Chapter 044

44.

That night…

Samantha stood in the bathroom as Aiden's words kept coming back to her. She wondered what he meant by playing by his rules this time.

She hadn't been this nervous in her life. With a sigh, she poured water on her face and stepped out of the bathroom. Aiden was busy working on his laptop, and she wondered if he ever stopped to rest for once.

She leaned on the wall, her arms crossed as she watched how his hands moved swiftly over the keyboard. He was so focused, so determined. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for him.

As if sensing her gaze, Aiden looked up and caught her staring at him. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hey,” he said, his voice low and husky. “I didn't know you were done in the bathroom.”

Samantha shrugged, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. “Yeah, I was just… admiring your focus,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Aiden chuckled and leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. “I'm just trying to get everything ready for the show,” he said. “I want to make sure we make a good impression.”

“It seems this show means so much to you than it does to me.” she rubbed the back of her head as she took a seat on the bed.

Aiden smiled. “It means so much more to me than it does to you because I want it to be perfect for you. My greatest joy is seeing you happy, and you know what would be more satisfying?” he asked, and she shook her head. “Seeing your joy when our model gets awarded at the big show. I don't want to miss that smile, that's why I'm working this hard for us; for you.”

Samantha's heart skipped a beat as she listened to Aiden's words. No one had ever spoken to her like that before, with such sincerity and devotion. She felt a lump form in her throat as she tried to process her emotions, but she didn't want to show him how much effect those words had on her.

She looked away, trying to appear nonchalant, but her voice betrayed her yet again. “Aiden, that's… that's really sweet of you to say.”

Aiden's smile grew wider and he stood up. He walked to where she was seated and sat down beside her on the bed, his leg touching hers. Samantha felt a jolt of electricity at the touch, but she tried to brush it off, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing that her heart was beating at an incredibly fast rate right now.

“I mean it, Samantha,” Aiden said, his voice low and husky. “I want to make you happy, to see you smile. You deserve it. You deserve everything good, and I want to be the one to make sure of that.” he hoped she would see how sincere he was; how much his heart longed for her, how much he wanted to make her forget about her pain and just be happy.

Samantha felt her heart flutter at his words, but she refused to look at him, afraid of what he might see in her eyes. She had no idea why he always had a way of breaking down her walls. There was something about him that spelled 'different' and no matter how much she tried to deny it, he kept proving her wrong over and over again.

“Thanks, Aiden,” she said, trying to sound casual. “I appreciate it.”

Aiden nodded. “Now you need to go to sleep. Tomorrow is the presentation, and I'm certain you need the energy.”

Samantha nodded and laid down on the bed. Maybe it wasn't that bad sharing a room with him after all. He might have teased and flirted with her during the day, but now he wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary, and she felt at peace.

He tucked her into bed and stood up. She thought he was going to sleep beside her, but he took a duvet and started spreading it on the floor.

Samantha's eyes widened in shock. Was he going to sleep on the floor or what?

“Aiden?” she called, and he looked at her.

“Do you need anything?” he asked.

“No, but what are you doing?” she asked.

“I'm sleeping here,” Aiden said, gesturing to the floor. He noticed how uncomfortable and tensed up she was about sharing a room with him and didn't want anything that would give her discomfort, so he was ready to sleep on the floor if that would make her sleep well.

Samantha felt a pang of surprise and guilt. She hadn't expected him to be so considerate. “Aiden, you don't have to do that,” she said, sitting up in bed. “There's enough room for both of us in the bed.”

Aiden smiled and shook his head. “I'm fine here, Samantha. Really. I just want to make sure you're comfortable.”

Samantha lay back down, feeling a mix of emotions. She was touched by Aiden's thoughtfulness, but also frustrated that he was being so noble. She wanted to tell him that she didn't mind him sleeping in the bed with her; the floor wasn't that cool for someone like him. What if he woke up with body pains? Plus, she knew he hadn't slept on the floor before. She can't let him do that.

She sat up immediately. “No, Aiden, I insist we share the bed and if you refuse, I'll take the floor, and you can take the bed.”

“No, I won't let you sleep on the floor.” he replied almost immediately.

“Good then,” she patted her side of the bed. “Come sleep.”

Aiden's eyes widened in surprise, but then a slow smile spread across his face. “You're a stubborn one, aren't you?” he said, shaking his head in amusement.

Samantha smiled back at him, feeling a sense of triumph. “Maybe a little,” she said, scooting over to make room for him.

Aiden chuckled and got into bed beside her, his body inches from hers. Samantha felt a flutter in her chest as he settled in, his arm brushing against hers.

She bit her lower lip and quickly turned to the other side to avoid his gaze. They laid there in silence for a while, each lost in his own thoughts. Samantha thought she would panic with him beside her, but she felt safe, realizing how much she trusted this man.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Aiden.” she whispered.

“Goodnight, Sam,” he answered and she smiled. “And congratulations in advance.”