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Chapter Eight

last update Last Updated: 2025-06-25 14:43:01

Aiden 

"We have reports of a fatal accident on Interstate 10, near Phoenix, Arizona. According to eyewitnesses, a multi-vehicle collision occurred at approximately 5:00 PM today, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. 

Details are still emerging, but authorities confirm that at least eight vehicles were involved in the crash, including a semi-truck, a double-decker bus, and six passenger cars. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has reported a devastating toll, with over 50 casualties, including dead, injured, and still counting..."

I pick up the remote and switch the channel, rubbing my temple with the heel of my palm. I hate listening to devastating news like this. I flip through the stations available and finally turn off the TV when none of their contents appeal to me. I throw the remote down on my desk surface and fall back into my chair. The chair creaks softly beneath my weight, tilting to the side.

I'm waiting for the minutes to tick by so I can leave work and go on my date with the appealing Hermione Watson Pierce, whom I've offended. A subtle reminder echoes in my mind. I sit up, immediately clasping my fingers over my table, absorbed in my thoughts.

I've made a bad first impression on this lady, and it hurts my heart that our relationship is bound to start off on a rocky path. Father's arrangement, notwithstanding, if I had come across Hermione Watson Pierce on a normal day, I would have asked her out. And I may have won her over with my charms if I hadn't made that blunder at the time we met.

I have to find a way to fall back in her good graces. I decide, dialing Mr. Neil's office on my telephone. He answers promptly to my message and enters my office a few minutes later.

"You called, Sir," he says, approaching my desk.

I run a finger across my jaw, leaning against one elbow on my table. "I need you to carry out a task for me, Mr. Neil."

He doesn't blink or show resentment for my adding to his tasks despite his current workload. He nods briefly, waiting in anticipation to hear my request.

"I need you to look into Hermione Watson Pierce," I tell him, turning my palms flat down on my desk table's surface. "I want to know everything about her. What she likes, her preferences, what makes her tick, everything about her," I emphasize, gesturing with my hands.

A crooked smile forms on Mr. Neil's mouth, and he appraises me with a knowing glint in his eyes. "Are you interested in her as a woman?" he inquires, curious.

My arrangement with Hermione Watson Pierce hasn't been formally announced. And I would prefer it remains unnoticed by the media, lest they complicate things. Hermione Watson Pierce strikes me as the kind of woman who hates unnecessary publicity. 

And, given her stance on the idea of our union, it will affect my chances of winning her heart if she finds out I blurted rumors of our impending marriage to the public's notice. They will find out in time when our parents choose to release the details, but I won't be the one to reveal it.

I ignore him, brushing my fingers dismissively. "Just get it done."

Mr. Neil makes a teasing sound, arching his eyebrows. "Mmn."

I shake my head while pursing my lips and turn away from him.

"I will be leaving work early today," I inform him. "I have an appointment."

"With Ms. Watson Pierce, is that it?" Mr. Neil asks, smiling.

Although his guess is accurate, I shake my head.

"Don't stress it. Get back to work, Mr. Neil. I will appreciate it if you can get back to me on the reports by tomorrow morning."

"I will forward the details to you tonight," he says.

"Oh!" I wave my hand at him. "I don't need it in a rush. Take your time with it."

"I will send the detailed reports on Hermione Watson Pierce to you by tonight. And don't worry, it won't affect my other tasks," Mr. Neil states firmly.

"Okay," I murmur, gulping.

He excuses himself from my office after a polite bow.

I search for things that please women – anything to make Hermione Watson Pierce warm up to me. I often regard myself as an expert in charming women, but with Hermione, I'm at a loss. Nothing comes to mind when I try to think of what I can present to her as an offering of apology on this date.

The search results are filled with several suggestions, but they aren't helpful. The ideas don't strike me as the types a lady like Hermione would be flattered with.

