Chapter Eleven

Kenna

''Sixty-five thousand dollars?!'' I exclaim before turning to look at Aidan who seems slightly surprised at my sudden outburst while my mother and Diana are discussing with our wedding planner but has turned to look at me, causing him to cup onto my mouth.

He smiles at them as he pulls me towards the back of the wall and instantly making me push his hand away before trying to control my voice without causing a scene, ''I changed my mind and I don't want to have a wedding here, anymore. Sixty-five thousand dollars is a huge deal for me . . . Aidan, and you know that more than anyone else,'' I say, frowning.

''Well, your list was filled with expensive venues and you expect otherwise?'' He raises an eyebrow, leaving me speechless. ''You knew about the price of renting the public library. At least fifty thousand dollars and you didn't say anything about it earlier?'' Both of his brown eyes are looking back at me with slight justice, knowing I was too excited to notice the price.

I stutter, ''Maybe . . . I didn't realise how expensive it was fifteen minutes ago. Now, I really just want to get the hell out of here and find somewhere else to held the wedding.''

Honestly, I've forgotten about how badly mad I am in trying to keep things at bay especially when it comes to spending money. Ever since my family went through a terrible experience with the company, I was too scared and probably in vain on spending money carelessly.

Yes, it's not going to be a problem for Aidan because it would not affect him, financially. Both of our parents are currently successful in their business and spending sixty-five thousand dollars on renting a venue for the wedding would not even be an issue for them. No matter how hard they will try to persuade me on agreeing, I'd still feel a slight regret.

''No, we're going to have the wedding here and that's final. Kenna, just try to really be open about this and just tell me what the hell you want. This is me, trying to repay you for helping me in this and I want you to know how sincere I am,'' He replies, ''The ring, the dresses, the wedding plans, just please don't hesitate to go through with it. Don't bother about the prices,''

''You know why I'm like this,'' I mutter.

''I know and I want you stop being like this. It's not because I want you to carelessly spend money on unnecessary things but I want you to plan the wedding to your heart's content. Don't hold yourself back because of the price or how badly you think it might burn a hole in my pocket because this is going to be your day,'' He grabs onto my hand, ''It's not going to last forever but at least it's going to be a part of our friendship,'' He adds.

That's the thing. Spending a lot of money on something that wouldn't last for more than a year has made me question it, endlessly. What's the whole point on renting a public library? If, the whole marriage isn't going to last nor will it be a huge part of our lives—just to help him go through the phase . . . of his mother's undeniably request.

''Is everything alright?'' We both turn to look at my mother who seems worried. She raises an eyebrow at me before smiling, ''The public library is available to rent for your wedding. You can start planning the decorations in a few days,'' She continues to speak.

''I'll go and settle the bill,'' Aidan says, caressing the side of my cheek with the back of his hand before making his way towards our wedding planner, Marie. My eyes wander back to my mother who seems a little bit confused yet she stays quiet, noticing that the venue is bothering me to a point, I can't even come to accept it.

''I know what you're thinking but your father and I are doing very well for the past years. What happened when you were little was very terrible but we've been fine and we will, too for the years to come. Ever since your father joined with Marc, he has never complained about any financial problems. You should worry less, sweetheart.'' She rubs onto my arm.

Marc Ashton, the man behind it all and also Aidan's father. He was the one who helped bring my parents' business back up on track when they were slowly going bankrupt. Everything has been going on well very and I can't seem to deny that but for some reason, I'm just too traumatic about it on ever happening again.

It's not the money that I'm worry about but the worries in my parents' faces. They were really devastated about it and it was killing me—as a child, for not being able to help them. They were arguing more and more every single day, affected me, too and they wouldn't even stop talking about how much money they were losing with every passing minute.

It happened because of a traitor. One traitor in the company who had sell the company's share and ruined it all.

''I'm just worried, mum.'' My voice came out as a whisper, ''If it ever happen again, I don't know if I'm able to cope—I'd do anything to help and this is me helping,'' I furrow my brows.

''No. This is you, worrying. You're worried about the possibilities of the future but honey, the possibilities of it ever happening again is something you should never worry about. Your father and I realised the mistake we both made—it was also our fault on trusting the wrong man to handle the company's money.'' She breathes out, ''Believe me . . . we'll be okay,''

Both of my parents wanted me to become a businesswoman. Other than being a heiress to their business, they also wanted me to have one my own while taking care of theirs when they think it'd be the right time. Unfortunately, it was my part to disappoint them on becoming a doctor—it has always been in me, to help others.

