Aiden's apartment building was a mere few blocks from mine. But those few blocks made a difference to our living conditions. I stared up at the complex and marvelled at its luxury. Desmond earned a nice figure week to week. But this was another level of comfortable living. Even more so when I read the list of buzzers beside the door and saw that he was in the penthouse on the top floor. The view must have been exquisite. He would have paid for it too.

I touched the button but paused, biting down on my lip as I glanced over my shoulder at the quiet street behind me. The water was close, so close and the road was more sand than asphalt and aside from a few people walking their dogs or driving past, there wasn't a lot going on. Still, I knew that this wasn't a good idea. I could feel the ache and pain of sore ribs and bruised shins already. But I had come this far, so I figured that I might as well just get it over with.

My finger tapped the button and I recoiled with lightening fast speed, wiping my hand on my pants as if I could reverse the action. My heart hammered so loud that I took a deep breath, attempting to settle down as a voice came through the speaker box.

"Can I help?"

"Uh," I leaned forward and cleared my throat, clutching my handbag close to me. "Look— I'm looking for Mr Em— Aiden Emerson. I uh, have someth— I have his wallet from dinne— he left it at Stella Pines."

"Pardon?"

I blushed and internally scolded myself for being such a babbling mess. I closed my eyes and focused. "I have Aiden's wallet. He left it at Stella Pines. Where I work."

"Hang on a minute."

I began to shiver. My lip trembled but it wasn't because I was cold. It was more to do with the fact that I was incredibly nervous. I wasn't sure what possessed me to be so impulsive. I was never this careless. But the curiosity got the best of me and undoubtedly, there was something so damn fascinating about this man. What it was, I couldn't put a finger on.

"Come on up," the voice spoke after a short few minutes and the door clicked unlocked, allowing me to push the glass doors open.

The floor was pristine marble tiles with a subtle shimmer in the detailing. The sound of running water came from the middle of the lobby where a fountain sat. Aesthetic with sharp corners and finished with a black that was gloss due to its constant falling stream. The reception was closed for the night so I wandered past and pressed the button for the elevator.

The numbers blinked at a speed faster than I anticipated. I was hoping that it would be slower so that I would have more time to calm the nerves that were causing an upset in my stomach. But alas, the doors opened and I stepped into what appeared to be a small foyer.

A glass table with a few frames sat to the right and in the left corner was a coat stand. Lastly, the friend that Aiden had dined with at his birthday stood in waiting with little to no expression apart from a polite nod of acknowledgement. "Arian," he gestured for me to follow him so I toed off my boots and scurried across the threshold, on to the soft plush carpet of the corridor.

"I'm Arian," I caught up with him in time to see a look of mild amusement on his face.

"Mhmm, I know. I just referred to you as such."

"I was thinking that you might have followed up with your name," I lightly chuckled despite the fact that I was still humming with nerves.

He stopped beside the entrance to an immaculate living area and gestured for me to go ahead. "I'm Hunapo. Po if we're friends."

"Oh that's so unusual," I marvelled at his curious name. "But it's beautiful. I love it. Where does it originate?"

His brows pulled together and slowly, his lips formed into a small smile. "It's African. My family came here from Nigeria before I was born."

"Oh cool! Well, it's lovely."

"Thanks."

I smiled with a slight nod and moved further into the living room. A blood red rug sat under a glass coffee table. A dark grey corner sofa looked comfortable enough to sleep on and throughout the rest of the modern room, the colour schemes remained the same. Simple but tasteful art hung from the walls. A book shelf reached from floor to ceiling and was arranged in an appealing manner. I did a slow twirl and took it all in.

Footsteps padded on the carpeted stair case in the corridor and I glanced over to find Aiden sauntering down with a curious smile. He wore a pair of black sweat pants and a white t-shirt. A far more causal outfit than I was used to seeing him in. His hair was damp, the brown strands sticking to his forehead in a unkempt beautiful mess.

"Arian," he said, tapping the banister as he stepped on to the floor and slipped his hands into his pockets, emerging from the dark passage. "Po said that you brought my wallet back?"

"Oh," I quickly dropped my handbag down from my shoulder and reached into it, retrieving the wallet. "Yeah, I found it at work on the floor."

He took it from my hands and I ignored the jump in my heart as his fingertips grazed mine. He didn't even bother checking that nothing had been taken. He dropped it on to his coffee table and glanced past me. "Thanks Po. You can go."

I didn't turn around but I listened as Po left. When it was just the two of us, I exhaled a deep breath and smiled, still nervous but inexplicably glued in place. What was it that was so captivating about this man?

