Chapter 10
1082 Words
I looked at myself in the mirror a hundred times since I put this dress on.
For some reason, I felt more nervous than I wanted to admit. To make matters worse, I had no idea where Chris was taking me.
He has always mentioned where we were going on our past dates, but this time it seemed like he wouldn't say much except the fact that he had told me to dress fancy.
Which usually is not ideal for us. In the past, to make sure we were close to Eli, I had asked to go to casual places and nothing too much.
But this time, it wasn't like this, and that made my whole stomach turn nervously.
Aria would be here in a few minutes to stay with Eli, and Reid was in the living room with him.
I did some final touches to my hair, and I went out to the living room.
Eli screamed, mommy, when he saw me and ran up to me. "mommy pretty," Eli said with his sweet voice, and I smiled widely. "why, thank you, little prince," I said with my awful British accent.
"Mommy does look pretty," Reid said, walking up to us surprised me. My mouth couldn't even form a smile in the means of thanking him, so I focused all my attention on Eli.
Until Aria walked inside the apartment. "Eli, your favourite aunt, is here," she announced.
"you're his only aunt, aria," I told her.
"Which is why I am the favourite," she shrugged her shoulder before wrapping her arms around Eli and lifting him.
He giggled in her arms.
"Why are you here?" Reid asked his sister. "And where are you going?" he pointed at me.
"She's going on a date with Chris, and I am watching Eli for the night. You haven't told him, Ann?"
It hasn't occurred to me that I haven't mentioned any of this to him. But I think part of me didn't because I hadn't forgotten what had happened between us lately.
I shook my head awkwardly.
"To hell you are. You're not going out," he crossed his arm.
"Uh, yes, she is. You can't tell her what to do," Aria defended me.
"Yes, I can. I am her husband," he raised his voice slightly.
"In paper only," she said to him.
I appreciated her defending me. She can handle her brother more than anyone else. But right now, it felt like I should also be saying something.
"It's okay, Aria. Your brother knows he can't stop me," I said, glancing over at him.
"Are you f*****g joking? What if something happened with Eli? And your out f*****g someone else?"
I could feel the anger rage threw me. "How dare you say that?" I shouted. I looked at Eli in Aria's hand and told her to take him out for a minute. I was about to go off on this man, and I rather not my son see it.
"How are you upset with me?" He questioned like he had all the authority.
"And how do you even question my parenting? I know what I'm doing, Reid, so don't tell me otherwise," I told him, standing my ground.
"Eli needs you, and you're leaving him for a date?"
"Aria is watching him, Reid. You know you have nothing to worry about," I said.
"I'm not worried about Aria watching him; I'm worried about you!" He raised his voice.
I squinted my eyes. "Worried about me for what?" I asked.
"You're going out with Chris," he said his name with such disdain in his tone.
"I've known Chris since we've moved here. Eli likes him, and I-" I paused. "I like him," I reminded him.
I noticed his hand's fisting but didn't focus on it.
"Look, he'll be here soon. Your welcome to stay here with Aria and Eli. But please let me go,"
I turned on my heel to go to the door but was stopped when he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him.
I crashed against his chest and yelped.
"What are you doing? Let me go" I struggled against his iron hold.
"I told you before your mine."
I wanted to roll my eyes at how cliche he sounded.
"When I tell you I don't want you are going with another man, I mean it. So take off everything and stay home,"
I couldn't believe the things that came out of this man's mouth. He was being ridiculous.
"Reid, stop being hard and leave me," I told him.
I tried to pull myself off his hold again, but he only kept tightening my grasp.
I pushed him hard one last time, and he lost his balance, not expecting my strength, but really it was me who should have known of his power.
He grabbed my waist and stumbled back onto the couch with my top of him.
In the moment of shock, our eyes met, and I hadn't even thought about moving.
His deep grey eyes were boring into my dark once and only the quiet voice of Chris calling my name out made me realize what position we had been in.
I glared at Reid and got myself off of him and straightened my dress, and turned to see Chris.
He looked handsome in his black dress shirt and black denim shirt. His hair was slicked back, and he held a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
"What's going on here?" He asked awkwardly.
"Nothing," I said abruptly. "I um well, I tripped, but I'm okay now," I lied.
He didn't look convinced but didn't question me any further. "Should we get going?" He asked, looking at Reid with a frown.
I nodded my head, pressing my lips in a thin line. "Aria took Eli out, they should be back soon, and we can head out," I said.
Chris's eyes met mine, and he smiled.
I send a quick text to Aria telling her to come back. And the minutes she took to come back was the most dreadful as I had to stay in a room with both Reid and Chris, and the tension-filled the room,
Reid thankfully didn't say anything when I left, but I noticed the look in his eyes when I closed the door behind us.
There was something in them. And I didn't know what exactly to call it, but just that one look send all the shivers down and up my spine.
- Writer
