Mistress

Serena looked in the mirror and pouted. She had pretty features, but the sight of her pallid complexion startled her. She looked like a ghost—or worse, a vampire. Why was she so pale? 

"Of course, no one thought of getting me tanned while I was on life support. Not like I needed vitamin D when I was dying," she thought to herself wryly.

She sighed, frustration bubbling within her. She carefully examined her body for any clues about who she might be, but there was nothing. No scars from the accident that put her in a coma or before, no tattoos—nothing that could help her uncover her identity.

With another sigh, Serena turned away from the mirror and made her way back to her room. She settled into the bed, the soft sheets provided little comfort in her confusion. There had to be some way to investigate things. She refused to believe that the horrible couple who wanted to kill her, were really her parents!

As she lay there, lost in thought, the door creaked open.

Serena slowly turned her eyes to the woman who had just entered the room and frowned. Who was this woman? And why was she here?

The woman sauntered into the room, and as Serena looked at her cat-like eyes and smiling face, her impression of the woman did not improve much. She was beautiful, yes. But also, cold.

"Who are you?" Serena asked coldly, feeling wary. The woman did not seem to have any good intentions.

The woman chuckled, the sound low and almost musical. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Aileen," she said smoothly. "An old...friend of Aiden's. I couldn't resist meeting the woman who managed to wake from the dead and disrupt his plans."

His plans. Serena wondered what those plans were. This was the second time she'd heard someone mentioned them.

Feigning innocence, she asked, "What plans are you talking about?"

Aileen's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile turning colder. "You don't need to worry about those plans. Now that you've woken up, you should do the right thing and free him. Stop keeping him tied to you. He's already waited a year for you…"

Serena blinked at this and with a smile, asked the woman," So it's my fault for not dying? Is that what you are saying?"

"If you had died like you were supposed to, Aiden would already be with..." Aileen trailed off while Serena rolled her eyes at this, mentally completing the sentence... "he would already be with me..." Tsk Tsk. What sort of bad deeds had she committed for everyone she'd met to want to get rid of her? She'd only just woken up a few hours ago! Movement just outside the door caught her attention. Serena glanced over. Unknown to Aileen, Aiden was currently at the door.More importantly, there were people with cameras behind him, being held away by the reporters. 

What perfect timing! 

So, this woman wanted to get rid of her, hmm?

Her eyes gleamed with a sudden, dramatic idea. She started to cry prettily, her voice trembling with feigned heartbreak as tear drops rolled down her cheeks, "Oh, if my husband wants another woman, it would have been better if I had never woken up!"

Aileen was taken aback by Serena's sudden outburst. "What are you—" She'd come here to sow discord between the couple but had not expected the woman to start crying like this.

Before Aileen could get over her shock, Serena continued, her voice rising in pitch to ensure it carried outside the room. "If my husband wants another woman, then it would have been better if I had stayed in the coma!" Husband, do you not love me anymore? Are you going to leave me as soon as I have woken up? You want to give my position to your mistress?"

Serena turned her tear-streaked face toward Aiden, who was now hurrying into the room. His expression darkened as he realized the reporters outside heard everything. With a firm swing he closed the door behind him, which made Serena cry even louder, making Aiden glare at Aileen for causing trouble.

Aileen, shivered under the man's gaze and tried to explain," Aiden! I was just trying to talk to her. I didn't..."

Ignoring her explanation, Aiden gave Aileen a searing look and quickly walked to Serena. First, he needed to stop her from crying and creating a scene. She'd probably seen the reporters outside...

"Serena, listen to me." Aiden tried to get her attention, but she was totally immersed in her own dramatic acting, and her cries grew louder.

Finally, Aiden leaned down. He caught her chin and sealed her lips with a kiss. That made her quiet down instantly! Serena's eyes widened in shock, her tears stopped abruptly as she stared up at him, utterly taken aback. 

Aileen, on the other hand, gasped in shock and ran out of the door. The reporters descended like vultures, clamouring to catch a glimpse of the couple inside before the door slammed shut. After the door closed, Aiden stepped back, wiping his lips. 

"You!" Angered at being robbed of a kiss, Serena raised her hand to slap Aiden. 

But he caught her wrist before she landed the slap. He gave her a wolfish smile as he leaned in close. Their faces barely inches apart. 

"Don't try that, wifey."