Chapter 41

~Three months later~ Riley's P.O. V The shimmering wet sand sweeps over my bare feet. The drizzling of water and the smell of salt only capture my senses. I stroll ahead closer to the water, letting salt water wash over my ankles. It's been three months since the tragic incident and it feels like it happened yesterday. The waves are just like our life. The way time washes over us and every time it does, it makes us stronger as it moistens the dry sand. Time teaches us how to overcome obstacles and it makes us a better version of ourselves. Just like how waves bring along the plants in them, it's like the people who enter our life. Some stay like how plants attach to the sand, but some leave, like how the water takes it back. I was in a relationship with my university crush and we broke after mom passed away as I didn't hangout with her months and she initially visited me to inform that she is no longer interested in me. And then it's Mira. She was my colleague, and we worked on a song together. We grew closer during the process but never made a confession. When ever we go out together we were on media, the next day and many were shipping us. I was into it like I enjoyed reading comments of us, but I never knew that she would ruin me. She got pregnant all of a sudden and I'm hundred percent sure that it's not because of me as we did nothing together. We didn't even share a kiss, as we were hesitant to share our feelings, but she announced that the child was mine. She aborted the child, but still many people believe that I am the father of that child. But this is totally different. It's not like how I felt for the. They made me flirt, feel the butterflies, and I found them the prettiest. Moreover, I believed that I knew them very well, but I didn't. Now I realize that's not love, love not only about butterflies, and blushed. It's about life. I had a distinct feeling for her, even though I didn't see her as the prettiest. I found out that she is one of a kind. She made me feel butterflies, somersaults, and blushes. I'm addition, she made me feel that I should share my life with her and living with her had become a habit that I cannot think how I will stay without her. She made me feel special; she made me a better person. She made me string and helped me through hard times. That's love. It's not only about how you feel, it's about what we do. Aiden Johnson, I have no idea why she appeared in my life, but her appearance is the best thing that ever happens. It's magical. Isn't it how people come across us? Her father met my father, and then she met my father and then we met. The first time I met her, I never thought that would have ended up having feelings for each other and I believed that our relationship would be over after a few days of our encounter. It's unforgettable and funny sometimes. Even though that we started our relationship with a contract that contract was useless indeed, neither of the clauses was followed by any if us. We faced a lot together, but still I'm oblivious to why I fell for her. Isn't that love? It has no reason? She is my life's savior. She is not my first love, but the last. It's been a long since our encounter but still o feel that I should have known her earlier. She should have appeared in my life long time back maybe then I wouldn't have argued with dad, I wouldn't have hid myself I'm the dark when people spoke I'll of me, I wouldn't have changed my dream Impulsively, I wouldn't regret. But that's okay, that's how life is.. We meet people at the right time. My lips form to a spontaneous smile as I continue to think about her, her smile. Damn, that is the most beautiful thing on earth. Like I told, it's true that a gem is rare because she is my gem. The frost breeze hits against my skin through my thin layer of white shirt. I stroke my hair behind and stop in my tracks in front of her, my partner in crime. She is seated on the dry sand with her legs crossed, her hair brushing over her cheeks, the sunlight kissing her pale skin. The pair of black eyes arches as her cheekbones lift. She tucks her strands behind her ears and crunches her nose. I lower myself down to my knees, closer to her. I plant my palms on the land and lean over my arms. 'I just remembered how we first met," I say, looking into those gorgeous, small eyes. I thought big eyes were attractive, but not anymore. It's not the size or color, it's the way we look into it. She smiles… Damn, that smile makes my heart flutter no matter how many times… 'It's because of our father," she slips her arms around my neck. I nod. Her hair brushes over her face for the wind. Her hair is grown down till her shoulders a little longer than it was. My smile widens as I caress my finger on her cheeks and tuck it behind her ears. I cup her cheeks, our eyes locked like it's the first we are looking so close. 'Just as our dads imagined we are together now," I move my head lower, our nose touch. I feel it, I still feel the hot blood rush above my neck along with my pacing heart. As always, time stopped when my lips contact hers, but the flutter grows stronger. I could only focus on how soft she feels against my mouth, how addictively she invades my senses. We pull back to catch our breaths and we inhale enough amount of oxygen I move closer again. She tilts her head and laughs. My goodness, she is making fall for her deeper. 