Chapter 242
Aria’s POV
I’d just made it back to the bedroom and was sorting through my things in the bathroom when my phone rang. It was Lillian, which surprised me. She knew I hated these social events, so she rarely called after competitions ended.
This was only the second time she’d reached out in all the years we’d known each other.
“Lillian?” I answered, confusion evident in my voice.
“Aria, are you still at the hotel?” Her tone was urgent, making my stomach tighten.
“Yeah, I’m still here. What’s wrong p>
She exhaled sharply into the phone. “Your name is trending on several social media platforms since yesterday. There’s a swarm of reporters camped outside the hotel entrance waiting for you. If you’re still inside, don’t come out yet p>
My mouth fell open. This was completely unexpected. Even when I first gained recognition as a young pianist returning home, I’d never been ambushed by the media. Now, just because my identity had been revealed, reporters were surrounding the hotel?
I frowned, biting my lower lip. “But Aiden and I have a train to catch at two o’clock p>
Lillian paused for a moment. “I’ll try to help clear them out. Could you stay in and have lunch at the hotel p>
I understood what she was trying to do and didn’t want her working too hard on my behalf. “Alright, I won’t leave the room before one. Don’t worry about the reporters if you can’t get rid of them. You’ve already had a busy couple of days go rest p>
“Please, this is nothing. I only get busy a few days a year,” she laughed. “And honestly, I’ve been dreaming about something like this happening for ages p>
Her excitement made me cringe slightly. “Well, I should go now p>
“Sure thing p>
Just as I hung up, I noticed Aiden had finished his call too. I walked over to him, absently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“My assistant just called. Apparently, there’s a crowd of reporters waiting for me outside the hotel p>
Aiden looked down at me, his lips curving into a teasing smile. “Looks like Mrs. Carter has become famous p>
I caught the playful mockery in his tone. In the past, I might have blushed furiously, but I was different now. I kept my composure and fired back.
“Haven’t I always been famous?” I challenged. I wasn’t just being cocky-I was a renowned piano prodigy, after all! I might keep a low profile personally, but my achievements certainly didn’t.
Aiden rarely saw this side of me. His eyes glinted with amusement at my cat-like pride. “You’re right. I misspoke,” he conceded, smile deepening.
Seeing the laughter in his dark eyes, my confident façade finally cracked. I quickly changed the subject. “So we can’t go out for lunch now p>
Aiden looked at me with that expression that made my knees weak-like everything I said was perfectly reasonable and he’d follow my lead anywhere. “Whatever you say, Mrs. Carter p>
I felt heat creeping up my neck and quickly grabbed the hotel’s room service menu, pretending to study it intently while deciding what we should eat.
Since we needed to leave by one to catch our train, I called down for room service at eleven-thirty. We had just finished eating at twelve-fifteen when Lillian called again.
“Aria, I managed to lure away some of the media, but there are still quite a few camped at the main entrance. The hotel’s arranged a car for you at the back entrance where there are only a couple of
of reporters You and
your husband should leave that
way p>
For Lillian’s first time handling this kind of situation, she’d done remarkably well.
“Got it. Thanks so much. See you next time p>
“Have a safe trip p>
I hung up and turned to Aiden. “There are still some reporters downstairs. Should we use the back entrance p>
Aiden nodded without hesitation. “Of course p>
We rested a bit longer before I packed our suitcase, ready to head to the train station. Just as we stepped out of the room, I felt a sudden pressure in my bladder.
“I need to use the bathroom real quick,” I told Aiden, feeling slightly embarrassed. “I’ll be super fast p>
I darted back into the room and used the bathroom. Coming out, I shook water from my hands while jogging toward the door. Halfway there, my foot caught on something and I stumbled.
“Careful!” Aiden’s deep voice cut through the air as he strode forward, catching me before I could fall.
At the same moment, whatever had tripped me clattered loudly to the floor.
I steadied myself in Aiden’s arms, mortified. Looking up to thank him, I noticed his gaze fixed on something below us. Following his line of sight, I saw what had caused my near-fall.
The trash can had tipped over, its contents spilling across the floor. Among the scattered items was the shopping bag that had contained last night’s lingerie set, with a strap of black lace dangling provocatively from the edge.
My face immediately burned hot.
Aiden’s eyes flicked back to me, his lips curving into a suggestive smile. “Throwing it away p>
My cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Yes,” I mumbled, then added hastily, “It wasn’t really mine anyway p>
His smile deepened, sending a flutter through my stomach. “Did you twist your ankle p>
His meaningful look made my embarrassment intensify. “No, I’m fine! It’s getting late -we should hurry downstairs or we’ll miss the train p>
Aiden released my shoulders but took my hand as we left the room again. At the
door, he grabbed our suitcase while I closed the door behind us.
We took the elevator down to the back entrance. As soon as we stepped out, a hotel
staff member was waiting for us.
“Are you Aria?” he asked politely.
I nodded. “That’s me p>
The employee smiled. “Ms. Moore arranged for me to wait for you and your husband. There are a few reporters at the back entrance, so I’ll call the driver ever. Would you minds waiting here briefly p>
Lillian had thought of everything. I thanked the staff member as Aiden and I waited
by the back door.
Soon, the employee returned and escorted us outside where our ride was waiting.