5. EMPTY

Aiden's POV

This week was hell for me, it wasn't that I never went on business trips before but just that there has been some anxiety bubbling inside me since the day I boarded the flight.

An uneasiness had been plaguing my mind through the whole week.

I couldn't wait to go home, my home where she lived with me.

We might not be living like normal couples but her presence still made it home for me.

The house was empty as if confirming what I've been feeling all week, the emptiness inside me mirroring the one before me.

It was just 7 in the evening so there was no way she went to bed, and she's always in the living room this time.

The servants weren't in sight either. I dialled our butler Steve's number and he was here in minutes.

" Where's Isabella? "

" Madam left last week. She hasn't been back since then. "

" What did she take with her? "

" A suitcase. Her assistant was with her. "

She must've gone for a business trip, she should've told me. But it's not like I told her before going, I'll have to change that. It's enough now, I've given her enough time, she needs to get over him now. No matter what, it's me who'll be with her in the future and she has to be with me, I won't have it any other way.

Once she's back, we're going to have a serious talk.

I went to my room and I recognized one more thing I'll have to change, our rooms will have to be changed, if I want her to accept me, I need to invade her space and the best way to do that is sharing a room.

The next day I didn't go to my office, I stayed home deciding the changes I'll have to get through before she comes back.

Instructing Steve to get the arrangements done, I went to our house.

It had been two months since I came here, Mom and Dad had been going out more the last two years, even though she said it's just a vacation, I know she's just finding an escape. This place will always remind her of Seth and not all wounds get better with time. Some are meant to stay forever.

He was in the drawing room, sitting by the window, his reading glasses set on his nose, while his eyes were focused on the newspaper in his hand. " Grandpa. "

He turned to just a second later and a smile turned up on his face.

" Aiden, you're here. "

" Hm.. How have you been? " I took the seat before him, while picking up the paper he had been looking at.

" As good as it gets. " That's what he always says but he knows as much as me how that isn't true.

" Have you been taking your medicine? " I asked him, keeping the paper back and looking him in the eye. He was the one who taught me, when you want truth, look into the person's eyes, no matter how much training they have, lies can't stand the pressure. They are revealed, in any possible way but they are.

" All the time. And before you ask anything else, I do go for the checkup and I've been doing Yoga and I don't miss any meals. Okay? " His blood pressure got too high two years ago and it never returned back to normal. Doctors said it's not good for his heart, they even said that it's harmful at his age but Nicholas Raynott is just like a lady in that case. Too sensitive about his age.

" Yeah. " I nodded.

" Where's Isa? " He asked, just like he does every time. And I replied just like I do every time.

" Working. " Not a lie. So no problem looking into his eyes.

" Is she okay? " He asked.

" Yeah. " I nodded, not exactly sure about that. I had seen her a week ago and she hasn't been quite herself even before that.

" When was the last time you talked to her? " I knew he'll know but it was too fast, too quick of a judgement even for him. I squinted my eyes at him as realisation hit me, he was spying on us. A person in my home was reporting to him. I didn't have to think too much for knowing the culprit. Steve, he's the only one audacious enough to spy on me.

I'll have to clean my home sooner than I had thought, he seems to have guessed my thoughts, " Don't bother Aiden, I'll just send someone else. Now tell me, when? " He didn't even stutter while saying it, as if he was just telling me to take care, not interfering with my privacy with my wife.

That's Raynott Sr. for you, unapologetic in everything he does.

" I know everything I want to Aiden. If I don't know something, that means it isn't worth my attention. Two years are long enough, I don't know how you do it but diminish this distance between you two. I don't want my children to spend their lives without even trying to be happy. Give yourself a chance. She deserves that. "

He was right, and his words just strengthened the decision I made last night. She deserves someone who'll fight for her, not someone who just stays back thinking she won't be happy.

I have to be someone with whom she is happy. And for that I have to be someone who makes her happy.

We talked for a while and I left the house after lunch, Grandpa asked me to stay but I like my home more.

And I guess somewhere I am reluctant to be there too.. The house feels empty without Seth.

I suggested that he moves out too but he was adamant about living there. He wanted to relive those memories before he is gone himself. I don't like when he says things like that but he never listens.

I instructed my assistant Henry to get me Cheryl's schedule.

It took him longer this time and when I asked why, " There was some resistance from their side. "

It wasn't the first time I was checking on her, nor it would be the last but I couldn't think of any reason for someone to stop the intel.

Looking through the report I learned that she wasn't on a business trip or anything but she had gone to Anderson Villa.

In all the years I've known her, I'm sure that she doesn't like to stay alone, while she prefers to be alone than in a crowd, she would still have some company with her if she could.

That is why I made sure to return home whenever I could, at least she'll have it. While we never met, I think she knew I was there right?

So for her to go there, the matter must be serious. I hadn't heard anything from the servants at the house nor did Steve inform me of anything other than her leaving.

So I have two options now, either go to Anderson Villa or wait for her to come back.

But I've waited long enough, I don't want to wait anymore. So I'll just go there then. Moreover it had been too long since I saw that old man Harris.