Eventually, I settle on buying her apology flowers. With that decision made, I rise from my chair, draping my champagne-colored suit jacket over my shoulder. I grab my car keys from the table and make my way out of the company.

Mr. Neil bids me goodbye as I step towards the elevator. I respond to greetings from a few others I encounter on my way.

The elevator conveys me swiftly to the ground floor. I walk towards the canopied parking space behind the building, unlocking my car remotely. The headlights of my car, a sleek dark Audi with grey accents, flash twice, and the sound of its doors unlocking reaches my ears.

I get in, fasten my seatbelt in place, and start the engine. The engine rumbles beneath me as I swerve out of the parking space and out of the company.

My first stop is at a floral shop where I request a bouquet arrangement to convey my intention to her: an apology and a request for a second chance to start afresh. After making the payment, I thank the shop's attendant and head back to my car. I carefully set the bouquet in the passenger seat beside me, careful not to rustle its delicate arrangement. I close the door behind me and drive to the venue of our rendezvous.

I'm welcomed into the building by a staff member after confirming the reservation made for us. The place looks polished with its luxurious furnishings, decor, and ambiance. Much thought and investment have been poured into this building, given its alluring outlook. I'm led to a private room set to perfection. The staff member who escorts me gestures for me to walk in, and he closes the door behind me.

I settle into one of the chairs facing each other. The setting is romantic, although the participants are far from sharing its sentiments.

 I check the time on my wristwatch; I arrived on the dot. Perhaps that's why Hermione Watson Pierce isn't making an appearance yet. I help myself to the wine served on the table and drink while anticipating her arrival.

The minutes tick by, with an imaginary clock ticking away in my head. The sound of my foot tapping impatiently on the floor cuts through the silence in the ornately furnished private room. I note that it's now over thirty minutes since I've been waiting.

The door opens, and my heart skips a beat in a flare of hope, thinking it's Hermione. However, my gaze connects with the male waiter who escorted me here, and my mouth turns down in disappointment.

"Would you like to make an order, Sir? Would you like to try our chef's menu of the day?" the waiter inquires hesitantly, initially withdrawing a step back due to the disappointed look on my face.

I shake my head, rising from my chair. It's evident that Hermione Watson Pierce bailed on this date. Her resentment toward me must be deeply rooted if she couldn't even inform me of the cancellation. 

I shrug noncommittally; it's nothing I'm not used to. This is nothing compared to what Lachlan pulled on me this morning.

"Don't bother," I say. "I'm already leaving."

I leave a tip on the table for the waiter, pick up the bouquet, and exit the room. The waiter steps aside from the doorway, following my movement with a sympathetic look on his face.

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  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirty Seven

    Aiden "Why are you grinning?" Lachlan asks, giving me a once-over as he steps into the elevator beside me. I don't reply, too caught up in my fantasy about my morning with Hermione to contend with him. He's trying to rile me up, but my tryst with Hermione this morning has left me feeling elated. Nothing can dim this feeling. "You're late," Lachlan says. "So are you," I shoot back, not looking at him. Silence hangs in the air as the elevator ascends seamlessly. "When are you moving out?" Lachlan breaks the silence. "It's none of your concern." "Get that stupid smile off your face!" he bites out, his anger evident. I look at him, observing his furious expression. Someone must have gotten on Dad's bad side this morning.I had left home earlier, before breakfast, to surprise Hermione. Hopefully, when I get home tonight, I can catch up on what happened from the staff gossip. Last night, I decided to reciprocate Hermione's callousness. I had planned a seductive game of cat and mous

