A Mess

Serena was a mess. Even though she seemed composed on the outside, on the inside she was a mess. She's gone to that place hoping to find answers. Instead, she'd been kidnapped. And if those people had their way, she would have been sold off. 

Why? What did she do to deserve something like this?

She glanced from under her lashes at Aiden and frowned, feeling confused. Even though she'd pretended to have been waiting for him, she hadn't really expected for him to have come racing to her rescue.

Aiden's eyes blazed with fury as he took in Serena's haggard and subdued appearance. She was lucky that those people had only been desperate neighbors who wanted to get their money back. If she'd come across the loan sharks who were also looking for the Thompsons then she would have been toast!

His hands clenched into fists at his sides as the thought made him shudder. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Waltzinginto dangerous places without a second thought, as if you're invincible. Do you have any idea how reckless this is?"

Serena's gaze snapped to him, her composure cracking as she glared at him. "Reckless? Are you serious? This is all your fault! If you'd actually helped me like you promised, I wouldn't be in this mess! You knew something was wrong, and yet you sat back and did nothing!"

Aiden turned to glare at her in shock. 

It took him a moment to regain his composure before speaking, "Are you really blaming me for this?"

"Of course, I am blaming you! You are the one responsible for this! If you'd helped me like you promised, none of this would have happened!!"

"I'm the one to blame? I was trying to protect you, Serena!"Serena's eyes blazed with fury as she shot back, "Protect me? By leaving me in the dark? What kind of a protection is that? If you'd told me about the dangers, do you think I would have charged over here?"

"So now you're blaming me for your own actions? I was doing what I thought was best to keep you safe, but you're making it sound like I put you in danger intentionally!"

Aiden's jaw tightened as he threw a glance her way. Dam* it! They were having an argument and he could handle that. But why did she have to start crying?

Serena turned her head away, trying to hide the tears that were beginning to well up in her eyes. Aiden cursed under his breath, feeling a pang of guilt as he watched her struggle to keep her composure. 

Taking a deep breath, Aiden reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and extended it toward Serena with a hesitant gesture. "Here. You should use this."

Serena looked at the handkerchief and then at him. She took it slowly, her fingers brushing against his as she did. For a moment, their eyes met, and the intensity of the argument faded into a fragile silence.

***

As they stepped into the house, grandmother was already waiting in the foyer. The moment she saw her, she rushed forward, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

"Oh, my dear, thank goodness you're safe!" Grandmother whispered, "We've been so worried."

Srerena returned the hug tightly, her earlier feelings of helplessness and aggrievement threatened to bubble over.

"I'm sorry, Grandmother. I didn't mean to worry everyone. Aiden and I had an argument, and I just needed some space. I didn't think it would cause so much trouble."

Grandmother pulled back slightly and patted her cheek gently, her eyes searching hers," Its okay to need some space. Next time, if he fights with you, throw him out of the office, okay? Let him get kidnapped. You don't put yourself in danger."

Serena giggled at that while Aiden shook his head wondering, once again, what spellhad Serena cast over his grandmother.

Nathan, on the other hand, leaned against the doorframe with a smug expression. "Yeah, Aiden, maybe next time you should be the one running off. Would save us all a lot of trouble. Or maybe the both of you could run off..." 

Aiden shot Nathan a sharp look which had the younger man shrugging his shoulders,"Now that your precious Serena is back, I am going to sleep now. Goodnight grandma."

Grandmother clapped her hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, enough of this. Serena, you need to eat something and get some rest. You've been through a lot today. Aiden, go make something nutritious and tasty for her. I am tired. I'll go back to my side of the house and sleep now."

With that, grandmother sent Aiden a meaningful look, which was lost on him, as she walked away. 

As he walked his grandmother walk away, he discarded his jacket and sighed, making a beeline towards the kitchen. " Come on in. We'll eat in the kitchen."

Serena looked at the man's back and blinked. He was really going to cook something for her? " Are you really going to cook for me? You don't have to... I'll just ask the cook to..."

"Knowing grandma, she's already sent off the cook for tonight. And I'm hungry. I might as well cook something for you."

Serena watched as he competently moved about the kitchen. She'd tried to offer help but he'd simply stared at her until she could only quietly sit and observe him. 

She wanted to say something, to break the silence, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, her gaze drifted to Aiden's hands, moving deftly as he chopped vegetables and stirred the pot. 

She couldn't help but notice how strong and capable his wrists looked, and a fleeting thought crossed her mind: He has really sexy wrists.

She immediately rolled her eyes at herself, feeling ridiculous for thinking such a thing in the midst of their current situation. 

Focus, Serena. Now is not the time to be admiring his wrists,however sexy they may be, she chastised herself silently.

Soon, Aiden placed a bowl of noodles and eggs in front of her and sat across from her, his expression unreadable. It was only as she was halfway finished eating that he spoke up, extending his phone to her," I think you should see this."