Chapter 4

“Tch! Who does she think she is, acting all high and mighty with nothing.” Aaron mumbled as his driver navigated through the city. He had expected Raina Weston to be a desperate, gold-digging woman. Someone he could dismiss without a second thought. But he wasn’t.

Instead, she had fire, like a new found independence that refused to be quenched, no matter how cold his words had been.  

He leaned back in the leather seat, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest. His gaze drifted out of the window, but his thoughts were stuck on her. Every single thing about her seemed... intriguing. Without thinking, a small smile spread across his lips.  

And then, the wallet. He clenched his jaw at the thought, annoyed at himself. He had deliberately left it behind as an excuse to see her again. A move so out of character that it made him feel foolish.  

Maybe he had been too harsh on her, he thought briefly. The way she stood her ground lingered in his mind longer than it should have. But it didn’t last as the memories of his ex’s manipulation, the way she had used him, flashed through his mind. The smile vanished, replaced by a hardened expression. He couldn’t trust anyone, not again.

The car slowed as it approached his sprawling mansion that sat surrounded by trees. Aaron stepped out, adjusting his jacket, before turning to the butler who had just come outside to greet him.  

Without meeting his gaze, he curtly said, “If a Miss Raina Weston stops by, let her in.”

The butler’s brow arched in subtle surprise, but he nodded. Aaron stood there for a moment, wondering why he had said it. He didn’t know himself, and it wasn’t like him to act on impulse. But the words were out, and he wouldn’t take them back.  

Quietly, he strode into the house, with a heavy sigh, but before he could go too far with his thoughts, the familiar aroma of something cooking filled the air.

He frowned slightly at the sound of utensils clattering in the kitchen. It was a clear violation of his rule, all staff, except the butler, were to leave before he returned home. Quickly, he moved down the hallway to the kitchen, ready to give the offender a piece of his mind, but when he reached there, he froze in his track. He couldn’t believe his eyes, it was none other than  his ex-girl friend, Jessica Hampton.

For three whole years, he had buried the memories of what she had done to him. He had loved and trusted her, but she had played him for a fool. Using him to climb her success ladder, then cheating on him with an associate. And now, here she was, cooking in his kitchen like nothing had happened.

Jessica turned around at the sound of his footsteps. Her face lit up with a bright smile, one that he once adored. “It’s been a while, Aaron.”  She set the spoon down, her eyes searching his.

When Aaron didn’t move from the doorway, she walked over to him, but he took a step back into the hallway. “What the hell are you’re doing, it’s been three years, Jessica.” He said, his voice cold and firm.

Her smile faltered for a while before she quickly recovered. “I know. I just…I wanted to see you, Aaron…I thought we could talk.” She said with a hesitant smile.

Aaron scoffed, “Talk? After what you did? You really thin I want to talk to you?”

Jessica stiffened but didn’t look away. She knew this conversation would be inevitable. “I…I made mistakes, Aaron. I was confused, and hurt you.But I’m—”

“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry, Jessica!” He cut in, his expression darkening. “You weren’t sorry when you used and hurt me! I gave you everything, and you  took it while lying to my face! You don’t get to walk back and pretend nothing happened!”He spat, his eyes blazing with fury.

Her eyes clouded with tears and desperation as she took a step closer. “I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I’m here now, Aaron. I want to show you that I’ve changed. I want to make things right.” Her voice trembled.

He stared at her for a long time, his heart hardening. There was no way he could let her back, especially after what she did. “I’ve move on, Jessica,” he said, his voice cold and hard. “It was over the moment you chose someone else over me.”

Jessica opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, footsteps interrupted. It was the butler, and behind him walked Raina, looking as though she’d been caught in something that didn’t concern her.  

“Sir, Miss Weston has arrived,” the butler announced.  

Raina had a nervous yet determined expression on her face. Her eyes darted between them, clearly flustered by the situation. “Hi… I-I had to follow your car here...although, my cab took a wrong turn.” She murmured, “Well, I came because you forgot this at the restaurant. I was going to give it to the butler, but he said I could come in,” she explained, holding up his wallet.  

Aaron’s gaze flashed to the wallet in her hand, but his thoughts quickly shifted. An idea sparked in his mind, a thought that formed so suddenly it seemed like it had always been there. Quietly, he stretched out his hand, waiting for her to approach him.

Raina was confused at first, but she obeyed and walked toward him. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, making her slightly uncomfortable. As she reached him and held out the wallet, there was a pause, and suddenly, he grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him.  

Startled, she gasped, her eyes widening in shock as his grip tightened around her waist. But before she could fully process what was happening, he leaned in and without warning, he planted a wet kiss on her lips.

Her breath caught, her eyes wide with protest, but with his lips still entwined with hers, there was little she could say or do. She shut her eyes as the kiss deepened, passionate and sweet. But just as suddenly as it started, he pulled back, keeping her close as he turned to Jessica with a calm, almost satisfied expression.

“This is my girlfriend, Raina.” he said, his voice unbothered and calm.

Raina blinked, her cheeks burning bright red as she glanced between Aaron and the woman he was addressing. “W-what?!”