Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband
Chapter 133: Her Home

Chapter 133: Her Home

Aiden looked around the small apartment with interest. Even though Serena had worried that the place was not livable, he found it surprisingly well-maintained. It didn’t appear neglected at all; it was clear that someone had been caring for the space during her absence.

Yet, more than the upkeep of the apartment, he was captivated by this glimpse into Serena’s past. This was the house she had bought for herself with her first payout, and he could see the care and thought she had invested in every detail.

As he examined the pictures scattered around the apartment, though, he felt a strange disconnect, as if he were looking at someone else entirely. The Serena he knew was always laughing, her genuine smile lighting up every room she entered. He picked up a small picture from the table next to the couch. In it, a little girl beamed at the camera, her arms wrapped around her father in a tight embrace. The joy radiating from that little girl was palpable.

But the older Serena in the other photographs told a different story. In pictures with her grandmother and various family members, her expression was muted, lacking the open laughter and warmth he associated with her. Her smile was barely discernible, and she appeared to carry the weight of her experiences, looking much older than her actual age.

It felt like he was gazing at two different versions of Serena. The one he had known all these months was the vibrant, youthful girl captured in childhood snapshots, while the woman he had met that morning felt like the latest iteration, shaped by her past in ways he was just beginning to comprehend.

"Why are you staring at my pictures?" Serena asked softly as she returned from wherever she had disappeared to. Aiden gently placed the picture back on the table and turned to face her.

"I was looking at this very fine lady in the picture. Is that really you, or do you have a twin hidden somewhere?"

Serena smiled as she glanced at the photograph of herself with her grandmother. It was the same muted smile, one not quite reflective of real happiness. She sighed softly, "Aiden Hawk, are you claiming that I am not a lady?"

"How could I ever dare to say such a thing! I’m merely wondering if you might have some sort of split personality hiding in there," he teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"Ha! You are the one with the split personality. All cold and threatening at first, and then suddenly warm and teddy beary..."

"Teddy beary? That’s not even a word, you know," Aiden protested with a laugh, shaking his head. "Also, I am not teddy bear-like. I’m just a selfish person who knows when and how to adapt in my best interests. I am a businessman Serena. And I know where my profits lie." The last line seemed to hold a warning as if he was telling her that she should not trust him. But just single warning made her want to trust him even more. Of course, didn’t mean she was going to. She had no intention of letting her guard down with anyone.

Serena turned her head slightly and smiled knowingly at him instead, "That you are. But then again, so am I, not going to leave my profits, you know."

With a hand around her waist, he pulled her closer, enveloping her in his arms. "That you are, a clever lady who knows how to navigate life’s challenges. But that’s what makes you so attractive. All that calculated charm wrapped in a beautiful package..."

"Why do you have to be so calculating, Rena? It’s simply too unattractive. Can you not leave these things to me?"

As she stilled, Aiden’s words struck a chord, reminding her of a conversation she once had with Sidney. She couldn’t help but marvel at the contrast. While she had believed that Sidney loved her, he had never shied away from pointing out her flaws, always asking her to step back and let things be. In stark contrast, Aiden, while not in love with her, seemed to be attracted to even those imperfections, and offering to stand by her, without knowing or caring if she was ’right’ or ’wrong’.

While, she was lost in thought, she noticed Aiden’s head getting close to her and her breath hitched. She didn’t want to kiss him. But she couldn’t push him away... Impulsively, her hands moved from his shoulders to the knot of his tie and she pulled at it, making it tighten around his neck.

Aiden paused and raise a brow at her," Honey, why are you trying to strangle me?"

"I thought it might help you think more clearly if I gave you a little reminder to breathe and remember we are only partners."

"Very funny," he replied, chuckling softly. "All I want is a kiss, and here you are, threatening my life."

"Our relationship has changed, Aiden. Like I told you in the morning,and you can see for yourself, the girl who was with you is a different person... She had nothing holding her back, whereas, my feelings...

Aiden placed a finger on her lips then, as he said," So, you are not sure about this, yet. There is no need for all the explanation. I’ll simply wait for you to be sure about us..."

However, even as he said this, his hand on her waist tightened and instead of letting go, he seemed to be getting closer to her, and she could feel her breath catch.

Yes. She was still attracted to him, their chemistry just as strong, and yet, being close to him somehow felt wrong to her...

Finally, before she could confuse herself, Aiden stepped back and turned around," Fine fine! Don’t kiss me. I think I am going to go in that corner and sulk, mouring my loss..."

Serena giggled. She could not help it. He really looked like a kid who was about to sulk, even going so far as to pout a bit... It was the cutest and more unexpected thing she had seen...