'We have to go home for lunch. You remember it's gathering," she reminds. Aiden's P.O.V Blake and Lisa arrived early and helped us in arranging. Evan couldn't show up as he is an agent of a new rising idol. Shirley and his mother came in late as they went to visit Eric. Eric confessed his deed and agreed to accept his punishment. He has indeed changed for good. He will be released after three months as his sentence is reduced for six months because we took his side in the court. Riley is on his lawyer track and I will be back in the department soon. We all sit around the large dining table. Mom and I moved in to Mintz's house and our house is given for an orphanage. Lisa moved in with Blake and we moved out of the apartment. A spontaneous smile sweeps across my lips when Riley places the hot pot of soup and sits back beside me. He pinches his ears to cool his fingers and faces me. He smiles. That smile will lift my spirits at any moment. Riley Mintz, the beginning of our journey, is the most dramatic scene ever happened in one's life. That was indeed unbelievable, but if that magic didn't happen, would we be together now? I could still hear his cry on that day. It's a pity that my vision wasn't clear at that moment, but I heard it. I heard him cry out loud, begging me to wake up. I was desperate to open my eyes and smile at him, to ask why is he was crying like a baby, to tell him that he looks unattractive when he cries, but all I could do was to tell it to myself. I was afraid, afraid that I won't be able to see him again, afraid that we don't have a chance to live together. Afraid that our father's dreams will not happen. My recovery is not only because of medication and surgery, it was because of him. He never left my side in the hospital. Whenever I opened my eyes, he says in my sight. He is the only person who made me feel protected. Shyness, I've never felt that in my previous relationships, but he made me shy. Every time he stepped closer to me, my heart skipped a beat, my skin heated up. I run my hand through my hair, my fingers slide down a little long way as my hair is grown a little below my shoulders. Am I the only one who hates hair growth? I just wish my hair length stays the same in my neck midway. 'Hey," I turn to left to meet the pair of affectionate eyes, the eyes which speak the words 'Here," He replaces my plate with his, I look down at the peeled shrimps. This is it. These little actions of him made me fall in love. I still remember the way he thought me to tie the shoelace and to wipe my hair. 'Aiden," I move my gaze to Lisa 'Did you try on the wedding gown?," she asks. 'Yeah," I exhale, 'it uncomfortable." I roll my eyes. 'Aiden sissy… You look pretty with longer hair," Shirley giggles. I look down at him seated beside me. I pinch his cheek, 'I will not have a haircut then." I Pat his head. 'Pretty?," I turn to my left when his word hit my ears. "Longer lair doesn't look good on you," he states. He takes a sip of water and faces me. 'Didn't you tell me I will look gorgeous with longer hair?" I arch a brow at him. 'You begged me not to have a haircut," I scoff. 'Did I?," his Adam's apple slides up and down, he scratches the back of his neck and looks everywhere except me as I glare at him. He passes me a nervous smile and moves his gaze to Blake, who is seated opposite him, and pulls up a random topic. I take a deep breath in as I stare at the locked door. My gaze shifts down to the box Blake gave me a few hours ago is in front of me on the bed. My lips curl in as I open the box, my eyes fixed on the objects inside. Blake's word repeats in my head. ‘I found this in Chloe's house and I think you should see it's Memories flood in my mind as I pull out the things inside. Many cards, pictures and a letter. Picking the set of photos I swap, it's the photos of us. From elementary to high school. My fingers stop what the particular photo where we are standing next to each other, our right hands held and we are holding a board titled with friends forever. Chloe, I don't know whether I should forgive him or not, but if I'm given another chance, I will stop my friend from being a villain. I put back everything I'm the box my heart compels to open the letter. Chewing on my inner cheek, I open the envelope and I pull out the paper inside. I unfold it. The year on is when we were in high school. To my Aiden, I don't know what to write but I know no matter what I write, you will be able to understand it. Your appearance in my life is significant and want you to always appear in my life throughout. I never smile since the day mom left me, but when I met you, I couldn't stop smiling. Is that what it feels like to be happy? I missed it for a long time. You know, recently I got to know about dad and he is not a person like how I think of him. He wasn't a husband, and he stole my mom's company. Aiden, I promise mom to get back what's hers and once I've done, I will back for you. I will come back for you so I can confess my love to you officially. I know this sounds insane, but I wanted to tell you this long time back. I love you. I've loved you since the day I saw, maybe it's love at first sight, but it grew day by day. When ever you got close to me, I felt butterflies and my heart flutters. I do now how I'm going to stay away from you in Russia, but please remember, I will come back for you because I love you more and more. By Chloe Millan (Your buddy I'll be your lover)