Chapter 26: The war begins

'Why does he look stunning all of a sudden? Why are my eyes taking a glance at him every second?" Aiden thinks, her eyes never leaving Riley who stands forward. Aiden sits among the three families who helped them to open a lawsuit, the families who were effected by the Aim's chemical. she keeps her legs in place as it spreads beyond her control, she definitely would have purchased a men suit if her size was available but unfortunately it wasn't... It's really uncomfortable... Harry enters the room after the request of sudden witness is granted, he stands in the witness box and looks at Aiden, she passes an assuring smile... The questionnaire begins... Harry declares his identity of being an employee in the warehouse, he was working in the lab testing the medication, he offended when he found something wrong which put his life in danger. He explains that Johnson has nothing to do with the drug added because it's one of the stock purchased by the company. Aiden moves forward in interest when the screen displays an image of the Aim's new production ingredients which was assured by the health centre. Riley explains every details in the paper he stops when the video plays, the video of every ingredients added and the video of testing in the lab where extra ingredients from the list added. Riley explains the scene clearly, he takes a glance at Aiden when he sits back. The room takes pin drop silence when the judge discusses the verdict. Aiden fixes her eyes on Riley, his tense brows meet waiting for the word from the judge. She turns to her left when Kevin walks out but her attention averts when the judge announces 'From the evidence provided I order the health department to check into the warehouse of Aim's industry to check on their stocks and lab. The is case extended to give prosecutor Tira some time to research on the case as per request, moreover I suggest the opposition Lawyer Riley to get more evidence in regards to shut down the company," the judge walks out. ‘Are you sure about your statement?' 'Why are you taking over your father's case?' ‘Why do you think Aim's is committing a crime?' ‘Riley, Are you strong in your decision?'' ‘The company is successful in business, do you think you can win the case?' The crowd of reporter surrounds them, Aiden looks up when Riley holds her hand to calm himself, he takes a glance at Aiden and announces 'The lawsuit against the Aim's is opened with help of the families who are effected by the Aim's chemicals and we are one of them, we are victim too. We will fight till we get justice, their actions will proven before they launch the medication" his voice comes out stern 'The truth will be revealed soon, the true colours of the chairman will be out," he strolls through the crowd, his grip on Aiden's hand never loosens. Crossing her legs, Tira grasps the cup of coffee, she takes a sip her eyes fixed to the door. The door opens, Tira places the cup on the saucer when the judge enters. He sits opposite to her. 'I couldn't reject the request for the sudden witness, the only help I can do is extend the case," He says. 'It was indeed a smart move," she replies 'Harry's arrival is unexpected," she flips her hair 'I thought we got rid of him," 'The case was filed with the help of the three families, I think they are related to the murder of two workers and one was a journalist," 'Seems like they have got so much in their hands," she chuckles 'They have no idea what are they getting involved," 'Its unlike the other cases it's better deal with them cautiously," he pours coffee to another cup 'Tell Mr. Chloe to be careful , if they prove their side then nothing will be in our control," 'Thanks for your concern," Tira stands 'The money will be transferred to your account," she passes a smile, her heels click to the doorway. The black car comes to halt by the parking, Aiden turns to her left 'If the team from health department checks in and find out the illegal stocks then we will win the case but," she looks straight at the large grey walls through the windscreen... She knows that this won't end easy, the company had few other cases but it ended after one trial. 'But...What?," Riley asks looking at her curiously. 'I feel something off," her grip on the steering wheel tightens 'Something fishy," she utters. 'Fishy?," 'I saw the judge and Tira exchanging eye signals," 'Damn, Aiden," Riley moves forward immediately jumping off the seat surprised 'You've got sharp eyes," he exclaims 'You look everything in detail except me," he says, earning a glare from her. She glares at him her eyes enough to convey the message to zip his mouth, he licks his lips 'So what do you think? They made a deal? But I didn't find anything suspicious," he says. 'Never mind," she exhales and steps out the car. Aiden sits on the plastic chair, the only object available in the small room, Riley stands beside her with his arms crossed over his chest looking through the transparent glass in front of them. Aiden's face beams when the door opens, Johnson walks in and sits opposite to her, the wooden counter and glass between them. 