Touched (11 page)

CHAPTER TEN

“What do you mean? We need her here with us!” Bianca exclaimed.

“Look at her. Have you ever seen her like this?” Aiden asked.

“No,” Bianca replied, looking anxiously at Aiden and then turning to Lia.

“Exactly. Being here will only make matters worse. I’m taking her home, end of story.”

“But–” Bianca began.

“I don’t mean to offend either of you but you haven’t been around her enough to know what’s best for her.”

They both looked at April for affirmation.  “I’m inclined to agree. I don’t think being here is good for her,” she said.

I didn’t say anything. I watched and listened as they discussed me as if I weren’t in the room.

“I would like for the two of you to come also. We’ll buy whatever you need once we arrive. April, of course, you’re welcome to come. I think she’ll need you,” Aiden said.

“I think so too; I had planned on being here for the next week or so with her,” April said.

“Can one of you grab her things and meet me downstairs,” he said, as he walked over to me. He kissed me on the forehead and lifted me from the bed. He carried me downstairs and we were nearly out the door.

“Where’s the quilt? I want the quilt,” I whispered.

Aiden looked down at me, confused. “Are you cold?”

“No, I’m not cold. I don’t want to leave without the quilt,” I replied, as fresh tears began streaming.

“I’m not sure what you mean Aria. What quilt?”

“I know what she’s talking about, I’ll go get it,” Bianca volunteered.

“Everything is going to be fine Princess; Bianca’s getting the quilt for you.”

He settled me in the back of the limo as the others clambered in. 

“What about the rental car?” Lia asked.

“I’ll have someone take care of that.” Aiden said.

“Here it is Aria,” Bianca said, passing me the quilt.

I reached for it and pulled it to my chest.

I stared out of the window watching the landscape twist and turn, recognizing nothing. Everything seemed distant; I felt Aiden’s presence beside me, and as necessary as his presence was, it wasn’t enough to diminish the pain that I was trying to process.

We arrived at the airport, the limo stopping a few feet from the Raine Industries jet. Aiden kissed my forehead and excused himself. I turned in the direction he was walking and saw him talking to a woman who passed him something and he returned to the car.

“The pilot has confirmed we’re ready to go.  You all can board now. Aria and I will be directly behind you.”

Aiden carried me from the car, all the while my protesting that I was fine to walk but he insisted. Once at the steps to the jet, he lowered me to my feet and assisted me inside. He ushered me back to a seat and buckled me in.

“Mr. Raine is there anything I can get for you?” I looked up following the voice to see a tall statuesque blonde standing above me.  Her name tag read Kelly.

“Yes, some crackers and a glass of water for Miss Cason.”

“Yes, sir. Can I get something for anyone else?” she asked, turning toward April and my sisters.

“Just water please,” Lia said.

“Same for me,” said Bianca.

“I need something stronger than water. What do you have?” April asked.

“I’m sure we can accommodate any request you have ma’am,” Kelly replied.

“In that case, I’ll have a French Seventy-Five.”

I looked at April. That was our signature drink for our get-a-ways. She looked stressed. Now that I thought about it, she looked that same way the day she came to Mom’s. Something was wrong. Something more than her concern for me. I made a mental note to check on her when we had some alone time. I didn’t know how much help I could be in my state but I would definitely try.

Aiden was on the phone. From the sounds of it, he was speaking with Brooklyn. Lia and Bianca were sitting quietly taking in the luxurious interior of the jet. It boasted a simple design with clean lines and a minimalist color scheme. There were white leather arm chairs towards the front and a matching white leather sofa to the rear. It was modestly designed with oil paintings and Waterford crystal lamps. It was as if we’d stepped into a lavish hotel suite. I suppose if you were planning to travel, this was certainly the way to do it.

I looked down at the quilt, studying one of its appliqué patterns. I unfolded it to see what other patterns she’d selected. She hadn’t had a chance to finish it. “No!” I screamed.

“Aria? What is it?” Aiden asked, alarmed by my outburst. He shoved the phone in his pocket and pulled my hands into his. “What’s wrong?”

“She didn’t have a chance to-to,” I stuttered, my lips trembling.

“To what?” he asked.

“To finish the quilt.” I replied. I was crying hysterically; Aiden remained calm, cradling my face between his hands.

“Aria. Look at me. Look at me Aria.”

I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his.

“It’s okay. Shhhh, it’s okay,” he whispered.

“No, it’s not okay. It’s not okay Aiden,” I insisted.

“Aria, we can finish the quilt for you. We can all help. We’ll finish it,” he said, his eyes locked with mine.

Kelly returned with our drinks and Aiden reached inside his jacket. I watched as he opened the prescription bottle.

“Take this Princess,” he said, lifting the pill towards my mouth.  I looked at him as he urged me to take it. I opened my mouth and he lifted the glass of water to my lips. I took a few sips and he placed the water on the table to his left.

I looked up to see that Lia, Bianca and April were all watching me. I closed my eyes and reclined in the seat. Aiden pulled me toward him, molding me to his chest.

I must have drifted off. I opened my eyes to the feel of Aiden’s hands at my waist as he removed the seat belt. “We’re home Aria, back in Boston. Everything’s going to be fine.”

His words, although soothing, were a harsh reminder of my reality. My mother was dead. I would never have the chance to make up for the years I’d lost with her. I hadn’t been there to help her get better. I had run, leaving her to struggle with years and years of depression. I had been a horrible daughter. I looked up at Lia and Bianca and the guilt moved through me like water through a sieve. Did they blame me? Was this my fault?

I had the urge to cry but it was as though my tear ducts were frozen. It must have been the medication.  I felt like a zombie. I shook my head trying to resurrect the Aria that was there sitting beneath it all, shielding herself from the enormity of the grief.

