated, Evan left early, Harry lays on the sofa asleep. Lisa's voice from the balcony can be clearly heard in the hall as the surrounding plays only the sound of her shabby voice. "This is the last time I'm asking you," she says as she looks up at Blake who is standing in front of her "We've known each other for more than three years, until today didn't you feel anything for me," her voice comes out low. "Lisa..," he stops when she interrupts. "I'm okay even if you reject me now as always, but at least," she bites her lower lip as her eyes well up "At least tell me the reason," she requests. "I've told you it has nothing to do with you," "What do you mean by it has nothing to do with me?" After a long moment of silence he finally says "I'm afraid," he looks into her eyes "I'm afraid that I won't be able to take care of you, I'm afraid that I'll be irresponsible, I'm afraid of not giving you the life you expect," "So does it mean you are into me," her voice changes instantly. Blake freezes, observing her, unaware of what he just spoke. Lisa's mouth twitches when he looks away and grips the grill of the balcony, he leans over his arm and looks up at the dark sky. "I know that this may sound crazy but you know, I planned of proposing you on your birthday," he chuckles. "That's okay," her smile widens "You can do it," she jumps forward cheerfully, happiness beaming on her face. "Lisa," he calls softly and stands back and turns to face her, he steps forward closing the few distance between them, he snakes his arm around her waist and pushes her to his hard chest, he cups her cheeks and moves his head closer to hers. He kisses her. Riley runs his hand through his messy hair, grunting under his breath he calls Aiden, his mind anxious until she answers. "Hello," Aiden's voice comes from the other side. Riley remains silent for few seconds when he hears the male voice at her background. "I have to go home, come quickly," "The car keys are on the entrance cupboard," "What if I drive alone home and someone stalks me," "Why on earth would someone stalk you?" "Someone will, because I'm the person who is taking over the case," "I'll ask Blake to drop you," "No," his voice comes out loud "I need you to come, what will you do if your lawyer is murdered," "Are you serious?," "How can my office manager be irresponsible?," "Office manager?," "Yes, you're given that post today," "Are you drunk?," "Come quickly, I'm tired," he hangs his head low "Come soon," Aiden hangs up without another word. The taxi comes to an halt by the gate, paying the driver Aiden strolls in furiously. She slams the door and stomps to the dining room, she stops when she sees Riley seated on the sofa with his body stretched, the top few buttons of his shirt unbuttoned, his tie in a mess and his sleeves rolled up, his head hung over the chair. She looks around as she brushes her hair off her face noticing that no one is present except Harry and them. "Did you order those?," She yells noticing the cans on the table "Why the hell did you drink?," She growls even though she knows that he is not going to give her an answer. Aiden removes her blazer and throws it to the chair where Riley's coat is kept, she rolls the sleeves of her blouse and stomps toward him. Riley lifts his heavy eyelids, a slight smile makes it's way on his wet lips. "You came back," he slurs and his eyelids close again. "Yes, Yes I'm back," Aiden grunts dryly, pulling his arms she wraps it around her neck, his body weighing on her thin back. "If it's not for your father," she pants as she drags him with her to the room "I will throw you into the garbage," she kicks the door open and enters the room. "Aiden," Riley blurts in slumber, he unwraps his arms abruptly and stands straight leaning over the wall. "Now, What?," She yells as she turns around, her eyes glaring at him. "What are you do..ing to m..eee," he utters "Why did you kiss me?," He asks his tone turning serious. Aiden freezes when he holds her shoulders, her heavy breaths stop "The kiss," he says looking into her small black eyes "I felt it," he utters. Her eyes widens, she curls her lips into a flat line and lets it out surprised, unexpected of his behaviour. "You're drunk, you're blabbering," she states dryly removing his hands from her shoulders. "No! I'm not," he alleges "I'm not drunk, I'm sober," He grasps her shoulders again "Let me confirm it," he pulls her towards him. Closing his eyes he moves closer as he lowers his head a little, his lips captures hers the very next second. Aiden pushes him but he pulls her closer forcefully to a hug. She grunts under her breath and lifts her arm blowing a punch across his cheek which makes him to release her instantly. His head falls over her shoulder. "You are out of your freaking mind," she holds him in place before he hovers over her, she snakes her hands below his arms and drags to the bed, luckily they were a few steps away from the bed. Letting out a loud sigh she throws him to bed, a yelp leaves her lips when she falls over next to him, he holds onto her immediately despite her strong wriggles in his grip, but later she gives up feeling tired.