Lahat ng Kabanata ng Beneath The Facade : Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 47

Aiden The rendezvous is set at a private guesthouse with enclosed quarters. I am led inside by a waiting attendant through a narrow hallway lined with rooms featuring doors adorned in traditional Asian styles. As I follow my guide, I take in the decor, appreciating the serene atmosphere. The sound of birds chirping from the garden outside fills the air, and I catch glimpses of the lush greenery flanking the house through an open window, which frames a verdant garden teeming with colorful flowers and creatures.The attendant stops at a door on the right side of the lengthy hall, glances at me, and opens it. He bows politely and excuses himself, leaving me to proceed on my own. I step through the double wooden-framed doors into a spacious, well-ventilated room. A long table surrounded by sturdy chairs sits at the center, bathed in sunlight streaming through the large windows. Artworks adorn the walls, and the air is crisp with the scent of flowers and the gentle lull of the breeze.A

Hermione Mom's hand trembles, her rage barely contained, as she raises it, then lowers it and turns to face Aiden. "Aiden," she says in a smooth, polished tone. "I didn't expect you to visit." Aiden's eyes flash with intensity as he steps further into the room. "Mrs. Pierce," he greets curtly. "I understand you're Hermione's mother, but a line needs to be drawn now that she's engaged. I won't tolerate her being mistreated or physically assaulted.""You're misreading the situation," Mom begins, but Aiden interrupts, his voice firm. "I misread nothing. You would have hit her if I hadn't intervened. You didn't hold back last time." Mom's body stiffens at Aiden's accusation, and she sweeps out of my office, her silence a testament to her anger.The room falls silent after Mom's departure, and I turn my back to Aiden, feeling a chill run down my spine. Twice, I've been undermined by Mom with Aiden as a witness. I resent how he keeps seeing my vulnerability. "Hermione," he says softly.

Hermione We arrive at the building Aiden has purchased, and I'm struck by its grandeur, which far surpasses that of my own condo. I comment on this as Aiden brings the car to a stop in the underground parking space. "It's quite impressive," I say. Aiden smirks, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You haven't even seen the interior yet, and you're already impressed?" I nod, feeling a sense of optimism. "I have a good feeling about it," I reply, my voice filled with confidence. Standing up to my mom earlier that morning, despite the potential fallout, has left me feeling energized and uplifted, and I'm riding a wave of positivity throughout the day.Aiden leads the way inside, his excitement palpable. We walk through a palatial entrance, past a lobby that rivals those of five-star hotels, and take an elevator to the upper floor level. "Isn't this too extravagant?" I ask as the elevator conveys us to the penthouse. The hallway gleams with a royally golden shade under the arrays of