Chapter 32

Riley's P.O.V The trial is cancelled I cannot takeover any case for six months And yeah, definitely I'm viral online… it's annoying to be popular sometimes. Row of clothes hung in multiple poles, I follow Aden as she walks around checking on the dresses. Her parent's anniversary is coming soon, she decided to take her mom to meet Mr. Johnson and wants her mom to be in new clothes and in her best state. I bring the beeping phone to my view, the continuous notification pops up, as expected. Clicking on each bar I check the new posts, reading every sentence till it effects me but it didn't. Neither of those words from the outside world effected, as the one I love knows the truth, as she told we cannot stop others from sharing their opinion, come on that is why humans are malicious. I stop in my tracks when Aiden walks to the other side of the large room, my eyes fall on a particular peach prom dress, well fitted on the dummy. The box pleated skirt lands a few inches above the knee, the light shade of peach contrasts with faded red at the bottom of the skirt. I step in front of the dummy, my eyes examining the attire… How will she look in it? A disease, I've been enduring a disease recently that when ever I see some dresses whether it's 2d image or the dress it self, my mind tries imagine her in it. The curious self in me needs to know how she will look in those pretty outfits… My goodness, Just imagine her with wedding gown. I feel my cheeks lift below my eyes, the spontaneous smile, that stupid smile which just makes it's way on my lips at the thought of her… She is really something… The day before yesterday, when she returned back, she looked tired yet she covered it up with her pretty smile, worry clear visible in her eyes. I knew she was all worked up as she stayed two days on the car with no proper food and sleep but I did nothing, one part of me feels bad that I couldn't do anything to help her. If I was in her shoes, I will lock myself in my room crying my eyes out for my friend who betrayed me but she was totally fine about it and told me that he doesn't deserve her tears, whether she expresses it or not I'm sure that she is upset about it but doesn't want to be. The only thing which I can do is to console and cheer her up. Stepping aside I take a peep at her, she stands behind the working young lady who checks the sizes of the folded clothes… Is this called telepathy?... Aden looks at me and she passes a smile, the smile which is exclusive for me. I request the lady close by to get me the dress worm by the dummy, my impatient inner self doesn't have time to wait till she picks the dress from the row of hung dresses. I hide the dress behind my back and jump in front of Aiden before she reaches the cashier. My eyelids flutter as a butterfly's wings while she looks at me with furrowed brows. 'What?," she asks. I look down, the baggy brown sweater, a pair of black leggings and black boots, holding the hanger with one hand I bring it to her view, licking my lips I observe her when she gazes the dress, a gigantic smile sweeps across my lips when she looks at me. 'I just wondered how you'll look in this," 'So," she says with raised brows. 'So," I scratch the back of my head and I look around, my smile shrinking every second. Will she be mad if I tell her to try it on? Or will she slam me to the wall? 'Do you want me to try it on?," I goggle at her… Did I hear it right? Am I hallucinating? 'What did you say?," I ask raising a brow as I lift the right corner of my lips. 'Do you want me to try it on?," she repeats…. I did hear it right… My face beams when she takes the dress. 'Are you serious?," I step closer 'You're not kidding right?," I clasp my hands and look up 'God, I'm blessed today ' I utter in a low voice, the volume enough to get into her ears 'Am I dreaming? Did you say yes, are you gonna wear it for me?," It's obvious that I'm bestowed as I've committed numerous good deeds! She stares at me for a couple of seconds 'Alright," she sighs 'Lets leave," she grunts low and hits the hanger with dress to my chest. 'No, no ' my hand grasps hers before she turns around 'I'll zip my mouth," I nod as an obedient child. Aiden takes the dress and strolls to the fit on room without passing a glance at me, my eyes fixed on her… Okay, I still cannot believe that she agreed to try it on for me, like seriously she is going to walk out with that mini well fitted short sleeves sexy dress! God, how will she look? I feel like she is the bride and she is about to walk down the isle, the excitement in me to see her. I wait by the normal sized couch placed opposite the fit on room, the pounding heart in my ribcage increases its pace every minute as I stare the the closed curtain till it slides open… Why is she taking long?... Fifteen minutes passed which seemed like an hour, I sit on the couch and I stand the very next second. The curtain slides open and she steps out looking down at herself... My goodness, she looks different, like a complete different person, an attire indeed makes a big change. My heart pounds as I gape at her up and down, my eyes forgetting to blink. She looks stunning 'You look….," I walk to her, my eyes unwilling to move away from her… Why the hell on earth am I blushing, a hot tingling feeling crawls above my neck when she looks at me and smiles… Damn, that smile bakes my soul… 'You look gorgeous," my comment comes out low as my mind and heart is mesmerized by the sight. 