Chapter 29
Visha
As we arrive to the flea market, Aoi gapes at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Did you hire a secret agent to gather intel on me or something? Because it’s getting scary how well you know me.”
I laugh at his brows frowned in suspicion. “I would never do something like that.”
Grabbing his hand, I guide him through the crowd to distract him from his incredibly inconvenient question. Aoi’s attention is pulled from me when he catches sight of a huge stack of old books.
“I can’t believe they have ‘The Tenant of Windell Hall’.
” He picks up the book and skims through the pages with a smile, glancing at other books while grabbing them, too, and creating a pile in his arms. “I already have a copy at home, but it’s with my uncle and there’s no way I’ll ask him to send it to my hotel.
Oh, look! I love ‘Wives and Daughters’. Have you read it? ”
“I haven’t yet. What is it about?” I ask and almost melt from the excitement in his voice when he explains its plot.
I nod along as he tells me everything about each book he picks up and my cheeks almost ache from the smile on my face.
God, he’s so adorable when he’s excited. I wish I could see him this happy all the time.
A strand of hair falls over his eye, and I instinctively reach to brush it away, listening attentively, but he stops when he focuses on my gesture. “Keep talking. I love to hear you speak.”
A soft blush coats his cheeks as he chuckles nervously and pulls out his wallet. “I-I’ll go pay for these.”
“Don’t even.”
The elder woman at the stand glances between us and I unlock my phone to pay. Aoi grabs my arm and shakes his head. “No, Andrew. I’ll pay.”
Smiling down at the epitome of beauty he is, I push his hand away. “I invited you. Please, don’t try to pay for anything today or I might get mad.”
“Then let me pay next time.”
Next time. I love it when he says that.
I grin as the elder woman rings me up and puts the books in a bag before handing it to Aoi who politely thanks her. We resume our walk through the busy flea market, enjoying the sun that shines brightly, reminding us that summer is right around the corner.
A strange looking doll grabs Aoi’s attention, and he points at it, a surprised yet delighted gasp slipping past his lips.
“My sister used to have one like this,” he says picking up the doll and turning it over, analyzing its dress and the ribbons in its hair.
Oh. Oh.
“Maia used to be very femininely dressed but she was the biggest brat in history. I loved that about her. Despite acting like she was ‘too old’ for toys, she adored this kind of dolls. Used to force me to play with her when we were kids.” He smiles melancholically and glances at me.
“She was one hell of a feisty girl and gutsier than I will ever be.”
I nod and smile at the doll. “She sounds amazing.”
“That’s an understatement.” He chuckles and sets the doll back down in its rightful place. “I wonder whether the dead can see us from wherever they are. Maybe my family has been watching me until now. Or not. Forget it, I’m rambling.”
“I don’t believe in God, but if heaven exists I’m sure they’ve been watching you from above and are very proud of you.”
He rewards me with a smile that I wish I could gobble up and keep in my heart forever. But that smile falters when he glances at his left arm.
“I doubt it.”
I force myself to smile then I kiss his cheek, hoping to distract him from his negative thoughts. Aoi deserves the world and all the joy in existence which I intend to give him.
His cheeks flush, eyes widening. “What was that for?”
“I couldn’t help it. You’re just too damn cute.” I bite my bottom lip as he playfully rolls his eyes and nudges my rib.
“Should we have lunch?”
“What do you want to eat?”
Personally, I want him on a silver platter coated in melted chocolate. Maybe one day.
“Can I choose anything?”
“Whatever you want.”
He smirks and laces his fingers with mine while tugging us away from the stand. “Follow me.”
“I’d follow you to the end of the world if you asked. Scratch that. You wouldn’t even need to ask.”
“You’re such an idiot.”
I shrug and let him lead us into a 50s themed diner that brings back rather heavy memories. One of the waiters, a slender man with platinum blonde hair and colorful eyeshadow, greets Aoi joyfully.
Now who is he and why is he grinning at my Aoi like that?
We sit down at a red booth and when the waiter from earlier comes up to us, I sit up and give him a once over. It doesn’t take much time to notice how he’s ogling me rather than Aoi. Despite my obvious lack of interest in him, I’m glad he’s not drooling over my man.
“Haven’t seen you in a while,” the waiter says sassily. “Is he your new victim?”
Aoi smirks, glancing at me and back at the server. “You could say that.”
“What a shame. He’s exactly my type.” He winks at me, and I immediately avert my gaze.
Nothing worse than unwanted attention in front of your lifelong crush.
“Shane, this is Andrew. Andrew, this is Shane. We became friends after he teased me about having no life since I ate here so often.”
