Chapter 272
Aria’s POV
I used to wait for Aiden in the garage doorway whenever he came home from work. I’d watch him park, then greet him with a playful “Mr. Carter, finished for the day?” before taking his briefcase and offering a little flirtatious affection. It always made him smile.
Today, I felt a surge of nostalgia and couldn’t resist recreating that moment as his car pulled into the driveway. When he stepped out, I leaned against the doorframe with a grin.
Aiden’s dark eyes flickered with recognition as they met mine. “Yes, finished early,” he replied smoothly, approaching me. “Couldn’t wait to get home to Mrs. Carter p>
My cheeks flushed hot at his response. My gaze dropped to his tie where the tie clip I’d given him caught the late afternoon sunlight, glinting brightly against the dark fabric. Just seeing him wearing my gift made my smile grow wider. I couldn’t help thinking about the present waiting in my suitcase upstairs, anticipation bubbling in my chest.
Nanny appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Dinner’s ready whenever you two are,” she called out.
I wasn’t particularly hungry-lunch had been late-but the aroma of Nanny’s homemade soup was too tempting to resist. I managed a bowl of the rich broth but could barely finish half my plate of the main course. Aiden didn’t eat much either.
I noticed Nanny looking concerned as she cleared the table. There was more food left than usual, and I could tell she was worried. She lingered after putting away the leftovers, though she’d normally be heading home by now.
Aiden excused himself to take a call while I poured myself a glass of water, planning to head upstairs and unpack my suitcase to retrieve Aiden’s gift.
“Mrs. Carter,” Nanny’s uncertain voice stopped me. “Was there something wrong with the food tonight p>
I turned toward her. “Not at all! Everything was delicious p>
“But-” Her voice trailed off, clearly uncomfortable asking why we’d eaten so little.
“Oh!” I suddenly realized her concern. “It’s not your cooking, Nanny. We had a really late lunch, so neither of us was very hungry. I absolutely love your cooking, please don’t worry! You should head home now, it’s getting late p>
Relief visibly washed over her face. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter. I’ll be going then p>
“Have a safe trip home!” I waved as she gathered her things.
“Will do p>
As I turned back, I caught Aiden watching me from across the room, his phone call apparently finished. I took a sip of water. “We barely touched dinner and Nanny thought her cooking was off p>
I walked over to him, instinctively leaning into his warmth. Aiden’s arm came around me, pulling me closer.
“Since we didn’t eat much,” he murmured, “should we think about a late-night snack later p>
I rested my chin against his chest, looking up into his eyes. “Aiden, have you ever had crawfish p>
“Crawfish?” His brow furrowed slightly.
“Not lobster-crawfish. The smaller ones.” From his expression, I knew he hadn’t tried them before. A mischievous idea formed in my mind. “Can we go out for crawfish tonight? I haven’t had any all summer p>
It was late September, well past crawfish season, but I suddenly craved them desperately. I wasn’t even aware I was pouting slightly.
Aiden’s eyes softened. “Whatever Mrs. Carter wants p>
“You’re the best, Aiden p>
His expression melted into tenderness as he held me. He leaned down until our foreheads touched. “Has Mrs. Carter been drinking p>
“What? No, I haven’t been drinking.” With my low tolerance, I wouldn’t dare!
After a moment, I realized what he meant by the teasing comment-he was remarking on my unusually affectionate mood. My face heated up and I pulled away from his embrace. “I need to unpack my suitcase. I’ll go do that now!
I also wanted to get his gift. The thought made me glance at his tie clip again.
Aiden noticed my gaze and looked down at his tie. His lips curved into a small smile
as he took my water glass from my hand. “Go ahead p>
I gave him one last look before hurrying upstairs. My suitcase contained several items, including two handbags I’d bought for Lillian. I had just pulled out the special gift I’d bought for Aiden when I heard his footsteps entering the bedroom.
I instinctively looked up, holding the gift box out toward him like a proud child. “I
brought you something from my trip p>
“Oh?” Aiden’s eyebrows rose slightly as his gaze fell on the box in my hands. “How thoughtful, Mrs. Carter p>
I placed the box in his palm. “Open it. I hope you like it p>
Strictly speaking, this was the first real gift I’d bought for Aiden, and I felt surprisingly nervous about it.
Aiden looked at me for a moment before opening the box.
Inside was a Patek Philippe wristwatch. “Well? What do you think?” I asked when
he didn’t immediately speak, biting my lower lip anxiously.
I hadn’t actually planned to buy a
watch as a gift. While shopping for Lillian’s handbags, I’d passed the Patek Philippe boutique on impulse and immediately spotted this watch. The face displayed only the annual calendar with 24-hour display and, moon phase clean and elegant The deep brown alligator strap paired with rose gold casing gave it a sophisticated yet understated
look.
The moment I saw it, I knew it would suit Aiden perfectly. Refined yet quietly powerful.
Aiden answered with actions rather than words. He removed the watch he was wearing and held out the new one to me. “Would Mrs. Carter do the honors p>
I blinked, hesitating. “Are you sure it’s appropriate? I mean p>
Though the watch cost well over ten thousand dollars, I was pretty sure the one Aiden normally wore was worth at least a hundred thousand. Would this seem like a downgrade?
Aiden chuckled softly. “Why wouldn’t it be p>
Seeing he genuinely didn’t care about such things, I quickly took the watch and fastened it around his wrist.
It looked perfect. The contrast of the dark brown band against his pale wrist, peeking out from his black shirt sleeve, created an elegant effect that exceeded my expectations.
I couldn’t help staring in admiration. “It looks amazing p>
My taste was impeccable, if I did say so myself.
Aiden gazed at me, his eyes soft. “It is beautiful. Thank you, Mrs. Carter. I love it p>
His genuine appreciation sent a wave of satisfaction and joy through me. I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m glad you like it p>
Next time, I’d find something even more special.
Aiden placed his old watch in the new watch’s box, closed it, and set it aside without
a second thought. He looked down at his wrist again, his lips curving upward. “I
really do love it p>
I looked up at him, my eyes bright with happiness. “Really? You’re not just saying
that p>
“Really p>
He smiled, pulling me closer by the waist. His lips captured mine in a gentle kiss that gradually deepened. Between kisses, he whispered against my ear, “I’ve never received a gift I’ve loved more p>