Chapter 5 Five

Chapter 5: Unveiling Secrets

There were rays of sunshine coming in through the window blind and this was piercing the curtain to enlightened the room. Marina shifted slightly in bed and sat up, turning to discovery Aiden had woken up earlier and was looking at her. His face was mild, she felt love as She looked into his eyes, she had that feeling like her heart would burst with joy.

"Good morning," he said to her in a low voice, and gently touched her face and swept across her forehead a lock of the hair that fell there.

"Good morning," said Marina feeling a surge of yawn interrupting her conversation. She arched her back and this created some distance to warm the skin between her and him. "You're up early. "

"I had a very restless night," Aiden said. "I have given a second thought to what you told me last night. "

These thoughts brought back the conversation that Marina and him had by the fire; it was still fresh in her mind. She touched him; her hand enveloped his. "I'm sorry if I worried you. "

Aiden shook his head. "You didn't. I'm just concerned about you. Whatever it is you need to confront, I want to help."

Marina overcame her shyness then showered Aiden with thankfulness. "Thank you, Aiden," she confessed honestly, "I sit and ponder much about my past and my family and there are issues that maybe I have intentionally left unresolved and I think those are the things that I have to come to terms with so that we can find the way forward."

Aiden's eyes softened. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Marina took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. "It's my father. We've not been talking for years now. He never liked anything I did, and when I decided to follow my passion and move out of my parents house, we almost severed our relationship. We haven't spoken since."

Aiden's expression darkened with concern. "That must have been hard."

"It was," Marina admitted. "But I've always felt like there's unfinished business between us. I need to confront him, to find some closure."

Aiden squeezed her hand. "Then that's what we'll do. We'll find a way to reach out to him."

Marina felt a surge of relief. She had been carrying this burden alone for so long, but now, with Aiden's support, she felt ready to face her past. "Thank you, Aiden. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," he replied, his voice firm and reassuring. "We're in this together, Marina. Always."

The following few days, Marina and Aiden planned when they would call her father. It pains me to admit this, but they debated the most effective means of reaching him for hours. Marina was nervous but at the same time she was full of determination because she realized that this battle was due for a long time.

Finally, they decided on a phone call. As I had seen it, this looked like the best way to break the ice without much pressure put on her father. Marina went through the verses that had to be said and although she was stressed, she was ready for the battle.

Marina stayed in the living room with the telephone number in her hands on the day of the call. Aiden sat beside her, offering silent support. She dialed the number, her heart pounding in her chest. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.

"Hello?"

Marina's breath caught in her throat. "Dad, it's me. Marina."

There was silence on the other end of the line. "Marina? Is it really you?"

"Yes, it's me," Marina replied, her voice shaking. "I know it's been a long time, but I need to talk to you."

Another pause, then a sigh. "I didn't expect to hear from you. What do you want?"

Marina closed her eyes, summoning her courage. "I want to see you, to talk in person. There are things we need to discuss."

Her father's voice softened, a hint of vulnerability creeping in. "Alright, Marina. We can meet. When and where?"

They had to coordinate on when and where, a little coffee shop close to her father's house. A feeling of relief and churning of the stomach began to swell in Marina when she put down the phone after having the conversation. This had begun and remained as the tag for what was to come next.

This café was rather small, simple and homely and was much removed from the luxurious lifestyle that Marina was currently enjoying. She and Aiden came ahead of time and to ensure that they got a perfect place to have a conversation in peace, they sat at a corner table. Marina is anxious, while Aiden will be a calming influence, although he feels anxious himself.

Her father finally joined them a few minutes later, scowling as he walked towards them and their table. He was older Cal composedly remembered, his hair lighter, his weather-beaten face mask telling the tale of time. But his eyes were the same, eyes that say, 'I love you and at the same time, you are causing me pain.

"Hello, Marina," he said, his tone rather deep, but far from bearing any ill feelings, if at all.

"Hello daddy dear," Marina said as she stood from the couch to provide him a brief and somewhat awkward hug.

"This is Aiden, my husband."

Aiden stood and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

Her father shook Aiden's hand, his gaze assessing. "Likewise."

They sat down, an awkward silence settling over the table. Marina took a deep breath, determined to break the tension. "I'm sorry for how things ended between us, Dad. I know I hurt you when I left."

Her father's expression softened. "I was angry, Marina. I didn't understand your choices, and I reacted badly. But I've missed you. I've missed my daughter."

Tears filled Marina's eyes. "I have missed you too Dad, I have been thinking of you all this while, "

After some time they began to talk and gradually restored the broken friendship spending hours talking and recalling the events and incidents. Aiden stayed nearby but did not interfere and only occasionally said something, so Marina and her father could talk.

After they are out of the café, Marina noticed that she invaded a feeling of relief together with the hope. The effects of the previous experiences were fading away and she wanted a new beginning with Aiden.

As for Marina and Aiden, after coming back home they continued their daily regimen. He then went to prepare dinner while she cooked setting the pace for entertainment by laughing and discussing the occurrences of the day. The stress that both had been under for quite some time had been lifted and were replaced with a feeling of intimacy.

Marina looked at them and a sudden wave of emotion came over her, as they got comfortable for the meal she couldn't help and think about how far they had come. It was not long ago that Pryce and Brierley had been complete strangers, brought together for a business deal that would promise them both money; now they were business partners, building a life. The climb had been arduous but there were those memorable times they shared , they talked, and even laughed together.

