Chapter 4

I still couldn't process the fact that Aiden kissed me. After the kiss, I didn't waste a minute but rushed towards my place and never came out. A part of me wanted Aiden to follow me or knock at my door when the night unfolds, however, I decided to not show myself out for a couple of days. I spent the weekend indoors, reading and applying for jobs. It was nice to find myself in solitude for a few days, which gave me time to think.

It took a while when Sunday blew in and I decided to visit Anna for our usual movie nights. I left her a message only to know that she was planning on going to the club and invited me to tag along.

"Some other time, Anna. I really don't enjoy parties that much", I replied to the phone.

Parties trigger my anxiety and bring back some unwanted memories that I desperately try to bury with me. I knew that Anna would insist and I prepared myself to answer her in all ways.

"Come on, Haven", she said, "have fun for once in your life"

After a long conversation of her requesting and me declining, she let out a long sigh.

"Fine. Meet me tomorrow for the movie night.", she said, in a sing-song voice making me giggle.

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It was late at night and I decided to take a short walk across the empty streets to clear my head. My mind drifted back to the kiss and Aiden. I never really understand him. His eyes seem to hold secrets and emotions, yet he chooses to mask them all with speckles of sleet and anger. I had never been this intrigued by someone. With all the thoughts in my mind, I didn't realize that I had been walking for almost an hour. I decided to return back when I felt someone's presence behind me.

"Lost, aren't we?", said someone, making me snap my head towards them.

There stood a man, reaching almost 6 feet, scrutinizing me with a subtle smirk etched on his face. I took a step back only to see him approach me further, frightening me to the core.

" I really have to go", I whispered, turning away to jolt towards my place.

"Why the rush?", I heard a bleach blonde man say, confronting me with two other men.

Suffocation enclosed me and I started breathing heavily. The feeling of powerlessness brought back flashes of unwanted memories, triggering my anxiety. I stepped back from them only to hit my back against the first man who approached me.

"Don't make it harder than it already is.", he whispered in my ear, ruffling the hair that fell on my neck.

I started struggling against them as my life depended on it. In a way, it did. I started crying after letting out a small scream as I felt more helpless.

" You stupid bitch", said the bleach blonde man, striking me right against my face.

I fell down on the ground, hurting my side. My head began to spin when I felt the corner of my lip bleeding.

"Now, be a good girl like you should be and give up," he said, hauling me up by my arm.

I continued crying hysterically while I let fatigue almost consume me. Before passing out, I saw someone pull me away from the captor and land heavy punches on him. My vision was hazy when I saw him take down all those four people with directed anger and skill. I fell down only to be gently grabbed by my savior.

A pair of familiar hazel eyes filled with concern was the last thing before me before I shut down.

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My eyes fluttered open when I heard a slight noise of rufflings. I was in a huge, unfamiliar room, sitting on a surprisingly comfy bed. The walls were dark and the room smelled of a familiar masculine cologne. It took me a whole while to realize that there was someone standing by the door observing my actions.

"Are you okay?", I heard the person say.

I immediately recognized whose that voice belonged to. Aiden. A part of me was relieved, while the other frightened me to the core.

I nodded my head quietly.

"Here, take this.", he said, handing me a glass of water.

I quickly gulped it down, feeling dehydrated.

"What time is it?", I asked, my throat feeling much better by hydrating it.

I glanced at the clock to see that it was half-past nine.

"Oh my god!", I exclaimed, quickly jumping out of the bed. "I need to go. I have work."

I almost sprinted out of the door before looking back and thanking him truthfully. If it weren't for Aiden, I couldn't even imagine what would have happened.

I opened the door only to be grabbed by my arm.

"I don't think it's wise to go for work, Haven", Aiden said, slightly loosening his grip on my arm.

I took a minute, contemplating whether to argue. With experience, I knew that the littlest things could set him off. Before I opened my mouth to reply, I was pulled into someone's arms.

"Omg! You're awake!!!", they said, crushing me.

It was a woman, around three inches taller than me with stunning green eyes. Her hair was a shade of strawberry blonde inclining towards red, just like autumn leaves under the bright sun.

"Calm down, Lisa", said Aiden, evidently annoyed at her.

"Oh please! You were the one worried about her, the whole night.", she said, before calling out for someone named 'Brandon.'

I heard footsteps making their way through the stairs while they talked.

"I was not.", he replied, grimly.

Lisa let out a fake laugh, punching his arm lightly.

" Next time, don't dine on your nails or be all handsy with your hair while fretting to make it more convincing", she said, cackling loud, once again.

While they argued, I heard "Brandon" rushing upstairs. He stood a little shorter than Aiden with muscly arms and a hint of mischief could be observed in his features. Lisa kissed him on his lips and explained the situation, which resulted in them teaming up against Aiden to tease him more. It was amusing.

"You should have breakfast with us", said Brandon, holding my palm, gently.

We headed downstairs, where they called someone named Martha. While seated, I took my time to observe the surrounding. It looked like a pretty huge place with modern architecture and a tinge of a rustic look. Martha made her way across the kitchen and set the tray of delicious items on the table. I then realized that I had been hungry for a while then. I shrugged off every single time my mind drifted back to remind me of work and started to eat. During the course, I realized that Lisa was Aiden's sister. She and her boyfriend, Brandon often crash at Aiden's place for work-related things. I did not question them further about their work knowing it would be something that would disappoint me.

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After breakfast, Lisa and Brandon made their way upstairs leaving me and Aiden alone. I was bizarrely nervous to be around him, however, not frightened. For some reason, I feel safe around him, also considering the fact that he saved me.

"Thank you, once again. For everything.", I said. "I think, I should go now."

He was checking something on his phone with his arm resting against the counter before looking up to meet my eyes. His eyes were something that I'd never get used to. Something about them does not let me look away or forget them. They had been inscribed in my brain since the first time I had seen them.

"I'll drop you", he said without any hesitance.

Before I could argue further, he grabbed his keys and made his way outside the place. I stumbled my way behind him while he opened the car door to the passenger seat.

We were silent almost the whole ride back home before I decided to cut through it.