Chapter 271
Aria’s POV
I felt like a fish about to be dried out when Aiden finally released me. My entire body burned hot, my breathing shallow and erratic like it might stop at any moment. My legs had turned completely useless—I would’ve collapsed if Aiden wasn’t holding
me up.
I stayed nestled against his chest for a while, waiting for my rapid breathing to slow down. When I finally felt somewhat normal again, I lifted my head slightly to peek at him.
“Don’t you need to get back to the office?” I asked, my voice still raspy.
His eyes darkened as he looked down at me. I knew I must’ve been a sight-face flushed, eyes still misty. I felt exposed under his gaze.
Aiden’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard before deliberately turning away. He let out a small laugh. “Lucas must be extremely grateful to you right now p>
“What?” I blinked in confusion.
“For reminding me about work right after we’ve been intimate,” he clarified with amusement dancing in his eyes.
I felt my cheeks heat up even more. “Well, you did mention having an important meeting later p>
Aiden checked his watch before leaning down to press a gentle kiss on my forehead. Then he released me from his embrace. “I should head to the office now, Mrs. Carter p>
I touched the spot where his lips had been, feeling embarrassingly shy as I glanced up at him. “Okay, I’ll walk you out p>
“Weren’t you feeling tired?” His smile was tender as his large hand caressed my cheek. “Why don’t you get some rest p>
My mouth opened to protest, but a yawn escaped instead, betraying me completely.
I covered my mouth, mortified, then quickly retreated to the bed. Pulling the thin
blanket over myself, I asked, “So I should just go to sleep p>
“Sleep well, Mrs. Carter. Have a good nap p>
“You too—I mean, have a good afternoon,” I mumbled, closing my eyes.
I heard Aiden’s footsteps move across the room, then felt him adjusting the blanket around me. I opened my eyes to find his dark gaze studying me.
He reached for the remote and closed the blinds, dimming the room. “Sleep,” he said simply before leaving, quietly closing the door behind him.
As he descended the stairs, I heard Aiden speaking with Nanny, our housekeeper.
“Sir, should I prepare afternoon tea for Mrs. Carter?” Nanny asked hesitantly.
“No need,” Aiden replied, his voice carrying faintly up to me. “Make some soup instead, and keep dinner light tonight p>
“Of course, of course,” Nanny replied quickly.
After Aiden left, the bedroom fell completely silent. The drowsiness that had been tugging at me became overwhelming. I yawned again, glancing around the now- darkened room before my eyes drifted closed and sleep pulled me under.
I slept deeply, not waking until after five in the evening. The sky was still bright outside when I opened my eyes. I grabbed the remote to open the blinds, then sat on the edge of the bed, swinging my legs until I felt properly awake before reaching for my phone.
My screen was filled with unread messages. I opened my messaging app, replying to Dad’s texts first, then answered Summer’s messages. Finally, I clicked on Lillian’s conversation.
Her first message from over an hour ago read: “Aria, are you home yet p>
Then more messages from thirty minutes ago: “OMG! Wasn’t Julian on your flight? Did you run into him? He’s trending right now saying he wants to date someone! Has he secretly found someone p>
Lillian had attached several
screenshots. When I opened them, I discovered they were about Julian telling fans at the airport that he’d “witnessed beautiful love” and who wouldn’t want sweet romance?” Now it was trending, with fans speculating whether he was secretly dating someone.
Fans were trying to figure out who it might be, and apparently my name had come up in their detective work but since was married, the quickly ruled me out. Still, Julian’s comments had his fanbase convinced he must have a girlfriend.
Lillian, being the ultimate fan she is, was both excited and worried. Remembering I’d been on the same flight as Julian, she couldn’t help but message me for insider info.
I quickly texted back: “No idea. I barely know Julian p>
Lillian must have been waiting for my response during her break because she immediately sent back more photos with the message: “Don’t these look like you and Aiden? Tell me that’s not you guys p>
Looking at the photos, I immediately
recognized Aiden and myself.
Because of the angle, the photos only showed our backs and a bit of Aiden’s profile. Most people wouldn’t recognize us-especially me since was mostly hidden in Aiden S embrace, not even my full head visible.
But I knew it was us. I replied: “Yeah, that’s us. Why p>
Lillian: “OMG! What a coincidence! Do you think Julian saw you two and that’s why he said that stuff p>
I rolled my eyes: “I doubt it. Maybe he’s just releasing a new love song with romance themes p>
She sent another photo: “No way! Here’s a new pic! He was literally looking at you guys when he said it p>
Lillian: “Haha! Now it makes sense why Julian suddenly waxed poetic about love to his fans. Poor guy got force-fed dog food by you lovebirds p>
I felt my face flush: “I think you’re overthinking this p>
Lillian: “Whatever, I’ll stop bothering you before you start sending me your own couple pics too p>
I shook my head at her message but didn’t reply. I wanted to go downstairs and see what was happening.
As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I caught the rich aroma of bone broth wafting from the kitchen. I wandered that way and found Nanny preparing vegetables.
When she saw me, she smiled. “Mrs. Carter, you’re awake! Mr. Carter asked me to make soup p>
“It smells amazing,” I said, breathing in the delicious scent.
“Carrot, corn and bone soup with water chestnuts. It’s very sweet. Would you like a bowl now?” she offered.
I’d just woken up and wasn’t particularly hungry yet. “No thanks, Aiden should be home soon p>
Nanny nodded quickly. “Then I should start cooking the main dishes p>
“I won’t get in your way,” I said, backing out of the kitchen.
“The cooking fumes might bother you, Mrs. Carter,” she called after me.
I wanted to tell her I wasn’t that delicate, but she had already turned her attention back to cooking, so I slipped out quietly.
I decided to take a stroll through our garden. The late afternoon sun was perfect- warm without being too harsh, not yet setting. I made a complete circuit around the garden when I heard the familiar sound of an engine approaching.
I instinctively looked toward the gate and recognized Aiden’s familiar Bentley. I walked over to the garage entrance and watched as he pulled in, then emerged from the garage.
Walking toward him, I smiled. “Mr. Carter, done with work for the day p>