My husband smells nice.

“Babe, you just left without…” Vivienne started, but then froze when she saw us. 

Her eyes went wide when she saw us, me in Aaron’s arms.

“What the hell?” she gasped.

“I’ll be with you shortly, Vivienne,” Aaron said, walking without stopping.

I could feel her confused glare, and I almost wanted to stick out my tongue at her. I liked the way she looked.

Silly girl! I wish I could see that horror look on her face more often.

We were halfway up the stairs when she followed us, her steps stomping the ground. I could feel her fury.

“Aaron, I demand an explanation this minute!” she charged like a nagging wife.

Aaron paused now, slightly turning his neck to face her. “Vivienne, wait for me. I'll come to you shortly,” he said, that familiar hint of command in his voice, and continued walking.

I heard her sigh out loud. But she stopped walking anyway.

He opened the door quietly when we got to my room before walking in and placing me on the bed, gently.

He looked at me for a quick second before turning to leave.

“Aaron,” I stopped him. He didn't turn, but stopped, “Thank you very much,” I said.

I didn't know what would have happened with Moris if not for his timely intervention. Also, it was very convenient getting to my room because he helped me.

He turned to me, simply nodded, and then left.

My head pounded heavily, and I promised myself never to drink this much again. But who was I kidding? For every time I had been this drunk, I had made this vow over and over again, and I broke it each time.

I heard rustling from outside the door, then I heard Vivienne’s voice. She must have followed us still.

Her voice was distant, but I strained my ears, curiously.

“…Aaron, what was that? You left the house without telling me. I tried calling, but you kept rejecting my calls, no explanation, nothing. You just left. And then you come back with her? Carrying her in your arms? Did you go out there to look for her?” 

Her voice sounded muffled because of the door demarcation us but I could still hear the anger it exuded.

“Were you worried about her? Did you miss her? I thought you said she meant nothing to you!” she continued.

“It's not what you think, Vivienne. And I'm not in the mood to explain myself,” I heard Aaron say. He sounded tired.

“There would be no peace in this house until you explain yourself right this minute! How do you think I feel about all of this? Does she matter to you now?” I could hear her voice cracking a little.

“I’m sorry for not telling you before leaving. Everything happened so fast. Besides, I met her in a state I couldn't leave her in…”

They must have started walking away, cos their voices got fainter and fainter until I couldn't hear them anymore.

My feet hurt like hell, but I was too weak to move, so I just lay there, taking in the beautiful design of the ceiling.

I thought of Taylor and I wondered where she was and if she was still at the party, or if she left before I did. Or maybe she had gone back to look for me, but I wasn't there.

She would have been worried, but I was too weak to reach for my phone right now. However, I made a mental note to call her in the morning. I trust she was safe.

The alcohol effects had begun to wear off a little. I thought of the conversation we had in the car. And even though short, it was better than the last time we spoke, really spoke.

I told myself I was not going to think about what he had said about my dad blackmailing Charles Vanderbilt. But I was surely going to ask my dad for clarity, even though I believed my dad would never do such.

I must have lain motionless on my bed for minutes when I heard a knock on the door.

I wondered who it was. 

Aaron? Had he come back to check up on me?

Or Vivienne? Had she come to scold me for being with her man, who was my husband, by the way? I hoped it wasn't her. I was not in a good state right now, not when I could barely keep my eyes open.

The door opened slightly. It was Heather.

I was surprised. It was almost 3am. The housekeepers do not work around the clock, or do they?

She looked like she had been sleeping, her face was a bit swollen, and she wasn't in her formal uniform.

She had a tray in her hand. 

“Hello, ma'am,” she said with a soft smile as she entered the room, “I brought Advil for you.” 

I could see the contents of the tray now. Advil and a glass of water.

I sat up gently, wincing, “You're an angel. How did you know I needed it?” I asked as I stretched my hand for the tablet.

“Mr Aaron said you might need it,” she simply said, placing the tray on my nightstand.

I furrowed my brows, “Aaron?” I asked to be sure I heard right.

Surely, he didn't care about me that much.

“Yes, ma'am. And also to help take your shoes off.”

He must have taken note of that before he left.

To say I was pleasantly surprised would not quite cover how I felt at this surprisingly kind gesture of his.

Aaron Vanderbilt, what kind of man are you really? 

Are you an arrogant jerk, or was that a facade?

I took the Advil as Heather helped take off my shoes, out of my dress, and into pyjamas she had helped pick out from the closet.

She left after making sure I wouldn't be anything else soon. 

As I lay on the bed, almost falling asleep, I couldn't help but think of Aaron. His unreadable face, his confusing kindness…

And how incredibly good my husband smelled. And how much I liked his manly scent.