Nobody Like You

Chapter 11 Aiden: Secret Love

As I laid in bed staring at the ceiling that night, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I potentially screwed everything up. I let myself go and crossed a line that, no matter how good it felt, should've never been crossed. Now there was no way to take it back and I had to deal with what it meant.

By the time the morning came, I knew I needed to take a run. I needed to forget how complicated everything had become. I ran past the mansion, trying to resist the urge to look through the window for Gabriella, as I ran out of the community.

After running for what felt like forever, I finally stopped in a park to catch my breath. As I sat on a bench, I heard footsteps running up to me and groaned when I looked up and saw Mike. "You saw me leave, didn't you?"

He shrugged. "Pretty much. You had that same look on your face from the last time we went running together so I figured I'd come check on you. Are you good?"

"I might be getting fired soon so nope, I'm definitely not good."

"I doubt that," he chuckled. "Mr. Carter has been really impressed with your responsiveness to all the threats so your job is probably the last thing you should be worried about."

I shook my head. "Not when I kissed Gabriella last night."

His jaw dropped. "How'd you let that happen?"

"She went through some shit at the party she went to and I was trying to cheer her up and before I knew it, her lips were on mine and I couldn't resist her." I let out a sigh. "I'm fucked, aren't I?"

He thought for a moment. "Not exactly. It's not like Gabriella would turn you in to her parents and I already said I'm not going to say anything so your secret should be safe."

"It just doesn't feel right knowing that I'm working for these people while having some fling with their daughter."

"Is it a fling though?" When he saw my face twist in confusion, he continued. "Look, you said it yourself that you had feelings for Gabriella. It doesn't need to be some casual fling that you're risking your job for. It could be a real relationship if that's what both of you want but you got to talk to her first."

I thought about this before nodding and continuing my run. If I was going to have this conversation with Gabriella, I needed to have a clear head about it first and running was the best way for that to happen.

When I got back to the guest house, I showered and went up to the mansion to find Alexis sitting at the kitchen table in her soccer uniform. When she saw me enter, she smiled and ran over to me.

"We got a big game today," she said. "You think we'll win?"

"With you on the team? No question," I smiled. "So even though you don't need it, good luck."

Mr. Carter walked in. "Okay car's all loaded up. You ready, super star?"

"What about Gabby?" Alexis asked. "Is she coming?"

Mrs. Carter shook her head as she walked in. "No, she was up late last night because of that party so we figured we'd let her sleep in. Plus, she has her piano lesson later on so she'll be staying back today. Aiden, you'll make sure to take care of her?"

"Absolutely," I quickly responded. "You don't have to worry."

They gave a smile before leading Alexis out to the car. Mike sent an encouraging look before following them out. Seeing that no one was around, I pulled out my phone and sent Gabriella a text asking her to come out to the guest house so I could talk to her.

An hour later, there was a knock on the door and I took a deep breath before opening it to see Gabriella standing there.

"Hi," she said, nervously. "You wanted to see me?"