'Its good to see you both together," Johnson looks up at Riley 'I'm glad that you are taking over your dad's case, he was desperate to get justice" he smiles and says 'He has told me a lot about you," 'Then I guess you've heard bad of me," Riley chuckles. 'Seems like you all both talk a lot about us," Aiden says 'Even Mr. Mintz told me that you spoke a lot about me," 'Yeah, We've also planned of getting both of you married off," Johnson chortles. Riley places his hands on the counter and leans lower over his arms 'That sounds interesting," he grins ear to ear looking down at Aiden. 'What's interesting about it?," Aiden rolls her eyes. 'Just imagine us together at aisle, getting married," he chuckles...His power of imagination trying hard to picture her with the wedding gown. Johnson observes Riley, a spontaneous smile sweeps across his lips noticing Riley's sparkling eyes. It's true that our eyes sparkle when we see someone we love, maybe it can be noticed by others. 'It sucks," she scoffs dryly, Riley opens his mouth to argue but stops when she continues 'We opened the lawsuit with the help of three families who filed a case before but their lawyer betrayed," she moves forward and continues 'Your wedding anniversary is around the corner, I'll bring mom over, she is getting better," Aiden plasters a smile when Johnson's face beams with a wide smile 'Dad," she calls out softly 'We will get you out soon," she assures. Johnson knows that his daughter will get him out but he is guilty that he cannot help in hard times, yet one side of him is pensive as he couldn't stay by his wife's side when she is ill and he is no help to his daughter. He is ready to stay for the sentenced year rather than putting his daughter's life in risk, however no explanation will beat Aiden's stubbornness. 'Aiden and you," he takes a glance at Riley 'If circumstances gets out of your control please step back," he requests 'Riley," he calls out, Riley bends even lower raising his brows ready to listen 'I know that she is strong and stubborn sometimes, please protect her," his voice comes out low. 'I definitely will," Riley replies sincerely. 'Protect me?" Aiden snarls, Riley faces her arching a brow questionably 'It should be the other way around," she sneers as she leans back. Riley bites his upper lip pulling inward staring at her for a second 'My god," he scowls as he stands straight and places his hand on his chest 'That was really harsh," he pouts, looking down at Aiden. 'Ignore him," she says dryly, she moves forward 'You don't have to worry about anything, everything will be fine." 'Yes," Riley nods 'Don't worry I'll be with her 24/7," he avers which makes Johnson laugh. 'You sure will," Johnson chuckles 'I know that advising you all to stay out of it is useless, just be safe," he exhales and stands...He has begged Aiden to not be involved numerous times even though he knows that she never listens. Their eyes never leaves the small space of room in front of them until Johnson closes the door. 'Shall we get home?," Riley questions. 'Not home! We've got something to do," she states. 'Something," his lips forms to an uneven shape. 'It's Lisa birthday, we gotta get the decorations done," Carrying the bags Aiden pushes the door open, Riley stomps in, dropping the bags he throws himself to the couch staring at the ceiling, a weary sigh leaves his lips. 'Urgh... it's exhausting," he grunts under his breath, tired of the long shopping hours. He sits straight and gazes at Aiden who takes the balloons out from the packets. He runs his hand through his hair and leans forward. 'So, Blake is going to propose her tonight," he asks walking towards Aiden. She nods in reply. 'What's their love story?" he sits on the floor next to Aiden, helping to pump the balloons. She takes a balloon and wraps it's mouth around the air pumper hole, pumping the air she says 'It was love at first sight, Lisa liked him at the first meeting and later when we hanged out together more frequent she developed feelings for him," she knots the balloon and continues as she takes another one 'She proposed him like thrice but he didn't accept it because he is sometimes careless and irresponsible so he was afraid that he cannot give Lisa a life that she wants. I've known him for more than four years and he is indeed a very good person" she smiles. Riley takes a peek at Aiden and looks back at the balloon which he is pumping 'What kind of a person am I?," he questions. 'You?," she asks. 'Yeah, me," Riley turns to his left facing her side features. 'Umm," she takes a moment of silence to think. 'Why taking long to think?," he knots the balloon and throws it afar. 