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirty Six

    Hermione I arrive at work the following morning to find an unwanted visitor in my office. I pause at the door, my hand still grasping the doorknob. I sensed something was off when I inserted my key into the lock and found the door already unlocked. "Hi," Aiden says, waving at me with a charming smile. I step into the office, close the door behind me, and approach him with measured strides. "What do you want?" I ask curtly. "You left your gift behind," he says, nodding toward the bag on the couch. I glance at it briefly before refocusing on him. "How did you get into my office? Who let you in?" "I pulled a few strings. Our public relationship has its perks. And, of course, I'm a charmer," he says with a grin. "Enough babbling. Answer my question," I say, my tone laced with irritation. Aiden swivels the visitor chair to face me fully. "I'm here for a checkup." I blink, certain he's teasing me. "Isn't it a bit early for games, Aiden? If you have nothing better to do with your t

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirty Five

    Hermione I lower my hands to my sides. They had embarrassingly hung limp after Aiden released his grip. The spell he cast on me vanishes with his departure, and I exhale in exasperation. My body registers the noticeable chill in the night air, and I shiver, rubbing my sleeves. I feel a flutter in my chest as I inhale, the sensations I had with Aiden earlier rushing back in full force. The roughness of his voice, the warmth of his breath, and the intensity of his gaze all combined to unravel my defenses. I couldn't resist. The scent of beer on his breath could have off-putting; however, when mingled with the scent of his cologne, it created a heady mix that made my senses spin. I inhale sharply and sweep my tongue over my lips, tasting the aftertaste of his kiss. I close my eyes, trying to shake him off my thoughts, but my body keeps reacting to his touch. It's as if my body responds to him on a primal level, drawn to the warmth and intimacy of his presence. I try to resist, but

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirty Four

    AidenI had to leave. I couldn't trust myself not to react impulsively in a way I'd later regret. My body trembled with rage as I stormed out of the hospital towards my car. Jealousy left a bitter taste in my mouth, and the adrenaline rush from speeding didn't erase it. The day passed in a blur as I worked mechanically. Now, I'm sitting at a night bar, trying to drown my simmering anger in alcohol. The loud music reverberates through the club, but it's not enough to distract me from the heart pain Hermione had inflicted earlier that morning. Am I that bad of a man? Women would line up for me, but the one woman who matters to me makes me work hard for her affections. She doesn't seem willing to let me in. They call me the heartbreaker, but I'm not as callous as Hermione treats me in our relationship. I don't treat my dates with the same disregard Hermione showed me this morning.My heart seethes as I recall finding her in another man's arms. My anger surges, and I slam my fist on

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirty Three

    Hermione "You're having a misunderstanding, Mr. Mendes," Xavier says, trying to clarify the situation. I don't care what Aiden thinks about my relationship with Xavier. This might even work in my favor to discourage his interest in me entirely. If he thinks I'm disloyal, his fragile attraction to me will dissipate, and he'll stop pursuing me. I won't have to resist him until my head clears. Everyone will stay in their rightful place, and all will be well. "Hermione and I go way back," Xavier explains. "We're just friends.""Just friends?" Aiden growls, finally tearing his gaze away from mine. Electricity ran through me when I saw him at the door earlier. I was stunned by his presence, speechless and numb. If Xavier hadn't approached him, I would have remained rooted under his intense glare. I find my voice at Aiden's question, answering before Xavier can. "What are you doing here, Aiden?" I approach the two men, standing beside them."I caught you in another man's arms, and that'

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirty Two

    Aiden I had a hunch that Hermione would avoid me again after I left her house that evening. I tried to call and text her to make amends, but to no avail. I would have confronted her in person, but my schedule was tight over the past week, and I couldn't leave Nell to handle the workload alone, despite his assurance that he could manage it. Nell is my biggest supporter when it comes to my marriage plans. He's been effusive about my engagement to Hermione, gushing over how well we looked together when he watched the video of our public appearance online.This morning, I decided I'd had enough of playing games with Hermione. I instructed Nell to reschedule my appointments and clear my schedule for a visit to Hermione's hospital today. As I envision the morning's events, a smile spreads across my face. Lost in my thoughts, I don't notice Dad until I walk past him. I sense his presence and snap back to reality. I turn to face him, apologizing for ignoring him, just as he clears his thr

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