Fond Of This Bond

5. He's Aiden Roach

"Yes, Dad." I heard a deep, husky voice from behind me.

I know this voice.

I turned around, and my eyes met a pair of dark brown ones, and I got lost in them, once again.

He looked alluring in a grey coat over a well ironed white shirt, his dark brown hair set beautifully and that stubble neatly trimmed. I controlled the urge to run my fingers through his hair, and forced my eyes off him. This is the first time I am looking at him in something other than a hoody and I must admit that I liked the change.

Ahem...ahem!

"Come here son, I want you to get to know a few people." Mr. Roach reached out to him to place his left hand on his shoulder. "This is Mr. Darren Cooper. He'll be heading our new branch in South California."

He greeted my Dad with a slight bow and congratulated him for his achievement.

"This is his son, George and this is his daughter, Hannah." Mr. Roach continued.

He shook his hands with George making him grin as George likes to be treated like a big boy. George gets irritated when people make him feel like a kid. He wants to grow up as soon as possible.

The desire to attain adulthood is enough evidence to prove that he still is a kid. 

Then he turned around to look straight into my eyes, putting his hand forward for a handshake.

Umm..okay.

I didn't want to make it anymore awkward, so I lifted my right hand to meet his. He had a firm yet gentle grip on my hand, shaking it slightly. 

"Aiden, Hannah also studies at the Crest Academy, but she says she never heard of you..." Mr. Roach told him.

His face lit up with amusement at this. His eyes not leaving my gaze, and his hand not leaving mine as well.

"....Although, it is not at all surprising. I was expecting this. You should get a little bit social, son." he continued.

In order to normalize the situation, I greeted him with a "Hello!" and then tried to get my hand released, but his grip got even tighter before leaving it in an instance. "Nice to meet you, Hannah." He said, smirking. 

My name felt so foreign when it rolled out of his mouth. Maybe because he said it like that, deliberately.

Does he know what his presence is making me feel?

Does he know that I want to know what he is thinking?

Does he know that this was the last thing I was expecting to happen tonight?

I hope he doesn't.

My thoughts were broken by a slight tap on my left shoulder, I came out of my daze and realised that all this while I had been staring at him. 

I faced the person standing on my left. Will.

"What happened? You look a bit lost? Are you okay?" He asked.

"No, nothing. I am fine. Thank you." I assured him with a smile.

I registered what was happening around me. Mr. Stephen and Will had joined us. 

George was seated with him, and he was saying something that was making George giggle continuously.

When did they get so close?