Chapter Three:

"I never loved you any more than I do, right this second. And I'll never love you any less than I do, right this second."

— by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Aaron's POV:

"Coffee for 2 please ." He had dared to walk up to the counter and stammered out his order. The girl behind the counter made him a nervous wreck.

"Right away sir." With that she smiled at him and quickly typed out his order. She handed him the receipt and during the exchange their hands touched. Their eyes meet and she quickly lowered her eyes and told him his order will be there soon , his name will be called and if he want she can deliver his coffee to his respective place. He acknowledged with a nod too shameful to speak after his previous stammering session she must had thought bad of him. So much for a first impression he mentally scoffed. His exams were just around the corner and he had started coming to this place more often because of the coffee and just to watch her work.It helped him study more , just seeing her was a motivation because of how full of life and optimistic she was. He spread his books and notepads on the table and started making notes. His tongue was jutted out and his eyes pulled together in concentration. Being a medical student have proved to be one of the hardest task till now but he enjoying studying not just for the purpose to stay at the top of the class but to put his mind at ease. "Here." She said as she put down the two cups on the table.

She looked around and noticed that it was just him on the empty table yet he ordered for two. Other than pile of endless books , notepads and an army of pen. It was as if he was reading her mind so he went on to say. "The coffee is for me.Helps me to focus more on my exams." She had wondered she was the only odd person but he was like her at that matter. He was previously a stammering mess but now she noticed that his voice was smooth and there was a calmness to it not to forget he spoke with a confidence. Maybe he was just like that around many people?

"If you need anything just ask for me okay?"

"Thank you.By the way what is your name?"

"OH! it's Sophie Grace Beverly. But you can call me Sophie. "

"My name is Aaron.Nice to meet you Sophie " He extended his hand and without much thought she shook his hand and smiled at him. He smiled back in return his dimples on display. He looked more handsome from near and Sophie thought that her heart won't stop racing and she would make it so obvious to him that she had a huge crush on him.Everything about him was so likable and so perfect.When she was in the safety of the kitchen of the restaurant than did she put a hand to her badly hammering heart.Hoping that her jumbled nerves would calm down.She fanned her hot cheeks that were probably ripe like tomato. This was the first time she saw him up close and talked to him and this made her feel so proud of herself.

"Was it the same guy that you like?"Isabella asked as they stood side by side in the cash counter. She was taking orders and Isabella was making the bill and collecting money. The place was crowded and there was barely any place to stand .

"Stay quite. Someone might hear you." She spoke under her breath and stole a quick glance in his direction.

"Look at him, He can sit there and do nothing and still look like a model fresh out of the cover of a magazine. How can someone be that handsome and perfect?" Isabella kept on speaking while shamelessly checking him out.It was as if he sensed someone staring at him. He raised his head from his book and Sophie ducked under the safety of her counter. Isabella was frozen in her place like a deer caught in headlight. Aaron had to make great efforts just to make sure that the muscles of his face didn't twitch upwards in a smile. He was aware they were talking about him and they had been looking at him for sometime now.

By the time Sophie was done with her shift for the day. The place was deserted , she had to walk home alone tonight. Even Isabella who was her room mate at the hostel nearby went out early since she was going out to meet her boyfriend and his parents. Sophie knew that it wasn't safe to be walking all by self at the time of the night. Usually and mostly there were others with her who walked alongside her but tonight it bothered her that she was the only one. After checking everything was in perfect order and cleaning up after her she was about to leave when her eyes went to the table Aaron was sitting previously. He forgot one of his pen. She picked it up and put it in the pocket of her bomber jacket. Hoping to see him tomorrow so she could return it. The hostel was a 5 minute drive by car and 15 minute walk on foot. She locked the place after her carefully and started walking. She hadn't gone far when someone called her name.

She was frozen at her place when someone called her. It was no one other Jaden, she and Jaden they weren't exactly friends. In fact she wanted to keep him as far away from her as she possibly could. Yet he never got the hint and kept hitting back at her no matter how many times she tried to explain to him that she had no feelings for him or that she wasn't interested in going out with him. She had turned him down very politely multiple times. He was outrageous and bold going around telling people that she had feelings for him and wanted to go out with him which wasn't true at all.Trying to kiss her when she told him to stay far He wasn't exactly the kind of guy she liked. Jumping from girls to girls and than discarding them like trash when they were of no more use to him.He had no respect for the people around him , for him his money and things that it can bring was more important. Flaunting the money and the power that he possessed , he thought money was everything.

Sophie kept on walking and hoped to avoid him tonight too. It was better to diffuse the situation calmly because she knew that it was just him and her here. No one who would stop and help her in situation arises . "Wait-" He called after her as he came running to her side and started walking with her. A sense of irritation rose in her but she suppressed it.

" What are you doing here?" she asked trying to keep the edge away from her voice.

"I knew you were walking home tonight so I decided to accompany you."She scoffed. Walking home all by herself was better than being accompanied by this rich jerk .

"It's not an issue at all.I can home all by myself so you don't need to accompany me. I know how busy you are?" She tried to be smart in the situation and than she started walking away from him.Hoping he didn't follow her but he did follow her.He forcefully grabbed her by her arm and brought her to a halt before she could take another step. "What the hell are you doing?"She asked annoyed and angry at his bold move.

"Who the hell are you to reject my advances? You think you are so special huh?"

"Let Go of me this instance."