“Nice to meet you, handsome. If you ever get tired of his royal highness over here, give me a call.” He mimics a phone to his ear and jokingly winks at me, but it’s pretty obvious he has no intention of stepping on Aoi’s toes. “I’ll have you know, I’m a real catch.”
“I’m flattered but my heart is permanently set on Aoi.”
A flustered smile spreads over Aoi’s face as Shane giddily shoves him and squeals. “Oh my God! Teach me your ways, Queen! You’ve got the cutie wrapped around your finger!”
“And you know I don’t share,” he replies with an almost unperceivable edge that shoots straight to my heart–and cock.
Shane pulls his tongue out at him. “Don’t worry, babe. I wouldn’t be able to take him from you if I tried. It wouldn’t be fair competition to go against you.”
“Now you’re just stroking my ego.”
Shane takes our orders and as he heads back to the kitchen, I grin at Aoi. “You don’t share, hmm?”
He rolls his eyes, but I notice the peachy tint on his cheeks. “Shut up. It’s either that or Shane would’ve tried to snatch you away from me. Pick your poison.”
“There is no choice to be made, Aoi.” I lean my chin on the back of my hand. “You already own my heart.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand you.”
“You definitely will once you let your genius brain figure out that I mean every word.”
“Was that sarcasm?”
“Not at all.”
He leans back against the booth and stares me down. “I’m curious about something. The morning after Mr. Wiliams’ party at the Grand Air Hotel, when you came up to me, was that really the first time we met?”
I straighten in my seat and swallow the lump in my throat.
Does he remember the night we spent together? I was rather intoxicated that evening. When he threw himself at me, I half thought I was dreaming or hallucinating, and I merely realized I wasn’t when his lips collided with mine. Everything after that was pure instinct and years of built-up longing.
I sometimes wonder whether he’s pretending not to know it was me.
“Actually-”
I’m cut short as Shane comes back with our food and leaves right after biding us a good meal. Aoi dips one of his fries in his barbecue sauce and nods at me once, nudging me to speak.
“You were saying?”
“Please, don’t think I’m a creep because it’s not the case.”
“That sounds promising.”
“I’ve been a fan of DR since their debut, and since I was well aware that they work with Frank Williams, I asked him about it.
” I lift a hand to stop him from making a snarky comment.
“Before you say anything, no, I had no idea it was you. At first, I was just curious and inquiring about my favorite author. It’s during the party that I put one and one together when Williams told me the event was to celebrate the revelation of DR’s identity. ”
The skepticism in his tone is impossible to miss as he asks, “But how did you know it was me? It could’ve been anyone in the room. You can hardly expect me to believe you since this is rather absurd.”
“I may not look like it, but I have an excellent memory. I knew every single person in that room, except for you.” I smirk when his eyes widen. “I simply assumed, and you just confirmed it.”
A stunned grin spreads over his lips as he scoffs in disbelief and munches on his fries. “You sly fucker. I have to admit I’m freaked out but also impressed?”
“Thank you.”
I hate lying to him but it’s not nearly the time to reveal the truth yet. His memories are unstable and his feelings for me unknown. I can’t risk ruining everything now.
Satisfied with the outcome of the conversation, he grabs his burger and bites a chunk of it, smiling and reveling in the taste. He makes the food look like a treat from heaven, so I take a bite myself and gasp audibly.
“Right?” He swallows and laughs. “Best burgers in the city. And guess what, they’re vegan!”
“Really? I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t told me.” I peek at my plate then watch him as I ask, “Are you vegan?”
He nods fervently. “Yep. Have been for a few years now. I hope you don’t mind. Although, I don’t know why you should.”
“Of course not. I think you’re outstanding for choosing to forgo animal products.”
“Actually,” he says, dipping a fry in his sauce, “there’s something you need to know since you seem set on conquering my heart. I usually don’t kiss someone after they’ve consumed non-vegan food.”
“Really? Guess I’m going vegan then.”
Aoi makes a startled sound and stares at me with bewilderment. “You don’t have to do that for me.”
“Yes, I do,” I counter. “Your comfort and happiness are my priority. Besides, the rape, torture, and slaughter of animals has never appealed to me anyway. Ergo, I’ve been a vegetarian for two years.
I tend to avoid cow milk and eggs as well.
Going vegan shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, and this way, we can have all of our meals together. ”
The smile that lights up his face sends a meteor shower of butterflies through every parcel of my being. “Thank you. Sincerely.”
“Anything for you.” I enjoy the rest of our lunch and listen attentively each time he stops eating to tell me random facts about the books we bought.
Fortunately, Aoi is still the same sunshine I met eleven years ago and that warms up the frost that took root in the void his absence left behind.