"Aiden," Marina said tenderly, "I wanted to thank you for today."

For being there for me."

Aiden reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "You don't have to thank me, Marina. I'm here because I want to be. I'm here because I love you."

Marina's heart swelled with emotion. "I love you too, Aiden. More than I ever thought possible."

The couple had their dinner in complete stillness, and their relations are depicted as closer than before. As they tidied up and went to bed Marina found herself filled with a calm satisfaction that everything was now so well. She understood that there would be more tests to overcome, but at the same time she realized that they could overcome anything if they were united.

The following morning Marina woke up to discover that Aiden was awake, he left their side of the bed cold. Her muscles ached and she stood up, put on some clothes and trailed after he voice to the kitchen.

"Understood," he said, his tone firm. "I'll take care of it."

He hung up and turned to Marina, a hint of worry in his eyes. "There's something I need to deal with at work. It might take a few days."

Marina nodded, feeling a pang of concern. "Is everything okay?"

Aiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's nothing I can't handle. Just some complications with a business deal. I might have to go out of town for a bit."

Marina felt a wave of unease. She did not fancy the fact that Aiden would have to handle this on his own, but at the same time she understood that he was in a position to handle his affairs. "Do you need any help?"

Aiden smiled, his expression softening. "Just knowing that you're here is enough. I'll be back before you know it."

Marina wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. "Be careful, Aiden. I'll be waiting for you."

As Aiden prepared to leave, Marina busied herself with her own projects. She emerged from the store and went back to the bookstore to work on a new plan regarding the display and arrangement of the shelves. She also went to her art classes, for her to have a place where she could transend her misery through art work

However, Marina continued engaging herself in so many activities and couldn't overcome the nervousness of Aiden. She liked him so much; she was relieved whenever she had the feeling that he was close. But she also understood that it was a sign of their evolution in a relationship, that is, they had to learn how to be there for each other even when they were no longer together.

One day a man walked into the bookstore just as Marina is closing the store that is when he met him. Jayden Hawthorne was standing blocks away leaning against the doorframe and surveyed me with a blank look.

"Marina," he said, the tone of his voice was calm, composed and dangerously persuasive. "May I come in?"

Marina's heart raced. She didn't trust Jayden, but she couldn't deny him entry without arousing suspicion. "Of course," she said, forcing a smile. "What brings you here?"

Entering the door was Jayden and with a look at the shelves stocked with books he said. "I was passing this way and I felt I should drop by to see you. There are things I wanted to discuss with you. "

Marina felt a prickle of unease. "What about?"

Jayden's smile was cold. "I have a proposition for you. Something that could be very beneficial for both of us."

Marina's instincts screamed at her to be cautious. "I'm not interested in any propositions, Jayden. I think it's best if you leave."

Jayden's expression darkened

. "You might want to reconsider, Marina. This isn't an offer you can afford to refuse."

Marina stood her ground, her voice steady. "I'm not interested, Jayden. Now please leave."

Jayden's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in his gaze. "Very well. But remember, Marina, I always get what I want. This isn't over."

As he left, Marina locked the door behind him, her heart pounding. She knew that Jayden was trouble, and his visit only confirmed her suspicions. She needed to tell Aiden, but with him away, she felt more vulnerable than ever.

Marina spent the night restless and on edge, her thoughts racing. She could not rule down her instinct which told her that Jayden was hiding something, and as always she understood that she need to be prepared. However, she also understood that she cannot fight this by herself. She needed Aiden, and she hoped that he would return soon.

Each of the days seemed to be passing so slowly, yet all the days were full of expectations as well as fears. Marina never lacked things to do and although she did not give much space to thoughts of Aiden in the day, they never left her mind completely. She also longed for him, his presence and support that he used to give her.

Last of all, it seemed like ages, after Aiden came back. He came much later, during the evening, and he must have been so tired but also relieved at the same time. The moment he got in the door Marina flung herself at him and embraced him around the neck.

"I have waited for you for a long time," she said softly and hugged him around the neck.

"Thank you," I said brightly "Me too" "I missed you too," Aiden said warmly. "I apologise I had to be gone for so long."

Marina pulled back, looking up at him with concern. "How did everything go?"

"It's handled," Aiden said, his tone firm. "But there's something we need to talk about. Something important."

Marina's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

Aiden took her hand, leading her to the living room. They sat down, and he took a deep breath, his expression serious. "While I was away, I learned something about Jayden. He's been plotting against us, trying to undermine our business and our relationship."

Marina's eyes widened. "I knew he was trouble. He came to the bookstore and tried to proposition me."

Aiden's expression darkened. "What did he want?"

"He did not tell me directly, but I could easily understand that he would not accept any refusal," Marina fumed. "Aiden I'm scared I'm sorry but he's like what is he going to do? Something's not right; it's not good."

Aiden embraced her and the feel of his arms around her was comforting. "We'll deal with this together, Marina. We won't let him come between us. We'll protect what we've built."

Marina nodded, feeling a surge of determination. Marina showed comprehension and registered approval, and an assertion coursed through her. She knew that they travelled only at the beginning of the way, but when she recalls Aiden next to her, she did not feel itself alone on the way. It was good that they were together and she also knew that only the strength of love can win over everything.