"I should go," I jabbed a thumb behind me. "It's late. I just wanted to make sure that you got your wallet."

"Stella Pines should be grateful for such an attentive employee," he teased with a small smile. "Tip?"

"No!" I shook my head and waved him off as he reached for his wallet. "Please don't. I'm just going to go."

"Can I show you something?"

I paused as I turned and fixed him with a curious stare. "Uh, what is it?"

"It's upstairs," he pointed at the ceiling. "And I'm also aware of how I sound like I'm attempting to lure you into trap," we both laughed and he gave me a sheepish smile. "You don't have to."

I peered at the abstract clock on the wall and felt panic flare, realising that I had half n hour to get home. I was planning to walk because it wouldn't take long but I swallowed and nodded, deciding that I would just get another cab. "Sure. I can take a quick look."

He led the way and I followed him into the hall and up the stair case which changed directions at the middle platform. On the second floor was a corridor with a few doors that I assumed led to bedrooms, bathrooms and whatnot. At the end of the hall, there was a sharp turn and another narrow stair case with a door at the top. It was a little mysterious but I didn't overthink it and followed him as he stepped through the door and I felt the night air before I realised that it was rooftop access.

"Dio mio," I murmured as I walked in awe, admiring the most beautiful rooftop garden that I had ever seen.

Aiden smiled down at me. "Ti Piace?"

I recoiled and stared at him with a mild infatuation. "I actually don't speak Italian. I just know the one phrase from an advert that was on when I was a kid."

He laughed but nodded with understanding and moved further into the garden. In the middle of the space was a gazebo with twinkling lights cascading from its roof and winding down its frame. There was an amazing barbecue and outdoor seating area with soft seats and a furnace. Plants, flower beds and trees brightened the night with vibrant colours and I wandered through, mesmerised at how beautiful it was.

"My mother did this," Aiden said as we reached the edge of the roof. I leaned against the wall which came just above my hips. I smiled, watching the vast open space below us. The stars met the sea on the horizon, the water lapping out and reaching for the glowing dots that littered the black. "She's into architecture and landscaping. All of that. She hated that this space wasn't being used to it's full potential. So I told her to have at it."

"She did an incredible job," I told him, inhaling the fresh air. "I won't lie. I'm a little jealous."

"You can use this rooftop whenever you want."

I turned and glanced up at him with furrowed brows. His expression remained genuine as the light breeze tousled his locks and the moonlight illuminated his caramel complexion.

"It doesn't get used as often as it should," he confessed, folding his arms across his chest. "You can come here to think, read, watch, whatever. I don't mind."

"That's— that's generous," I murmured.

His lip twitched upwards with the hint of a smile and while he was watching me, I was admiring that green gaze that was so breathtaking, I couldn't even pretend that I wasn't absorbed in his presence. In his emerald orbs, I could see the reflection of the moon behind us and it made his enchanting stare all the more magical.

The moment was disturbed at the sound of the rooftop door opening and Aiden turned his head to see who it was. The noise had made me jump but he didn't seem to notice as he raised a brow at Po in question.

"Sorry. We've got a situation."

The two engaged in some sort of non verbal communication and the more seconds that passed, the more rigid and tense Aiden became. I watched his sharp jawline twitching, his gaze narrowed and his shoulders were a little more staunch. He gave his head a slight nod and exhaled a breath. "I'll be there in a few."

Po turned and left again as Aiden gave me his attention. He seemed less relaxed than he did earlier but his smile could have melted butter regardless. "Sorry Arian. I—"

"It's fine! I should get home. It's late," I sighed with one last glance at the views below me. The truth was, I could have spent hours in this garden.

His hand shot up and I saw it from the corner of my eye before I flinched and recoiled. It was fast, but I realised that he was just running a hand through his hair. He gave me a puzzled stare as I attempted to remain casual. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I nodded, brushing off his concern. I was embarrassed for reacting like that so I swallowed and started back across the garden. "I'm just tired. Ya know? I guess I should get going. But thanks for showing me this place Aiden. It's perfect."

He reached around me for the door handle and pulled it open so that I could walk through first. "I meant what I said earlier. You can come here whenever you want."

I gave him a small but convincing smile as I stepped inside. If only it was that simple. I peered over my shoulder with longing once last time before the door shut behind us. The desire to come back and use such a gorgeous place as an escape was brimming. But as it was, I was taking a big risk being here now.