Apart from that, I've never liked business. I hated the fact of trying to deal with other clients or companies in order to achieve something bigger.

At first, my father was too upset about it but my mother supported me the whole way. When he was busy saying how he wanted me to become a businesswoman and to take over the company when it's time . . . mother was only encouraging me to take the path I want to take. He disapproved when I applied for medical school but Aidan helped to convince him.

Aidan's university was close to mine and he had listed the pros and cons of me going to medical school—apparently, the con was one. The pros were mostly because I was closer to him and that he'd be able to look out for me; my father trusted him more than anyone else and especially after his father had helped him through his worst.

''The bill's settled. What's next?'' Aidan smiles as he stops near my mother and I, Diana trailing behind him.

As my mother walks ahead with Diana, Aidan tries to follow them but I hold him back by grabbing onto his forearm—causing him to turn and look at me. Both of my eyes meet his, trying to figure out words to say but nothing came out; leaving me staring back at him in silence.

''I'm sorry,'' I mutter under my breath as my lips curve up into a small smile, letting him smile back at me. ''You're right. Maybe, I'm just overthinking or too paranoid about it but I should let it go. It felt as if something bad is going to happen again and I wanted to avoid that as much as I can . . . that's why I hesitated,'' I add, slowly.

He clenches his jaw as he sighs, ''You don't have to apologise for anything. I understand if you felt pressured about it. In fact, we can still cancel the booking—'' He continues to speak but I stop him by pressing harder onto his hand, causing him to raise an eyebrow at me.

''No. I want to have our wedding here,'' I cut him off.

Just as he's about to say something, Diana has already called for us to walk ahead—knowing we don't have much time left until lunch. Then, Aidan will be heading towards the office for his meetings.

It didn't take us long to arrive at the next destination which is to discuss about the caterers because Diana didn't choose the caterers yet—she told us, it'd be best if we get to choose them according to our own taste than hers. Well, I'm not going to blame in her any point of that, I love food and there can never be too much of it.

''What about dessert?'' Diana asks, looking at us before glancing down at the menu again.

''A chocolate fountain would be great with marshmallows and even fruits,'' Aidan replies, pointing at the picture as our wedding planner starts to take note of our dislikes and likes. He continues to speak while I roll my eyes, ''Maybe, two chocolate fountains.'' He adds.

''You don't even eat sugar,'' I raise an eyebrow.

''Nonsense. I do eat sugar from time to time,'' He starts to chuckle, shaking his head as he looks down at the menu again which causes me to cross my arms. Both of my eyes are staring directly at him with a sly smirk appearing on my face as he gazes back.

''Oh! Like when we were out fulfilling my monthly cravings, you'd be rejecting my offer on buying you cupcakes or chocolates of your own because you said it would ruin your diet. Now, you're telling me that it's nonsense?'' I lean forward from my seat, purposely flipping the pages.

He scoffs, ''You don't even eat chocolate.''

''That's my point! You're requesting for a chocolate fountain even if you know how much I can't eat chocolate because my skin reacts badly to it,'' I reply. ''No, wait. You're requesting for two chocolate fountains. Chocolate fountains with chocolate dripping down from it every single passing second while I walk around the hall, staring back at it.''

''Then? We can't have cupcakes,'' He leans forward, mimicking my actions.

''Why not? You're the one who won't eat cupcakes even if someone shove it down your throat. Besides, you're probably not going to eat anything at our wedding day because apparently, most of the food there would 'ruin' your diet.'' I fire back, smirking.

His eyes widen, ''That's a lie. You don't need to keep on saying how I won't eat certain food because it'll ruin my diet because I know pretty much everything about how my diet goes. You don't need to remind me about it or about anything. I'm sure you'd hate it if I keep on reminding you that you can't eat chocolate even if you want to because of your skin's reaction,'' He adds.

''Well, I'm sorry for not being born with perfect skin!'' I exclaim.

He clenches his jaw, ''I didn't mean it that way. Why are we even fighting about your skin? We're discussing about desserts with our mothers and Marie—this isn't a dermatologist talk.''

