The library doors swung open as Elena burst into the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. The moment the secretary mentioned someone waiting for her, she had a feeling a certainty deep in her gut that it was Aiden. Her feet moved on their own, carrying her swiftly through the busy halls of Kingston University.
Aiden.
Her mind raced with thoughts of him. He was the one person who had always been there for her, the one who knew her better than anyone else. Through the chaos of exams and the tension of recent events, Aiden was her hope.
As she hurried toward the main gate, students turned to look at her, surprised by her urgency. Elena paid no attention. Her heart was a mix of anticipation and nervousness. She hadn’t seen him in months, and the thought of his familiar, comforting presence made her chest tighten with emotion.
She stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, her eyes scanning the area. And there he was.
Aiden stood by the gate, casually leaning against his car with a confident posture. His warm smile lit up his face the moment he saw her, and Elena felt a wave of relief wash over her. He looked the same calm, assured, and just as she remembered.
Without thinking, Elena broke into a run. She didn’t care who was watching or what they might think. All that mattered was reaching him.
“Aiden!” she called out, her voice trembling with emotion.
Aiden opened his arms wide, his grin widening as she threw herself into his embrace. He caught her effortlessly, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
“Elena,” he said softly, his voice filled with warmth. “It’s been too long.”
She couldn’t hold back her tears. “You’re here,” she whispered, her face buried in his shoulder.
“I’m here,” he replied, his tone reassuring. “I missed you, El.”
Aiden pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “You’ve been working too hard,” he teased, his hands still resting on her shoulders. “I can see it on your face.”
Elena laughed through her tears, wiping her eyes quickly. “Don’t start,” she said, her voice shaking with a mixture of laughter and emotion. “I already have enough people telling me that.”
From a distance, Gabriel and Andrew watched the scene unfold, their expressions unreadable. Gabriel’s jaw tightened as he saw Elena so openly vulnerable with someone else. The way she ran to this stranger, the way she hugged him so tightly it left a sour feeling in his chest.
“Aiden?” Gabriel muttered, his voice laced with irritation.
Andrew crossed his arms, tilting his head. “No idea,” he replied, though his tone was just as tense. “But whoever he is, Elena seems pretty close to him.”
“Too close,” Gabriel snapped, his frustration evident.
The two of them continued to watch as Aiden and Elena talked, their easy familiarity clear in every gesture and laugh. Gabriel’s fists clenched at his sides. He couldn’t remember a time when Elena had looked so carefree and happy.
Meanwhile, Adrian stood near the university entrance, his sharp eyes narrowing as he observed the interaction. His secretary, Harvey, was speaking to him about an upcoming meeting, but Adrian wasn’t listening. His attention was solely on Elena and the man she was with.
“Boss?” Harvey prompted, trying to regain his boss’s attention.
Adrian waved him off. “Later,” he said curtly, his voice cold.
Harvey followed his gaze and smiled slightly. “Ah, young love,” he commented lightly.
Adrian shot him a glare that silenced any further remarks. His jaw tightened as he watched Aiden lift Elena’s bag from her shoulder, carrying it for her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Elena seemed completely at ease, her face glowing as she laughed at something Aiden said. Adrian’s chest tightened with an unfamiliar emotion-jealousy.
“Let’s go,” he said abruptly, turning on his heel and walking away. Harvey hurried to keep up, casting one last glance at the scene.
Back by the gate, Aiden placed his hands on Elena’s shoulders and looked at her seriously. “You’re pushing yourself too hard again, aren’t you?”
Elena sighed, her smile fading slightly. “It’s the exams,” she admitted. “Everyone’s stressed. It’s not just me.”
Aiden frowned, clearly not convinced. “You’re not like everyone else, Elena. You always take on more than you should. Who’s looking out for you?”
His words hit a nerve, and Elena looked down, unable to meet his gaze. “I’m fine, Aiden,” she said softly.
“You don’t have to be fine all the time,” he replied firmly. “That’s why I’m here.”
Elena’s heart swelled with gratitude. Aiden had always known exactly what to say, exactly what she needed. She smiled up at him, her eyes shining.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Aiden smiled back, ruffling her hair in the way he always did. “Come on,” he said, gesturing toward his car. “Let’s get you something to eat. You look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days.”
Elena laughed, the sound light and genuine. “You’re impossible,” she said, but she followed him toward the car, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.
From their vantage point, Gabriel and Andrew watched as Aiden opened the car door for Elena, helping her inside before getting in himself.
“This is ridiculous,” Gabriel muttered, his frustration boiling over.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Jealous much?”
Gabriel shot him a glare. “Stay out of it.”
Andrew smirked but didn’t press further. Still, he couldn’t deny the pang of curiosity-and maybe a little jealousy that he felt watching Elena drive away with someone else.
As the car disappeared down the road, Gabriel clenched his fists, his mind racing. Whoever this Aiden guy was, he clearly had a special place in Elena’s life. And Gabriel wasn’t sure he liked that.