Sydney

I stammered, giving a poor apology, "I didn't mean it that way."

Mr Reiner broke out laughing, much to my amazement. I was perplexed as I watched.

"Isn't it true that Aiden has you locked into a marriage contract?" He inquired.

I took a deep breath and simply nodded.

"I'm his grandfather, sweetheart; he may be cunning and astute, but who bestowed such characteristics on him? Of course, it's me!" His blue eyes twinkled with delight.

"After years of pestering, he abruptly announced his wedding. Something didn't feel right. Then I met you, and I knew Aiden was completely over heels in love but couldn't see it. Is it true that he followed you around?"

Aiden had been very explicit about his goals, so I didn't know what to say. He just didn't want any attachments with me . Of course, I wasn't going to tell his grandfather about it.

"He was quite persuasive, and I didn't have a choice," I admitted quietly.

"My tired legs are in desperate need of rest. Why don't we take a seat on the bench and you tell me all about it?" He tapped my hands softly. I was caught, so I had no choice except to reveal everything.

"Sir, if you could just keep this from Aiden, he'd....oh! If he finds out that I told you everything, I'll be in big trouble," I begged.

"Of course! But on one condition," he said with a cheeky grin on his face.

I nodded and gave him a hopeful look.

"You must address me as Grandpa." He said in a conspiratorial tone.

For a little while, I was unable to answer. I couldn't tell if he was serious or simply making fun of me. He was dead serious about it.

I answered, "All right, Grandpa."

I felt a tremendous warmth in my heart as the old man beamed. It had been a long time since I had felt any form of love from my parents. My eyes became teary.

"Thank you for your kindness; I lost my grandfather when I was a child. You have a resemblance to him." I stated as tears welled up in my eyes.

He grinned as he patted my back.

"Child, you're like my granddaughter; if you have a problem, require help, or are being bullied by Aiden, come to me."

I nodded and grinned.

"So, now it's your turn to respond to my enquiry. Do you have a soft spot for Aiden?"

His question was so unexpected and frightening that I almost fell off the bench.

"I told you it was a contract marriage, so it's not like that. After a few months, I might not even be here...."

"Rubbish! You are free to deceive me. You can even tell Aiden lies. You can't, however, deceive yourself. You love him, but you're afraid to tell him so." He stated his point of view matter-of-factly.

"No, it isn't right. Besides, love has no place in a business agreement."I asserted myself a little more. Aiden would make a mockery of me if he found out, just like he did that night.

With a shake of his white head, the old man expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Is it really necessary to say those words aloud? Many long-term lovers who marry after years of dating end up divorcing. Some people, of course, live happily ever after. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not suggesting that using the word "love" out loud is bad. But would hearing them make you feel better if he didn't mean what he said? Or do you prefer someone who demonstrates his love by his actions? I'm not sure what happened between you and Aiden. Give him some time, and he'll realise how much he loves you."
He took a breath and then said,

"I'm merely a senior citizen. Please disregard my ramblings. Shall we grab a bite to eat? Martha had promised to make my favourite dish, baby back ribs, and she had kept her word "he said, a delighted smile on his face.

I nodded and assisted him in standing up before leading him inside.

************

I'd made a habit of going to studies to read or simply kill time. When Aiden walked in the next morning, I was doing exactly that.

"When did you return, Aidan?" I inquired, surprised.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me up without saying anything. He kissed me with his mouth swooping down on mine. He was gentle, his soft lips on my skin, and as I began to recover from my shock, he deepened his kiss. There was nothing sexual about the kiss, and there were no tongues engaged. It seemed as if two lovers were enjoying a long kiss. When his grandfather slid the door open, I didn't notice.

"I thought I heard a commotion and came here to investigate. But, It appears that I will soon hear the pattering of little feet in this house. "Mr Reiner spoke up.

We immediately jumped apart. Grandpa had a sly smirk on his face as he looked at us. I could feel the heat of humiliation on my face. I could have fried an egg on my face. Aiden smirked sheepishly as he ran his hand over his hair.

"Pretend I'm not here, okay? Anyway, my vision is diminishing, so everything appears hazy "Teasingly, Grandpa said.

"Grandpa and I... I was looking for you so that I could take you out to breakfast ",Aiden replied, a sneaky grin on his face.

