Chapter 269
Aria’s POV
“Summer, you’re asking me again?” I rolled my eyes as my assistant bombarded me with questions the moment we stepped off the plane.
“So you two sat together? Did he say anything weird to you?” Summer’s eyes were practically sparkling with curiosity.
I felt my cheeks flush. “No, nothing like that. He just told me about a part-time job opportunity p>
“And you talked the whole flight?” She leaned in closer, hanging on my every word.
“Not really. We didn’t have much to talk about.” I adjusted the strap of my carry-on, wishing she’d drop the subject.
Summer clicked her tongue. “Strange. Such a perfect opportunity and he didn’t make a move? That’s weird p>
“Is it possible you’re just reading too much into this?” I asked, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with her matchmaking attempts.
“Come on, Aria! I may not have dated anyone, but I know what it looks like when someone’s interested. That look in his eyes? You can’t fake that p>
I was about to argue when my phone started ringing in my purse. The familiar tone cut through our conversation.
Summer wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “That’s definitely Aiden calling p>
My heart did a little flip as I pulled out my phone and checked the screen. She was right—it was Aiden. I moved a few steps away for some privacy and answered. “Hey, Aiden p>
“Have you landed?” His deep voice came through clearly, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
“Just did. We’re heading to baggage claim now p>
“Good. I’m at Terminal 18 p>
“Okay, see you in a bit p>
“See you soon, Mrs. Carter.” The way he said my married name made my stomach flutter.
I ended the call and turned back to Summer, who was watching me with a knowing smile. “Let’s go get our luggage p>
“Aiden came to pick you up, didn’t he?” she asked, practically bouncing with excitement.
My face warmed again. “Yeah, he wasn’t too busy today p>
“Of course he wasn’t! You’re more important than any meeting.” Summer clutched her chest dramatically. “God, you two are giving me heart palpitations p>
I felt my ears burning as Summer continued gushing. The way she reacted to my relationship with Aiden always made me self-conscious, but in a good way. Like I was living someone else’s dream life.
Summer must have noticed my embarrassment because she quickly changed the subject. “Let’s grab our bags p>
Our suitcases were already circling on the conveyor belt when we reached baggage claim. After showing our claim tickets to the attendant, we wheeled our luggage toward the exit.
The moment we stepped into the arrival hall, I was hit by a wall of noise. A crowd had gathered, screaming and holding up signs.
“Wow, that’s a lot of fans,” I remarked, taking in the chaotic scene.
Summer nudged my arm. “If you were more public about your work, you’d have just as many fans as Julian does, Aria p>
I shook my head, knowing better. “He’s a singer. Of course he’s more famous than me p>
As we navigated through the crowd, I spotted Aiden standing a short distance away. My heart immediately picked up speed at the sight of him-tall, imposing, and ridiculously handsome in his tailored suit.
“Summer, I see Aiden! I’m heading over p>
“Oh, okay—” she started to say, but I was already pulling my suitcase through the crowd, weaving between people to reach him.
I practically threw myself into Aiden’s arms when I reached him, breathing in his familiar scent. After a moment, I realized how public our display was and pulled back, my cheeks burning.
“There are so many people,” I murmured, looking up at him. “We should get going p>
Aiden brushed a strand of hair from my face, his eyes drifting toward the commotion nearby. “Julian’s fans,” he observed, before looking back at me. “Did you two run into each other at the airport p>
I nodded without thinking. “Yeah, he actually sat next to me on the plane p>
Something flashed across Aiden’s expression as he made a disapproving sound under his breath.
“What?” I asked, confused by his reaction.
His dark eyes studied my face for a moment. “Nothing,” he said finally, taking my suitcase from me. “Are you hungry p>
“Starving,” I admitted. I’d barely touched my breakfast, and my stomach was starting to protest.
“Let’s get some food then.” He took my hand in his, the warmth of his touch sending tingles up my arm.
We’d only gone a few steps when I remembered. “Wait! What about my assistant?” Aiden paused. “You mean Summer p>
“Yes, she was just behind me—” I turned around, scanning the crowd, but Summer was nowhere to be seen.
“She headed toward the subway entrance with her suitcase,” Aiden informed me. “What?” I pulled out my phone, ready to call her, when a message notification appeared:
*Aria, don’t want to be a third wheel! Heading home on the subway! Enjoy your time with Aiden! *
I showed the message to Aiden, feeling slightly embarrassed. “She says she’s taking the subway home p>
The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile that made my heart race. “Shall we get lunch, then p>
“Yes, please.” My stomach growled audibly, and I prayed he hadn’t heard it.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest. My husband was undeniably magnetic. I couldn’t help being drawn to him, even after all this time.
“What would you like to eat?” he asked, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. “Something light,” I considered for a moment. “Maybe some coconut chicken soup?” “Whatever my wife wants,” he replied, his voice warm with affection.
Food was one area where Aiden was notoriously picky, but he always deferred to
my preferences. I smiled, feeling the gentle pressure as his fingers tightened around mine. I squeezed back.
As we exited the airport, I suddenly remembered I hadn’t texted my dad to let him know I’d arrived safely.
“I need to message my father,” I told Aiden.
He nodded, releasing my hand only to slide his arm around my waist instead. The heat of his palm seeped through the thin fabric of my blouse, sending a pleasant warmth through my body.
I bit my lip lightly as I opened my father’s contact and sent a quick “landed safely” message.
I was so focused on my phone that I barely paid attention to where we were walking. Aiden guided me effortlessly through the parking structure until we reached his familiar Bentley in the P1 section.
He opened the passenger door for me, waiting until I was settled before placing my suitcase in the trunk.
The car’s interior smelled faintly of cedarwood, just like Aiden himself. I’d only gotten about four hours of having stayed up
sleep and then waking at for
TAM
©tus
breakfast and the airport. I’d planned
to map on the flight, but sitting next to Julian had made that
impossible-I’d spent the entire journey trying to stay awake and
maintain conversation.
Now, in the safety of Aiden’s car, surrounded by his scent, the exhaustion hit me all
at once. I’d barely fastened my seatbelt when a huge yawn escaped me.
I caught Aiden watching me, and my face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.
“Tired?” he asked, his eyes soft with affection.
I nodded, feeling another yawn coming. “Last night-” I couldn’t even finish my
sentence before the second yawn overtook me.
I blinked rapidly, feeling tears gather
at the corners of my eyes from the force of it. I must have looked ridiculous, but Aiden just watched me with that tender expression that always made my heart skip.
After I recovered, I explained, “I went to bed late and woke up early this morning p>
“Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we arrive,” he said, reaching behind the seat to produce a travel neck pillow.
“When did you get this?” I asked, surprised.
“Picked it up on the way home the other day,” he replied casually, as if buying me thoughtful gifts was the most natural thing in the world. “I noticed you didn’t have one p>
I slipped the pillow around my neck, finding it perfectly comfortable. I opened my mouth to thank him but was interrupted by yet another yawn.
Aiden laughed softly. “Sleep p>
My cheeks burning, I nodded. “I’m going to sleep then p>
“Mmm,” he hummed in agreement.
I was out almost as soon as I closed
my eyes, the gentle motion of the
car lulling me deeper. In Aiden’s presence always felt completel safe Safe enough to let my guard down entirely and drift into the most peaceful sleep.