Chapter 70- Tense Morning
Five months had passed, and a lot had changed and happened since. Aria had finally been able to convince Adrian to give Lucia another chance, for the sake of her son and Angela and he had agreed unwillingly. Like expected he had put a few conditions in place and told Lucia it was her last and final chance to prove she was worthy of knowing and being around.
He made it clear to her that if she was ever to lie again or take advantage of his decision, he would make sure she suffered for the rest of her life and never saw Aidan again.
For Christmas Aria, Adrian and his parents had flown to North Carolina to spend it with Aria’s side of the family, as Gabriella and Weston insisted, they all come there, so they could all enjoy Lyla’s first Christmas together and have a good time.
Hunter had spent the last few months, trying his best to ruin everything Adrian had worked hard for and had succeeded a few times. Adrian never suspected him as he always made himself look very busy with a few of his other affairs and pretended to care, when he was the one who was trying his utmost best to bring him and his company to the ground.
Aria and Adrian’s relationship had also taken a strain, as Adrian was always busy cleaning up Hunter’s mess and trying to find out who it was that wanted to take him down, not knowing that the person he was looking for was right in front of him eyes.
They were both set to get married in the coming summer, but at times Aria often wondered if it was the right decision, as she hardly saw Adrian some days and when she did, they usually ended up arguing.
Aria was also on the verge of graduating and stress of exams and assignments had clearly taken a toll on her both mentally and physically alongside being a mum to Lyla.
After a deep contemplation, she had decided to hire a full-time nanny for her, in the hope to save her relationship and mental health.
It was now the end of May and the day of Lyla’s first birthday. Aria had planned her a nice pretty butterfly themed party and invited all of her and Adrian’s close friends and family.
She woke up nice and early and quickly finished decorating the cake she had baked for Lyla, before she made her way back upstairs and found Adrian in her nursery.
“Happy birthday my love” she heard him say quietly as he lifted Lyla out of her cot and kissed her over both of her rounded cheek softly.
Aria felt her heart fill with warmth as she watched them both, thinking at times it felt like Lyla was the one that held them both together and if it wasn’t because of her, she didn’t know where they would be.
“Not going to come in?” Adrian asked with a serious look as he turned slightly and looked at her from over his shoulder, wondering what was on her mind.
He walked over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder before he kissed her on the top of her head softly.
“I can’t believe our angel is one already” Aria said with a small smile as she looked up at Lyla who was busy playing with Adrian’s small sexy beard. Adrian looked down into her tired looking eyes,
“I agree, how are the preparations for the party coming along?” he asked quietly, thinking she looked like she had barely slept.
Aria took Lyla from his arms and looked up at him with a small smile,
“Everything’s coming along nicely, the event planners are all here setting everything up as we speak” she said before she hugged Lyla tightly and kissed her on the side of her face softly, thinking she was definitely the best thing that happened to her and Adrian.
Adrian watched her shower Lyla with a lot of little kisses, thinking he didn’t know how to tell her that he might not be able to make it on time for the party.
“Is there something you want to say handsome?” Aria asked as she gently rocked Lyla. Adrian looked down at her with a serious look,
“I might not be able to make it for the party, but I’ll try my best” he said quietly, getting all of her attention.
Aria moved back from him and looked up at him, thinking this wasn’t the first time he had done this.
“You can’t be serious” she said as she picked up a soft toy from the floor and passed it to Lyla. Adrian looked down at her,
“Somethings come up at work, I shouldn’t be longer than a few hours” he said before he walked out of the room, not wanting to start an argument. Aria followed him out,
“You’re unbelievable Adrian, I told you so many times to keep today free, and you still didn’t” she said the moment they both reached their own bedroom.
Adrian took off the fitted shirt he was wearing and looked at her with a serious look,
“I don’t want to argue, especially not in front of Lyla” he said before he walked to the bathroom and quickly switched on the shower, thinking she had no idea how hard he was working to save his company, their future.
Aria shook her head and carried Lyla downstairs, thinking she’ll feed her and then get her ready for the day. She was busy feeding her some porridge when Chase the new pool boy who Hunter had hired a few weeks ago walked into the kitchen.
“I don’t mean to interrupt but there’s something I wanted to ask you” he said quietly.
Aria turned her attention away from Lyla and looked over at him,
“What is it?” she asked before she fed Lyla another spoonful of her little warm porridge. Chase walked over to her casually,
“I’ve cleaned out the pool, is there anything else you want me to do?” he asked with a hand in his pocket.
Aria wiped Lyla’s cute face with a tissue and looked up at him,
“Yes, I want you to come to the party and can keep an eye on the younger kids if you can, although I have asked someone else to watch over them to, I think we could do with an extra pair of eyes” she said with a small smile.
Chase listened quietly, not expecting her to tell him to stay for the party.
“I’ll be there” he said with a small nod before he walked away, thinking he seemed to be gaining the Delgado’s trust pretty quickly and that was a good thing.
Adrian walked into the kitchen quietly and hugged Aria from behind tightly, making her jump slightly as she was not expecting to see him again this soon, especially after their tense conversation earlier.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise” he said in her ear quietly, before he kissed her there softly, making her heart beat fast than ever.
No matter how hard Aria tried to not react her body betrayed her nicely. Adrian kissed her on the back of her neck softly and looked down at her, thinking she looked good frowning.
“Not going to say anything beautiful?” he asked before he leaned over her and kissed Lyla on the cheek softly. Aria looked up at him,
“There’s nothing left to say” she said before she got up and walked over to the sink, thinking she hated herself for acting this way, but he truly deserved it.
Adrian waved goodbye to Lyla and looked at Aria once before he turned around and left, thinking he’ll make it up to her later, for now he needed to head to work and attend a very important meeting.
Aria made sure that all the party preparations were coming along nicely, before she headed upstairs and got Lyla ready for her special day, thinking she had dreamed of this day for a very long time and was going to make sure it turned out as amazing and perfect as she imagined it to be.