Stockholm Syndrome

31. Outing

                      ARIA'S POV:                    

"No Alexander, it's final!", Mum followed dad aggressively while he shook his head ignoring her. It was quite funny to watch them bicker.

"Sophie, sit down. You aren't taking my daughter with you.", Papa told mom seriously which held no room for discussion. Do I want to go out though? Maybe or maybe not. I can't decide. It has been three and a half months of living here, always inside or only going to the garden for a walk.

"What do you mean 'my' daughter? She is my daughter too. I've given birth to her and I've equal right on her as you.", Mum's voice held hurt. Dad quickly realising his mistake put down the laptop and held mum's hands.

"I don't want her out of this house for sometime. She is still recovering Sophie and you know what the rep--...the doctor said.", Papa told mumma after she squeezed her hand hard in between. They thought that I didn't notice it but I did very clearly. What were they hiding? Which report?

"Okay, take Aria out but only for two hours. Maxim and 20 guard will be there. NO! that's final.", Papa's voice held the authority. It was wierd to see the loving, soft spoken papa turn into a serious, hard, stone cold papa.

Mum nodded smiling and kissed his cheek making me turn my head away. Who likes to watch their parents romance..eww!

"ENOUGH!!", I shouted covering my face as they both kept kissing each other.

"Oh..SHIT!", Mum gasped only now realising that I was there.

"Alex!", Mum hit dad's head as he pouted like a puppy.

"OH MY GOD! I'm going to my room to get readyyyy and don't do this in front of Ryan!", I shouted running to the hallway where my room is situated. This house isn't nice as our old one. It's cold and seems unfamiliar.

Be nice Aria! I scolded myself. There are people suffering in cold and here I've such a big ass house and still not satisfied.

Quickly pulling my shirt off my body, I wore the first hoodie that came in my hand. It was a grey and blue mixed and oh so warm!

Changing my shorts to a denim, I jumped down the stairs with a smile on my face. The idea of going out didn't sound appealing to me before but now that I'm ready to go, it feels refreshing.

"Slow down Ri.", Ryan shouted from upstairs making me jump harder. Take that boy!

I gave him a wink and jumped another stair making him run behind me. Before he could catch me, Maxim picked me up from my underarms. This hulk!

"PUT ME DOWN!!", I shouted wiggling as he took me down the rest of the stairs. Still holding me in air as if I weigh nothing, he gave me a hard glare.

"You can get your head bang like that.", He scolded me and a frown quickly came to his face. I don't like it.

I rubbed his forehead twice making him sigh and put me down. He pulled the hoodie down and arranged it like before but his hand ended up touching the side of my waist. A good type of feeling erupted from my insides as our eyes connected. Why is my heart beating so fast? Was his heart doing the same thing?

Why would it? Who needs a broken girl? My demons were quick to break my hope.

"What happened котенок?", He asked. I gave him a meek smile and held Ryan's hand who hugged me to his chest already knowing the reason of my sadness.

"You should be happy Ri. Smile..mm?", He asked kissing my head making me nod and smile. When we were little, he would always say smile..mm to me whenever I cried. He was the best big brother.

"I love you.", I told him.

"I love you too baby sis." Not that name again!!

"You know I don't like it!", I pouted and he laughed poking his tongue out at me.

"Always copying me, you idiot!", I shouted irritated and then I heard his running footsteps away from me.

Well, I tried to run behind him too but Mr Hulk had his tight grip on my waist which led me completely immobile.

I gave him a huff which he very nicely ignored.

"Aey! Let's go baby!", Mum giggled as dad whispered something into her ears. Her face was red due to constant blushing. I don't even want to think what dad told her.

She looked at Maxim smiling and then towards our adjoined hands with raised eyebrows. I quickly snatched my hands back making her chuckle softly. I didn't look up at dad, not wanting to see his reaction. Will he be mad at Maxim?

"Maxim, you know what to do.", Was all he said before kissing my head then mum's. I released the breath that I was holding. He wasn't mad. Thank God. I didnt want him to fire Maxim from his job.

"Bye dad!", I waved my hand at him and kissed his cheek before following Maxim who gave his hand to me willingly. I gasped looking back at dad to find him smiling and giving me an encouraged nod. Next second, I was holding Maxim's big hand in mine, I mean the opposite because I can't hold more than his three fingers in my hand.

Mum was talking to the driver about something following us.

I looked at the number of cars and the bodyguards ahead us and then those who were supposed to follow us. They looked more than twenty to me.

I pulled his hand twice and he looked down at me raising his one eyebrow in question.

"There a-are so many guards.", I whispered.

"Protection", this was the reply that I got.

He made me sit behind and then mumma and sat himself on the passenger seat.

He talked with driver for few minutes too. What the hell!

"Mom what were you talking about with driver?", I asked wanting to know.

"Oh, nothing, just the places we're supposed to go."

I opened my mouth to ask her something else when she cut me off.

"Oh my, Maxim, let's go! Alex said only 3 hours.", Mum seriously whined making me giggle covering my mouth. She was such a kid when it came to shopping.

We drove through the city as my face kept glued to the glass of the window taking everything in. Maxim took the window down making me smile and breath in the fresh cold air. Freedom. It's such an amazing thing. I could feel my jaw hurting from all the smiling that I was doing today. It felt too good to be out again without any care in the world and with no monsters following me. Thank you God!

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Heyoo!! How're you all?

Sorry for not updating for so long!🥲

Do you think everything will be fine in Aria's life?😳

And thoughts about Maxim and Aria together as a couple?😏

Do vote and comment babies!🌟

Thank you!

Take care!

Love
Himanshi ❣️