I rose from the seat. Aiden was close behind me, offering his strength because he knew I had none. I turned to look at him. I wanted to say something but the words wouldn’t come.

He smiled at me, his warm eyes melting the chill that was coursing through me. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head and turned to face the others. April rushed over and hugged me. I didn’t deserve their sympathy. Lia and Bianca … they deserved it, but not me.  I was unable to offer any type of solace to either of them in my nearly catatonic state. I looked at them and they both watched as April and Aiden fussed over me.

“Mr. Raine, the car is waiting and I have Kinsley with me. She’ll take some quick measurements for Miss Cason’s sisters and have some clothes and other essentials sent over to the penthouse within the hour.  Will there be anything else, sir?”

It was Brooklyn, his personal assistant. Did she ever take a break? It must have been nearly midnight. And where would they get clothes at this hour? Knowing Aiden, someone had been awakened to meet his every request.

“Were you able to cancel the two meetings with Dasani Software in the morning?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Brooklyn replied.

“And what of Nicholas? Is he prepped to step in for the Japan meetings?”

“Yes, he actually flew out three hours ago,” Brooklyn replied.

“Good. Forward my itinerary and I’ll review it to determine what other meetings I can either reschedule or bring in Sloan. She’s been shadowing my recent acquisition with Soshibi and she should be ready to take the lead on that project.”

“I’ve been in contact with Sloan and I scheduled a teleconference with your legal team tomorrow as well,” Brooklyn said.

“Sloan isn’t equipped for that. Move that to the first of next week. I’ll have to take that one on myself.”

“Yes, sir. How shall I respond to the Pier Five proposal?”

“We can’t restructure the deal at the eleventh hour. It stays as is. They either agree to the terms or we absorb the company.”

“I’ll take care of it first thing Mr. Raine.”

“That’s all for now Brooklyn.”

“Yes, sir.” Her eyes fell on me. “I’m sorry for your loss Miss Cason,” she said, somberly.

I acknowledged her condolence with a tight smile as Aiden guided me toward the exit.

We were in the limo waiting for Lia and Bianca when April’s phone rang. She looked to see who was calling and frowned as she placed the phone back in her purse. I wondered if that had to do with what I saw on her face earlier.

Lia and Bianca soon joined us and settled in. I felt horrible for them. I felt horrible for all of us. I wanted to be the sister they needed. I wanted to be a real family. Of that, I was sure and I’d do everything I could to make that happen.

Again I had fallen asleep. I was awakened by the gentle kiss on my cheek and the soft whisper in my ear that we’d arrived. I opened my eyes to the deep green eyes and worried expression of the man who’d rescued me. We were outside Aiden’s penthouse when it dawned on me that I would prefer to be in the comfort of my own home.

“Aiden, I think I want to be at my place,” I said.

“What about the decorator? Isn’t your house out of sorts right now?”

How the hell did he know that? “Yes but –”

“I’ll have Brooklyn get everything situated as quickly as possible so you can get home but until then, you’ll stay here,” he said, as he slid out of the car.

We all quietly exited the car and headed toward the building. Aiden held tightly to my hand, tracing his thumb back and forth across the top, a sentiment that I hadn’t realized that I’d missed until now. We entered the penthouse and the memories of the last time we were here as a happy couple popped into my head. Aiden and I had awakened at my place that morning full of playful banter after a night of crazy hot sex. We later joined his family here for breakfast, which had gone surprisingly well. After breakfast however, Aiden and I had a fight and he’d disappeared for weeks. 

“Hello Mr. Raine.”

“Hi Dianna,” Aiden greeted the strange woman who’d opened the door.

“I’ve called Dianna in to assist you with anything you may need.  She can show you to your rooms. Make yourselves at home and if you need anything, please let her know.”

I looked at Dianna as she introduced herself to my sisters and April. She was a petite, curvy woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties. Her hair was light brown with several strands of gray pulled back neatly in a bun. She had a kind face with rounded cheek bones and full lips. Her almond-shaped eyes were a warm brown and I immediately pictured her as a sweet, loving grandmother.

“I didn’t know you had a maid. I thought you didn’t go for that sort of thing,” I said.

“I don’t but due to the circumstances, this is best. I don’t want you to have to do anything but rest. The same goes for your sisters.”

It was a little after midnight and we were sitting near the fireplace making casual conversation when the doorbell rang.  Dianna appeared a few moments later notifying us that a representative from Bergforg Goodman had arrived with clothes for Lia and Bianca. They excused themselves.

“Thank you for everything Aiden. I can’t begin to say how much your being here means,” I said.

“No need to thank me and don’t worry about RPH, that’s all been taken care of too. Just focus on you and your sisters.”

RPH hadn’t crossed my mind since having received Lia’s call about Mom.

“I think you should try to get some sleep,” Aiden said, reaching for my hand. I rushed over to hug Lia and Bianca when they returned and told them I would see them in the morning.

Aiden and I entered his bedroom and my eyes fell upon the vast bed. The most recent encounter when we attempted the guise of fuck buddies flashed before my eyes. After hours of uncontrollable lust and indescribable orgasms, I’d slipped away as he slept. I’d been angry with him for not reaching out to me afterwards but perhaps he’d kept silent because of his own anger with me for walking out on him.

“Would you like to take a bath?” he asked.

“No, I think I’ll take a shower.”

“Okay, I need to make a couple of calls. I’ll be here when you’re done,” he said.

“Who could you possibly call at this hour?” I asked.

“It’s mid-morning on the other side of the world.” He kissed me on the forehead and I walked to the bathroom. I’d forgotten that he’d been out of the country and I was sure that his quick departure to be here with me had placed a huge wrinkle in his schedule.