Chapter 35- His Past
It was the following day, and Adrian woke up to the early morning sun peering through the small gaps in the curtains, in the main sitting room of his luxurious mansion in Los Angeles. He dropped the cigarette he was holding into the ash tray that was on the table next to him and took in his surroundings.
He knew he hadn’t slept for long as it was almost near dawn when he had returned home, after having a few too many drinks, something he hadn’t done in years. He was never a fan of alcohol as he always liked to be in his right mind, but last night he gave in as he needed something strong to drown out all of his thoughts and feelings.
Adrian felt his head pound as he leaned back against the armchair he was sitting on, thinking all he could think about last night was her and even now she was the only one on his mind.
“What have you done to me beautiful” he thought to himself as he rubbed both of his temples, thinking a woman was always the least of his worries in the past, but that all changed since Aria walked into his life.
Anna his housekeeper who stayed in the mansion even when he wasn’t there walked over to him quietly, hoping she didn’t anger him in any way. He had rescued her from her abusive husband many years ago and she couldn’t be more grateful.
“Good morning, sir, I’m sorry for disturbing you, would you like some breakfast?” she asked him quietly, thinking he looked like he had a rough night. Adrian slowly moved his hand from over his eyes and looked up at her,
“No, just get me a strong coffee” he said before he glanced at his watch, thinking he needed to charge his phone and tell Hunter and a few of his other bodyguards to keep an eye on Aria until he returned.
He leaned back against the armchair and remembered the night that changed everything nice and clearly, like it was just yesterday.
Flashback to August 2010
It was a hot summer’s evening when Adrian had arrived at his enemy Shane’s house, a little before midnight. He broke into the house easily and wondered why it was so eerily quiet, as the guy he wanted dead was definitely inside.
He held his gun ready as he slowly walked around the open plan kitchen and lounge that was very dark, the only bit of light that was there was that of the moon light outside that was coming in from one of the kitchen windows.
Shane carried his unwell three years old son in his arm and quickly walked down the stairs, totally unaware of the tragedy that was awaiting him in just a matter of few seconds.
Adrian wasted no time in shooting him from behind, not knowing that he wasn’t alone. When he heard the weak cry of a young child, he quickly dropped his gun and rushed over to him in an instant as realisation hit him hard.
“What the fuck have I done?” he thought to himself as he saw Shane collapse to the floor, carrying a young boy in his arms, who was drenched in his own blood.
Shane looked up at Adrian and shook his head lightly,
“You will pay for this” he said as he coughed up some blood and hugged his son tightly, not wanting to leave him in the hands of the monster standing in front of him. Adrian looked at him with a serious look,
“Give me the boy” he said as he pulled of his shirt quickly, thinking he needed to stop him from bleeding out as he was still breathing, which meant there was still a chance of him surviving.
“You’ve hurt him enough already, get away” Shane said quietly before he coughed up some more blood.
Adrian forcefully took the little boy from his arms and wrapped his shirt around his wound tightly before he picked him up and quickly carried him out of the house and drove him to the nearest hospital.
That was the last thing Shane saw before he closed his eyes for good, leaving his son with someone who he resented with all his heart.
End of flashback
Adrian took a long puff of his cigarette and remembered the long drive to the hospital. It was like a race against time, with every obstacle thrown his way, yet he still made it. That night had changed everything for him, and from that day onwards he made sure he never killed anyone from behind.
He wondered if Aria would still see him the same if she knew the truth. He looked at one of his hands, thinking although the blood from that night had been washed away long time ago, the guilt he felt was still there, fresh as ever, as it was that night many years ago.
A few days had passed, and Aria had still not been able to get through to Adrian. She had asked his parents and Jared if they knew where he was, but they didn’t and like her were equally worried. It was now Christmas eve and Aria had woke to a very special delivery. Jenna walked into her room carrying a large bouquet of roses and a small box that was also wrapped nicely.
“Happy Birthday, look what the delivery guy just dropped off” she said with a smile as she walked over to her and passed her the gifts.
Aria sat up slightly and pulled the duvet over the lower half of her body, thinking she had forgotten it was her birthday.
“Thanks, who are they from?” she asked. Jenna sat down next to her and made herself comfortable,
“I think they’re from Adrian but I’m not sure” she said, and it was then she realised that Aria’s eyes looked very puffy, like she had been crying a lot.
She quickly moved closer to her and looked at her with quiet a concerned look on her face,
“Are you ok?” she asked, wondering if something had happened. Aria looked at her and shook her head, and that was all she had to do before Jenna hugged her tightly.