'When I first met you I thought you are a coward irresponsible brat," She chuckles pumping the air excessively in the balloon 'But now, after moving along with you I think you are a brave, sincere and," she grins, her heart beat begins to race 'A responsible man," she faces him. Blast! Riley jumps to his knees his eyes widened in horror when the balloon burst 'My God," he scowls 'It scared me to death," he exclaims placing his hand on his chest calming his pounding heart and sits back. 'What was your first impression of me?," Aiden asks...She has never taken other's opinion into consideration however one side of her is eager to know his answer. She looks away and takes another balloon to pump air. 'I thought you are...," he takes a second of silence faking to think where as a pile of compliments are stocked at the back of his mind 'I thought you are a hot headed, rash and a boring person, he chuckles, his eyes never leaving her 'But now I know that you are kind, cool, amazing, wonderful, pretty, sweet and I find you interesting," the corners of his lips twitches to a radiant smile 'I find you interesting in a way that I want to know more about you from what you like and dislike" he continues his voice maintaining the softness. She urges to look at his face but holds back fixing her gaze to the balloon, a hot blush rises above her neck, her heart racing like she just ran a marathon. She continues to air the same balloon as many times she lost the pace letting the air out. 'You know I find you adorable sometimes," he says. Aiden smiles 'You are the first person to tell that after my parents," she blurts, her eyes fixed to the balloon, which she has been pumping for a while. 'Then I'm the first person who finds you cute after your parents," he shrugs merrily his lips forms to a blithesome smile 'Its my honour Miss Aiden Johnson," her full name rolls down his tongues foreign but she likes it... She turns to her right to face him. Blast! Riley flinches again, a loud yelp leaves his lips when the balloon in her hand burst due to excess of air. 'Why do you keep bursting them?" he exclaims and lets out a loud breath in relief 'My goodness it made my soul fly," he scowls and looks at Aiden who is calm at the sudden noise 'Are you doing it on purpose because I'm terrified, I have globaphobia," he sits straight and faces her. Aiden frowns 'Why? Did you have a bad experience with balloons in childhood?," 'No," he shrugs 'The sudden noise of it freaks me out," he clasps his hands together below his chin 'I'm a timid human," he utters in a low voice. Rolling her eyes she moves her head back, her lips formed to an uneven smile, she picks another balloon and begins to work. 'Hey...," 'Stop talking," she orders. The living room is filled with gold and pink balloons on the floor, the balloons flowing like a river, like a balloon pool, the decor came out splendid, the banner arranged by them on the wall large enough to be seen from the doorway. Aiden and Riley stands next to each other at the centre, they look around at the final result of their hard work in pride as the final outcome is glorious than expected , it almost took two hours to get everything done as they started at nine and it's eleven pass now. 'Wow," Riley claps 'What's next?," he flicks his finger facing Aiden. 'Lets go to Blake's place," she says. 'Shall I hail a taxi?," 'We can use Chloe's car, he told me to return tomorrow," she asked Chloe's where about but he suggested her to return the car tomorrow 'Give me a minute," she goes to her room and comes back wearing a pair of ripped jeans and grey t-shirt... Finally out from the skirt. The car comes to an halt outside the single story house. Aiden opens the door, before she steps out her phone rings... It's Lisa...she answers the call... Her eyes widen in horror darkening in worry, she couldn't utter a word as her voice freezes in throat, fury seizes her. She pushes the door open and runs in, her feet stops when her eyes fall on Harry, his body laying on the floor motionless, his throat slit. The sight sends a brusque bolt of shock right through her. Her heart gave a lurch as it hampers in the chest when she moves her gaze to Blake, his bloodied body in Lisa's arm... His stomach shot... Lisa looks up, her face flat and white, tears roll down her cheeks uncontrollably, her heart thunders... She bites her quivering lower lip, her arms holding Blake to her chest. Aiden stands still watching the scene, her nerves splinter with both anger and worry. Riley rushes in, he freezes noticing the blood, he watches Harry and Blake with growing horror. Drawing a sharp breath he walks to Aiden, his brows meet the upper lids pulled up and his lower eyelids drawn up in worry. 'Get him to the hospital," Riley breaks the frozen silence. He hurries to Blake and carries him to the car, Lisa follows, her weak legs wobbly ready to give up at any moment. Aiden makes slow steps towards Harry, she squats down and places her hand on his forehead 'I'm sorry," she whispers as she slides her hand down closing his eyes.