Chapter 44

Aria

It was always fun baking in the evening and the experience turns even more exciting when you have a little company running here and there but not ruining anything.

Even though it had only been a day since I met Violet, I had already gotten fond of her. She was precious.

Currently, I was looking for a packet of cupcake mix.

"Pretty Luna, here's the mix," she raised the packet with both of her hands so that I'd notice her.

"Oh my..." I bend down and picked her in my arms almost instantly, "You didn't have to do that hard work for me, cutie. I would have found it by myself." I brushed away a few pieces of hair strands from her small face.

"I didn't find it, Luna," she told me, "Momma gave it to me." Her hand moved to point at Shirley who was standing leaning against the counter.

I had gotten so serious about finding the packet that I didn't even notice her arrival before.

"Hey, Shirley," I flashed her a smile.

"Hi, Aria," she smiled back and walked closer to me, "I see, my daughter here is on your tail all day long."

"I am glad to have such a precious company," I laughed and kissed violet on the bridge of her nose and this made her erupt a cute tiny giggle.

"Trust me, she'll soon start with her mischief once she gets you comfortable with her." she playfully remarked.

"Really, Violet? Is what I am hearing true?" I squinted my eyes at the little girl and to this she covered her face with her hands as if to hide something.

"No, it's not true Luna." She repeatedly shook her head.

I looked at Shirley in confusion and she seemed to understand my question so she whispered.

"I told her that her lie gets written on her face when she lies and that's why she covers her face every time she lies."

Wow! That was clever of Shirley.

"I can't believe you!" I burst out laughing and she too divulged in laughter.

Noticing her mom and me laughing, a very curious Violet looked at us.

"What's going on?" She asked, clueless.

"Nothing, it's just that you are too cute," I leaned in and blew a raspberry on her cheek and she responded with her cute giggle.

"Now you little mischief, stop disturbing your Luna and come here. You are yet to finish the fruits." Shirley placed her hands on both sides of her hips and frowned at her daughter.

"No, I don't want those fruits I want cupcakes too," Violet clung onto me as tight as she could. She did not want to leave at any cost.

"No, you will finish the fruits first!" Came her mother's stern command.

"No!" She poked her tongue at her leaving Shirley to gasp and a laugh threatened to tear from my throat.

"Come here, you little mischief!" Shirley tried to get her off of my arms but Violet held me tighter.

"I don't wanna go."

"Okay, Okay. Calm down both of you." I decided to speak before the mini wrestling between the mother and daughter could start.

"Violet, how about you go and finish the fruits as your mom asked and I bring the cakes to your room?"

"But—" she was about to speak but I cut in.

"How about some delicious ice cream on the side?"

The flicker of excitement passed through her doe eyes told me that my plan worked.

"Chocolate ice cream?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"Okay, then I'll go with momma." A smile replaced the frown on her face and she held her hands out to her mom and Shirley took her in arms.

"Wow, You really know how to handle kids," Shirley chuckled and caressed my cheek, "You'll be a very good mother one day." With that smile being flashed at me she headed out of the kitchen.

A blush crept up on my cheeks due to what she said.

I have always dreamt of having kids but I never thought it would be Hunter with whom my destiny was interwined with.

One day we'd have our own family— Hunter, Me, and our kids...This thought alone caused butterflies to flutter in my stomach.

Smiling like a fool I shook my thoughts away and moved to make the cupcakes.

It didn't take long because within minutes I found myself making the batter and putting the cupcake mold in the microwave and moving on to making the frosting.

And suddenly a knock interrupted.

It must be Hunter;  He had told me he'd join me in the kitchen once he was done with some paperwork he needed to take a look at.

As I turned to look at the doorway with an inexplicable excitement, my disappointment shrunk in.

It was not Hunter. It was Drake.

Don't get me wrong, It was not Drake's presence that disappointed me, it was Hunter's absence that did it.

"Hey." He smiled and walked inside the kitchen, "What are you making?"

"Nothing special, just cupcakes." I forced a smile and turned back to my task.

"You like baking?" He sounded curious.

"Yeah, kind of."

"Helps to reduce boredom, doesn't it?"

"How did you know I was bored?" I was genuinely surprised.

"I can read people very well, told you once," He shrugged, there was a tug at the corner of his lips.

"So tell me, Mr. Face Reader. What else do you like doing except for reading faces?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

He stepped closer and lowered his head as he whispered, "Putting venom in people's lives."

Unintentionally a small gasp slipped past my lips and my eyes widened ever so slightly.

Why the fuck did he say that?

Was he serious?d

No. He couldn't be. He must be joking.

As he pulled away and looked at me, I found releasing an awkward laugh, "You are funny."

"Am I?" A strange smile took place on his lips, his stare was unlike any other time.

Before I could muster a response, the sound of the microwave interrupted telling me that the cupcakes were ready.

I turned around to wear the gloves and fetched the bakes from the microwave quickly, the fresh aroma of the cupcakes momentarily distracted me but then Drake spoke again.

"By the way, where's Hunter?"

"He's managing some paperwork and stuff, he might be here once he gets works done." I placed the tray on the countertop and began topping them with whipping cream and sprinkles.

"You and Hunter both work very hard for the pack, It's very impressive how determined you two are to save your pack."

"Can't let those disgusting rouges take over and ruin our beautiful lives," I spoke, "And trust me, once these hazards pass we are going to help you get your pack back too."

"I really appreciate all the support, I hope I'll be able to reach my goal soon."

I too hoped that Drake would be able to get his pack back soon. He didn't deserve to go through all of these, no one did.

"I am sure you will." I flashed him a smile.

He fell silent for a few minutes before he spoke again.

"Aria..."

I glanced at him, "Yeah?"

"Is Ashley working with you two or helping you in some way for the pack?" He asked.

"What?"

Where was this question coming from?

Instead of saying something, he pointed out of the window and my eyes followed his hand.

And I had not expected what I saw.

There were Hunter and Ashley at the corner, talking about something I couldn't understand even from the movement of their mouths.

I absentmindedly walked closer to the window.

Hunter's expression told it that he was cautious about the surroundings and he looked around frequently as if to make sure that none was looking at them but...he missed my eyes that were staring right at him.

Why and what was Hunter talking about with Ashley at this hour?!

Their talk went on for a couple of minutes and something more unexpected happened, Ashley hugged Hunter, and....he hugged her back.

A weird feeling rose inside of me, the discomfort become more and more evident.

"Aria, listen. I know what you are thinking, it could just be a simple talk. Don't make up something in your mind." Drake spoke, specs of dismay and something else I did not bother to figure out.

"Yeah," I nodded even though my eyes had not moved an inch from the scene.

It was getting too much for me. I did not know but I couldn't watch it anymore.

"Um....I'll just go and give these cupcakes to Violet. I'll see you later Drake." With that I hurried out of the kitchen without even hearing Drake's response.