Chapter 5

Aaron

When Bryan told me that he had a new assistant; I laughed at him and asked him if he was planning on keeping her ,and he said yes . when I met Alexis the first time she was too busy to notice me . I had the feeling that she was avoiding me but I was wrong. This morning when I woke up I thought she ran away. Truth be told I don't want to lose her. I want her to feature in my future and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens. She is shy . I ran after her after we had a dispute; we ended up kissing and I almost took her right then and there in my vanity room but I was stopped .When we made it downstairs Mary and Bryan were waiting for us and once we took our seats I made sure I sat next to Alexis . Bryan was way too touchy feely , with good reason we almost lost a girl we both care about Mary was still giving off iffy vibes which unsettled me.

" Mary meet Lexi ."

Alexis waved and Mary just cut her eyes at her and gave her a snarky look. Dave saw the exchange and I was embarrassed not only for Mary but for me too.

"Aunty Mary ... Alexis isn't like Mia. She helped me when Mia was verbally attacking me. "

" In what way ?"

" She told her to Back off and stop bullying me. I found the courage to tell you and dad what was going on."

I slid my hand underneath the table to hold Alexis's hand gently. She looked at me again and I whispered in her ear

"Thank you."

She locked eyes with me nodded and smiled . Mary was still moody for some sort of odd reason and I wasn't having it.

" Mary what has Lexi ever done to you?"

Mary looked at me with attitude and Bryan shook his head.

" Nothing . I just don't like her . You've gone and pulled a fast one on all of us."

"Meaning?"

" She's black . Since when do you date outside your race? Bryan has always loved chocolate but you never did . She is also not of our class. Alexis is Bryan's assistant... "

Bryan interjected calmly

" Mary what has gotten into you? "

"Nothing Bryan I am just stating the facts."

"You are being prejudice that's what."

"How?"

" Ali has been through hell and back."

" So have we. In case you have forgotten Aaron and I have been through hell. What makes her an exception."

I looked at Alexis who had an impassive look again on her face but her eyes were on fire . Bryan continued talking;

" Mary do you remember Si?"

"yes he had a baby girl with Laura and almost landed Ron in jail."

"Si had a fiancé..."

" Oh I remember what happened . He should have never left her alone that night. What happened was brutal."

" Ali was the woman he was engaged to. I found out a couple of weeks ago and she's been working for me for three years now ."

I visibly saw the wall Mary had put up crumble and her face turn from hard to soft Alexis looked at Bryan who mouthed sorry and she nodded twice. I was missing something and my sister clearly knew what was going on and I was in the dark. David was busy watching something on his tablet with his wireless earphones on so ; he was having breakfast with us but he was focused on whatever he was catching up on . I looked at Bryan and My sister .

" Guys am I missing something?"

Mary gave me a look I knew too well; the now isn't the time to talk about it look just back off for a while. She was looking apologetic .

" Ali I am so sorry for saying what I said earlier. I didn't mean to be so cruel. Ron has a really bad record when it comes to women . He has a type and you are different . I thought he was just using you . Aaron means well and I know you will tell him about what happened with Si when you're ready . I am so sorry ..."

Alexis took a deep breath and spoke.

" It's okay .Please excuse me ."

I let go of her hand and she ran upstairs . 

" Bryan I am so sorry for my behavior earlier. I apologize for being antagonistic towards Alexis . I feel like crap now. "

I was confused ... Mary wasn't going to tell me and Bryan clearly had his reasons for being protective over Alexis.

" Guys can you tell me what's going on?"

Bryan was busy eating and he shook his head ... so did Mary. 

" I can't tell you bro and I have some apologizing to do . "

I finished what was on my plate and ran upstairs .When I opened the door Alexis was nowhere in sight. I kept quiet until I heard sniffles coming from the vanity room.

I tried to open the door but it was locked. She was doing it again cutting me out .What the hell did Si do to Alexis that she wanted to keep her distance. I hate feeling helpless it triggers feelings that I don't want to feel and it takes me back to a time I was helpless. When I had to man up and do whatever it took to make sure Mary was well taken care of .What happened was out of my control and I made a promise to myself that if ever I had the power I will make sure the people I care about are cared for . I knew Bryan had Alexis under his payroll and working for him . I hadn't noticed her until six months ago. She was very quiet to come think of it shy and she didn't know I was eying her . Every time I asked Bryan he steered the conversation away from her. Her dark features reminded me of Laura although she had blue eyes. The same eye color David has ... However Lexi had her own thing going on. She wasn't as bold but she was direct in her way. She even helped Dave when Mia was attacking him which in my books is really good . I've studied her behavior .I stalked her a month before she unexpectedly came to the conference . I knocked on the door again and the sniffles stopped .

" Lexi talk to me?"

" Go away Aaron ."

" I can't it's my house."

" Then I will leave."

"No."

Alexis sounded upset and going out of the beach house would be harder for her . Unless she wanted to swim somewhere which was highly unlikely ; she almost drowned . 

" Yes."

" Either you're coming out or I am coming in ."

" I locked the door "

" Lexi it's my house ."

"okay."

" Okay you'll open the door or okay you'll tell me what happened."

I stood by the door hoping she will open it or I'd have to go in using the bathroom entrance.

"None of the above Brooks."

I walked to the bathroom and opened the door from the other side. When I walked in the vanity room she was sitting at the far end in fetal position. My phone buzzed and it was message from Mary; 

" Ron we are going out to the market with Dave . We will be back later on and please tell Ali I am so sorry about the racist remarks. I was being overprotective but it doesn't excuse my behavior and animosity towards her . We'll be back with dinner . Love you lots bro.

I looked up again and Ali was walking out .

" Alexis please stop . Don't walk out . I will do anything to make you feel better . I don't know what you went through but if there is any way I can make the pain go away ; tell me what to do and I'll do it ."

" Mary was right . We won't work out. "

" She is wrong . I believe in us and what is developing between us."

" This isn't some experiment."

Alexis sat o on the corner of the bed lotus position 

" It isn't . You know as much as I do what I feel for you is real. Tell me you don't feel the same and I will respect that , and let you go."

I knelt down in front of her and she looked at me . I saw it in her eyes before she could say it.

" I feel the same way ."

" I will open up to you. You don't have to tell me everything yet. "

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