He slowly slides out of bed and stretches dramatically, trying to get me to look at his glorious body.
Ha! So not going to work!
“Baby, don’t stress. We can be late… I don’t have any meetings until two this afternoon.”
I’m trying really hard not to lose my patience, but he’s really testing me. “Aiden, don’t be silly. Your father—”
“Who cares what he thinks,” he says, rather blasé.
“I care!”
He frowns but thankfully starts to get dressed.
I don’t want to have to face the wrath of Niall twice today, I’m already going to be taking an extended lunch to see the psychologist, and I’m sure when we return, we’re going to get a mouthful from the old asshole.
Aiden ushers me out of the room, straight to the kitchen.
“We don’t have time to eat.” I tug on his arm and redirect us to the front door, grabbing my bag on the way.
“Good morning, Miss Taylor, Mr. O’Connell,” Mike says with a smirk, watching me pull a reluctant Aiden by the arm.
“Morning, Mike,” I call out, jumping into the car. “Aiden, hurry up.”
“Mike, can you go through a drive-thru, please. We need coffee and some breakfast.”
“Aiden, no. We don’t have time. We need to get to work.”
“Baby, I love you, but you skipped dinner last night, and I know you’re hungry.”
I huff, knowing he’s right. Of course, my stomach makes the loudest sound ever as if to prove his point, so I roll my eyes and laugh. “Fine!” I groan reluctantly. “But your father is going to be mad at us for being late. Problem is… he’ll take that shit out on me, as usual,” I say, frustrated.
“We’re only going to be a few minutes late… fifteen at the most. He won’t even notice, and if he does, I’ll stop him,” he tries to calm me, unsuccessfully.
As soon as the car stops, I yank Aiden out and pull him along, rushing to the elevator. Of course, with my luck, the elevator doors open, and we see Niall standing next to Brielle’s desk.
My stomach sinks as I feel the color drain from my face.
Damn!
“Oh, it’s the afternoon shift. I wasn’t sure if you both still worked here,” Niall states, but it’s loud.
“Yes, of course we do, Father. Don’t be ridiculous,” Aiden snaps.
“Then get here on time like the rest of us do,” he yells, slamming his fist down hard on Brielle’s desk. “Dammit, Aiden, can’t you see that she’s…” he points directly at me, “… going to be your downfall. Your full attention needs to be on this company, not what’s between that’s legs.” Rant over, he storms back to his office before Aiden can say anything.
My mouth drops open, but I say nothing. Aiden turns me to face him. His brows crease, and his nostrils flare. “You all right?”
I smile to reassure him I’m okay, even though I’m hiding behind my sadness. I lean in to hug him, so he can’t see the hurt behind my eyes, and also because I need to be close to him. Aiden always eases my discomfort. “I’m fine.”
He holds me at arm’s length and looks at me with a slight nod of his head in acknowledgment that I’m okay. Holding all my fears inside, I give him nothing to be concerned about, and so he leans in and kisses me gently. “What comes out of Father’s mouth is total bullshit. Ignore him.”
I nod, knowing that Niall always talks bullshit, but it doesn’t mean that his words don’t cut me to my core. “Of course, I do. Don’t worry, Aiden. I am stronger than you think.” He kisses my head, then disappears into his office.
With a heavy sigh, I sit at my desk, rest my elbows on the table, and put my head in my hands, closing my eyes. I can’t help but feel emotional. Niall’s taunts are starting to wear me down. I wish I could figure a way to fix whatever is broken between Niall and me. I can’t seem to grasp onto the concept of why he despises me so much. I exhale loudly and shake my head. Looking up, Brielle sits on the edge of my desk. She’s staring at me sympathetically.
“I think it’s a good thing we’re going to see Dr. Lovett today,” she whispers quietly.
I nod in agreement. “I think so, too. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep hiding my fear of your father and his abusive tirades.”