A week later.
We stepped out of the children’s clothing shop, where we had gotten a few new clothes and birthday outfits for Zion. Aaron wanted to get more, but I had to inform him we were dealing with Zion, who was still a few weeks away from turning five. Yes, his father was a millionaire with money to toss around as he pleased, but I didn’t want Zion to get used to having too much glamour in life at such a tender age. Besides, my salary, although good enough, could only go so far when compared to Aaron’s.
Today was a less busy day for me. Zion was with Diya, and my lectures ended in the early hours of the day. Just like we did last week, Aaron and I made plans for his upcoming birthday. Aaron’s dedication to me warmed my heart, and he stayed consistent in asking for my input on everything, even though I gave him the green light to plan the birthday. He had appreciated my opinion most days, but today it was a different case.
While Aaron set the shopping bags into the boot of the car, I opened the door and entered.
One of the few things I noticed about Aaron was that, despite having all the money in the world, he was still the one who drove himself around. It would have been a different case if he was as strong as the books and sites say an alpha werewolf would be. He isn’t as strong as he should be, according to Sesi. He was almost human, yet he didn’t look to protect himself from the danger that might arise by getting a bodyguard or security.
It can be seen as both recklessness and bravery. Either way, he didn’t mind.
“The lady was friendly. We could have bought the black pair of trousers,” he said as he entered the car and slammed the door.
I knew he would not let it rest. That’s not the way he did things. “The lady was friendly because she hoped you’d buy more. That’s what people who run businesses do. Friendliness is a game they play in the hope they get more from you.” I answered.
He started the car, and we drove off, heading back to my house. “But you never play such games with me,” he accused, and I stared at him with my mouth ajar.
“I am friendly.”
“You snapped at me three times at the store!” He reminded me, and I didn’t know someone was keeping scores on the number of times I said, ‘No, don’t get those; Zion doesn’t need them.’
There was a vast difference between being friendly and being enabling, and Aaron couldn’t tell them apart.
“Because you were going to throw money away and get Zion what he didn’t need.”
He shrugged. “Still, I would love it if you were nicer.”
“I am nice,” I answered again. I didn’t know why I felt like I had to prove I was, but being told I wasn’t nice wasn’t what I expected when I came along with him.
He scoffed, “Says you.”
“How about you don’t call me to accompany you next time you plan to get the whole clothing line?” I snapped at him, already fed up.
“See what I mean? You’re not nice.”
I glared at him. “So being nice means going along with your decision, even though it’s extravagant and careless with money?”
“Would that be too difficult?” he asked.
“Yes! Did you forget I am also his parent, and I earn salaries? Getting him expensive things he doesn’t need would only make him believe he can get anything and everything he wants, damning their price.” Zion was still too young to be exposed to that mentality; it wouldn’t help him in the long run.
He shrugged, his eyes fixed on the road. “Then I get him everything he wants. What’s the problem with that?”
“Because while you’re doing all that and becoming the cool parents who get things he doesn’t want, I become the parents that say, ‘No, you don’t need this’.”
“Then the problem is me?” he asked, glancing at me with furrowed brows.
I didn’t hesitate with my response. “Yes, it is. You’re the one wanting to get him a rainbow-coloured giraffe that costs four thousand!”
“Boys love them.” This was his only counterpoint in the argument.
“Boys love them, but Zion doesn’t need them. You won’t be here providing what he loves forever.” I didn’t mean to go there, but that was what I did, and I didn’t feel proud about it.
There was silence in the car as we drove towards the house. I couldn’t take the silence. Yes, Aaron was more annoying today than other days, but I would take his annoying words over his silence.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it that way.” I started. I didn’t want to be the proud one who wouldn’t apologise when they were wrong.
“What way?” he asked, his eyes holding little to no emotion on his face. He was good at hiding his genuine emotions, especially when hurt, and he was doing that now.
My eyes dropped. “Do not be like that. I do not want him to get used to a temporary provision.”
“You know I wouldn’t leave for the life beyond with what I have. They would be for my brothers, sister, and him, right? Unless, of course, you plan on disconnecting from them after I’m gone.”
“I don’t,” I mumbled.
“Then I don’t see the problem.” I stayed silent, and he continued, “Next time I shop for Zion, I’ll go alone.”
I do not know why this man has to be as stubborn as a mule. I glared at him again, but he didn’t look my way.
I guess going to the shop alone was his way of trying to avoid a fight, but this just made me angrier.
‘This isn’t about you, Zera; this is about what’s best for Zion. It’s his birthday, after all, and you gave the go-ahead to Aaron to plan it.’
That was right. This could very well be Aaron’s last birthday with Zion, and fighting wasn’t what we needed now.
The car came to a stop before my house, but neither of us opened the door or stepped out.
“Fine, next time you go shopping, it would be best to go alone,” I answered, and it stung my heart to say it.
He cocked a brow at me as if trying to read into my reactions. “And you won’t be mad?”
“If it means we will not have to fight over what to get, then it’s fine.”
“Oh, I didn’t think we would have this talk calmly, though.” He admitted.
“Sometimes fighting costs more.”
I said that and stepped out of the car to cross the road. It must have been the talk I had with him or the long rest I knew waited for me inside. But something made me forget to pay attention to the road before crossing. I realised my error only after stepping onto the road and seeing a car approaching at full speed.
I froze on the spot, unable to move, and my heart stopped beating. My breath hung in my throat, and my lashes shut tightly, knowing the car was nowhere near stopping. I knew I’d either be dead or in critical condition in the next few seconds.
I heard the car speed past, but I was still standing, breathing, and alive, wondering what had happened. My eyes cracked open, and I saw myself on the other side of the road and the car speeding far away, not bothering to stop. I gasped, and then I noticed an arm around me, holding me tightly, and a body pressed against mine as if we were one.
When my heartbeat returned, I pulled away to see Aaron standing before me.
I didn’t know how, but he had saved me from the speeding car that could have harmed me. Silly me had been furious at him for not seeing my view on things, and I recklessly placed my life in danger.
“You saved me,” I said in a low voice, my heart still hammering away in my chest.
“It won’t be fair for Zion to lose both parents within a short period.” He answered, a faint smile coming into his face.
I leaned in before I could help myself and kissed him on the lips, taking him by surprise. He kissed me back and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to him.
The kiss was meant to be short and light, but the touch of our lips pulled me in. The softness of his lips and the tenderness of his kiss made my heart flutter in its cage, and I couldn’t stop.
We pulled away after what seemed like forever, and I placed my head on his chest. “Thank you,” I said, panting.
“You’re welcome, love.”