Page 27

Aoi

“Aoi,” Jason’s deep voice snaps me out of my daydream. I notice his frown deepen as he stares at me.

“Sorry. I was lost in thought.” I shut my eyes, shaking my head.

He sighs and takes a sip of his red wine without breaking eye contact. “What’s so important for you to completely forget my presence?” he asks, a mist of annoyance lingering in his voice.

We sit at a table next to the floor to ceiling windows of a gorgeous penthouse restaurant. Whenever he invites me to dinner, we eat in expensive and shallow places. Sometimes I wonder whether he even knows me at all but then I feel guilty for doubting his genuine intentions.

“Nothing. Why are we suddenly having dinner?”

He sets his wine down on the table and crosses his arms over his chest, his demeanor shifting to one of sharp seriousness. The chandeliers and crimson carpets match his sophisticated charm but compared to the warm tones of the candles he’s akin to an ice sculpture.

“How long do you still intend to take care of the boy?” he asks, eyes burning a hole through my skull.

Exhaustion weights on me after such a long week spent working and studying for my courses while caring for Visha as well as I can. I’d be lying if I said I don’t have it hard now ever since I brought him in. Still, I love Visha, for no reason on Earth would I kick him out. Jason can bitch and moan about disliking him, and he can keep repeating how I did myself a huge disservice by taking him in, but I don’t care.

“How about moving on to something more interesting?”

Jason’s brows furrow. “No.”

I push my chair back. “Well too bad then because I’m leaving.”

I stand up and slide my arms through the sleeves of my jacket. It’s slowly getting warmer as spring blooms in Seattle.

I’m about to exit the bustling room when Jason grips my arm firmly, impeding me from leaving. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to start an argument. Trust me.”

Trust him? He lost that privilege three years ago as he fucked me then deceived me. I yank my arm out of his grasp and scoff. He lies through his teeth like it’s second nature, it’s as easy as greeting someone for him.

“You asked me out for a reason I presume? If it was all just to have a stupid dinner when you know I’m busy and have someone to go home to, then we can call it a day,” I rebuke, holding a hand up as he tries to interject. “And don’t you dare complain about Visha again.”

He huffs and brings his perfectly combed hair back. “Whatever I say you won’t listen,” he whispers, avoiding my fuming gaze.

I want to tell him that it’s not true, that I always listen to him and that he’s the only one I really trust, but I don’t. I’m too tired to defend myself.

“Get to the point. You have two minutes.” I slump, crossing my arms over my chest and press my lips into a thin line.

He gestures for me to sit but I can’t be bothered and remain where I stand, tapping my index finger against the outside of my bicep.

“I may have found out some information on the kid,” he baits me, knowing I’ll bite the hook.

He waits for me to sit before continuing, and since this concerns Visha, I need to know. Plopping back on the chair, I gesture at him to speak. A nonchalant smile curls at his lips as he leans forward and takes a long sip of his wine.

What an asshole. He knows how to play me, and I fall for it every time.

“He doesn’t have parents anymore. They died in a car accident when he was a kid,” he starts, circling around the point, edging me on. “So, he got sent to a foster home because his brother couldn’t afford to take care of him yet.”

“He has a brother?” Astonished, I blink hard. “And what do you mean by yet? He can now?”

Jason leans back, stretching his chest muscles as he crosses his arms. “He sure as hell can. The man is a French millionaire and the CEO of Lacroix corporation. You should be careful, Aoi.”

“Why?”

“He rose to power in less than five years. Ambition isn’t something he lacks. He’s young and has the drive to get whatever he sets his sights on.” He shrugs, behaving as though none of it matters to him. “You don’t know whether he’ll come looking for him and take him away.”

“Visha wouldn’t leave with someone he doesn’t know,” I mutter, perhaps trying to convince myself more than stating a fact.

“He’s done it before.”

I shake my head, brows creasing. “That was different. He needed help then but now he’s happy and comfortable. Why would he choose that man over me?”

“Family.”

A simple answer. Easy and true. Maybe that’s the source of my fear. That man is Visha’s blood, but me? I’m nothing .

“Are you saying that I’m not his family?” I blurt, sensing a tremble in my voice I somehow can’t conceal.

“I mean, are you?” He scoffs. “Did he ever insinuate that he sees you as a brother or a father? If you want to keep him by your side, adopt him or he’ll slip through your fingers.”

With narrowed eyes, I stiffen in my seat. “I thought you hated him. Why are you telling me to adopt him?”

“I’m not telling you to adopt him. But you won’t listen when I tell you to get rid of him,” he groans. “Might as well start supporting your decision. Don’t misunderstand, I still can’t stand that brat, and I never will, but I love you and I want you to be happy.”

He’s finally willing to be on my side and respect my choice. I can’t ask for more. Yet somehow a faint voice in my head begs me to shut my heart and run. Trust has only ever damaged me before.

“Thank you. Not just for your support but the info as well.” I pause, exhaling a shaky breath. “I want to adopt him. I think I’m ready now. I- I know how selfish I am for not wanting to contact Visha’s only living relative and hand him over but-”

He takes hold of my hand and caresses my knuckles with his thumb. “You’re not selfish. You raised that brat all by yourself, of course you’d want to keep him by your side.”

Fear and guilt swarm over me, messing with my train of thoughts. An obsessive question plagues my mind and despite the warning signs blaring through my head, I dare to speak up. “Do you really think he’d leave with that man if push comes to shove?”

“He worships the ground you walk on and clings to your hip like a damn leech. I’d bet my money on him staying forever,” he assures, flicking a piece of invisible lint off his suit.

“That’s true. I don’t need to worry.”

“How are you going to proceed?”

I bite my lips and ponder the question for a minute. There isn’t much I can do if Visha wants to leave. I believe I’ll fight for him to stay but I know I’ll let him go if that’s what he truly desires. If there’s even a little bit of doubt, a chance that he wants to remain with me and pick me over his biological brother, then I’ll fight claws and beak for him.

“As long as no one else finds out about this, it’ll be fine. I’m going to adopt Visha and then no one will be able to take him from me,” I state, bubbling with resolution.

Jason nods, offering me a rare genuine smile and takes my hand before placing a gentle kiss on the back. “You’re a wonderful person Aoi. You’re too good for this world. Sometimes I fear you’ll give so much of yourself that there won’t be anything left for me. But sometimes I forget how cunning you can be.”

I gasp, feigning indignation and welcoming his kiss. “I’m not cunning.”

I don’t know what I would do without Jason’s support. He helps me see the road ahead no matter how harsh he can be. If I’m in trouble, I’d call him before dialing 911. A part of me knows that I’m playing into his mind-games, but I’m too drained to put up a fight. He hasn’t changed and he never will, but I could say the same about myself.

We’re fucked up in our own way and I don’t see the point in fighting.

A glint of mischief flashes in his devilish eyes. “Indeed. You’re the divinity of my heart. You fill the entire place with that bright halo over your head.”

Butterflies flutter through my being. I can only laugh at the absurdity of his speech and yet my chest fills with warmth. I missed the memorable moments when we could simply laugh and tease each other without a fight threatening to burst.

“You’re such a devious man.” I graze his leg with the tip of my shoe. “Unfortunately, I love that about you.”

“You have no idea how much power you hold over me, my dear.”

“You’re lying.”

“Never.”

I raise a brow at the lie.

“Never again,” he corrects.