The Best Part

Chapter 15

This past month has gone almost perfectly between me and Aaron. Nothing can be perfect, but he seems to be and that really worries me. He has been the perfect gentleman, he opens my car door for me, he is never rude or disrespectful, he makes me laugh and he is good at everything. Literally everything. As I lay here watching him sleep I can't help feeling like I'm missing something, but I'm trying not to think about that because I do not want to let myself get lost in my own head again. I need to enjoy the moment. I watch as his lips start to pout and I know this means he is just about to wake up. He hates it when I call him cute, because he says a man should be sexy and not cute, but he is. "Hey." he says with his eyes still closed.

"Hey, sleepy bones."

"I never used to sleep so well, but since you've been sleeping with me you help me to relax." he pulls me closer to him, so there isn't any space left between us at all. "I could lie here with you all day, but I really need to catch up on the work you have already made me miss." A sleepy smile appears across his lips as I scoff at him.

"I made you miss work did I? If I recall you're the one you who surprised me by taking me the art gallery." Aaron playfully hits me across the butt before getting up to go and get his laptop. I fall back in the sheets of his large bed. If someone had told me this time two months ago that I'd be here right now, I would have told them to stop being silly. I just can't believe how much has changed, how much I've changed. "Hey, babe would you come here for a moment?" Aaron calls from down the hall way. I drag myself out of his bed and make my way down the corridor, wearing just one of his white t-shirts. "What's up?"

"I have a question to ask."

"Go ahead and ask then." he looks a little anxious about whatever he needs to ask me and this makes me a little nervous, but I try to not let it show.

"Would you like to come to a charity event with me tomorrow night? I know it's short notice, but I will arrange a dress for you, that's if you want me too. It's only a low key event so there won't be many photographers there because I know you don't like your picture being posted anywhere. So would you like to accompany me?" he finally finishes and takes breath, I don't really know what to say. Why was he so nervous about asking me? I catch myself just sitting here staring at him with my mouth wide open looking lost for words. "I- I guess so." I eye him suspiciously as he lets out a relived breath. "Why are you so worked up this?"

"I'm sorry, it's just that I've never really introduced a girlfriend to my parents before. I just really want you to be happy about it and not spook you in anyway." His parents? From what I had heard from Aaron they were not that close, but I knew he wanted their approval more than he would like to admit. Are we ready for this step? The thought of him even meeting my parents has not even crossed my mind. "You're not the one who should be worrying. I am the one supposed to be doing that, I mean what if they don't like me? We don't exactly come from the same world"

"You have nothing to worry about I will take care of everything. I know they will like you, not as much as I do because that isn't possible." I choose to ignore the fact that he used the word 'like' and not another four letter word beginning with the same letter. It's too soon for that word, isn't it? "The world you're in is the only want I want to be in." Just like that he reaches new levels of perfection.

***

Aaron dropped me off at work an hour ago. He has spent the rest of the morning organising a dress for me to have for the charity event tomorrow. I am actually looking forward to it, even though I'm little nervous. This is the time I will really see into his world. This is my last week working at the little cafe. I just hope the day doesn't drag today because I know Aaron is picking me up later tonight at six. While it's quite, after the lunch time rush, I clean the array of tables. I recognise some of the regulars walk in and they give me their usual friendly smiles and I do the same in return. But my smile quickly fades once I see a group of rowdy men walking through the door. "Al, are you okay to serve table number three? I've just got to go in the back to make a few phone calls." Before I even have time to protest my boss is gone. I really don't want to serve the guys. My heart rate quickens and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I approach the table. "Hello, what can I get you?" I try to sound as confident as I can, these are not the type of guys you should expose any weakness or vulnerability too. "Just get us four waters please and then you can bring your sweet little ass back over here and sit in my lap because there are a few extra things you could do personally for me." his comment nearly knocks me sick, I don't make any eye contact with them as I turn to walk away, but I'm stopped when I'm met with a violently shaking Aaron in front of me. "Aaron what are you doing here?" I try and act as nothing has just happened.

"What did you just say to her?" he completely ignores me and gives a murderous stare to the guy.

"Aaron please look at me. I'm fine, nothing happened. Just look at me." his eyes finally look to mine and I can see him visibly relax. He reaches his hand to my face, stroking his thumb across my cheekbone and at the attentive gesture I nearly forget about the idiotic guys behind me.

"Hey! Chill man and are we getting our drinks or not?" why can't they just shut up. I start to turn around to tell them I'm getting them now, but Aaron starts to speak before I get the chance.

"Get out now! You have ten seconds to get your pathetic little selves out, before I personally do it myself and there's nothing I'd like more." They must be able to sense he is completely serious because they hold up their hands in a surrender like gesture and leave. I cannot believe he acted like that in my work. "Why did you do that? I could handle them. You cannot protect me from every idiot that comes in here." he reaches for my shoulders and starts to gently massage the tension from them.

"I hate to think of people speaking to you like that. Where is your boss anyway? He should be the one serving those type of customers." I sigh, exasperated.

"I cannot be protected all the time and I need to learn not to be scared every time I feel intimidated." his hands immediately stop and I realise maybe scared was not right word to use.

"So you were scared? I should have punched that guy whilst I had the chance."

"No you shouldn't have. I've dealt with a lot worse in the past, trust me. Not every guy will be like David, I-" oh shit. I scrunch up my eyes praying I didn't say the last part out loud or that he didn't hear it.

"What? Who's David?" I freeze I haven't had to speak about this in a long time. I know if I tell him he will treat me differently. He'll know I'm not perfect, not even close. "Alex, tell me. Please." I just shake my head because no words will come out of my mouth even if I tried. My stomach drops when a realisation spreads across his eyes. "Did this David guy do something to you? Is he why your keeping yourself from letting people in? Why you don't want pictures of you anywhere public? Your hiding from someone... from him." I can't even see him through the tears blurring my vision. "Oh baby," he pulls me into his embrace. I can feel his desperation to protect me radiating through his suit "You can tell me anything Alex. Please baby."

"Okay I'll tell you. But please just take me home." I whisper but he somehow hears me as he leads me to get my bag and coat. I need to tell him this, not only for him but for me too.