'Why are you flushed up?," she chuckles, her voice dry as usual but in the current state she doesn't sound tough or mean. Yeah, why am I flushed up when she is absolutely calm? I haven't seen her blushing and shy, it's all me. 'Your ears are red," she laughs.. My god, Aiden, please don't test my patience, you're driving me nuts… I snake my arms around her uncarved waist and I pull her to my chest, our eyes meet close 'You look stunning," I say, her lips form to a gentle smile 'You can wear it on your parent's anniversary. They will be surprised to see you in this dress," 'They have already seen me like this," she says, her voice low 'Only my family has seen me dressed this way," she grins showing her teeth, her already small eyes shrink 'You're the only person in earth to witness this after my family," Her words sound like heaven's song in my ears, I'm the only one who is aware of her other side after her family. She is mine after her family's, she is my princess. Our bodies sway left to right like we are dancing for a melody 'Hey," I start a conversation again after a few seconds of silence 'How about a pair of heels?," I ask, it will be complete with a pair of heels instead of her daily unisex boots. She chews onto her inner cheek and arches her left brow perfectly. 'Ow," A low scowl leaves my lips as I stumble backwards… she trampled my foot. 'You're too greedy," she snarls and skitters to the fit on room. My god, I angered her…. I mentally slap my face… she agreed to wear the dress, damn, why did I say that? A pair of heels? Riley you gotta be cautious of your tongue? The vibrant sky comes to view when ae enter the rooftop of the shopping mall, the sunlit skyscrapers pierces the hot blue radiant sky. The rooftop is occupied by a restaurant, wooden tables and chairs arranged in a row. 'We can go home and eat, Blake called us to be back soon," she turns to leave, I grasp her arm to stop her. 'Someone wants to meet you," I say. She looks at me with furrowed brows, I nod and move my gaze to the specific four chaired rectangular table where he is seated, he waves at me, Aiden follows my gaze. 'Is Eric the someone who wants to meet me?," she scoffs and faces me, I nod 'You both seem close?," she says. 'We had a chat on the way back from the police station," I explain, she remains silent for a while and looks away. 'If it wasn't you who bought me here, I would not bother to listen a word," she strolls to the table. If it wasn't me? … My inner being jumps in glee, her words repeat in my head with a rhythm. Eric passes a smile at me and faces Aiden, she sits leaving the chair opposite to him empty, I take my seat on it. The atmosphere stiffens, I clear my throat glancing at Aiden, she is seated with her legs spread, her eyes looking around every where except us. 'Aiden," Eric finally speaks, his voice not cold but gentle. She rubs the back of her neck and faces Eric, he continues 'Don't you want to know who were those men?," 'It's none of my business," she shrugs. Damn, that behaviour, it's been a while to see her cold. Eric remains silent for a long moment and continues 'Thank you for saving my wife and son," he says, every word rolls down his tongue in gratitude, his tone enough to convey his sincerity 'And thank you for that day, if you both didn't show up, my family would be killed," I look at Eric when he speaks and my gaze averts to Aiden when she replies. She clicks her tongue and sits straight 'To be honest I wouldn't have helped if you were alone," she says. Yeah, her reply made me surprise however I will not deny that she is damn cool. 'I know," Eric assures 'If you need any help, I'm available," he moves forward. 'Do you think we can't handle this on our own?," she stands 'I'm glad that you've changed your mind but," her voice sounds blunt and dry, she keeps a step aside and says 'You're not punished for your sins," she looks at me 'Lets go, we are running out of time," Passing a last glance at Eric I follow her. 'Aiden," he calls out before we could keep a couple steps ahead, she turns. Eric stands and steps forward 'I'm sorry for everything," he apologizes, his eyes never leaving her face. I look at her with big eyes, she nods, her countenance calm as usual… If I'm in her situation right now my jaw would drop to the ground at his words, the person who has been against me, holding a grudge on me, caused many troubles and significantly the person who envied me apologized sincerely, who will not be astonished except her?