"Thanks Aiden," I said as we wandered through the house. "You have a beautiful home by the way. I didn't realise repossession companies were so lucrative."

He chuckled, his arm brushed mine as he walked alongside me and I felt that familiar breathtaking tingle once again. It was clear that I needed to forcibly refrain from getting too close to him. Despite the number of conversations that we'd had, he was essentially still a stranger and it scared me to know that he had that sort of impact on my senses.

He pressed the elevator button and smiled as I clutched my handbag and felt the pitter patter in my chest. He was so good looking that I felt inadequate in his presence. He reached out and I flinched again, it was less noticeable this time but I wasn't able to relax because he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, his brows furrowing at his own actions.

"I hope this isn't too forward," he murmured, almost appearing to be lost in thought. "But you're beautiful. So, so beautiful."

My breath hitched, getting caught in my throat as I stared at him in awe. The thin layer of tinted moisturiser that I was wearing would have come off hours ago. My hair needed to be washed and I wasn't feeling all that stunning. But he regarded me with nothing but admiration as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head. "That was inappropriate. You're—"

"it's fine —"

"You're married and—"

"Aiden," I interrupted with a flattered smile. "It's not a problem. It's a compliment. More so coming from you."

His brows pulled together and he smiled, catching the subtle compliment. It was a win for both of us. Personally, I hadn't been so smooth with another person in the longest time. It made me grin as I spun around and stepped into the elevator, pressing the floor button.

The doors began to close as he stood tall and strong, watching me with amusement. "Bye Aiden," I waved as his frame was gone and all I could see was my reflection in the steel in front of me.

____

I'd made it home with about two minutes to spare. But I breathed a sigh of relief when I found Desmond with one of his colleagues at the front door. It seemed that the man was leaving and I hoped that he was taking a cab because I could smell the alcohol from the end of the corridor.

"Thanks for the night cap Des," the larger man shook his hand and gave me a brief nod as I slipped past them and into the apartment.

Desmond was all smiles as he waved him off and thanked him for stopping in. I tuned them both out as I stopped beside the hall table and dropped my bag, assessing myself in the mirror. I used to think that I was beautiful. I was blessed with clear skin and a unique eye colour. An almost golden brown with hues of green. But after listening to Desmond point out all of the things that were wrong with me, I couldn't help but come to notice the flaws more prominently than I ever had before.

But when I remembered Aiden's words, my stomach did an abundance of somersaults and I couldn't help but smile. It had been such a long time since I'd seen that kind of elation staring back at me in the mirror.

Unfortunately, the good feeling was soon smashed at the sound of the door slamming. I glanced to the left and saw Desmond leaning against it in a defeated stance. "I lost — the Timmons case," he murmured with unmistakable anger.

Panic and trepidation soon seized me. I swallowed and considered what options I had. I could turn around and tip toe to our bedroom in the hopes that he'd deal with this alone. Or I could comfort him and hope that he doesn't take the anger out on me. Before I had a chance to decide, he slowly turned around, his gaze darting about as he clenched his jaw.

"I'm sorry honey," I said. "Are you okay?"

"What do you fucking think," he spat. "This was a huge fucking case. Defence screwed with our evidence. No doubt William's sucking that fat judges dick too."

I winced with disgust but quickly smoothed my expression as he fixed his harsh blue stare at me. "Where have you been?"

"I've been at work."

He scoffed but walked towards me and gripped my hand. The stench of hard liquor hit me as he ordered me about with hostility. "I want to fûck. Now."

"Des, no," I pulled my arm out of his hold and backed into the living room as he stared at me with rage. "You've been drinking and I'm tir—"

A violent back handed slap that put me on the floor, silenced me. His knuckles were loud and sharp against my cheek bone. The pain was almost unbearable but I didn't have a lot of time for it to register before I was being pulled up by a fist full of hair.

"When I ask for something," he shouted, saliva showering me as he repeatedly slammed my head into the wall. "Do as you are fucking told!"

He wrapped his hand around my throat and threw me to the side so that I landed in a heap on the floor. There wasn't a lot that I could do to stop him from kicking me in the back, legs and shoulders, over and over again. All I could do was remember that this was better than having to let him touch me in an intimate way, especially when he was already angry.

I was aware of his shouting, his anger and screaming as he knelt beside me and hit me, his fists landing vicious blows in my stomach. Tears soaked my face but I kept as quiet as I could and begged for slumber to take me. When the pain was bad enough, I would pass out. It was the saving grace in this situation and I held back the heaving that threatened to have me vomiting.