Without us realising, we're already eye to eye as the room grows silence from our sudden argument. Both my mother and Diana are staring at us while Marie remains quiet as she holds onto her tablet—eyeing Aidan and I. My eyes wander around the room to find a few couples are looking back at us, causing me to lean back and clear my throat.

Aidan and I chuckle, ''Couple's fight.''

We didn't start another argument and we agreed to almost everything that Marie had planned out for us due to my dislike of chocolate and his disinterest in cupcakes. Both of us seem to have forgotten about our current 'status' as we were busy arguing like we always do, the perks of being best friends for so long.

The five of us walk out of the bakery as Aidan glances down at his wrist watch, looking at the time as mother and Diana are discussing a place to have lunch.

''It looks like I have to go,'' Aidan says, looking up at our mothers.

''I thought you said, after lunch?'' Diana asks, her son who seems slightly impatient to get into the car and drive away as he keeps on glancing down at his wrist watch.

''I forgot about last night's work. Flynn has been calling me for the past thirty minutes but my phone was on silent. I'm sorry but I really have to go,'' He pulls Diana in for a hug, ''Is there anything else that we need to discuss?'' He asks, glancing at me before glancing at Diana and my mother—waiting for their answers.

Marie looks down at her schedule, ''No. Not with you,''

''What does that supposed to mean?'' He asks.

''What Marie means is that . . . you will not be needed for the next discussion. Actually, it's not even up for discussion as it only involves us women.'' Diana replies, smiling at Marie.

Aidan nods his head before turning to look at me, ''I'm out, then. Call me if you need anything and here's my credit card. Use it to buy your wedding dress or other necessary things for the wedding,'' He hands me his credit card, slightly touching my hand as I receive it.

Just as he starts to walk away towards his car, ''Are you guys still arguing about dessert?'' Diana asks, stopping him in his steps—turning back to look at us.

''Of course, not.'' He shoves both of his hands in his slacks' pockets, ''What makes you think that the argument was serious?'' He asks.

''Oh, you know . . . maybe because you didn't give Kenna a kiss but instead you gave her your credit card.'' She replies, pulling onto my mother's arm as they both walk away towards the other shop near the bakery—Marie trailing behind them, somehow giving us space.

Aidan and I gaze up at each other as he starts to make his way towards me, slowly lessening the distance between us; making me stand still at my exact spot. ''They're looking at us through the shop's window, aren't they?'' I ask, causing him to glance up at the shop's direction before chuckling and nodding his head, lightly.

''You know them so well,'' He breathes out.

Due to the differences of our heights, I am left looking up at him as he looks down at me. Both of his brown eyes are staring down into mine—leaving me realise how they're actually lighter than normally because of the sunlight shining brightly above our heads.

Our gaze are interrupted by the sudden sound coming from his phone, making him glance down at the screen before sighing. He clenches his jaw for awhile as he leans forward towards me, ''I'm going to kiss you, okay? They're watching,'' He whispers near my ear.

My lips curve up into a smile after chuckling, ''Go ahead. Knock yourself out,''

Within seconds, both of his hands go up to cup my face as his lips meet mine. Our lips move in sync—surprising me with the softness of his. He tilts his head to the side, in order for him to kiss me, easily before pulling himself back for a few seconds; his droopy eyes meeting mine.

He glances down at my lips before leaning in again for a couple of seconds. Then, I am left feeling the warmth of his hands radiating to my face as he starts to pull away; making me open my eyes at the sight of his lips turning into a darker yet pinkish colour.

''Have fun,'' He smiles.

''Drive safe.'' I reply as he starts to walk away, unlocking his car before entering. Then, he has already drove away—leaving me staring at the empty parking spot.

As I turn around, I am left looking at Diana and my mother exiting the shop with multiple shopping bags in their hands; making me furrow my brows before smiling. They both look up at me as their eyes wander around to look for something or more specifically, someone.

''He left, already?'' My mother asks.

''Yeah. Don't tell me you guys weren't practically staring at us?'' I raise an eyebrow as they both chuckle, entering the car—completely ignoring my question.

''Come on, dear. We have to find you the perfect wedding dress!'' Diana exclaims with excitement, seconds before I enter the car; leaving me wonder back to when I was a kid, talking about weddings with my old school friends. Mostly about our wedding dress and how we would end up meeting our prince charming.