Chapter 22: Chapter 22

There is no such thing as doing the wrong thing for a right course; no matter how pure your intentions may be, what's wrong is wrong.

- Grace Chanbee

[Amber's POV]

I heard the sound of a car blaring its horn all over the place. Taking a look by standing at the window to see what was going on, lo and behold, Aiden stepped out and just then, I realised it was a mere cab.

I watched silently as he wiped off a bead of sweat gathering around his forehead then removed his wallet from his pocket, tossing the cab driver a five-dollar bill.

Before then, he already offloaded some goods from the trunk of the vehicle, the reason why he was sweating so terribly.

Yawning, he eyed the four bags on the floor which contained supposed items I was unsure of and carried them in his hands, taking them two each on both arms.

As he proceeded to the porch of the house, I hurriedly went back to sit on the couch, acting like I hadn't been keeping an eye or observing him.

I was making an embroidery design on a little blouse I had made for Sally from the pieces of an old and worn out chiffon dress, something I always did to keep my self busy and wile away time.

Aiden pushed the door open with his side as his hands were full and I jolted, acting surprised at his sudden entrance to the house. Yeah, I was a very good pretender; not as bad as Daisy, but at least, I deserved some credit too.

"Hey, what's up? It's been quite a while since I last saw you," I said, feigning innocence as I went to help him with the stuff he was carrying.

He smiled. "It's been just two days and your dad was even around the last time I came. Stop acting like it's been so long," He said.

Taking two of the shopping bags which were quite heavy from him, I gave a short laugh.

"You know, when you're sitting by idly, it seems like the world is on a standstill and time has either stopped or is moving too slowly," I said.

"Yeah, that's true," He agreed.

"What's all these? Where am I to put them?" I asked, referring to the bags.

"Oh. I just got some foodstuff to get you guys through, so I guess they belong in the kitchen," He said.

"Oh, that's so sweet. Thank you," I said with a smile.

"Thank me? Nah, it should actually be in the reverse," He said, making me confused.

"Umm... What do you mean?" I asked as I led the way to the kitchen then removed the cans and tins of food, cereals, beverages and grains he had bought.

He raked his hands through his hair. "Well, I was able to get all these stuff because I finally managed to sell off your bracelet," He said.

My eyes bulged. "Oh, yeah?"

"Oh, yeah," He affirmed and we both burst into a series of laughter.

"Wow, that's great," I said.

"Yeah. The best I could sell it for was $15,000 which should have been more assuming your name wasn't inscribed on it," Aiden explained.

"Really? That posed a problem?" I asked, quite surprised.

He nodded. "Yeah. Asides that, there were scratch marks on it which I'm presuming were as a result of the accident that occurred. No one can buy something that obviously belongs to another person and is obvious it's not original," Aiden said.

"The dealer told you this?" I asked, finding it hard to believe.

"Yeah, he did. And in case you're wondering if he lied, I went to different jewellery dealers and they all said the same thing, even offered me lower. At the end of the day, I had to swallow my pride and go back there to sell it to him," Aiden said.

"Wow! So if it's not really an item worthy of being purchased, why then did he buy it?" I asked.

"Oh, that. They can compart it and use the smaller parts to create new designs or fix them into a jewelry," He explained.

"That's awesome. I'm 100% sure he's going to make a lot of money from it though," I said.

"Yeah. And in all honesty, the money is relatively high. I still have over $13,000 with me even after buying everything here. The money is in my bank account though. It's already 5pm and I can't withdraw, I'll make sure to withdraw it and give you by tomorrow," He promised.

I gave a small smile. "That's fine. You know what? Just give half of it to Ms Charlotte and take the remaining part," I said.

"Wait a minute. Are you serious?" He asked, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets in surprise.

I grinned. "Yes, of course. It's not like I had any use for the money in the first place," I said with a shrug of my shoulders.

He then did something totally unexpected by wrapping his arms around me and giving me a big tight hug.

"Thank you so very much, Amber. What will I have done without you?" He asked.

I chuckled and watched as he let me finish out of his grip which could have smothered me to death had he not let me go that instant. Of course, that was an exaggeration but hey, it's welcome, right?

The smile dried up on his face as he looked at me one more time with doubt evident in his eyes.

"What is it? Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked.

"You're sure you're not kidding me, right?" He asked, arching his brows.

I grinned. "I'm not, okay? What use do I have for $13,000? Have you forgotten whose daughter I am? Please, I'm a billionaire's daughter and his only heir for that matter, don't underrate me," I said in a boastful tone which was actually aimed at just being playful and lightening up the mood.

He gave a hearty laughter. "Of course, I forgot you are Amber Naomi Sanders. I wonder when your dad will die, leaving you with all his billions and mansions," Aiden said, actually appearing thoughtful.

"Hey, he's not dying anytime soon. He still has like twenty, twenty-five years to live. If he dies now, my poor mother will be so heartbroken, she really loves him a lot," I said.

"Yeah, she definitely loves him. Only someone who loves Gilbert Sanders dearly can put up with him for so many years despite his obnoxious and mean lifestyle," Aiden agreed.

I laughed shortly then just stared into blank space.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"It's my mother," I responded.

