Broken Soul

Chapter 19 (edited)

Thankfully my bathroom was big enough for two large men and one woman; Aiden was to the right of me and Adrian was to my left as we stood at the lavatory; both of them wrapped in towels and looking gorgeous. 

 I had disappeared into my room to put on a gray lace bra and matching panties and then returned to the bathroom.  Aiden groaned when I walked in and Adrian just shook his head. 

 "What?" I asked, looking at both of them through the mirror.  

"You seriously don't know?" Aiden asked and acting like I should know.  I shook my head no.  "Baby you are so feminine and sexy and to see you prancing around like that is hard on us" Adrian said enunciating the word hard. 

 I thought for a moment and then I giggled making both brothers smile.  "I like hearing that" Aiden said then he got serious.  

"Chelsea, can I ask you something?"  I nodded yes.  He turned my left side so it was facing the mirror and bringing my arm around his neck, he ran his finger down my side and over my tattoo.  "Can you talk about this?" he asked quietly. 

 I looked at him for a moment and then answered his question and was brutally honest.  "Six months after Christian died and I started therapy, it was a really hard time.  I actually stayed with Brett and Chloe for a while because my mind was in such a horrible place my therapist was afraid I would harm myself and wanted to have me committed.  

Brett stepped up and said that he would work from home, Chloe would stay with me when he couldn't and they took care of me like that for a month.  When I made it out onto the other side, my therapist told me in one of my sessions that I was a survivor; that I had to be to make it through what I had experienced.  

After that session I went straight away and got the tattoo, so every time I was feeling down or would start to think about Christian I would see it and remind myself of what I had overcome." 

 Adrian walked over and stood in front of me so that now I was in between them and he leaned over and kissed me, remarking how incredibly strong and brave I was.  Aiden never said anything, he just squeezed me, kissed my shoulder and walked out of the bathroom.

"It's very hard for him, you know" said Adrian.  I frowned as he continued.  "Knowing what all you went through; he has a hard time fathoming how someone could do what they did to you." 

 I thought over very carefully what Adrian had said and then trying to break the seriousness of the conversation I said "So he's the gooey center while you're the tough shell?" I winked at him.  He busted out laughing, grabbed me and kissed me hard and said "Yeah that about sums it up." 

 He told me that their driver was bringing over some fresh clothes for them and with that he walked out and left me to my thoughts as I continued to get ready. 

 I slipped on a grayish purple tank shirt, faded skinny jeans, a cream colored cable knit sweater and my gray knee high boots; I carefully dried my hair and straightened it and then put on light makeup consisting of powder, blush, nude lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara; I squirted on some Lauren perfume and went to find the twins.

They were leaning up against the bar waiting on me when I came down the stairs.  Both of them stood up and I could tell by the way they were looking me up and down that they were assessing me and when they both broke out into that panty-dropping smile I knew they liked what they saw.  

"Wow" Aiden said.  

"You look amazing."  Adrian nodded.  

"I second that, bro.  Chelsea you look beautiful."  I smiled, genuinely smiled because I knew they meant every word.  What I felt was beyond being able to put into words; I had no idea that I could feel this good about myself but I made a promise to myself and the twins that I would try to see myself through their eyes and see the beauty that they saw.  

I put my purse straps up on my shoulder as both brothers stood on either side of me, offering there arms and said "Are you ready?"  I smiled and said "I was born ready."

We got down to the car and as I got in I heard Adrian tell the driver to take them to the marina.  We were going out on a boat?  I was getting excited already!  As we pulled away, Aiden leaned over to tell me how incredibly good I smelled as Adrian squeezed my hand.  

This all felt too good to be true but I knew that it was true and was battling my mind to keep out of it for once.  Thankfully my phone buzzing ended the skirmish that had started in my head and I looked at the caller ID, it was Monique. 

 "Good morning Monique.  What's going on?" I asked cheerfully.  

She laughed and said "Did someone get laid last night?"  I blushed a bright red.  "Uh, Monique I'm not alone and I refuse to discuss that matter with you right now.  Was there something else that you needed?" I huffed.  

She laughed again and said "Sorry boss.  I was just calling to let you know that your meeting with Silvano and Sons has been confirmed.  They will send a car for you at 9:30 sharp and Mr. Silvano asks that you please plan on staying for lunch.  Your calendar was already cleared so I took the liberty and told him that wouldn't be a problem."  

"Okay, tomorrow 9:30.  I will put that in my phone.  Anything else going on for today?" I asked. 

 "Nope.  There was only one email that came in and Jared took care of it.  Enjoy your day" she said.  

"Thank you Monique.  You so keep me together.  I really appreciate you.  I will see you in the morning" I added and hung up.  

Adrian looked over at me, took my phone and powered it off and then handed it back to me.  I slipped it in my purse, zipped it up and leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.  I loved playing hooky!