Twisted Chaos

ARIA

Aria

Jace helps me clean up from breakfast. I wasn't expecting that. Geez is there anything I don't like about him. That sex in the shower was amazing. I'm still wet from it. I'm glad he is coming back tonight. He kisses me "Thank you for breakfast, Princess. I have to run out to my car to get my uniform. I'll be right back." He releases me and heads out to his car. It feels weird having a police car parked in my driveway. I'm waiting on the tabloids to catch wind of it. I grab my tablet off of the counter when I hear a phone ring. It's not mine, it's Jace's he left it sitting on the counter. I see when I walk by that it's Jamie calling. I leave it laying and let it ring. It's none of my business. I'm not going to get involved. I turn on my tablet and check my emails. Ugh. There is a lot. It's too early for this shit. I exit that and log onto the internet. I always have my homepage set to a site that shows the major tabloid headlines. "FUCK!" I groan loudly. First thing I see is the headline

"Aria justice attacked"

Dammit, I was hoping that hadn't been leaked. Well, I'm sure the paparazzi are at my gate right now. It should be interesting to read what they will say after they see the police car leaving my house and coming back. Oh well, fuck it. I get paid big time every time my name is in the headlines. I'll have to get with Anna and see how we want to approach this. I fired my PR manager a couple months ago. He was a money hungry douche. I scroll to the next one. I drop my glass as soon as I see it. A picture of me and Gabriel in his car kissing. Oh my God! The headline reads:

"Aria Justice rebounds after stalker incident."

Fuck! fuck! fuck! I read the story to see if they give the man's name. There it is plain as day. "Gabriel Madden, Architectural Designer, offers Aria support after her traumatic day. We are happy to see Aria is fine."

I think I'm going to be sick. The room is spinning. My family is going to see this, Jace and Stephen, everyone is going to see this. Thank God the tabloids haven't put together that he is my stepbrother. It's only a matter of time. Jace walks in and sees the glass on the floor and my head in my hands. "Aria? What's wrong? Are you okay?" I look up at him. He's so genuine and sweet. Maybe he will understand. Maybe he won't, but I guess I have no choice, but to tell him. "Angel, you might want to sit down." I feel like someone just sucked the air out of me. I'm close to having a panic attack. He sits down and takes my hands. I take a deep breath and begin to explain. "Jace, the tabloids see everything I do. They know about the stalker which is fine. I mean, I didn't want it to come out, but it did." He looks confused. "Well, that isn't that bad, is it?" 

I start shaking "Aria? What else? Tell me. I'm not going to be mad." He says in an understanding and comforting tone. A tear falls trails down my cheek as I look him in the eye and say "It gets worse. Do you remember how I went to lunch with Gabriel yesterday? Well, Gabriel and I, well we aren't." He interrupts me. "Y'all aren't like regular step siblings and y'all have had sex before?" I'm confused. How did he know? I nod with tears now streaming down my face. He reaches out to touch my face and I flinch. He jerks his hand back like I hit him. "I wasn't going to hit you baby. I would never. Now, please stop crying. Who has hit you to where you flinch when someone goes to touch your face?" I can see the hurt in his eyes. Truth is, I have been hit in the past, it was just an instinct to jerk back. I trust him and I don't think he would hit me, my body just reacted. Still crying, I reach down and grab his hand and place it back on my face. "I'm so sorry. I panicked. I know you wouldn't hurt me. You are right about Gabriel and me. I know it was wrong and we're fucked up. I really like you a lot and I think we can be great together, but I understand if this changes things." 

He pulls me into him, holding me tight and stroking my hair. "Calm down baby, I'm not going anywhere and I'm damn sure not going to ever hit you. Not like that. I didn't know you were head shy or I never would have reached for you face. I know how it is to be abused. I get it. The thing with Gabriel is fine. So what? I'm well aware that I'm not the only person you have fucked. It's fine. We're fine." He kisses me on the top of the head and continues to hold me. For the first time, I feel completely safe. Like someone sees me, the real me and accepts it. With him by my side I can conquer anything.