4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Amelia
“ W hat exactly do you mean by my true identity?” Aidan asked, his voice low, as he peered into Finn’s eyes with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Finn didn’t flinch. Instead, he smirked, the calm expression on his face almost too composed for the tension crackling in the air between them.
“Trust me, this is a conversation you do not want us to have here,” Finn replied, his gaze never leaving Aidan’s, like a silent challenge.
I stood there, unsure what to do or say. The words “true identity” were still echoing in my mind, and my heart raced as I looked between the two men. There was something between them that I couldn’t quite place, but it was too heavy to ignore. For a moment, it felt like I was intruding on something much deeper than I realized.
Finn opened his mouth, as if he were about to speak, but then his phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the tension like a blade.
“Sorry, I have to take this,” Finn muttered, already pulling his phone out and glancing at the screen. His eyes darkened slightly as he read the message.
Aidan’s jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly, acknowledging the interruption without saying a word.
“We’ll talk later, Mr. Hale,” Finn said.
He hesitated for a brief second, as if weighing something in his mind, before he looked at me.
“I have to go Amelia, something urgent came up” he said, his voice softer.
“Okay…” I managed, still lost in the whirlwind of confusion and questions.
With that, Finn turned and walked away, leaving me and Aidan in the cafeteria.
I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest.
What just happened? I thought.
“I think I should get back to work,” I said, my voice shaky.
Aidan didn’t move, but I could feel his gaze on me as I made the motion to leave. There was something about him that kept pulling me back.
Just as I took a step toward the door, I heard his voice—low, firm, but laced with something I couldn’t quite place.
“Amelia,” Aidan said, his tone soft, but commanding. “Wait.”
I turned slowly to face him, and in that instant, everything else in the room seemed to fade away. It was just his presence, the way his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that left me breathless.
Aidan closed the distance, his hand brushing my arm, sending a jolt through me. The pull between us was undeniable.
“You don’t have to go,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. “I’ll be honest with you, I was hoping we could talk. Would really love to get to know you.”
I swallowed; my throat dry as I tried to find my voice. “I have to go back to work,” I said, the words sounding far shakier than I intended.
Aidan didn’t let go of my arm immediately. Instead, his thumb brushed gently across my skin, and the action sent a shiver down my spine.
“I understand” he said, his voice softer.
I could see the flash of disappointment in his eyes, as his hand dropped away from my arm and then I left.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Aidan. His touch. His words. And then there was Finn. The kiss we shared. I couldn’t get both men out of my head. I couldn’t focus properly on my patients, no matter how hard I tried.
When my shift finally ended, I felt relief, but it was short-lived. I was still tangled in the thoughts of those two men.
I stepped out into the cool evening air, ready to head home, but then I froze. A sleek black Chevrolet Suburban SUV was parked right in front of me. Aidan was leaning against it, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"Amelia," he said, his voice smooth, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Let me give you a ride home."
I hesitated. My heart fluttered in my chest, my initial instinct telling me to decline.
“Uh... thanks for the offer but I can find my way home.”
“I insist,” he said, his voice low, almost coaxing. “I know you’ve had a long shift. Let me make it easier for you. Please.”
There was that pull again, that force I couldn’t resist. My heart skipped a beat, and before I knew it, I nodded. “Okay.”
As we got into the car, the soft hum of the engine filled the space, but the air between us felt electric. I could feel his presence beside me, his nearness making everything feel too intense. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, his gaze never leaving me for too long. It was as if he was watching me, studying me, trying to read every little shift in my expression.
“So, what’s your plan for dinner?” Aidan asked, breaking the silence. “I assume after a long day at the hospital, you must be starving.”
I glanced at him, my stomach betraying me with a soft growl of agreement. “I’m sure I could fix up something at home” I said, my voice quiet.
“Let me take you somewhere nice. You deserve it.”
“Uhm…” I muttered.
“Trust me. I know the place. I think you’ll like it,” he said, pulling onto a quieter street.
As we approached the restaurant, I blinked, my eyes widening as I saw the elegant building rise in front of us. The lights glittered from the windows, and the scent of rich food wafted toward me. The place looked... out of my league.
“I don’t think I can go in there,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m not exactly dressed for something like this. I’m in my scrubs.”
Aidan chuckled softly, turning to face me. “Amelia, I promise you, you’re perfect just the way you are. Don’t worry about the dress code.”
I hesitated, glancing down at my clothes, feeling completely out of place in this luxurious setting.
“I don’t know… are you sure they won’t bounce me out?”
“I own this place,” he smiled and shook his head, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“You... what?” I turned to him, eyes wide in shock. “You own this restaurant?” My heart skipped a beat.
“Yes. I do. So, no worries about fitting in,” he nodded, his expression softening.
“You own it? This... this whole place?” I didn’t know whether to laugh or gape in disbelief.
“Yes, it’s one of my many ventures,” Aidan’s grin widened.
The car came to a stop, and he opened the door for me. As we walked in, the host greeted Aidan immediately with respect.
I was still trying to wrap my head around everything when Aidan led me to a private table tucked away in a quiet corner. The ambient light was soft, casting shadows around us, and the faint hum of classical music played in the background. It felt... intimate. Aidan’s eyes never left mine.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” I said, my voice small as I took my seat, feeling a little overwhelmed.
Aidan smiled as he sat across from me.
The waiter arrived with menus, but I barely glanced at mine, my mind still spinning. Aidan seemed completely at ease, like he belonged here, but I felt out of place.
“I’m not sure I’m dressed for this,” I admitted quietly, glancing at my scrubs.
He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. The touch was light but electrifying. His thumb moved gently over the back of my hand.
“You’re perfect, and you look beautiful just as you are” he whispered.
