Chapter 54 Fifty - four

Chapter 54 Fifty - four
"What has Clara got to do with this?" I'm surprised by how easily he figured it out, but then I remember Clara telling me earlier she was going to warn Aiden to stay away from me.

"She came to see me," Aiden answers, heaving a sigh. "Told me to beware of you like I'm trying to hook up with you or something..."

Wait, he's not?

Isn't that what all this was about?

I thought he approached me because he wanted something more than friendship?

Have I really read the signals wrong, or is he just bullshitting me because he's been caught?

Aiden's voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

"Listen, Liora, I don't know exactly what Clara told you, but believe me, I'm not that kind of guy."

My focus zeroes in on him and I merely let out a huff.

"Your claims contradict your reputation around here, Aiden. It would be hard to convince me otherwise."

"I understand..." He sighs again, frustration and regret flickering across his features. "And honestly, I get why Clara warned you to be cautious around me. I wasn't exactly the sweetest guy around the block, but... I'm trying to change. I'm a changed man, Liora. I don't flirt anymore, believe me. That's my past. When I first saw you yesterday, I realized I was slipping back into my old ways with how I kept ogling you. That's the reason I came to you this morning. To apologize... I'm sorry, but I wanted to make it up to you. That's why I tried inviting you out to lunch."

I absorb his words, my gaze fixed on him intently and suspiciously.

He looks genuinely eager while pleading his case, and something tells me he might be telling the truth. Maybe he's really a changed man and no longer the same person Clara warned me about... But still, I can't get caught up in his complicated mess.

Lorenzo won't even have it.

Aiden licks his lips, maintaining the short distance between us.

"I'm really sorry, Liora..." he says remorsefully. "I don't know how else I can make you believe me. If you don't want to talk to me anymore, I completely understand. We can just coexist as colleagues, but my intentions were genuine. I promise."

I remain quiet, mulling over his words. I don't even know what to say because I'm at a loss here.

He and Clara are saying different things, and I know Clara is trying to look out for me. But I don't know who to believe at this point.

Eventually, I speak up.

"I hear you... But you're right, I can't get caught up with you, Aiden. I'm sorry, but I'd have to cancel our potential friendship."

Something that resembles heartbreak mars Aiden's face. Yet, he swallows and nods.

"It's fine. I understand."

"My husband wouldn't like me hanging out with you either, so..."

I trail off as my eyes wander to the entrance, where someone familiar walks in.

Upon entering, Margaux pauses in her tracks, her gaze shifting between the two of us.

Oh, fuck.

Awkwardness swiftly settles over the room and I nearly curse under my breath. I hate being caught in awkward situations, and judging by the way Margaux is staring at us in confusion, she's probably trying to figure out why I'm alone in the kitchen with Aiden, the man rumored to chase after every newly hired female employee.

However, something catches me off guard.

Margaux locks eyes with Aiden and calls out skeptically in a small voice laced with betrayal.

"A- Aiden?"

Aiden meets her gaze, but he's visibly frowning like Margaux just shattered his peace by calling his name.

Now, I'm confused.

Glancing between the two of them, I quickly notice the invisible thread of history woven into their demeanors.

"W- What are you doing here?" Margaux laughs nervously, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Can't remember the last time I saw you in the kitchen."

"What, you stalking me now?" He scowls, and my brows furrow deeply.

What's with his hostile tone, and why is he talking to her like that?

"No... I just came in to grab a snack," she replies politely.

"Sure, whatever." Aiden sighs sharply. "I'm out of here."

He doesn't even spare me a glance before heading toward the exit. On his way out, I notice the glare he throws Margaux before disappearing through the door.

A pained smile falters on Margaux's face, but she tries to play it off as her gaze drifts back to mine.

"Hey... Liora."

"Hey... What was that about just now?" I probe, my curiosity getting the better of me because I'm genuinely trying to understand why Aiden was so indifferent toward Margaux.

She's literally the sweetest person around here. How could he hate her?

A resigned sigh escapes her as she walks up to me.

"What?"

"You and Aiden? Did something happen between you two before? You don't have to tell me if you think I'm prying into your privacy. Sorry."

But she waves a dismissive hand, a faint smile on her face.

"Nah, you're not prying."

She stops at the sink, turns on the faucet, and washes her hands beneath the running water.

I patiently wait for her to redirect her attention to me, but she appears lost in thought for a moment.

Eventually, she turns to face me after shutting off the faucet.

I ask, "Wanna talk about it?"

She gently shakes her head.

"Not today, Liora. It's a long story, and I'm not really in the mood to revisit the past, you know?"

So I was right... They do have history. Fascinating.

"Sure, it's okay."

She smiles through the pain before blurting out in a small, broken voice, "I loved him. I really did, but he broke my heart."

"Aiden... broke your heart?" I say in surprise. "You two were in a relationship?"

"I thought we were. Turned out later I was only deluding myself. All the time I thought we were together, I didn't realize I was dating myself." She laughs, but there's no humor in her laughter.

"What?" I exclaim in disbelief. Now, this is some crazy shit.

Margaux chuckles, shaking her head.

"Even after everything that happened, I still forgave him and wanted us to be cool, you know, as colleagues. But apparently, he's angry at me."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I think he hates me. I don't know what I did. My only crime was loving him and thinking he loved me back."

She wipes a tear from her eyes and forces a smile before sighing heavily.

"Seriously, Liora. Please, let's just forget about this. It's not important."

What kind of asshole does that to a woman?

A mix of hatred and anger courses through me. Who really is Aiden? I don't even understand what's going on anymore.

Nonetheless, I offer softly, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

I can only imagine the heartbreak she went through. It's almost similar to my situation when I caught Zayn cheating on me with my own sister.

It's crazy. These men really aren't shit.

You choose to love them, and they spit betrayal back in your face.

Hold up... Speaking of men.

I suddenly remember I'm on an errand, and I'm late getting back with his coffee.

Lorenzo is really going to lose his shit on me.

I hurriedly turn around and grab the steaming mug of coffee.

"I'm sorry, Margaux, but I've got to go now. I'll talk to you later... And I'm so sorry about what you went through at Aiden's hands."

"Thank you."

I nod at her awkwardly before bolting toward the door. As I scurry out, I pray Lorenzo doesn't give me shit when I get back to his office.