Billionaire, Let's Divorce!

ANASTASIA

When I reached downstairs, I saw the manager at the back of the counter. There were two girls and a boy. He looked like he was giving them instructions.

It was now night time and the bar was filled more than it was when I first arrived here.

When I stopped before the counter, the bar girl and boy from earlier flashed me shy smiles and continued whatever they were doing. I returned their smiles and glanced at the manager. The moment his gaze fell on me, he abruptly left them and hurried up to me.

He cut a brief glance to the door. "I'm sorry, he's not back. Have you tried to reach him?" He started to reach into his pocket, "I could call him if—"Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"There's no need for that, manager," I told him. I'd lose my mind if I had to wait a second more.

"I'm sorry I—"

"No please, there's no problem. I've just decided to wait for him at home."

He looked calmer as he nodded. "Alright then. I'll tell him you stopped by when he returns."

"Thank you so much."

With that, I said my goodbyes and headed to the door that led outside. Then I suddenly heard, "Hey, hey!"

As I turned around, I assumed that one of the customers had probably grown the balls to call out to me instead of just staring.

"Aiden?" I felt a deep crease in between my brows as I looked at him. I glanced behind him, at the seat he just exited. It was empty. "Hey. I was just stepping out and I realized that the person before me is you. Why are you here?" His gaze briefly scanned me.

"I just came to see Dennis." I added when a frown began to form on his face, "He owns the place."

"Oh," he mouthed as he nodded. "Okay," he said as he slid his hands into his front pocket.

I expected him to say something like 'nice seeing you here' or 'nice bar, I've got to go,' but he remained there, smiling and shifting his gaze between the walls, my face and his feet. "Umm... you can still do whatever brought you here, you know. Dennis wouldn't chase you out if he sees you."

He chuckled. "It's not that. I was already heading out. I'm done here."

"Oh. Okay then," I said and stepped out of the way for him.

He gave me a fond smile. "Ladies first, Anastasia."

He still had this habit? I thought, memories of when we were younger and how he'd always insist that I do things first flooding my mind, as I wordlessly walked out of the door. I heard the click as the door was closed. When I looked back, he was right behind me.

He smiled. "I guess this is good night then."

I nodded. "Yep. Good night."

Without waiting for his response, I made my way to the road.

There, I stood aside, shifting from one foot to the other as I waited for a taxi.

In my peripheral vision, I could see Aiden taking his time as he strolled to the parking lot. I saw him go into his car. I heard the door close but the car didn't move from the parking lot

Oh God. I groaned as I desperately wished for a taxi. It felt like that night again. That first night he offered me a ride to the hospital. This was exactly how deserted the road was.

I brought out my phone from my bag and began to order a ride. But I didn't need to because a ride stopped before me.

I sighed as the car's front door opened and Aiden stepped out.

There was a knowing smile on his face. He tried to hide it but I could see it. How could I? Because it never changed.

I cleared my throat. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes. You don't have a ride."

"Oh that? It's not a problem." I tapped my phone then pointed down the road. "My ride will be here any minute."

He nodded slowly and looked down the road. "Okay then."

I heaved a sigh of relief when he

turned around and walked back to his car Then I was left to gapecat I

him when he closed his carr

and leaned on it.

I met his gaze and he shrugged. "I'm not leaving until you get a ride."

"You don't need to," I murmured as I glanced at my phone's screen. The nearest ride was fifteen minutes away. I almost let out a hiss.

We stood like that for quite a while until Aiden pushed off his car. "Come on, Ana, let me take you home."

I really need to fix my car or get a cheap one. Anything to avoid taking rides from Aiden. I forced a smile and tapped my phone. "Any minute now."

"Really? We've been here for three minutes and there's no ride or taxi."

"You really don't need to bother, Aiden. I'll be fine till my ride gets here."

His gaze temporarily fell on my stomach. "I'm not leaving you here, Ana. There's a bar right behind you and it's dark. It's dangerous."

I sighed and looked around. I looked down at my phone and the ride was still fourteen minutes away. Seriously!

I sighed. I thought of waiting for Dennis. But what if he goes straight home from wherever he went?

"Alright then."

He smiled, walked around his car and opened the passenger's seat for me.

I took one last look around before I climbed into his sleek car.

The ride was a silent one. Then Aiden abruptly asked. "Are you alright?"

I frowned and turned to him. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

He raised his shoulders in a half shrug. "With the baby and you caring for Amie. It's a lot."

"I'm fine," I smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

He glanced at my stomach again. "How's the baby?"

Reflexively, I palmed my stomach. "He's kicking just fine."