His words, laced with such genuine sincerity, made my heart flutter. The world outside seemed to blur, leaving just the two of us in the soft, candlelit glow of the restaurant. The tension between us was palpable, growing with each passing second. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
“So,” he began, breaking the silence, his voice smooth and warm, “what would you like to eat?”
I looked down at the menu in my hands, but nothing jumped out at me. “I don’t know,” I admitted, feeling a little silly. “I’m kind of... overwhelmed. Everything sounds so fancy.”
Aidan chuckled softly, that deep, rich laugh that made something inside me stir.
“I get that. It can be a bit much at first,” he said, leaning forward just slightly, his voice lowering. “How about I suggest something?”
I nodded, feeling a little relieved that he didn’t expect me to know what to order. “Sure.”
“How about you try the Filet Mignon Rossini ?” he suggested.
“It’s one of the best dishes here—tender filet mignon with foie gras, truffle oil, and a rich demi-glace. It’s indulgent, but you deserve something special tonight.” he added.
“You really think I should try that?” I asked, my voice hesitant.
“Trust me,” he said, his smile growing warmer. “I’m sure you’ll love it.”
I didn’t even hesitate after that. “Okay, I’ll have that then.”
Minutes later, the waiter arrived with two elegantly plated Filet Mignon Rossini dishes.
“Ready to try it?” he asked.
I nodded, my mouth watering in anticipation...
“This is... incredible,” I breathed, looking up at Aidan, my voice full of surprise. “It tastes so good. I’ve never had anything like this before.”
Aidan’s smile softened as he watched me. “I’m glad you like it,” he said, his voice low, almost intimate. “It’s one of my favorites too.”
“This really is something else,” I said, my words coming out slower now as I savored each bite. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a meal this good.”
Aidan’s gaze never left mine, the weight of his attention making me feel exposed in the best way possible.
“I’m glad I could show you something new,” he replied, his voice soft, almost like he was savoring the moment too. “It’s not just about the food, you know. It’s about sharing these experiences. With someone you care about.”
The words hit me harder than I expected, sending a rush of warmth through me, and it felt like he was saying more than just the obvious—something deeper we both knew but hadn’t said yet.
As we ate in silence, the tension grew, and I realized—whatever this was, it was a connection I wasn’t ready for but couldn’t resist.
“Tell me, Amelia,” he said, his voice low and warm, “why did you decide to become a nurse?”
“It’s... it’s a long story,” I began, my voice softer than I intended. “But I guess it all started when my brother died.” My chest tightened at the thought of him, the memories flooding back with brutal clarity. I took a breath, steadying myself. “It wasn’t supposed to happen. It was a mistake... by a doctor.”
Aidan’s expression softened, his eyes narrowing with something that felt like understanding
“My brother... went into the hospital for a routine procedure, he was epileptic. But... something went wrong. The doctor made a mistake, he gave him the wrong injection and that was it. My brother never came home.”
I paused, the weight of the words pressing down on me, the familiar ache in my chest making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t stop the wave of emotion that washed over me, the years of anger, of loss, rising up to the surface.
“I was there when it happened. My brother died in my arms” I continued, my voice shaking slightly. “I couldn’t save him. My family was unable to recover after his death. After that, I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let other people suffer the way we did. I became a nurse, so I could make sure no one else had to go through what my family did.”
“I’m sorry, Amelia,” he said quietly. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you. But I think... I think that’s one of the most selfless things I’ve ever heard. You turned your pain into something that helps others.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, not really knowing what else to say.
Aidan smiled, the look in his eyes softening. He reached across the table, his hand brushing mine again, the touch grounding me, steadying me. “I think you’re incredible, Amelia,” he said, his voice low, almost reverent. “And I’m really glad I got to meet you.”
“I’m glad we met too,” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Aidan drove me home in silence, the soft hum of the car filling the space between us. When we reached my apartment, he parked and turned to face me, his gaze soft yet intense. He reached into the backseat and pulled out a small bouquet of fresh flowers. The vibrant colors of the petals were striking against the dim light in the car.
“I wanted to give these to you earlier, at the hospital,” Aidan said quietly, his voice almost hesitant. “But I didn’t get the chance. I thought it might be a nice way to end the night.”
I took the flowers from him, brushing my fingers against his. The warmth of his touch lingered even after he pulled back, and my heart skipped a beat. It was such a simple gesture, but it carried so much weight.
“Thank you,” I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips.
Aidan didn’t move right away. He stayed in his seat, watching me with that same intensity. The tension was there again, thick and palpable, but this time, I didn’t want to look away. There was something about him, something I couldn’t ignore, pulling me toward him.
He moved closer and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Goodnight, Amelia,” he said softly, breaking the silence.
“Goodnight, Aidan,” I replied, feeling the weight of the moment as I stepped out of the car, the flowers cradled carefully in my arms.
As I made my way to the entrance of my building, I couldn’t help but glance back at him. He was still sitting in the car, watching me, like he wasn’t ready to let go. And somehow, neither was I.
“Bye” I whispered.
He smiled and drove off.
After having a shower, I crawled into my bed, pulling the covers tight around me. The moment my eyes closed, it was as if my body was sucked into the dream, and I couldn’t pull myself out.
I stood in a dim room, feeling the weight of two intense gazes. One man stepped forward, his presence commanding, offering something I couldn’t understand but desperately wanted. “You belong with me,” he said, his voice sure.
The other man, though less imposing, exuded warmth and safety. “You don’t have to choose him,” he said gently, his words holding a quiet plea.
I wanted to reach out to both but suddenly I saw blood around me and a woman that looked just like me appeared from the shadows.
“You caused this. You’ve started a war! They will all die because of you”
I woke up with a jolt, gasping for air, my body drenched in sweat.