Chapter 11: Your bra is ripped
When Monday came rolling around, I sighed as I got out of bed. I can't believe I have to go to school all over again. I was so happy when I was able to quicken my education and finish school at 16 thanks to HAC. And now I was back.
I strapped on my gun when a knock came at the door.
"Come in!" I called out.
Aiden stepped into my room, fully dressed with his tie hanging around his neck. He smiled at me.
"Hey," I said and sat down to wear my converses.
"You didn't go on your morning jog today?" He asked curiously, noticing how my hair wasn't wet from a shower.
I shook my head and stood up. "Couldn't be bothered."
I threw my coat on over my blazer and glanced at Aiden quizzically. He answered my gaze by pointing to his imcomplete tie. I smiled as I moved closer to him; through all of last week, I had grown accustomed to doing his tie for him.
I peered up at him while doing his tie and squinted. "Did you get any sleep?"
Aiden shook his head, distress taking over his features. "No. I can't sleep. You?"
I chuckled. "Look at my tired eyes and that'll give you an answer."
Aiden's lips twitched up at my answer and I stepped back. "Thanks," he mumbled.
"I'll meet you downstairs. I'm starving," I told him and grabbed my bag as we left my room.
On arriving to the dining room, Crystal jumped up. "Vivi!"
I grinned at her enthusiasm and ruffled her hair. I sat down beside her and smiled at Veronica and Aaron. "Good morning."
Aaron placed his newspaper down and smiled at me while Veronica looked at me, taking a sip of her coffee. "I actually have to talk to you, Vivian."
I caught on to her urgent tone and nodded. "Sure, let's go."
Veronica followed me out and we walked into the living room, shutting the door behind us. When talking to both her and Aaron, I showed them the blueprint and the blind spots; the living room was surprisingly one of them.
Veronica faced me and worry washed over her delicate features. "I can't sleep, Vivian. I know you advised us to act normal but I feel like I'm constantly being watched in my own home. I'm scared to leave Crystal alone."
My heart went out to her and I rubbed her arm.
"No one can hurt you or Crystal or anyone," I said quietly. "My team is also hacked into the system and will alert us of anything suspicious. We just need to pretend we don't know anything for a little while longer while they decode the laptop we found and find out which of your staff member's the culprit."
My explanation seemed to relax her shoulders. Her familiar hazel eyes squinted as she smiled kindly at me.
"I'm really glad you're here Vivian. Our family is so grateful to you," she said warmly.
My eyes widened when she wound her arms around me and pulled me into an affectionate hug. I still wasn't accustomed to her compassionate nature. I hesitantly hugged her back and felt a pang in my heart at her motherly affection; something I have been lacking in my life for the past three years.
Veronica left me go with a final squeeze and masked her anxious expression. We walked back into the dining room and I saw Aiden sat beside Crystal. He shot me a questionable glance as I sat on Crystal's other side. I ignored his look and grabbed two toasts, spreading nutella on them.
"Aiden, your dad and I will be home late today. We're going to the hospital to finally get that wretched cast off and are taking Crystal with us," Veronica said and smiled at the thought of her husband's well being.
"That's good," Aiden's words were muffled through his mouthful of pancakes.
Veronica cleared her throat which made me look up at her again. "So, I'd like it if you don't come home until we do. Go to Caiden's house or something with Vivian."
Aiden's brows furrowed. "Why can't I just come home?" He asked. I shot him a glare and realisation dawned on him. He glanced back at Veronica and nodded. "Okay, mom."
I understood why Veronica didn't deem it safe for Aiden to be home without them present. It didn't matter that I was here to protect him, a mother's concern had no bounds.
While in the car, Aiden briefly looked over at me. "So what do you want to do after school?"
I shrugged and continued looking out the window. "Anything. You can hang out in one of your friend's house, I can wait outside."
I was his bodyguard, not his friend.
I heard him scoff. "I'm not going to just let you wait outside. Don't be stupid. I'll ask one of the guys and we'll hang out there."
I nodded. "Cool."
As Aiden parked up, I made a move to leave when he grasped my hand. I turned to face him with a puzzled stare.
"What's going on?" He asked, confusion etching across his features.
Veronica's words echoed in my mind again from this morning. She was grateful to me for protecting her family and her son. That was my job, my purpose here; to be Aiden's bodyguard. I dropped my gaze to his hand and he let go of my arm.
I wasn't one to hold back my thoughts, and I wasn't going to start now.
"Aiden," I said softly and smiled at him. "I'm really glad that you've come to terms with me being your bodyguard and that we've been getting along. But that's what I am: your bodyguard. This is my job. When I'm done with this assignment, we probably won't see each other again."
Aiden's gaze flickered over my face, and his expression hardened. "I know you're my bodyguard. But I thought we were also becoming friends. Clearly, you don't think so."
Hurt flashed in his hazel eyes for a moment before he masked his feelings away.
"Aiden-"
