14. "Did you forget to cuddle your emotional support teddy?"
The next morning, I stayed home, working from the office built in the house. I had no meetings, just work that involved being on my laptop the whole day, so I decided I'd stay home.
As I sat reading a document, someone knocked at my door.
"Come in." I called, keeping my gaze at the words on my screen.
One of the house staff stepped in. "Sir, the delivery driver is here."
My head snapped up to look at her. "What?"
"He's asking where you want everything placed." She replied.
I blinked. "What are you talking about? Have what placed?"
Her expression was a mix of confusion and discomfort. "The delivery outside. With the... teddy bears."
I blinked. "The what?"
She handed me a clipboard that had been shoved into her hands. At the top, in bold:
'A Gift From Your Favorite Housemate.'
My heart sank.
I shot out of my chair and stormed toward the front doors, the sound of hammering and movement growing louder with each step.
When I saw the sight before me, I nearly choked on my saliva.
Five delivery men. Placing dozens of colourful life sized teddy bears all over the pristine lawn.
"What the fuck are you doing?!" I roared, pacing up to them.
They froze, dropping the boxes.
"S-sir, we're just following orders—" one of them started.
"Get the hell out of my house!" I yelled, cutting him off.
Every single one of them shook at the sound of my tone before rushing out, leaving the boxes behind.
I turned, my eyes widening at the sight.
A life-sized cardboard cutout of me, scowling in my usual suit, with a speech bubble taped to it:
"I Cancel Fun. And Dates. And Joy."
Then banners:
'Hi. I'm Zayden Ashford aka a control freak.'
'Caution: a dictator lives here.'
'Beware of the CEO—he may bite!'
I stood in complete silence, jaw clenched.
Footsteps padded behind me.
And I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
Aurelia appeared at my side, coffee in one hand, the other propped on her hip. She was wearing pajama shorts, a tank top, and the most victorious, self-satisfied smirk I had ever seen.
"Good morning, Zayden." She chirped, sweet as sin.
I turned slowly. "You've lost your mind."
"No," she said brightly, sipping her coffee. "I've just discovered my potential."
"You vandalized my property."
"I added color to your depressing life. You're welcome." She countered.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Remove them. Now."
She turned to give me one of her sickening sweet smiles. "I'm not your servant."
My jaw ticked. "Aurelia—"
She held a finger up, abruptly silencing me. "Don't say anything you might regret, Zayden. I could have you trending over social media for all the wrong reasons. So watch your tongue."
"For fuck's sake—"
"Oh don't curse," she spoke, voice all smug and mocking. "It's not fitting for a man with teddy bears all over his lawn."
I stared at her.
She just sipped her coffee, satisfied.
"You think this is funny?" I grumbled.
She beamed. "It is, isn't it?"
"You sabotaged my entire morning." I glowered at her.
"You sabotaged my entire date." She replied casually.
My eyes darkened. "All this for a mere date?"
She took a step closer, meeting my eyes fearlessly. "This is nothing. If you get in my way again, I'll do a lot worse."
I stood, struggling to maintain my breathing.
Her face broke into a mocking smile. "Aww don't be upset. Why don't you take one of the bears and cuddle it to feel better?"
Tapping my upper arm, she shot me another smug look and disappeared back into the house.
I stared at the teddy bears sprawled over the garden. One of them had sunglasses on.
This woman was unbelievable.
———
I woke up from the most satisfying, refreshing sleep. Zayden Ashford must have learned his lesson of not messing with me.
I had dreamt of his face all night. The shock, the rage, the disbelief splattered across his face. It was all a masterpiece. One that I was responsible for.
It was high time he realised he wasn't dealing with someone ordinary.
After taking a quick shower, I changed into a shirt and shorts, and made my way downstairs to grab breakfast.
But on the way, I collided into something hard.
None other than the wall of muscle himself. Zayden Ashford.