“What’s wrong?” Jenna asked, thinking she wasn’t one to cry quickly. Aria closed her eyes and let the tears flow, thinking the last few days had been awful.
She missed Adrian terribly and felt even worst as she didn’t know where he was, or if he would even come back.
“I’m pregnant and Adrian’s left because he doesn’t want kids” she told Jenna quietly, making her eyes widen.
Jenna moved back from her a little and looked down at her,
“Congratulations I’m so happy for you and don’t worry about Adrian, I’m sure he will come around sooner or later, because he loves you too much to leave for good” she said with a small smile as she wiped her tears away gently. Aria looked at her,
“I hope so, he was really angry when he left” she said before she looked down at the bouquet of white roses she was holding in her hands, thinking they smelt amazing. Jenna gave her another tight hug,
“I’m sure everything will be ok, just give him a bit of time to take it all in” she said with a small smile, hoping Adrian returned soon.
Aria listened quietly,
“It’s been five days and he’s not answering any of my calls or messages” she said before she wiped the corner of her wet eyes, thinking she loved him too much to forget. Jenna held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze,
“I will sort him out when he finally does decide to return, you don’t worry” she said reassuringly. Aria couldn’t help but smile as she tried picturing her telling Adrian off.
“That would be a sight to see” she said before she pushed the duvet back and showed her, her small, cute bump.
Jenna felt her heart fill with warmth as she looked down at her baby bump,
“Aww I can’t wait to be an auntie, this is so exciting” she said before she touched it. Aria leaned back against her bed and looked at her,
“Becoming pregnant was not part of my plan, but since I found I am I couldn’t be more happier” she said with a small smile. Jenna gently stroked her hand,
“You will be a great mom, I just know it” she said before she told her to open up her gift box, hoping it took her mind of stuff.
Aria looked at the nicely wrapped gift box, wondering what was inside it. She put the bouquet of roses she was holding down on the bed and opened it slowly.
“I know you’re not happy with him right now and neither am I, but he’s done well” Jenna said with a small smile as she looked at everything that was inside the box.
Adrian had got her a nice watch and a small box of chocolate covered strawberries, as she had told him how much she liked them once and he made sure he got her the best ones in town.
“He has” Aria said quietly as she felt her eyes fill up with tears again, thinking he must have ordered everything before he had found out about her pregnancy. Jenna wrapped an arm around her,
“Are you going to open the chocolate strawberries or not because I really want to try one” she said with a small smile, thinking she looked broken.
Aria opened the box and held it out her,
“Take as much as you like” she said before she tried one herself, although she felt like she had no appetite. Jenna bit into one and looked at her,
“Wow it’s really yummy” she said with a look of approval. Aria looked over at her,
“You know I’m surprised he remembered I like these, as I told him ages ago, when we first started dating” she said with a small sad smile on her face as she remembered that day nice and clearly.
Jenna helped herself to another one and listened quietly,
“It shows he’s serious about you Ri, when they pay attention to all the little things that’s when you know they care about you and love you a lot” she said. Aria felt her heart skip a beat as she listened, thinking it was true, her ex-boyfriend never cared about her, or her likes and dislikes, he only used her for his own pleasure.
She felt herself shiver as she remembered one of their very bad moments, thinking she had definitely come a long way.
“I’ve made you breakfast, shall I bring it upstairs?” Jenna asked her with a small smile. Aria looked over at her,
“No, I’ll come down, I just need to have a quick shower first” she said before she closed the box of chocolate strawberries she was holding and put it on her bedside table.
Jenna told her that was fine before she left her room and made her way downstairs, thinking she couldn’t wait to tell Miles the good news. Aria was about to get up from her bed when her eyes fell on a small handwritten card that Adrian had placed at the bottom of the gift box. She picked it up and opened it slowly,
“Happy birthday beautiful, just wanted to let you know that I love you and will be looking forward to spending the rest of your day with you. Be ready for seven and I’ll be there” it read in Adrian’s slightly messy handwriting.
Aria felt a lump in her throat as she read over the card a few times, thinking who would have thought their week would take such an unexpected turn.
“I love you to handsome, just come back please” she said quietly before she closed her eyes and cried, until she physically couldn’t cry anymore. She hugged the card to her chest and imagined him sitting next to her, stroking her hair, and telling her that everything would be ok, and that he was ready to become a dad to their little ones.