Veiled Echoes

C H A P T E R 9

HANA

Johan still had the container filled with Caesar salad left, so I ordered him some fries and nuggets to go with it. When we left the dome, as promised, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him along, paying no attention to his complaints of unfair and embarrassing treatment.

All the while, Aiden silently walked beside us, and when I looked beside me, I found him watching us with a longing in his eyes. However, it fleeted away in seconds when he snapped out of his stupor and softly smiled at me.

"You played well today," I said, dusting off a lint from his hoodie. "I didn't expect it, but I had a good time."

"Even when we lost?" Aiden attempted to brush it off with a joke, but the tone in his voice betrayed his underlying disappointment.

I shrugged, placing my hands inside my coat. "I don't think I can handle you being so gloated and almighty this early morning, Aiden."

He huffed a laugh, stuffing his hands in his sweats. "Of course."

Silence lapsed between us as I became fully immersed in the tranquillity surrounding us. Outside the sports dome, the area was bustling with activity, as people were still slowly exiting the cafeteria and going about their weekend plans. I made a conscious effort to ignore the curious glances being directed our way. However, I couldn't help but notice a few hushed whispers from people passing by as they stole stealthy glances at us.

My attention was instantly diverted as I felt a gently yet firm hand wrap around mine, drawing me close against a solid body. Startled and annoyed, I looked up at Aiden, who appeared completely unbothered by the unexpected intrusion. The sudden change in circumstance, to my great dismay, had my heart racing and caused a frown to etch across my face.

"They're wondering just how I ended up with a beautiful woman like you." He added after a moment with a teasing annoyance, "Jealous brats."

To my further dismay, I chuckled lowly, slowly allowing my fingers to coil around his. Surprisingly, it did not feel as arduous as I had expected it to. After our first year of dating, Justin's initiation of physical touch was almost draining. With Aiden, the sensation of his thumb tracing my skin brought about a sense of carefree ease.

It was as if I were on a swing, carried back and forth by the gentle breeze that washed over me. Each movement would erase any stress or worries and replace them with a feeling of liberation. The rhythmic movement of him swaying our arms back and forth reminded me of the soothing rhythm of swaying in the air.

I liked this—with one hand caught between Johan's chubby fingers and the other held between Aiden's. I liked it a lot.

"Did you usually watch Justin's games?" Aiden asked as we walked out of the arena and into the streets of London.

I blinked at the question, my shoulder tensing.

Before Justin graduated from the University of Nottingham, he had been on the basketball team. It was the second thing that mattered close to him, other than his business, and he had trained relentlessly for it as well. If he was not planning his start-up or hanging out with me, he would always be at the gymnasium with his friend playing.

However, despite all that, he had not invited me to any of his matches. Perhaps the first game, and then after that, it was as if I was a bad omen to him.

I took a heavy breath and shook my head. "No. I always had something to do on Sundays, so I couldn't make it."

Aiden's eyes lingered on me, seemingly piercing through my lie. Unsettled, I felt a lump form in my throat as I swallowed, trying to control my nerves. I looked around at the vintage buildings that surrounded us, taking in their captivating presence, hoping it could rid me of the sorrow that coiled my stomach.