Chapter 6 Six

Steve walk to them and stood in front of Emily his gaze not leaving Aiden

"Who is he?" Steve asked

"My boss from work, he's also a friend"

Emily said and tried smiling but made it more awkward he look at him not believing her, he grab the bag in her hands and hold her hand

"Thank for driving her home we will leave now" he said and turn to leave with her

"Emily didn't tell me she has an older brother" Aiden said and he stop in his tracks

"Why did you think am her older brother?"

"You look older and protective of her so I guess you are her older brother, or are you not?" Emily knew he was lying he is just trying to upset Steve

"I'm her best friend not her brother and am protective of her cause I like her" she look at him surprise at what he said

He has never said his feelings this direct before and it kind of caught her off guard

"You like her but she likes me" Aiden said and move closer to them and grab her other hand

She stood confused the mood doesn't looks good it like a fight is going to break out if she do nothing now she slowly withdrew her hands from their grip and move back from them

"I really think I should leave now you guys too can leave now ok"

She walk away leave the two standing she got home, the restaurants was closed she wonder why since they don't close that early

she met Louis and Lucy watching the TV she left them and went to shower she dress up and went over to Steve's she ring the bell but no one answered

"Is he still were she left him?" Emily wondered

she quickly go inside her room to get a covering she hope the two are not doing what she thinks they are doing she met Steve halfway, she went to meet him and ask what happened

"Nothing" he replied

but his face was not agreeing with his words they both walk home together till they got to his house door, she handed the gift she brought

"Happy birthday" she said and give it to him but he didn't seem happy to receive the gift

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" she asked

"Nothing thanks I like it" he said but the expression on his face betrayed him again

"Did something happen with Aiden?"

"Aiden? So that's the punk's name, he seems very rich"

Something did happen she waited for him to say more "did you really like him?"

Emily was mute she didn't know what to say she didn't want to hurt his feelings and does not want to lie at the same time

"Seeing that you are saying anything to deny it means it's true" he said

She wanted to say something but didn't know what to say "am sorry"

"You don't need to be, your feelings can't be forced, goodnight" he said and entered closing his door

Emily also went back to her room Lucy was on her bed busy with her phone as usual

"You are unbelievable, after all these years of him sticking around you, you like another man not him?"

Emily turned to her surprised baffled about how she knew but she didn't say more even when Emily ask her what she meant she ignore her.

~

It was weekend and she had nothing scheduled she rested for a long time and decide to call Aiden to eat lunch together

they choose a place near the company and not too far away from her house, she dressed up taking her time

She use Lucy's perfume since she doesn't have one even though she knew it would make her mad since she doesn't like sharing her things

Emily left the house and got to the restaurant she was not sure if she should go in or not she don't want him to feel upset seeing her dressed like this to meet another man she decide not to enter, but Steve already saw her before she could leave he wave at her and she wave back

she left the place and headed to where she was going she got there and Aiden was not yet there, she check the time and saw them she was the one who came earlier than planned she decide to wait for him after twenty minutes he finally arrive

"am I late? I thought we said 1:30"

"Well I arrived a little earlier" she explained

"are you putting on perfume?" he asked and she answered yes

"don't you like it?"

"I do but I prefer you not wearing one natural" he replied

They both sat down and make their order and they were served minutes after they begin to eat not saying a work to each other until Emily broke the silent

"What happened between you and Steve yester night?"

"The guy who likes you right?"

"I'm sure something did happen between you two, why are you both not telling me what happened?" he keep quiet and take a spoon from his meal

"Did you two leave together?"

"We live in the same building not in the same room" she replied

"You never told me this admirer of yours"

"Why did you care? Is like we're dating or something" she said and concentrate on her meal

Aiden also did the same she felt disappointed she thought she would say what she wanted to hear him say but he just choose to be silent

they finish eating and walk out of the eatery she asked where is car is and he told her his driver parked a little bit away from the restaurants they decided to take walk round the street as they stroll.

Emily noticed people were looking at them and some were taking pictures it seems like they recognise Aiden

they walk away from there and went somewhere with few people they sat down and enjoy the view together they stayed there for a while and became thirst

they decide to get ice cream they sat down to enjoy their ice cream while chatted about nothing in particular they decide to go back after spending a quality time together.

Aiden called his driver to told him to come meet him they got in the car and drove to Emily's she ask the driver to stop two metres away from her house

Aiden wanted to ask her why but he decide to keep quiet Emily open the door to leave but close it back and turn to him

"Are we really just friends?" she suddenly asked

"I mean after we kiss I wasn't sure of our relationship and you are not saying anything, are we just staying as friends?"

Aiden stare at her not replying for a while "I don't know" he said

"Well I don't want to stay as just friends" she stopped and continued

"I like you" she confess and watch his reaction he doesn't seems surprise like he already knew about her feelings for him.

"Emily" he finally said "I know you have feelings for me but I don't want to be in a relationship just yet"

"Why don't you like me?" she asked almost crushing

"Not that but my experience with ladies has not been a good one and I want to be careful not to get hurt again"

"Is this all about Alyssa again?"

"Is not ok, it about me I really don't want to lose my friendship"

"I get it" she said as she try holding back her tears she got down from the car and walk away.

Aiden also gets down and tried following her but she stopped him and told him she wanted to the left alone

she walk home alone and fight the tears threatening to fall but she held it, she got home and refused dinner she just showered and went to her room to retire for the day on her bed

she thought about what Aiden said she never should have asked him the question she did then things will still be good between them she doesn't know the Alyssa lady but she's hating her already it seems like he still had a thing for her

"If not, why won't he not date me" she wondered she went to bed feeling down

Jack sat down beside a depressed Aiden, he pick up the bottle of wine and pour himself a drink

"why did you call me on a weekend?" he asked taking a sip from his glass

"I think I hurt her feelings again"

"Who? The pretty one? But why did you call me here, to console you?"

"Give me another idea, the last one you gave me worked well" he said sitting down straight

"What did you do this time?" he asked and he explained everything to him leaving nothing out

"I don't get it why can't you date if you like her and she likes you"

"I'm afraid the same thing will happen again I don't want to hurt her or myself am sacred of going into another relationship what if the same thing happen again? What if at a point in the relationship she doesn't like me anymore and decide to break up with me?"

"I understand you but don't you think you are letting your past relationship with Alyssa affect your relationship with Emily you can't compare the two, fine, Alyssa messed with your feelings and hurt you but that isn't your fault, and it doesn't mean other girls will be like her"

"So what do I do now?"

Jack sighs before he answered "let go of your feelings for Alyssa and accept your feelings for Emily and don't ever let your past relationship be a reason to judge your present one"

Aiden let out a deep breathe, he should really let go of his feeling for Alyssa and don't make it a reason to be a coward he went to bed with the thoughts of how to make things right again he sure can't stay friends with her not with another guy beside her.