"Why don't you two return to your room and finish what you started? Wendy can bring my breakfast for me. You know, she's even learnt to play poker, so there is another victim for me ".Mr Rainer's grin lit up his face.

We were kissing in the brightly illuminated corridor, unafraid, and I had not said a single word, astonished and mortified. Aiden grabbed my hand and yanked it away from me. He didn't say anything till we got to our suite.
While he closed the door, I blinked at him, and he looked at me as if he hadn't seen me in years.

"What was that, Aiden?"

I couldn't tell what he was thinking because he had an incomprehensible expression on his face.

"Would you like to....?" I asked stumblingly, remembering his unexpected kiss.

He gave a small smile and shook his head. The melancholy that seemed to flood his eyes, on the other hand, surprised me.

"Syd, I've had a long and exhausting few days. I'm also hungry. You don't have to be concerned about me taking you...right now ", he responded.

"Then why are you here?" I just blurted it out. His brows furrowed, and he had a wry grin on his face.

"I have a gift for you. Take a seat "He responded.

I kept my eye on him as he took a tiny black box from his shirt pocket. I took a seat across from him, curious.
Aiden opened the box cautiously, and I gasped when I saw the piece of jewellery inside. At the foot of a band of creamy white pearls, a beautiful aqua-blue crystal surrounded by a wreath of smaller white gems sat proudly. The jewellery was simply stunning.

"Is this for me?" I inquired.

He extended the box to me with a nod.

"I was hoping to bring you something lovely. Syd, I've been missing you ".He motioned for me to accept the package. I kept a wary eye on it.

"Why are you giving this to me?" I inquired.

Aiden smirked.

He responded with, "You don't like it?" With a shake of my head, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the situation.

"No, it's lovely...I'm sorry, but I don't get it "I responded.

He closed the box and placed it on the cushion next to me. I stared at him, unsure of where the conversation would go. He got out of the chaise and began slowly pacing back and forth until he finally stopped, his gaze squarely on me.

"I wanted to express my regret for my prior behaviour. I didn't mean to cause you any pain, " he went on to say.

I didn't know what to say in response to his statements, so I sat silently for a few moments before responding.

"Then why did you run from me?" With my heart fluttering, I inquired.

He approached me and kneeled in front of me on the floor. He slowly spread my knees with his hands and wrapped my legs over his body.

"I was just upset; I'm not used to being out of control, Syd." He said solemnly.

He gently placed his hands around my waist and gently squeezed them. I cautiously raised my eyes to meet his, taken aback by how gently he was stroking me and much more so by his vulnerable, almost painful expression.
I tried to convince myself that it was all a lie, that he was playing with my emotions by seeming vulnerable, but I couldn't take my gaze away from him. The thought of a lack of sincerity seemed less and less plausible as the sweet look on his attractive face made him appear much younger. To restore my composure, I forced myself to look down, but he grabbed my chin.

He inquired, "Why are you looking away?"

My face became flushed, and I noticed that my breathing became laboured.

"When I look at you, I can't think," I admitted.

He returned to the cocky, arrogant man I was familiar with. His enticing, crooked smile.

"Are you implying that you find me appealing, Syd?" He inquired, his black brows furrowed. I attempted to turn away from him as my blush increased, but he wouldn't let me. In annoyance and disgust, I rolled my eyes.

I said, "I don't think you need me to flatter you, Aiden." He gave me a little grip around the waist and smiled.

"Do you take pleasure in flattery, Sydney?" He inquired. His question caught me off guard.

I was annoyed and said, "I don't know."

He took the necklace out of the box and placed it around my neck. I could feel the choker's icy, heavy weight as if it were a vice.

"Do you want me to compliment you on your beauty?" He asked, his gaze fixed on me.

His huge hands went down my neck to my shoulders, rubbing and soothing. When he grinned again, my heart began to race even faster.

"I believe you do, my lovely Sydney," he murmured.

"What do you want from me?" Exasperated, I inquired softly.

"Tomorrow there will be a birthday dinner. Wear this necklace and be ready at 7:00 p.m ", he spoke softly. He gently touched my left cheek with his right thumb as he reached out.

I didn't even bother to look at his face, just nodded. He stepped away from me and stood up. "Do you have any suggestions on what I should dress for dinner?"

He didn't turn back and said, "Something lovely and sensual."

"Whose birthday celebration is it?" I inquired once more.

"You'll find out." He replied and then walked out of the room.