Victoria Vale

It seems Aiden wasn't the only one being watched, I knew being with him would eventually make me a part of his world, but not in this way.

Definately not with prying eyes on me too.

After Aiden left to prepare for the evening, I stayed back home, there are some things i needed to get done, so I got to work while not to let all this mess with my head.

A couple of hours later, there was a knock on the door.

Victoria.

I was genuinely surprised. “Victoria? To what do I owe this pleasure?” I said, my voice calm but on edge.

She stepped inside like she owned the place, totally ignoring me, while her heels clicked loudly. She moved to the table and placed a crisp check on it. I moved towards the table, and saw it on the check was a large sum, it was more than enough to buy anyone's silence, even loyalty. Atleast in her part of the world.

The numbers made my chest tighten, but it wasn't from temptation. It was from anger.

“Go on.Take it,” she said coldly. “And I want you to disappear forever. You can buy yourself a car, travel around the world, perhaps change your life...do whatever you want. But I want you gone, and just so you know, my son's future is not negotiable, and it's definitely worth more than... whatever this is between you two". She said mockily, rolling her eyes.

"This is your last warning Mr cross, consider this an act of mercy from me".

I stared at the check for a long time before meeting her eyes. “Do you really think that I’m here for your money?” Or do you think you can buy me off, because I’m just his assistant? I let the disdain drip from my voice.

Her lips pressed thin. "You’re not just his assistant. Personally I think you’re a distraction.” You’re a weakness, and in my world, there isn't room for any, because weaknesses are liabilities. And having a weakness, is something he can't afford to have right now.

I grinned while stepping closer, lowering my voice. “I’m only here because your son can’t stop wanting me, because I am the the only one who sees the real him, the only one who doesn't care about who he is or what he has, unlike you who continues to surround him with more lies.”

Her jaw tightened. “Don't mess with me, Mr Cross. I'd advise you be very careful. Because one silly mistake from you, one more slip, and he loses everything. How about you think about that, before you decide to let him get tangled up with you again.”

Her words felt like a slap on my face. Victoria isn't just his mother, she is the one who makes sure he maintains a perfect image, one that doesn't get tarnished by anything or anyone. And to her, he is an asset— and assets are meant to be protected at all times.

I didn’t flinch.

“You know Victoria, you've literally spent your whole life controlling him, and he has always done what you wanted him too. But the part of him that matters? This part of him where he doesn’t have to hide who he is? That’s mine. And no matter what you do, or say, it can never change."

"If you had his best interest at heart as his mother, perhaps you would consider getting to know what he really wants." I said, as I walked into the kitchen.

She laughed, it was so loud and scary almost as if I had just said something really stupid.

How dare you Jamie? Who the hell do you think you are, telling me about what's best for my son? Telling me what I should and shouldn't do in his best interest? You're delusional if you really think, Aiden will choose you instead. So let me tell you what's gonna happen."

"Aiden will be seen with Leona tonight. She will be the prefect candidate to clean up this mess you started. She's beautiful, has a perfect smile, a fast rising start too. The public will ship them together, and that's all that matters. So I'd advise you wake up from the fantasy world of yours and see how things are done in the real world. Who knows, maybe you'll be able to learn a thing or two or about it."

Just then, she looked at me as she was about to leave. "You should keep it." She said, and placed the check on my table anyway.

“You may be acting all high and mighty now, but you'll change your mind eventually. You all do, it's just a matter of time.”

And just like that, she left. Leaving the faint scent of her expensive perfume lingering in the air.

I exhaled as I ran my hand through my head, and collapsed on the couch. Talking to Victoria always manages to piss me off.

Every damn time.

Soon it was nighttime, and I drove to the hotel with Aiden’s clothes for his “supposed date.”

The lobby was chaotic, paparazzi's everywhere. I went upstairs, Aiden was in a crisp shirt but his expression was blank, he looked really exhausted.

We locked eyes briefly, but he said nothing. Ofcourse we were strangers in public.

Finally, I cleared my throat as I approached him. “Your jacket”

“Thanks.” He said,as he stretched out his hand and collected it.

Leona arrived a few minutes later, looking radiant as she smiled warmly. I introduced myself, while gently playing my part as the assistant.

“You must be Jamie”. It’s nice to meet you,” she said warmly.

I shook her hand.

“You too,” I replied, forcing a small smile. Yeah. I help him with scheduling and …whatever he needs”

“I'm sure that's a lot of work,” she said, teasing.

I chuckled, " Yeah, sometimes it can be."

She laughed softly, as we talked for a while. She seemed sweet. I knew she wasn't cruel, neither was she the villain but she was also part of the machine that chewed people like me up and spat us out. But I could see the pity in her eyes, she knew this game as well as I did.

The suite felt less like a room and more like a live production set, as stylists came in and out, garment bags hung across the walls, make up artists played with their brushes, even the hair drsssers were constantly adjusting and readjusting strands of hair from his face.

Leona just sat on a velvet stool, her legs crossed, as three people circled her. Victoria also stood nearby, her arms folded, making sure everything was how she wanted it to be. From her smokey eye makeup, to her strappy heels, Leona was being transformed into the perfect media-worthy girlfriend.

I quietly stood in the corner, unnoticed as always.

But my eyes never left Aiden.

He looked… breathtaking.

I moved towards him, and helped him adjust his cufflinks, just like I always do, and when our fingers touched, he flinched and withdrew his.

A few minutes later, Aiden slipped into his jacket and Leona looped her arm around his.Then they headed downstairs, ready to put on an award winning performance for the world to see.

Cameras started clicking instantly, as everyone wanted to catch their smiles, their gestures even though I clearly knew, it was fake.

I went out to the balcony, to clear and clear my head and get some air, but rather, I was welcomed by the scene below.

From up there, I saw how the cameras lit up the street like fireworks, as I watched Aiden step out with Leona, his hand gently brushing hers, he had his perfect smile on full display, like his world revolved around her.

The sight made me so jealous, as I looked at them both with anger in my eyes. It was sharp, burning and hot. At this time, all I could see was how happy he truly looked and it made me wonder.

"Was he truly happy with me, or was he just pretending all along."