"What will you do ?Cry?Scream for help?" He was mocking her and trying to intimidate her because he knew he was way stronger than her.

"I said let me go this instance or you will regret it." She screamed in fury. Her voice wavered and her eyes were teary.She was left in a fit of cough and breathlessness.

"You must listen to the lady and let her go this instance." A powerful voice had them both stopping at their tracks. The voice had boomed even in through the dark night.She was harshly pushed aside and hit the ground , scrapping her hands and legs in the process. A painful cry left her lips involuntarily. Jaden stood over her and didn't try to pick her back to to her feet.

"Are you okay?" It was the stranger who had dared to step up and lean his hand toward her. That voice almost looked similar to someone she had previously had a conversation with. "I am fine.No damage done." She had denied his assistance and tried to help herself up but almost collapsed back due to the intense pain that shoot through her ankle. She was almost on the verge of crying. It was just too embarrassing and a part of her felt helpless.

"Hey! Calm down and try to relax. I think you twisted your ankle." He had to console her, he knew how frightened she looked. It reminded him of a meek kitten. When he sat down and came to her level her eyes have gone wide because she recognized him.

"Sorry Aaron I didn't recognize you." She whispered as he inspected her ankle.He just smiled and looked at her injured ankle that was a bit swollen and when he asked her she agreed that it throbbed badly. There was redness surrounding her injured area.

"Can you walk?" He asked her.

"I can try." She didn't want his help so she tried to stand properly , however it proved to be a lot more painful and she grabbed onto his arm out of desperation to stay upright and not fall down on the road. He let her lean on him and did n't say a single word out of protest of how painfully tight her grip was . Walking was an impossible task even with one leg and hopping onto her injured one.

"Please let me help you." He was kind enough to request. He carried her on his back .At first she didn't want to since they were basically strangers but when he insisted she reluctantly agreed. He wrapped her legs around his waist and let her wrap her arms around his neck loose enough not to choke him. They walked slowly , neither saying a single words. Onlookers would have thought of the two as a couple. "So where do you live?"

"Why?" She had asked him scared of his strange question. Why he needed her home address? He had chuckled how baffled she was from his question. This had made her lower her head with her lips almost touching the back of his head. Her cheeks had a red blush coated on it due to how stupid and terrified she looked.

"I f you want to stay here all day. I am perfectly okay with that I can carry you anywhere but you need to go home too." She knew he was teasing her.

"Sorry I was distracted." She exclaimed.

"No it's fine.I apologize for making you uncomfortable with my question."

"No No it's just that I am shaken from my previous encounter. Thank you for helping me out. I really appreciate you standing up for me."

"Was he your boyfriend? I am just curious because if he is you need to break up and stay far away from him. If you want we can go and report him I will go with you .Guys like him are dangerous so you must stay far away from him and if you need my help I am willing to help you and go to police station with you" A warm feeling spread in her stomach. He wasn't aware how kind and protective he sounded. This almost brought tears to her eyes, her worries were worn away instantly .This was the most comforting words she had received after a long time. It took everything in her not to cry.

"Thank you." That was the only words she could say.

"So this is your final stop." He announced as they neared her place.Thankfully Isabella was back and rushed down to see her. When Aaron told her what happened she looked both ready to murder Jaden and worried for Sophie. She was thankful for Aaron's help and how he scared Jaden away.

"Let me talk to him for a second." She whispered to her roommate. Who nodded her head and went inside.

She remembered the pen he forgot at the restaurant and took it out of her pocket and gave it to him. "I am really grateful to you for what you did for me today. I apologies if you had to waste your time. Please let me make it up to you. How about I treat you to lunch whenever you are up to it? She hoped he agree. Butterflies fluttered in her belly due to the nervous wreck she was.

"Fine- but you should let me pay for the drinks at least."

They agreed to meet tomorrow. One meeting turned into another and than another. Soon they realized that they were more than just friends and were two people who utterly and wholly completed each other.

"They were meant for each other but for a very short time span only."

Present :

Lorenzo came down that morning feeling no emotions. The day was hard since he knew tomorrow was a very special day for him and he couldn't wait for the day to be over. When he came down he saw Christian hunched over the table and busy typing away on the computer. The rest of the members were engrossed in their work too. But what made him angry was the new recruit who looked so smug as he sat on the top of his desk , his legs were folded and he was engrossed in conversation with two others. Engrossed enough not to notice Lorenzo's presence.He tapped him lightly on his shoulder, the two others quickly scattered to find protection behind their former places. He turned around and a sickening crunch was heard throughout the place. Lorenzo had punched his square on the face. Blood flowed like a water fountain, down his nose staining his shirt's collar and his mouth. Christian winced at his place. Lorenzo was cruel with others he was aware of it and he hoped that he didn't do the same with the new guy as he was notorious for doing with others. However Lorenzo just walked out , leaving the new guy laying on the ground. It was Nika who after she was confirmed that Lorenzo wasn't coming back came forward to help him. She helped him off the floor and sat him down on one of the chairs. Telling Christian to bring ice to help stop the bleeding. Although Christian was her senior but the way she glared at him when he refused to leave his place and protest , it had him instantly shut up and do as she said.

"Woman." He muttered and cursed under his breath. He wished Nika was as attentive and kind towards his as she was toward that new dude, she barely noticed his existence or maybe she avoided him and it got on his nerves. He secretly wished that Lorenzo had punched him twice , one on his behalf too this would have made him so pleased because Jaden totally deserved it. 

Note:-

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