Chapter 8

AIDEN'S POV. "Hey boss," came Felicia's voice, laced with frustration, over the phone. Leaning against the hospital corridor wall, coffee in hand, I responded, "What's going on, Felicia?" She quickly informed me, "It looks like an old flame of yours has resurfaced." I was puzzled. Who could it be? "Make sure she leaves before Selena spots her," I instructed, not wanting to delve into identities. Suddenly, Felicia's tone turned urgent, "Boss, she's got Selena at gunpoint, and it looks like she might pull the trigger. You need to hurry back." I choked on my coffee, tossed the cup aside, and dashed out of the hospital. How did she bypass security? Did she have a spare key? My mind was racing as I sped home. Arriving in haste, I bypassed the security detail and saw, from a distance, a figure aiming something at another, presumably Selena. "Aiden, help!" Selena's cry drew the woman's attention, and she turned to face me. It was Kimberly Ramos, a past secret lover. I thought she had left town. "Hello, darling," she said, gun still trained on Selena. "Kim, please put the gun down," I urged gently. “Not until she's out of here," Kimberly declared, unwavering. I signaled my bodyguards to be ready as I attempted to defuse the situation. "Kimberly, let's put the gun down and talk," I implored. Her expression softened slightly, and she began to lower her weapon. “It is all because of you," she said, lowering the gun further, and I heard Selena exhale in relief. As Kimberly started to speak again, I seized the gun, catching her off guard. The bodyguards quickly restrained her. "Let me go, Aiden!" she yelled, struggling in vain. "You'll regret this. I'll ruin you both," she threatened as she was escorted out. I turned to Selena, who was visibly shaken. "Selena, Selena," I called out, concern evident in my voice. ************************** SELENA'S POV. Aiden's intelligence took me by surprise. His current gaze held a different intensity than the one on our wedding day; it was filled with concern. Was he truly worried about me, or was it just my imagination? "Aiden, are you alright?" he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yes, I'm okay," I replied. Suddenly, his arms were around me, and before I could object, he hoisted me onto his shoulders. "This isn't necessary," I protested weakly. To think the ruthless billionaire could show such tenderness was beyond my wildest dreams. Was this real? He carried me into my room, locking eyes with me as he gently placed me on the bed. His gaze was intense, but my mind wandered back to the recent ordeal. “How many more exes do you have?" I blurted out, louder than intended. "Please, don't start," he shot back, sitting beside me. This was new; Aiden had never been this close since I moved in. "It is your time to confess. How many others have there been?" I asked, jealousy creeping into my tone. “Are you jealous?" he teased, arching an eyebrow. "Of course not. Why should I care? Your life is your own. I'm merely inquisitive, that's all," I retorted, pulling the blanket over myself and turning away. My eyes closed, and the sound of the door swinging open and shut echoed briefly. Aiden must have left. As I turned back, the empty space beside me felt stark. Throughout the night, my mind lingered on the day's events, particularly how Aiden had carried me. ****************************** AIDEN'S POV. (The following day) Dave was speechless when I recounted the confrontation between Kimberly and Selena. "I'm just as shocked. That woman is unhinged. I had to intervene to protect Selena," I explained, noting Dave's incredulous gaze. "Hold on! You're not falling for her, are you? You've never shown concern for anyone," Dave insinuated. "Really? It's not like that. I would've done the same for anyone," I dismissed, though Dave's teasing look lingered. Me, in love? No, it's not love. I'm merely safeguarding her. Yet, she's constantly on my mind. Her captivating eyes and voice haunted my thoughts last night. "Alright, if you insist," Dave conceded. "Let's grab a drink later?" he suggested. "I can't," I declined, my thoughts drifting to my mother. “Seriously?" Dave questioned, rising to leave. "Yeah, I'm just not up for it. With everything happening with my mom, I can't," I explained. "Okay, fine," Dave accepted, opening the door. "See you later," I said, watching him leave. Glancing at the clock, I cursed under my breath. It was nearly time for my mother's surgery, and my father had asked me to bring something for her. I shut down my laptop, instructed Catherine to oversee the office, and hurried out. Upon returning home, I unlocked the mansion's front door to find the living room lavishly adorned with roses. “What's all this?" I wondered, noticing the same display in the dining area. Is Selena behind this? I approached the center table, where the largest bouquet sat. A note caught my eye. "Felicia! Felicia!" I called out, and she quickly appeared. "What's the meaning of this? Where's Selena?" I demanded. SELENA'S POV. Returning home from my jogging routine around the mansion, I was stunned by the floral spectacle in the living room. Hearing Aiden and Felicia, I joined them, "Looks like Felicia has an admirer." I teased Aiden and glared at me. “It's not mine. It's addressed to you," Felicia clarified. I turned to Aiden, teasing, "So, you're sending me flowers now?" He sighed, "I didn't send any flowers, Selena." "Then who did?" I pondered. Aiden, unwrapping the note, read, "I wish we could be together." His expression soured. "To my beloved Selena, from your secret admirer." Aiden's anger was palpable as he crumpled the note. His next action left Felicia and me speechless. "Who on earth could this be, Selena?" Aiden's voice escalated, as he cast the flowers from the table to the floor. As Aiden's frustration mounted, my mind raced with possibilities. Who could be behind this grand, yet unsettling gesture? my thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. Could it be someone from my past? Is Derrick playing games with me because of my refusal to be with him? But Derrick wouldn't do that to me. He has always been a decent young man. This is totally unlike him. “Boss, I think you should calm down,”Felicia said in a low tone but the anger was evident in Aiden's face as he kept on scattering the flowers. This has never happened to me. I have never had such an ardent admirer. Or perhaps it's a prank? But who would go to such lengths? And Aiden... he's never been the romantic type, not openly at least. Could he be trying to surprise me? No, the anger in his eyes was too genuine. Then who? Someone who knows me well enough to send roses to Aiden's mansion, yet remains in the shadows. A secret admirer... the thought is both thrilling and frightening. But why now? Why disrupt the fragile peace I've found here? My internal monologue was abruptly cut short by Aiden's voice, now louder and more insistent than before. "Selena! Who sent these flowers? Who wrote that note? I demand an answer!" His eyes bore into her, searching for a truth I did not know. A cryptic letter, an enigmatic phone call, and now these anonymous flowers? Who is behind all this? Could it be that Selena harbors a clandestine admirer?