Chapter 5. Charmed Her

Malikha froze the moment she heard his voice.

“Hey, babydoll!”

Her heart skipped as she slowly turned around. Of all people… she hadn’t expected to see him here.

Aidan flashed a charming grin, acting warm and friendly, almost like an old friend.

He stepped out of his car like he had all the time in the world, his presence effortlessly commanding. A warm, easy smile curved on his lips—as if this meeting wasn’t a coincidence at all.

“Hey,” Malikha replied, her voice quieter than she intended.

“Done for the day?” he asked, his tone gentle, almost familiar. Too familiar.

She nodded. “Yeah… I’m heading home.”

“Good,” Aidan said smoothly. “You shouldn’t go home alone in this weather. Come with me. Let me drive you home.”

Malikha blinked, caught off guard. “I—no, it’s okay…” Malikha parted her lips slightly, then let out an awkward chuckle.

“No, I insist. Come on. It’s going to get dark soon, and it’s cold,” he added, referring to the winter night. There was no pressure in his tone—yet somehow, it didn’t feel like a suggestion either. Aidan held her gaze, the corner of his lips lifting slightly, waiting for her reply.

“I won’t hurt you,” he added in a low voice.

Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten. Malikha lowered her eyes, suddenly aware of how fast her heart was beating. After a brief hesitation, she nodded.

His whisper made Malikha smile shyly. She lowered her head before nodding. Aidan’s smile widened in quiet triumph.

Aidan’s smile deepened his subtle smirk, satisfied. He walked beside her and opened the car door like a gentleman, his movements practiced, effortless.

A few minutes into the drive, silence settled between them.

“Why aren’t you wearing gloves?” Aidan asked, glancing at her hands. “It’s getting colder.”

“I lost them,” Malikha said, curling her fingers slightly. “I’m fine.” She smiled, trying to reassure him.

Aidan didn’t look convinced. Before she could react, he reached for her hand.

“It’s freezing,” he murmured, glancing at her while holding her hand. Aidan was wearing gloves, and the soft fabric slowly warmed her skin.

Malikha stiffened, her breath hitching slightly, unsure what to do, but she didn’t pull her hand away.

Aidan glanced at her expression and smirked in satisfaction. When the car stopped at a red light, he made another bold move—he removed his gloves and slipped them onto her hands.

Malikha’s eyes widened. “Wait—what are you doing?”

“It’s just gloves,” Aidan replied softly. But his gaze said something else, something steady, reassuring and impossible to refuse. He looked at her reassuringly, as if promising her safety. Malikha fell silent, her breath catching. Her heart raced uncontrollably.

Malikha swallowed. “They’re expensive,” she said softly. “If people at work see… they’ll think I have money.”

Aidan chuckled softly and nodded.

“I wouldn’t give cheap things to the girl I like,” he said, a hint of pride in his tone.

Malikha was stunned.

Did he just…

Her thoughts trailed off, her pulse quickening.

Aidan didn’t let go of her hand, even after putting the gloves on her. Malikha didn’t pull away either, letting him gently rub her hand to keep it warm. They held hands all the way until the car arrived at a four-star Michelin restaurant in Manhattan.

When the car finally stopped, Malikha blinked in confusion. A grand building stood before her, glowing elegantly in the night.

“Why are we here?” she asked.

Aidan only chuckled, his playful expression making her even more flustered.

“I’m hungry,” he said.

No explanation. No hesitation. Just certainty.

He stepped out first and signaled a staff member to open the door for her.

Malikha was still in awe of the grand building when the car door was opened. Instinctively, she hid her work uniform as she stepped out. Her chest tightened. She didn’t belong here.

But Aidan’s arm slid naturally around her waist, guiding her inside as she did. When a staff member approached to remove her coat, Malikha instinctively stepped back.

“I’m fine,” she whispered nervously.

Aidan looked at her for a moment, then smiled in understanding when he noticed her trying to hide her uniform. He turned to the reservation staff.

“I want a private room,” he instructed calmly.

The staff bowed and immediately complied. Aidan also asked them not to remove Malikha’s coat. Holding her hand, he led her upstairs into a luxurious VVIP room.

