Chapter 7 :

Aaron's POV:

My eyes were fixed on her back as she walked towards the party. I was rooted to my spot, too agitated to move even an inch.

Up until now, no one had ever dared to talk back to me. My words had always been final and firm. I was the fucking Aaron Walker, and no one raise their voice in front of me. But this girl, all dolled up in a scarlet dress, had the guts to crush my ego under her glittery stilettos?

And now, I was even angrier with myself. Why the hell did I just let her walk away freely after insulting me like that? It was not me. Aaron Walker had never let anyone walk away after hurling insults at him.

Tilting my face upward, I ran my hand over my face. Fury and wrath were fighting inside me to take control. At that moment, I wanted to go back to the party, grab her in front of everyone, prove to her how much wrong she was about me, and then set the whole fucking party on fire. Gosh, I needed to move away from that place before I could get uncontrollable. With clenched fists at my sides, I walked towards the parking lot in hurried steps. The sooner I leave, the better it would be for everyone's sake.

Hopping inside the car, I slammed the door shut and ignited the engine.

God, all this anger and wrath that I was feeling would surely make me go insane. I was actually astonished at how she kept standing in front of me with her eyes digging right into mine. People trembled under my intense and ruthless gaze but there wasn't even a speck of fear in her eyes. I was annoyed, angry, frustrated, and agitated at what just happened. But also, deep down somewhere, I was turned on by her boldness. She was fearless. She was fiery. But hell if I would ever admit that aloud.

I parked my car in the garage and tossed the keys to the guard. Stepping inside the house, immediately a maid appeared beside me and asked cheerfully, "Good Evening, sir! The dinner is ready. If you say..."

Without glancing at her, I barked, "No one is to disturb me," and walked straight into my study. I flung the door shut behind me and walked over to my desk. I was still so restless about the events of the evening. I tossed my coat onto the couch and took out a chilled water bottle from the fridge.

Slumping down in the chair, I breathed heavily. I sighed and turned on my laptop in the hopes to get lost in the pile of work. I rolled up the sleeves to my elbow and took off my wristwatch. Just as I was about to start working, there was a light knock on the door.

The frustration peeked up instantly at the interruption. Rising from the chair, I moved to the door and slightly opened it. Anna was visible through the slit with an apologetic smile on her face. I clenched my teeth, "Didn't I say that I need no disturbance?"

She opened her mouth quickly but before she could reply, I heard my mother's soft voice, "Aaron, it's me."

I quickly opened the door further and caught the sight of my mother sitting in a wheelchair. I crouched down in front of her, my anger wearing thin just at the sight of my mother, "Don't you know that you don't need to knock before coming in?"

She took my strong hand in her fragile one and winked, "Just a minute ago you were saying that no one was allowed in."

I narrowed my eyes slightly, "And you also know that you are always an exception to that rule, mom."

She chuckled softly, "I know, Aaron but I also know that you are a big man now. You deserve your privacy, big boy."

I shook my head, "Yeah, if you think constantly working on one project after another needs privacy so let it be."

She raised her eyebrow, "Ah, I see. That's why I tell you to get married now. Then you yourself will ask me to knock."

I muttered under my breath, "Add that to the list of things that are never going to happen." She laughed at that and that was more than enough to calm down my nerves. I stood up and started rolling her wheelchair toward the back garden.

My mother had always been fond of gardening. Ever since childhood, the back garden had always been our thing, our hideout. Mom had arranged a table and chairs covered by a large umbrella overhead at one corner and two swings at some distance away.

Before the accident, I and my parents would sit together and have evening tea out there. I and my mother would be playing or chatting whereas my father kept his nose poked in the newspaper or his phone. Over the years, dad's presence became more and more scarce at our evening ritual. Then, after the accident, he was no longer permitted to step near that place anymore.

I planted the wheelchair in front of the white table and sat down in the chair beside hers. About 5 minutes later, Anna along with another maid stepped out of the house. She rolled the tea trolley towards us. Once she was done setting up the table, she politely excused herself and went back into the house.

I made a move to pour the tea into cups but mom interrupted, "Let me, Aaron."

I grabbed the kettle and said, "It's okay, mum."

All of the sudden, she placed her hand over mine, "No, I insist."

I stopped immediately, sensing something was wrong, and placed the kettle in front of her. She picked it up and smiled sadly, "I can't do anything for you as I am bound to this wheelchair."

I looked at her, "Why do you think like that, mom? Don't, please."

Her eyes brimmed when she said, "It hurts that I can't even cook a nice meal for my dear son."

I took the cup she offered and replied calmly even though her words made me feel unrest, "Don't know why would you think that bearing me for 9 months, giving me birth, and then taking care of me would go down the drain just because you can't cook me a meal. Wow."

I took a sip of tea and further said, "Mom. I just want you to be with me. You have already done so much for me. Sacrificed a lot for my sake." A wave of pain flashed through me as I thought about all the pain she had to tolerate for me, all the sacrifices she had made for me.

She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them, they were somewhat calm. She opened her mouth to say something but before she could, we heard dad roaring my name. Both of us jerked our heads toward the source of the voice and saw that my father was standing at the back door. Dripping anger and all.

With a loud voice, he said, "You really need to give me some explanation."

I moved my body toward his direction and shouted back, "No, dad. I don't need to explain anything to you."

He exploded, "AARON..."

I looked at my mother who was terrified by his rage. As calmly as I could, I replied to father, "Tomorrow, dad. We'll talk tomorrow."

I hoped he would go back into the house and leave mom and me alone. But he started moving towards us. Just two steps and I shot up from my seat. With a stern voice, I shouted, "DAD." He instantly stopped in his tracks and realized his mistake. He fixated his gaze on my mother and narrowed his eyes. I took a step and blocked his line of vision. His nostrils flared once as he finally remembered why he wasn't permitted to be on the back lawn. Finally, he turned around and walked back into the house.

I settled in my chair and my mother inquired, "What was that?"

I shook my head, "Nothing, mom. Don't worry, he just likes to ruin our moments together."

I raced my mind to say something that would divert her attention and without thinking, I uttered, "He took me to one of those match-making parties today."

Mom burst out laughing, "And then?"

I shrugged, "It was a total waste of time, of course."

She lifted her cup and said over the brim, "Well, that does explain your irritation just a little while ago."

I wanted to change the topic but I knew that I could share anything with this lady who knew me inside out. I took a sip of tea, "Ah, that. Actually, I met some rude girl there. She was so annoying and ill-mannered, mom."

She raised her brow, "Why?"

I raced my mind to form a proper response, "Because..."

She cut me off by saying, "Because she challenged you?"

My mouth clamped shut at her words. Well, that wasn't entirely wrong. Was that? Where everyone was accustomed to bowing down to Aaron Walker, she was the only one to raise her chin at me.

Hmm. Intriguing.

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