Chapter 270 - The Darkroom
historical
In front of Dax's villa,
After returning to the city, Dax didn't go to drop Rose. He is aware of the fact that Leon was keeping on him and appearing in public with Tia will cause her trouble so he called for a trustworthy cab.
After spending the whole day with the Grant family, Tia feared him less and liked his parents more. Being tired, Tia watched the cab and Dax. She bluntly said, "I thought you will drop me home." Remembering his work, "Do you have work to complete?"
Dax promptly answered, "Nope, I have some limitations so I can't drop or pick you up in public. It's not safe for you."
Tia had less knowledge about what he was trying to say and it was her first relationship too. She didn't want to keep raising questions to herself yet she didn't want him to think she was demanding something.
It wasn't like she can't use a cab or public transport, she would be more than willing to do it. She wanted to know what he meant as she always regarded him and her world as different.
Dax saw her troubled and flicked on her head. He teased instead, "Oops, you wanted to live in? Shall I arrange for you to move in then? We can have different kinds of fights on the bed every day."
Tia flushed bright red hearing different kinds of fights on the bed. 'Pervert' She thought but didn't dare to voice it.
She took a deep breath trying to convince herself to speak. Dax smacked her and blurted out, "Are we going to secretly date because of your identity?"
Dax went closer to her and closely examined her head where she was rubbing. Tia almost thought he was guilty hence he was checking on her until his voice sounded.
"Are you an old radio perhaps, that runs on the smack on it?" Dax asked, taking a step back to face her.
Tia: "..."
She really thought he was concerned. She pursed her lips to a thin line and looked around waiting for the response.
She didn't want to be the one who has to secretly date and one day sees in the news that her boyfriend is getting engaged to another influential family girl.
As though he could read her worries, Dax inclined on his car as he twirled her around and leaned her on him. Tia's back gently crashed on his strong broad chest. Her heart fluttered and she blushed when his arms wrapped around her waist as he held his mobile.
She didn't know her heart could flutter till that day. Just the thought of having a handsome boyfriend, his raise of the brow at her catching her gaze on him, or his faint smile at her were enough to make her heart race and cheeks blush.
Tia slightly tilted for him to see his mobile screen and watched the screen silently understanding he wanted her to check.
She watched him open his verified social media profile and change his status from single to 'In a relationship.' He also added a quote to the status post as, 'The new priority. To her who took my responsibility.'
Tia smiled involuntarily but forced herself to behave indifferently which was next to impossible for her. The corner of her lips ditched her and stayed up. Her new boyfriend gave her the priority, of course, she was happy and excited.
She understood what he was trying to say. Only her identity is going to be a secret so that the media won't harass her. Even though it is the truth, Dax didn't feel the necessity to reveal completely about it.
Dax was about to leave her from his arms but she scrolled the screen to check the comments box and heard her exclaim looking at the likes shooting up in just a few seconds. The first comment caught her attention which was earning many likes.
[Woah! A lady hunter caught my Lion.]
A lady hunter? Do I look so fierce? She thought and read his quote again. She glanced at Dax and her jaws dropped, "Are they thinking me as a big beasty woman to take your responsibility?"
Dax: "..."
He couldn't understand how she came up uniquely to make him speechless. He was just trying to be a little humorous and warm.
Flicking on her head, he told what is lady hunter the first commenter meant, "A lady hunter is confident, courageous, patient, sexy.. hot.." She was getting happy without understanding his pauses and he added, "They are overestimating you."
Tia: "..."
She lifted her feet, hesitated for a second, and stomped his foot before running aside, "Who said I am not courageous?"
Dax pointed to his foot, "This is your bravery?" He was at the line to laugh at her.
However, she pointed at him and grinned, "Dating you is heroic."
Dax: "..."
Why didn't I know the little lamb knows to talk?
Tia glanced at the cab and pointed it to him, "Okay then, I get going. Bye.."
She turned to leave but Dax caught her ponytail and pulled her back. "Dax.. Can't you talk?"
He opened the dial pad on his mobile and handed her, Tia remembered they hadn't exchanged numbers yet, she quickly typed her contact number and dialed. Once her mobile rang, she handed him back.
He turned her around as it was getting dark and the city was in chaos, "Go.."
He noticed her hesitantly leave turning to him multiple times before waving her hand in the cab.
They had a good start but both weren't sure if they could really survive in his busy schedule and her expectations.
----
It was one in the night when Aarvi heard a knock on the desk. Aarvi heard him as she controlled her yawning in front of him, "Ms. Evans, the operation completed just fifteen minutes back. I think Doctor Rivas doesn't know about your presence here."
She hadn't told him and almost assumed he left for the Avron mansion but the doctor continued, "He went to rest in the on-call room.." Then he was perplexed if he should take her or call Aaron to her.
Aarvi closed the file under her as she stood up, "Thank you."
The doctor kept a file on the desk and left the office first. Aarvi threw the dinner into the bin and grabbed the fruits and Protein Smoothie from the tiny refrigerator.
Aaron had once shown her the on-call room where he rested numerous times so she straight went to the room. The room wasn't locked so she entered the darkroom which had faint light from the windows.
There were a study table and two bunk beds. She confirmed the man on it as Aaron before locking the door. She left the food on the desk and tried to wake him up.
"Aaron.. Aaron.. Eat something.. Aaron.." Her gentle yet audible voice sounded in the deep silence.
He always woke up by the slightest sound or on a single call of her. Seeing him unresponsive sleeping on his stomach and the stressed brows, she could tell he was extremely tired.
She was glad he didn't drive the car all the way to the Avron mansion and chose to rest his tired body.
She climbed to the upper bed to wake him up to at least drink the protein shake but she forgot to switch on the lights.
She was still balancing herself at the edge of the bed, when Aaron suddenly moved, his fingers clutched her neck burying all her words down the throat and choked her.