Can You Keep A Secret? (Completed)

xxi - warren

"Not like this is any of your business, but Penny was calling me over and over because I refused to acknowledge her existence . Yes , I called her back to tell her to back off . What happened this morning was my guilt taking over for not hearing her out . It wasn't because she came first . Aria, she's my priority . I will give her the space she asked for , but make no mistake , she's my girlfriend and I will spend the rest of my days making it up to her," he says before walking towards the door to leave.

When he left the only thing that stuck with me was that she asked him for space.  If she wants to talk about it then we'll talk . Even though I would like nothing more than to have a chance, I don't want it like this. After Alex's last words I felt for him . And I do hope they get a fair chance and not break up over a misunderstanding.

♡♡♡
●ARIA POV●

I got to Warren's building right at 6 and I was surprised at how close he lived to me . He didn't live in a fancy building like Alex, in fact it's just as homely as my own place . He keeps surprising me more and more . When he came to greet me at the entrance I felt at ease . No doorman , no special key , no penthouse. 

He led me to his apartment that was on the third floor . Of all places, smack dab inbetween floors, where you can hear everything . This is why when I moved into my place I requested either the top floor so I couldn't hear anything above me or the first floor so I can make as much noise.

"Well, this is me," Warren says with a kindness go his voice , a stark contrast from how we met the night of dinner at his parent's home

Walking in it was very simple . No extravagant paintings , statues or overpriced furniture. It was like walking to any humble apartment.

"Nice place," I said to him.

"Thanks, you're not going to ask?" He says expecting some kind of questioning from me.

"I figured it's just like the car , I mean you can spare some kind of expense ," I did admit.

"I know , but all my life I grew up pampered. At first I wanted to see what a regular life would be like and then I just decided I like this . There's no stress of being perfect all the time," he says , "besides , if you ever visit the offices you'll see where most of the money goes," he winks.

"Mr. Wells, are you inviting me to visit you during work?" I say with a flirty tone .

He blushed at that question , "You could if you wanted to . You know , considering that Alex will be working with me too."

Alex, I crinkle my nose.  He catches me making a face , "what? Did you guys break up?"

I shake my head , "No, but I told him that I needed some time to think.  Things have gotten a little complicated."

He sighs , "Space is good but you should hear him out . He came to see me and told me everything that happened . He wasn't right to do what he did but maybe his explanation might clear things up."

"There's a lot of things going on between us and I just needed some time to think about it ," this was true and I would meet with him when I'm ready . Unlike with Dylan, I didn't have anything left to say to him . But Alex, I needed a cooling off period . I think I'm angry with myself to letting us get so out of control last night . But if I'm being honest I feel more embarrassed because I thought , to hell with whatever I thought.

"Okay, well, I'm not good at changing the subject smoothly so I'm just going to ask if you want any wine?"

"Yes, I could do with a glass, thank you ," I smile at Warren.

I walked over to the couch and sat down . Warren brought over a glass of wine and said , "I hope you don't mind but I ordered delivery . I didn't have any groceries at home...."

"It's more than fine ," I take a sip of the pinot and savored the red wine as it flowed from the glass to the back of my throat .

Warren never took his eyes off of me and I could feel an uptick to my heart rate at how intimate this felt with just the gaze we were holding . He moved closer to me where we were only a cushion distance apart . And I gulped , not the sweet dryness of wine, but the nervous air I was sucking in.

"Aria, I have to tell you something ," he said, his voice low and steady . His eyes dark and serious .

"What is it Warren?" I croaked out .

"I- ," he stops himself , arguing on whether or not he should say something .

"Go ahead, I won't run away," I say, even though I am known to run away when it comes to personal relationships.

"I found you years ago on social media," he measures out his words and watches my reaction , "I didn't know how to approach you or if you would have even been accepting . But it made me feel better knowing that you're life was normal and you seemed happy."

Most people would think this was a crazy thing to admit to . Most people would think this was borderline stalker , "I wish you would have reached out sooner," I said before I realized what the words meant .

He looked surprised and then it fell into that warmness that made you feel comfortable, "I didn't want to scare you away.  You wouldn't have remembered me , after what Alex told us at dinner."

"I guess it's my time to confess ," I readied myself as he leaned forward eager to hear what I was about to reveal, "I recognized you immediately. Not in a way that I knew you but something inside of me knew I knew you. That's crazy right?"

He just gives me a wide grin , "not at all . I didn't need Alex to introduce you to us because as soon as I saw you walk in , I knew you."

My heart began to beat faster . The next revelation was something I hadn't expected to tell him , at least without letting Alex know, but this feels right , "Alex and I aren't in a real relationship."