Malikha couldn’t stop staring at the breathtaking interior. Aidan helped her remove her coat this time, his movements slower, more deliberate. Then he pulled out a chair for her.

“This room is so beautiful,” she whispered.

Aidan smiled and sat beside her.

“I can give you more than this,” he said quietly. “If you stay with me.”

Her fingers tightened slightly on her lap. Before she could respond, the glass walls around them shifted. The entire room transformed—turning into a stunning view of a cascading waterfall, vivid and lifelike.

Malikha gasped when a stunning waterfall appeared before her, looking almost real.

“It’s… incredible…” Aidan leaned back, satisfied.

Everything was going exactly the way he wanted. Aidan’s smile widened as he signaled the staff to serve their dinner.

Throughout the meal, Aidan was incredibly attentive. Too attentively, he even cut her food before she could reach for it.

“I can do it myself,” Malikha said after thanking him with a smile.

“I know,” Aidan replied. “But I want to.”

There was something in his tone—gentle, yet firm.

He wanted to make her feel special, to see that blush return to her cheeks. But the truth was, it wasn’t an act. He genuinely liked Malikha, and that had never changed.

He found himself captivated by the shy blush on her cheeks whenever he complimented her. She was beautiful, even without makeup. That much, he had to admit, no matter how much he tried to deny it.

Now and then, Aidan stole glances at her naturally pink lips—the ones he had long wanted to kiss. Back in high school, he had imagined giving his first kiss to Malikha, but that moment had belonged to someone else—Jason.

Whenever that memory surfaced, it usually ended with Aidan in his private gym, punching a bag in frustration. But this time, he stayed composed. He couldn’t let his emotions slip.

“I want to thank you for the job opportunity,” Malikha said once they had finished their main course.

Aidan smiled softly. “Do you like it?”

Malikha nodded without hesitation. She didn’t realize that Aidan had deliberately placed her as a waitress in his hotel instead of giving her a higher position. Her innocence kept her from suspecting anything.

“I’m glad you like it,” Aidan said, though there was a hidden meaning behind his words—one Malikha failed to notice.

She smiled and took a sip of her drink.

Aidan watched her, as if carefully choosing his next words.

“I’m wondering, what is your last educational background?” he asked.

“Business administration,” Malikha answered, scooping a spoonful of macaron ice cream.

“You went to college?” Aidan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Malikha nodded. “I came to New York to bring my mother for surgery and enroll her in a drug trial. After my final exams, I didn’t have time to collect my diploma.”

Aidan nodded. “Is that why you couldn’t find a better job?”

Malikha winced slightly and nodded. She gave a small, embarrassed nod.

“If you had the chance,” Aidan continued, “what would you want to do?”

She hesitated. “Anything,” she admitted. “I don’t really have the luxury to dream big.”

Aidan studied her for a moment. “You lack confidence.”

It wasn’t a question. Malikha lowered her gaze, hiding her face.

“I used to have it,” she murmured.

Aidan leaned back slightly. “If you do well at Estrela, the chief might promote you. What do you think?” he offered.

Malikha looked at him, hope filling her eyes. “Really? But…”

“What is it?”

“I don’t want to get promoted because of you, Aidan. I want to earn it myself.”

Aidan nodded. “I won’t help. But you’ll still get there. Adrian will evaluate your performance, right?”

Malikha nodded. “Just do your best. It will come naturally.”

She smiled again, unaware that she was slowly being drawn into the web Aidan was weaving. Aidan, meanwhile, smiled to himself.

She’ll receive more than just a surprise, he thought. The dinner ended on a sweet note. Once again, Aidan left a deep impression on Malikha. He drove her back to her apartment, just as he had promised.

Malikha felt happier than ever. Her belief that Aidan truly liked her only grew stronger.

But when she arrived home, she nearly fainted. Her apartment had been completely transformed into a beautifully designed space. Her eyes widened in shock, and she even slapped her cheeks twice.

“What happened here?” she murmured.

“This can’t be… I must have the wrong one!”

She stepped back outside and checked the door number again.

“No… this is my home!”

Moments later, her phone rang. She found it on a small table in the corner and quickly picked it up.

“Well? Do you like the surprise?” Aidan’s voice came through.