21. "You're driving me insane."
Aiden never returned to his room. As night fell and I sat there on his couch, just staring at the walls, I received a text message from him.
I have something urgent to take care of at work. I'll be back late. Stay in my room, and don't be scared. Security's at the door.
I sighed, tossing my phone to the side and burying my face in my hands. I didn't know if it was just my mood swings making me feel crazy or if it was the sight on Luna on Aiden's lap.
Why? Why did it upset me so much? I wasn't romantically involved with him and I never could be. He did not owe me anything. Not even the protection that he was providing me. Then why did his personal affairs concern me? Why did they keep me up? Why did they tug and pull at my stupid heart?
Forcing all the annoying, stupid thoughts to the back of my brain, I went to bed. It took me forever to fall asleep, but I did eventually.
I woke up early the next morning, alone in the bed. As I looked around, it did not seem like Aiden had returned last night. Or maybe he was in his living room getting it on with his Luna. Rolling my eyes and ignoring the stupid tug on my heart, I got out of bed and started getting ready.
When I made it to the kitchen to have breakfast, there was still no sign of Aiden. I was slightly worried about him, but more annoyed. I didn't have any right to feel upset, but I did, so there's that. I kept blaming it all on my period.
I got into the Uber that I had called once I had eaten. It was true that I was scared to step out of the house and go anywhere on my own, but I finally acknowledged that I simply could not live in fear all the time. I had to get out of the house and go about my life.
I was definitely annoyed that Aiden hadn't even bothered calling me.
From talking about protecting me and all, he just decided to leave me on my own all of a sudden?
I couldn't help but see images in my head of him and Luna.
Indecent images. Of them indulging in provocative, unspeakable acts.
It was so wrong and pathetic. I could not comprehend what was happening to me.
I made it to the hospital safe and sound, and started my day. Everything ran smoothly, and as I interacted with patients, I pretty much forgot about everything else that was pestering me.
A couple of hours of working in the OPD later, I sat in the doctor's room with Andrew, talking about random stuff. It was a step further in getting my mind off of other unnecessary things.
As we laughed over something, I felt a strong presence in the doorway, making me look over at it. I stilled instantly, my mirth dying down as I met Aiden's glaring eyes. He looked absolutely pissed, and it sent shivers down my spine.
Andrew rose to his feet upon realising his presence. "Mr. Knight, can I help you?" He asked.
Aiden sent him a death stare. "Dr. Whatever-you-are, if you're going to sit here idly and laugh, are the patients just supposed to sit there in misery or simply die?"
"Actually, I was just—" Andrew started speaking, but I cut him off.
"Dr. Andrew," my eyes pierced through Aiden's furious ones. "His name is Dr. Andrew."
I saw Andrew look at me with a combination of surprise and fear in his eyes as I challengingly stared at Mr. CEO.
Aiden's sombre eyes darkened even more. "Dr, Andrew," he said coldly, though his eyes were fixated on me. "Go to the ER at once."
"Yes, sir." Was Andrew's response, and before I knew it, he was gone.
As soon as he scurried out, Aiden closed the door behind him, locking it. My eyes widened as I looked between the locked door and his furious expression.
"W-why did you lock the door?" I didn't mean to stutter, but I did.
He frowned. "You came to the hospital on an Uber? You were supposed to wait for me."
I frowned back. "And I was supposed to know that how? You disappeared on me!"
His frown deepened as he took a step closer. "I called you twenty times! Your phone was switched off!"
I looked at him confused, digging into my purse to look at my phone for the first time that morning. It was then I realised that my phone was dead. I forgot to charge it the previous night.
My lips parted in realisation. He hadn't just disappeared on me.
"My phone is dead." I muttered, not meeting his gaze.
He huffed in exasperation. "You should have waited for me!"
I rolled my eyes. "I thought you must be busy with Luna. Come what may towards Aiden Knight, you'll still find him getting it on with his Luna." My words were bitter as they impulsively left my mouth.
"Shut up, Aysel!" He chastised, raising his voice.
I stood up in a fit of fury, glaring back at him. "Don't talk to me that way!"
He took another step towards me. "I'll talk to you however I please."
I scowled. "Who do you think you are?"
"I think you know exactly who I am," His words held a menace that I was too angry to take seriously. "And after everything that has happened, you're sitting here laughing with that guy!"
I scoffed in disbelief. "You can get into Luna's pants after everything that has happened, and I can't laugh with my friend?"
Rage flashed in his eyes as he stepped into my personal space. "Watch your words, Aysel."
"Or what?" I challenged.
"Is he so important to you?" He questioned.
"Yes, certainly."
"I forbid you from speaking to him ever again." He commanded, his eyes piercing through my soul.
I laughed humourlessly. "Who do you think you are forbidding me?"
I gasped as he grabbed me by my shoulder and pushed me against the wall. His eyes brewed a storm that sent shivers down my spine. "Aysel," his voice held a warning tone. "I don't want to see you with him again."
I rolled my eyes, even though I was beginning to get scared. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Aysel." He said through gritted teeth, glancing right into my soul.
I took a deep breath, pushing at his chest, but he didn't budge. "Get away from me."
His face drew closer to mine. "No."
Strange sensations were overpowering my body. I could barely breathe. Or even think rationally. His intense stare, his sombre eyes, his minty breath, manly perfume and our proximity were all mixing up into one big emotion that was driving me insane.
I watched as his anger slowly dissipated, his eyes softening the longer he stared at me. I found myself relaxing too. The fear and anger was all gone. Now replaced by something surreptitious that did not feel wrong.
"You're driving me insane." He murmured, his warm minty breath fanning my lips, making me feel warm all over. I had butterflies in my stomach, and my heart was racing.
"You're driving me insane." My voice, too, came out as a whisper as I struggled to look away from his magnetic gaze.
He inched his face closer, causing me to go completely stiff as I anticipated his next move.
Moving away might have been the right thing to do, but I just couldn't. The proximity didn't feel threatening.
It didn't make me feel insecure or unsafe.
It was strange how it was making me feel like my heart and knees would give away, yet it felt so peaceful.
I could almost tell what he was thinking of doing. It seemed ridiculous, but his eyes were screaming his intentions. And I didn't feel like telling him to get away from me.
My eyes widened as his lips pressed onto mine, moving gently yet possessively over them.
My first instinct was to push him away, but I could not bring myself to do that.
I stilled, letting him kiss me passionately as butterflies took flight in my abdomen.
I found myself gently holding the side of his face as his lips continued moving on mine.
When he pulled away, I was breathing more heavily than he was, and his eyes held something clandestine, something close to affection as they gazed at me. I gazed back in shock, wondering if I had imagined it all.
Did he really just kiss me?
I put my hands on his chest, giving him a gentle push as I finally averted my gaze from him. I wanted to ask him why he did that, but I couldn't. Instead, I just stood there as a flustered mess, attempting to catch my breath.
"I... I have to... my patients are waiting..." I stuttered, keeping my gaze on the floor. I could feel his heated gaze on me, but he didn't say a word.
Stumbling towards the door, I unlocked it and stepped outside, putting my hand over my poor, racing heart that was ready to stop any second. I could not believe what just happened.
Aiden Knight just kissed me.
And I actually liked it...
What. The. Hell.
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