Clad in a navy blue suit, wrapped in a delicious aroma of expensive perfume, donning an expression of pure rage.
Jaw clenched. Eyes narrowed like I'd committed arson and left evidence at the scene.
Oh wait... I had.
"Good morning, sunshine," I greeted with a sugary smile, stepping aside to let him pass. "Off to cancel someone's joy?"
He didn't move. "Do you think you're funny?"
"Constantly." I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "But thanks for noticing."
His stare became ice cold. "You sabotaged my office as well!"
A smirk stretched at my face. "Are you referring to that banner I sent over to your workplace to display in front of your office?"
His gaze darkened, a menacing look plastered on his face. "You had a glittery pink banner hung in front of my office that said 'CEO stands for Cranky, Extra, Overbearing'! Who the fuck do you think you are?"
My smirk grew as I took a step towards him, meeting his angry gaze head on. "I think you must have understood by now just who the fuck I am."
His nostrils flared, hands fisting at his sides.
I pat his forearm. "Did you forget to cuddle your emotional support teddy? He was the one with the sunglasses."
The look on his face was as if I had called him a profanity.
He seemed to be holding himself back, and while I was really proud of myself, I felt my stomach flip ever so slightly.
Then he turned swiftly and strode away, making me release a breath I didn't know I was holding.
That night, there was a storm outside.
It made me toss and turn, struggling to sleep, but the sound of thunder just kept getting louder and more unbearable.
Confession: the very confident Aurelia Sinclair was afraid of storms.
At around 1 am, I decided I couldn't stay in bed all alone. So, I stepped out of my room and walked up to Zayden's closed door.
I stood there in silence for a few minutes, contemplating on knocking before I gave up the idea of coming face to face with him again.
That too while expecting comfort from someone as cold and frigid as him.
So, I wandered downstairs to the kitchen, deciding to make myself hot chocolate. As I made the drink, the sound of thunder echoing through the giant estate kept making me jump and quiver in fear.
The wind rattled the windows, causing fear to creep into my heart. I was at the verge of crying when I heard footsteps approach the kitchen.
Turning, I saw Zayden standing in the doorway, wearing a black shirt and grey sweatpants, not the least bit surprised to see me.
"You're up." He stated as if he knew I would be, and took a seat by the island.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, continuing to finish making my drink.
He noticed the drink in my hand, steam pouring out of it. "Is there a reason you're behaving like you're in some holiday movie?"
I ignored him, taking a sip of my hot beverage.
"You're awfully quiet... and you're wearing pants. Is the world coming to an end?" He arched a brow.
I sat down on one of the chairs at the island. "Why are you up?"
"Thought I'd check up on you," he uttered smoothly. "You're afraid of storms."
My head snapped up towards him in surprise, my eyes wide. "You remember?"
He just stared into my eyes, a clandestine emotion gleaming in the dark brown orbs.
He extended his hand toward my mug. "Care to share with the owner of the house?"
I arched a brow, surprised at his normal tone. "No."
Then I stood up and exited the kitchen, heading for the living room where I comfortably settled on one of the couches.
Not long after, footsteps sounded behind me and then Zayden showed up, sitting on the same couch as me.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Missing me?"
He scoffed. "I'm doing you a favour. Once the storm is over, I'll leave."
I didn't respond, but secretly I was glad. I didn't want to be along as the storm raged on, echoing through the silence of the massive estate.
I sipped on my hot chocolate in silence while he did something on his phone.
Then he reached out for my mug again. "Be nice and share."
I couldn't believe it. This same man who had rejected my politely offered cookies once was now asking for a sip of my hot chocolate. From the same mug I was drinking from.
When I didn't make a move, he put his hand down and scooted closer to me.
Blinking, I extended my mug towards him, letting him take it from me, our fingers brushing in the process.
It made me shiver.
I averted my gaze from him as he took a sip from my mug, from where my mouth had been.
Suddenly, I felt warm all over and the sound of the storm seemed to be drowning out.