He was too precious to be held back by her. 

Some while ago…

"Why do you always drive on your own? Did you not say that you had chauffeurs?" Maya suddenly asked Aiden who had just  stopped the car. 

Maya had made up her mind and was determined that she would not go to meet Mr. Smith empty handed. Hence, they had stopped at a fruit shop to get a fruit basket for Aiden's father. 

"Well, I drive the car by myself most of the times because I like to drive." Aiden replied as they got out. "And I can't slack off while wooing you!" He thought to himself.

...

As they came back from the shop, Maya's mood became serious, she didn't know why, but she felt that asking this question was a bit necessary.

She looked at Aiden for a long time before saying this to him, "Aiden, I know that you are a good guy, but let me ask you something, are you serious about this relationship? That is IF we ever get together..." She took a break, and continued, "Because I-I don't think that I can do it… And I don't want to waste your time." 

If Aiden wasn't a skilled driver, they might have gotten into an accident right now. Although he tried hard not to show it in his eyes, he was visibly very upset. 

Actually Maya herself, was very shocked by her words.

She wasn't that dumb to not notice that ever since she had broken up with Lucas, Aiden was there by her side and supported her, and he had a clear reason to do so. She personally, didn't stopped his advances as well.

That was because she wanted to see where this relationship could go, she had a new feeling of excitement whenever she was with him.

But just now, in the fruit shop, something happened which made her think this way.

When both of them entered the shop, the shopkeeper immediately came to attend them. It was a middle- aged lady.

Looking at both of them she undeniably thought that these two were a couple. "What would you guys prefer? Do you want to taste before buying?" She asked them with a smile.

Aiden did not know much about all this so he simply thought of getting advice from her, "Actually we are looking for some fruits for my father, who is currently at the hospital. I don't have much knowledge about what we can give to patients, can you help us with that?"

Hearing this, that lady was even more sure that these two might be in a relationship and were going to see their family members. 

So she looked at Maya and said, "Does your father- in- law have any preferences?" 

Subconsciously, Maya answered, "He likes berries a lot. So I think we can get them?" She questioned Aiden. 

"...." Aiden waited for two seconds before responding back at her, "Well he likes everything. I think plums are his favorite."

Maya was stunned at this answer.

Yes, how could she know what Aiden's father might like!? When she had heard the lady ask about the preferences, Lucas's father, Mr. Martin was the first one to come up in her mind. It was Mr. Martin who liked raspberries a lot.

This thing struck her like lightning. She had thought that once she was separated from Lucas, everything would reset, but unfortunately that was not the case.

He and his family had become a part of her life. Whenever she thought of anything, they were the first ones who popped up in her mind. 'Would they like it?' 'He liked this.' 'He needs new medicines.' 'What about this month's hospital fee?' 

Maya realized that she still had to move on… Until now she was just running away from the truth and trying to act that everything was normal. But she still didn't have the courage to  face the actual facts. And during this process, she might take her own sweet time.

What if it took a very long time? She had no idea… She didn't want Aiden to wait for her. He was too precious to be held back by her. 

...

Coming back to the scene where Maya had told Aiden that she didn't want to waste his time. 

"What are you talking about?" Aiden asked nonchalantly.

As he looked at her, he continued, "Of course, I like you. As for if we can be serious or not… that's something that time will tell, right?" 

Maya felt a little pang in her heart. She kind of had expected that he would want to be in a serious relationship, but she didn't blame him. After all… she was the one with a messy past. 

Aiden absolutely did not want to say this, he was dead serious about this relationship, but he knew that Maya still hadn't got over her past relationship.

She had told him about it the last time they had talked about it and just now in the fruit shop also, he understood what might have happened, Maya was still thinking about the Martin family when she had answered the shopkeepers' question.

He did not want to pressure Maya into a new relationship, that too this soon. And therefore he told her that he was not very serious, "We can just go with the flow, like normal people before getting serious!" Aiden tried to lighten up the mood. 

"Hmm." Maya smiled. Yes there was nothing wrong with that as well.

…

Meanwhile in Mr. Smith's hospital ward…

"Hello uncle!" A beautiful young lady entered his room. "I hope I did not wake you up." 

Mr. Smith looked at her with confused eyes and then looked at the time, "No, you did not, it's fine."

He blinked a few more times looking at the lady, it was as if he did not recognize her.

Thinking of something, he lifted his hand weekly and rang the bell, which was besides his bed. It was supposed to notify his doctor and his son Ethan, in case of emergencies and if no one was around. This woman didn't do anything suspicious, but it was still better to be cautious.

As if she had already known the reason behind it, she was not surprised that Mr. Smith could not remember her. "Uncle, did you forget me? I'm supposed to be your future daughter -in- law! Well I can't blame you, it has been so many years since we met last.." She said bashfully.

Mr. Smith paused for a few seconds, as if analyzing the situation. "You- are you the girl from the Moore family? Oh! How could I forget? Ella! How have you been? Yes-yes, it has been so many years! When did you come back?"