Strong For Too Long Trilogy ✔️

25. The Illusion

CHAPTER 25: The Illusion

I study the rows of pillars. Candidate Fifty-three stands behind me, "So, that's a 'No' on the silver balloons?" She asks behind me, I let Thirteen search the premises, an old-fashioned theatre made into a large Ball room.

Thirteen scoffs when she steps downstairs in her black heels, black jeans, black long coat, but white blouse, "The place is secure enough. Has a few too many rooms, but each one with newly installed Colton technology should be helpful." She says to me, looking behind me to the stage for the jazz band.

"We could have a Gatsby theme." Lynette offers.

Thirteen gives her a dirty look, "Oh, do shut up a moment. Tobias called twice, Aaron can't get ahold of you, they're wondering why and where we are." She says the last part to me, just as my touch-screen goes once again with Aaron's name on the screen, I sigh in defeat.

"He's been antsy since Alexander showed up yesterday and Fern attempting to cause ruckus." I say to her, just as I answer the phone.

"I am not antsy, love." He says over the line.

I smile, "Yes, you are. I had to sneak out this morning since you were coddling me in your sleep. So, how goes the guest list, honey?" I ask him, hearing chuckles in the background, meaning they they all once again, listening.

"I noticed your sneaking, and this guest list is more like the entirety of London, babe." He says to me, holding a huff in his voice, but worry was furiously intact. He's been hesitant since Fern's outrage and Alexander's appearance.

"Precisely, the more the better in this situation, Aaron-why does it sound like you're parking your car?" I ask him the second I hear it, Branson chuckles in the background.

"Don't end the call-" I end the call before he has time to finish when I see his masculine swagger walk the second he's at the top of the grand stairs, he removes the phone from his ear and moves down them while I fold my arms and stare at him with but one look.

"You tracked me here." I state, no need to question.

He sighs in defeat as he moves closer, "You weren't answering my calls." He points out.

I gesture around me, "Because, I've been busy."

"And I like to wake up in the morning to be given the chance to pepper kisses to my soon-to-be wife. I don't care if you have to shove me to wake up, you wake me up." He says to me, reaching down to place a soft kiss against my lips, I peck him as Branson's whistle next to Madison echoes. Eight raises an eyebrow at Javier's shield of arms around her and her slowly growing belly.

Aaron steps in around me and snuggles me into him, "I hate waking up alone in the morning." He murmurs down against my temple, I give him a raised eyebrow.

"Did you start working on a few manoeuvres?" I ask him.

He tilts his head, thinking face on, "A little."

"Aaron."

He looks at me sternly, "I am not a terrible fighter, alright. When we train, my body will physically not hurt you, can't do anything to change that and our announcement in the main celebrity news has already caused enough ruckus with it being all over the place. I almost had paparazzi following our cars over here." He explains, running his fingers along my sides, his cognac eyes penetrate my form intensely. He always had that powerful stare running along my skin, I look up at him, he had few freckles.

I furrow my eyebrows, reaching up and tilting his chin to the left, "You have a scar here, what was this from?" I ask him, just wondering. He flushes me closer to him.