Chapter 45 A Handsome Customer
The rest of the day went by faster than I thought, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Layla, wondering if Mark had gone to alpha Warren company to confront her. The image of Layla and Warren together kept flashing in my mind, making my chest feel tight. All I could do was wait for Cora to come back with the gist.
I leaned against the counter, resting my elbow on the marble tiles as I stared at the monitor, my mind drifting. Just one more sale and I’d be done for the day.
“Excuse me, beautiful. I’d like to order the best dishes in this restaurant.”
The familiar voice made me look up hastily, and my breath hitched when I saw Aiden standing close to the counter.
Our eyes met, and a shiver ran down my spine. I couldn’t deny the fact that he looked so good in the black shirt and brown pants he had on. The fabric hugged his broad shoulders and strong arms, and the way he stood made it clear he was used to people stepping aside for him. There was something dark about him, something dangerous, like a wolf who had tasted blood and didn’t bother hiding it.
“Aiden,” I mumbled.
He leaned closer, resting his hand on the counter, close to mine, his presence making the air feel heavier. “I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”
Before I could respond, he narrowed his gaze at me, his cold gray eyes piercing into mine, darker than before. “Well, you did. Can I get my meal now, Diana?”
My eyes widened when he called my name in that calm, solemn tone, and heat crept up my sleeves. I didn’t remember telling him my name. My heart skipped as questions rushed through my head, but none of them made it past my lips.
I stood there for a moment, frozen, my fingers tightening around the edge of the counter as my heart raced against my ribs.
“I—” I swallowed. “Yes. Of course.”
Aiden straightened, his face going blank like nothing had just passed between us. The air around him shifted, cold and controlled, like he’d pulled up a wall. It was the same look wolves wore when they didn’t want their thoughts read.
“Best dishes,” he repeated calmly. “Surprise me.”
I nodded and tapped the screen, my fingers trembling slightly. When I looked up again, he had already turned away, walking toward one of the tables by the window. The way he moved was calm but deadly, like a predator that didn’t need to rush.
He chose a table close to the window and sat down, pulling out his phone. Just like that, it felt as if I didn’t exist.
But I couldn’t stop looking at him.
Even while attending to another customer, my eyes kept drifting back to his direction. The sharp line of his jaw, the quiet confidence in his posture, the dark aura that clung to him, it all made my wolf stir uneasily inside me.
Was it fate that brought him back?
As if he felt my stare, Aiden suddenly lifted his head. His eyes met mine again, and this time a slow smirk appeared on his lips.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I looked away quickly, my heart pounding hard in my chest.
When I was done registering his order, I walked toward the back, trying to steady my breathing.
“Collen,” I called.
He looked up. “You’re done for today?”
“Yes.”
“You did great today,” he said warmly. “Don’t worry about the calculations, I’ll handle it.”
He reached into the drawer and brought out some money, holding it out to me.
I shook my head quickly. “No, Collen. You’ve helped me enough already by giving me the job. I’ll be fine. Cora’s place isn’t far.”
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Be safe, Diana.”
“I will.”
I grabbed my bag and headed toward the exit, my steps slowing when my eyes went back to Aiden. He was still seated, pressing his phone, his meal yet to be served. He didn’t even look hungry.
I took in a deep breath and stepped outside.
Maybe I was the only one feeling this strange pull.
I reminded myself of how I once felt about Warren, how my heart had raced whenever he was close, and how it shattered when I saw him kissing Layla. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
The street was quiet as I walked, my thoughts wandering to how things would unfold when Mark confronted Layla. Cora still hadn’t called, and that worried me. She usually checked on me by now.
I pulled out my phone to call her when a voice sounded behind me.
“For someone pregnant, you walk pretty fast.”
I froze before turning around.
Aiden stood there, his hands in his pockets, his eyes shining under the streetlight, calm and dangerous.
“Why are you following me?” I asked. “Didn’t you wait to eat the food you ordered?”
“I lost my appetite,” he replied simply. “Are you heading home?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll walk with you.”
I wanted to refuse. Every instinct in me warned against letting him get closer, but another part of me knew that anyone with bad intentions wouldn’t dare come near with Aiden beside me.
“Fine,” I said quietly.
We walked side by side, the silence between us heavy but not uncomfortable. His presence felt protective, like a wall of steel beside me.
“You really don’t have a mate?” he asked suddenly.
I hesitated. “No.”
He glanced at my belly. “Then how are you pregnant?”
I swallowed. “I had a chance. A one-night stand with my mate. I just don’t know who he is.”
“That’s weird,” he said.
“I know.”
The silence returned as Cora’s street came into view. My steps slowed. I didn’t want Aiden knowing exactly where I stayed, and I didn’t trust him enough. Something about him felt calculated, like he always had a reason.
Before I could speak, he stopped.
“I’ll stop here,” he said calmly. “You don’t trust me enough to want me knowing where you live.”
I looked at him, surprised.
“Stay safe, Diana.”
He stared at me for a moment, his cold eyes searching my face, then turned and walked away without looking back.
I stood there watching him disappear into the night, my heart heavy with thoughts of Aiden.