HURT FOR ME

Chapter Fourty-Five - Back Off

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Olivia Bennett

The girls finally left after trying to convince me to go to the salon with them, but my argument was better than theirs. I reassured them that Aaron and I would meet them at the theater and we wouldn't be late.

"Aaron," I called out for him from my bathroom. After a few seconds, he appeared in the doorway.

"Yes, baby?" His use of nicknames still made me melt inside.

I dabbed a bit of clear gloss onto my lips and smudged it out, "We don't have to go if you don't want too."

"Do you want to?" He asked.

"Yes."

"So we're going." He disappeared from the doorway before I could say anything else so I just rolled my eyes in the mirror.

Natalie and Layla didn't even bother to inform us of what movie we were going to see but I didn't mind too much. I didn't want to stay cooped up in the penthouse because of what happened yesterday. I wanted things to be normal, and for everyone to treat me that way.

As I slipped my arms into my leather jacket and tousled my curls out from beneath the collar, I paused to appreciate my reflection in the mirror. Standing in this very spot, I remembered the first time I was here and how unrecognizable I felt back then. I couldn't help but think that even the old version of me wouldn't recognize the person I've become. Yet, in that moment, I felt a stronger sense of authenticity and a closer connection to my true self.

I joined Aaron in the foyer and we took the elevator to the lobby where Blondie waited to greet him. "Mr. Adair," She said cheerily. "It's great to see you." I eyed her from behind Aaron's large figure.

Moving closer to the desk, he leaned over and whispered in a hushed tone, ensuring that only the three of us could hear, "If you're going to address me, address my wife too." With that, he gently pulled me forward, allowing me to lead us towards his car. In that exhilarating moment, I felt an incredible sense of euphoria, as if I were on top of the world.

"That was hot." I repeated his words from earlier. He let out a deep laugh as he opened the door for me. I climbed into the car and waited for Aaron to join me.

I opened my phone and started a call to Layla, after a few seconds, she picked up.

"Hey, we're leaving now."

"Okay, we'll meet you guys there." Layla's voice rung through the phone.

I dropped my phone into my bag and placed it in the back seat. Aaron's eyes were on me as I turned back to face the road ahead of us.

I was confused as to why we weren't driving yet, "Are we going to go?" I questioned sarcastically. "Or are we just going to sit here?" A smirk played at his lips as he stared at me.

Leaning across the console, he reached for my seatbelt, "Safety first." As he secured the belt, his lips lightly brushed against my cheek, causing a warm sensation to spread throughout my face. I couldn't help but feel annoyed by the effect he had on me.