Emilia ✔️ NOW PUBLISHED!

47

♥️

We sit around the long table enjoying each other's company, everyone is almost too full to move. But mom with her traditions is wide awake and ready to run full speed. "So, are we putting a tree up here?" She asks, her eyes panning around the massive dining room.

I warned him about the usual tree decorating immediately after Thanksgiving dinner. It's not that I hate it, I absolutely adore it and Christmas is my favorite time of year. It's just that... we won't be in the cabin but for one more night.

I look to Aiden, unsure of what to say. He speaks up, "Actually, if I could have a moment with you." He sets his napkin down on the table, "Maybe on the balcony?" He suggests, I go to stand but he places a hand on my knee.

Mom nods with an eager smile, Howard takes her attention momentarily. She giggles as he whispers something to her. Seeing her so carefree, it's amazing.

Leaning over, Aiden whispers in my ear "I need to speak with her, give us ten minutes."

Aiden escorts my mom outside, I fidget in my seat about to start cleaning up. I grab my plate and stand. Howard coughs, "Emilia, set your plate back down." His voice is soft, playful. I listen, "you cooked, we will clean."

Howard looks around the room, the two other guards quickly catch on. "Yes, it was delicious, thank you for cooking." One says, standing up and gathering the plates.

The other one gives an appreciative grunt as he follows suit with cleaning. Ashley looks at me, her eyes and head pointing towards the balcony. "Hey, Em. Can you help me change my band-aid?"

Ricky looks at her with a cocked brow, "Babe, it was barely a papercut. You don't need to change it."

She rolls her eyes, standing up and gesturing for me to follow. "What are we doing?" I ask as we creep up the stairs towards mine and Aiden's bedroom.

"We're going to eavesdrop, don't you want to know what they're talking about?"

I ponder this for only a moment, "duh." I respond, I mean I know he's going to tell her about the house but I'm curious about her reaction. Trying to keep quiet, we slowly open the back door and crawl on our hands and knees onto the bedroom balcony, which sits directly above the first-floor patio.

I hear my mom's voice first, "I'm not going too. You're a grown man, and successful. I know you've got your head on the right track but I'm also not an idiot."

Aiden gives an appreciative nod, I can see them through the slits in the rail since this deck doesn't go out as far. Their both huddled by the heater and in deep conversation. My mom continues, "My husband was a detective, he dealt with bad men all the time." She says, her words slow and terrifying... what's happening?

"Ms. Banks." Aiden begins but she cuts him off with a gentle smile, "Aiden, I know you're not a bad man. I know you love my daughter. But I also know that last time I was here, there were men everywhere. Men who acted as if they were your friends but seemed more like bodyguards to me."

She takes a sip of her wine, gauging his reaction. I know this inquisitive look of hers, the one that told me in high school that I was about to get the famous Pamela interrogation about what I've been doing.

But unlike me, who would break at the slightest guilt of lying to my mother Aiden keeps a straight face, his demeanor not stiff. "I'm a man in a position of power, Ms. Banks. It was a decision I made to keep Emilia safe, as a precaution of course."

She nods, "So you're not in any trouble?"

"No, ma'am." He doesn't hesitate, I almost believe him myself.