Chapter 12

Aiden left to go take a long shower so Riley was alone and had no idea when she fell asleep.

she woke up to the loud noise of something falling" fuck " she panicked. all that was in her head was that they have come for her again. looking around panting, she began to calm down as she noticed the sitting room was empty " hhhh " she sighed in relief. suddenly she heard another sound. it was coming from the kitchen. she stood up and made her way to the kitchen.

she entered and saw Max busy. he looked like a professional chef and she could not stop the smile that appeared on her lips " hey " she called. he turned to look at her

" hey, " he smiled back " did I wake you up "

" it's ok, I shouldn't be sleeping too deep, who knows what will happen next "

" good you are awake because dinner is almost ready," he said.

she looked out the kitchen window and noticed it was dark. " it took longer to get ready " she said

" I had to go get some things in the supermarket"

" Did I sleep that long?" with curiosity in her tone

" I figured you were very tired " Riley didn't know she slept that long. she thought that it was just a short nap. one won't blame her, she was indeed very tired " you need a drink? "

" just water will do " she replied. she watches him open the fridge and brought out a plastic bottle of water then place it on the table

" here " he offered

" thank " she down on the nearest chair, stretch her hand reaching for the bottle of water

" so. how did you and Aiden meet " she asked as she opened the bottle of water and took a big gap from it

" long story short, he saved my life twice. he always shows up as a superhero and that was what drew me to him."

" I get that superhero part " she smiled, remembering the night he saved her " but what troubled were you in that you needed saving " she wanted the full story

" you know?, mafia stuff " he shrugged not taking his eyes off what he was doing " I use to be a technic guy for this mafia gang. life was great back then. until things got messed up. the gang made a big mistake by messing with this mafia lord and he came after us. I was at the point of death when Aiden showed up " he smiled at the memory " you want to know what I asked myself when I first saw him "

" what," she said with full interest

" How the fuck is he so damn good-looking," he said making Riley laugh

" hahaha, I feel you," she said in the middle of her laugh

" because I was badly injured he always came over to see me. that was before I moved here. you know, I didn't want him to get involved in my shit, I didn't want something to happen to him so I told him to stop, then he told me that the night he saved me, he already got involved and I was not recovered yet so he had to make sure that I am alright. what is the point of saving me if I still die " he explained " so, this went on for about a month. one day they came to my house, they found me. I thought I was going to die that day but like a miracle, the Lord told Aiden to come to visit and he saved me "

" like a superhero" she whispered

" Yeah. " smiling. Riley watched him as he set the table. at the centre of the table was a well-covered tray. Riley did not care to ask what was inside, she was interested in the story he was telling

" so "

" That was when I found out about his power and his age. he was 16 back then and since then he became me, cool little brother "

" you weren't scared of him, you know for his strange power " Max had an eyebrow raised in confusion

" why would I?"

" well I guess it's because he had self-control so he was able to save you," she said

" and what does that have to do with me being scared of him "

" well, he was able to prove to you that he was not a monster. I can't control myself, that is why people hate me " she said sadly

" let me guess. a 16 years old teenage girl who everyone hates, they call you weird, you have no friends, you haven't gotten your first kiss yet because you have never had a boyfriend and you think your life is miserable " she frowned at his words because it was almost accurate

" that is not it. they call me the witch not weird, I have hurt people severally because of my loss of control over this stupid power and I made things worst by killing my parents. they all fear me " she said angrily, she wasn't angry at him but at herself

" it was an accident, not your fault," Max said

" yes, it was. I remember very well " she said as the memory of her screaming in the car and causing the car to explode played in her head

" Riley " Max sat down " I can't say anything about that accident, but I can say that people hating you or being scared of you is not your fault

" maybe if I was able to prove to them that I wasn't a witch like the way Aiden proved to you, maybe they...."

" Aiden didn't prove anything to me " Max cut her off " you see the thing about proving is making the eye see what it can not see, but if the eyes don't want to see it then it is pointless. they already see you as a witch so no matter what you do nothing will change the way they look at you " he spoke calmly " Aiden told me you had a friend that likes you but her mom messed up

" Yeah " the thought of Valentine made her heartache

" did you have to prove anything to her before she became your friend," He asked and Riley shakes their head in response " exactly? and also there were probably people who wanted to get close to you but because you felt everyone hate you, you distance your self" Riley stared at him for a while, somehow his words made her feel a little bit better about herself, he's words were true

" where did you learn to advise like this," she asked and he shrugged

" my father " he replied before standing up to go back to his work

" he sounds cool " she complimented

" There is nothing cool about my father, you won't want to know him," he said

" why is that "

" don't ask him about his father " they were interrupted by that voice that made Riley's heart stop for a second. she turns to look at him and her eyes fell wide open in shock. Aiden was standing at the entrance, shirtless. his abs and perfect shoulders were on display, Riley could not take her eyes off him

" dude, what the hell, put a shirt on " Max yelled " you want to kill the poor girl " Riley looked away immediately after she heard that. she felt so embarrassed and she was blushing so hard

" your clothes are dirty," Aiden said

" great, you had to tell it to the world " Max rolled his eyes throwing his hands in the air " there is a bag under my bed, in it, you will find new fresh T-shirts," he said and watch Aiden leave " that guy is crazy " looking down at Riley who was still blushing and he gave her a smile that made her uncomfortable

" what?"

" Nothing," he said before going back to his work.

They were seated at the dining eating. for the first time, Riley was seeing Aiden in a T-shirt and it made him more attractive. he cut her staring at him severally and he smiled every time.

They talked about a lot of things but Aiden was quiet most of the time. he wasn't talkative like Max and Riley got along well with Max. this was the first time Riley was having a good time with people other than her family and Valentine. It gave her a feeling that she liked. Aiden on the other hand enjoyed watching her laugh, he was glad to see her happy