My Beautiful Mistake

Chapter Fifteen

Aiden's eyes twinkled with amusement as he watched me fuss over the forest that was my hair. It had been nearly four months since we had begun dating, and even longer since we had first met. Time had really flown.

He looked at the dress laid across my bed and his eyebrows furrowed. "Is that really what you're planning on wearing?" 

He was referring to the jeans and comfy sweater I had left on my bed while I was doing my hair and makeup. I nodded and focused my attention back on my hair.

He let out a low tsk and got up to search through my closet. I ignored him as he looked at every clothing item hanging on the rack. Unexpectedly, he appeared behind me holding up a red, thigh-length bodycon dress. 

I violently shook my head as he stood behind me, staring at my face in the mirror while holding up that loathed dress. 

"You can't wear a sweater and jeans to a gala, angel. I mean sure, you look gorgeous in whatever you wear, but you'll look stunning in this dress." he was so persistent that I finally gave in and took the dress from his hands.

Aiden had received an invitation for an exclusive, invite-only gala hosted by one of his close associates. According to him, around four hundred people were invited, so it was obvious that the venue was probably very fancy and prestigious. This would be my first gala, and it was safe to say I was completely nervous.

Minutes later, I slipped into the dress he had chosen for me and looked picture-perfect. Aiden had decided to get dressed at my apartment since he practically lived here. I sat on my bed waiting for him to come out of the bathroom so we could leave and when he finally stepped out, I couldn't help but admire him.

He was wearing a suit, a brand he later called Brioni, and had an expensive, shiny watch on his wrist. He adjusted his red tie and glanced in my mirror. When he was done checking himself out, he faced me and smirked, seeing the awestruck expression on my face.

"You ready to go, Miss Lyles?"

My face lit up and I sprung up from the bed. I walked towards the front door, not noticing he hung back, leaving me to walk in front of him.

"I told you this dress would be stunning," he commented, obviously hanging back to stare at my behind.

I stood in place and put my hands on my hips as I attempted to make some modeling poses for him. He cheered me on, pretending to throw money at me, and we both began laughing.

"You are one hell of a person, Mr. Reyes," I remarked as we left the apartment.

We arrived at the gala a little later in his expensive, silver Porsche. He parked in front of the building and told me to step out of the car, a statement that had me confused until I realized this was valet parking. Scanning the parking lot, I saw not a single regular car. If I thought Aiden's car was fancy, the Mustangs, Ferraris, and Jaguars were even more so. 

The building where the gala was being held reminded me of a ballroom, with a huge, gold chandelier in the middle of the ceiling and spiraling staircases at both sides of the massive room. Several dinner tables were set in the middle of the room, along with an area for dancing.

"Invitation, please."

Aiden pulled out two invitations from his jacket's pocket. 

"Names?"

"Mr. and Ms. Reyes," Aiden stated, causing me to look at him in surprise. He just winked at me and pulled me inside once our names were checked off the list.

Everyone at the gala was dressed in formal wear. I suddenly became very grateful for Aiden's opinion on my outfit. I would've highly embarrassed myself by walking into this gala with jeans and an old sweater.

I sat down at the closest dinner table as Aiden began talking to another male who I presumed was one of his associates. It had taken me a while to wrap my head around the fact that Aiden was in a gang, but seeing his sweet side every day had completely rid any fears I ever had.

I smiled as I noticed them walking over to me. The man Aiden was with was dressed very similarly and seemed to exert the same confidence as Aiden. By that, I gather that this man was probably one of his closest friends.

"So, this is the renowned Miss Lyles," his friend stated, faking a bow while greeting me.

A light laugh left my lips as I got up and faked a small curtsy. "It's Brooklyn."

He grinned and reached for my hand. "A pleasure."

He lifted my hand up to his lips and Aiden immediately pulled my hand away in defense. "Stop being a prick, Zach."

So, this was the famous Zach I had heard so much about. 

He chuckled and put a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "Don't worry, I just wanted to see if the rumors were true."

Aiden's eyes darkened. "What rumors?"

"That you've changed." 

They stared at each other for a minute in silence before breaking out in laughter.

"Come sit with us," Aiden told him as he took the seat directly across from me.

"It would be my pleasure," Zach smiled warmly and took the seat next to me.

"And might I add, Brooklyn. You are more ravishing than Aiden described." he winked at me, causing a tiny blush to creep up to my cheeks.

Aiden didn't seem to like the way his friend was talking to me because he cleared his throat rather loudly, causing us both to redirect our attention at him.

"So," Zach chuckled awkwardly, noticing the obvious discomfort in Aiden's eyes, "how did you two meet?"

"I bumped into him at a restaurant." I piped up after Aiden chose to remain silent.

I glanced at him, hoping he would add to the conversation. I wasn't really in the mood to get dragged into their problems.

Thankfully, Zach realized Aiden was throwing a fit, and swiftly left the table before saying a quick goodbye.

"Are you okay?" I asked Aiden, slightly annoyed by his temper tantrum.

He didn't reply. Instead, a mischievous grin crossed his face and I immediately knew whatever he was thinking couldn't be good.

"Angel," he whispered, that glint still in his eyes, "hand over your panties."

"Excuse me?" I sputtered, my face growing red, mortified at the thought.

I laid my head on my arms hoping nobody would notice the expression on my face.

"I'm waiting." he teased playfully, waiting for me to comply. 

Two could play that game.

I lifted my head up to roll my eyes at him and bent down ever so slowly to roll my panties down my legs. 

Amusement took over his face as he watched me trying my best to be discreet as I slid my panties over to him on the floor. He reached down and grabbed them, balled them up and shoved them into the inside pocket of his jacket just as someone walked right by him.

I froze in horror. I really hoped nobody had seen our private trade.

"I didn't think you had it in you, angel." he teased, appearing very amused by the anxiety that grew evident in my face.

"And I didn't know you were this much of a perv, Mr. Reyes," I retorted back, sticking my tongue out at him like a little kid. My eyes widened as I suddenly felt very exposed and embarrassed under his intense stare. His eyes took on a darker hue.

"You wanna get out of here, angel?"

"Where?"

"I think it's time I gave you a tour of le casa de Reyes." he winked at me and held his hand towards me. 

I gracefully placed my hand in his and we left the gala. 

Aiden Reyes, you'll be the death of me one day.