"What happened to her?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Nothing, I just hope she's fine. I really do miss her a lot," I said.

"Really? I've never seen this nostalgic side of you, does that mean your mum is a good woman?"

I nodded. "What sort of a question is that? Everyone's mother is good, at least, to them. She's the only one that seemed right even in that house that everything felt so wrong. I was able to talk to her about how well I was treated here and confide in her about my feelings for Justin and she understood me perfectly well. She really loves me a lot, Aiden, and I wonder how she'll be coping without me by her side," I said.

He squeezed my hands, gave me a reassuring look and looked like he understood me perfectly well.

"You wanna go home?" He asked.

"I just wanna make sure my mum is fine, that's all. Still, I feel like I owe Justin a lot and I strongly believe that if I persevere by staying here, my dad will have no other option than to drop the case he has against Justin," I revealed.

"I understand you, Amber, but it seems like he isn't going to change his mind. What will you do then?" He asked.

I shrugged. "I'll just live here all my life then," I replied.

"Justin isn't going to want that for you, he'll want you to have a bright future," Aiden said.

"I can't even sit and picture my future without him in it, or worst still, with the guilt that his own future was terminated because of me," I said.

"Yeah, if you can't imagine yourself living with that, it means you're a better person than I am," He stated.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

He shook his head. "It's nothing."

I heaved a sigh. "Sometimes, you'll make a conflicting statement then you'll make it seem as though it's nothing if I ask what it's all about. Why?" I asked, filled with different questions in my head.

"I just... Sometimes, I just feel so freaking ashamed," He said.

"Why? What did you do?"

"I don't know, Amber. Do you think if I spill the truth, I'll feel better?" He asked.

"Yeah, I do. I believe that once someone speaks up, he can easily let go instead of battling with his feelings all alone," I replied.

"I presume she isn't around," He said, looking sideways suspiciously.

"If you're asking about Ms Charlotte, she isn't around. She went to church to say some prayers for Justin," I said.

"Good thing she's getting better," He said.

"Yeah. Why did you ask?"

"She already thinks I'm a bad person and although she has started warming up to me, I don't want to so easily be in her bad books again," He said.

I smiled. "It's okay. So what is it? You know I won't tell anyone, you can trust me."

"I lied, Amber," He said, sighing deeply.

"About?"

"Driving by your house unintentionally that day you sneaked out," He said.

I was surprised but not too surprised at the same time. "So you mean you came by on purpose that day? Why? To see me? And how'd you even know where I live?" I asked.

He cleared his throat. "Please, promise me you won't be angry with me and hate me," He said.

"I won't, I promise. Just explain why you were at my house that day, I'm practically dying of curiosity," I said.

He gave a small smile. "I was sent to kill you," He said, dropping the bombshell.

I shook as I felt fear all over, grasping unto the kitchen counter for support, shocked and disappointed at his revelation.

"Did... Did you come to warn me or actually kill me?" I asked, my voice wavering in a stutter.

He shook his head and looked like he was full of regrets. "I came to kill you, but I couldn't," He said, his words never been so truthful.

When I had succeeded in somehow comprehending the eight terrible words he had spoken, I looked up to him, feeling so disappointed and wondering why he would do such a thing.

"I'm sorry, Amber," He said, touching my arms.

I flinched, sending his hands off my arms before he knew what I was up to. "Take... your... hands... off... me," I slowly but firmly stated.

"Amber, I'm..."

"Call her name one more time and I swear, I'm going to kill you!" I heard Justin's undeniable angry voice yell.

Slowly but steadily, I looked back and saw Justin, looking neat and like his handsome self once again in a black sweatshirt and jean trousers, only that he was now a thinner version of the Justin I used to know.

Blinking my eyes rapidly, my teeth clattered as I found it hard to believe that Justin was actually standing, right in the kitchen doorway, far from the prison in Los Angeles and right there in front of me, with a vicious look in his eyes and an unusual grouchy frown playing around his lips, looking like he could murder Aiden anytime from then.

"J... Jus... Justin..." Aiden stammered, trembling like a cat left in the rain and panicking so greatly.

It was then I knew that truly, Justin was there and I so was not seeing things. He had come back, but how? That wasn't the right question, all I needed to do right now was to be happy and grateful that he was actually back to me in one piece.

Giving in to a broad smile and a sudden rush of uncontrollable tears of joy, with a heart full of relief, I ran to him and gave him a tight hug, and he did hug me back, indicating that he was actually there in flesh, another assurance that what I was seeing was real.

He wrapped his hands around my waist and bent to give me a kiss on the cheek, one which I savoured but would have preferred better on the lips, but still, Justin was back. Indeed, he was!

"Pinch me, please. I need to know this is real," I mumbled.

He gave me a light pinch on my neck and upon opening my already closed eyes, I was convinced that it was not a dream, Justin was really back.

He let go of me and gave me a kiss on my forehead, then walked to where Aiden was shaking like a leaf at the kitchen counter and his lips were moving like he had something to say.

"You wanted to kill Amber, why?" He asked, grabbing Aiden by the shirt.

"I... He promised he was going to get you out of prison," He said.

"Who is he?" Justin asked, not letting go of Aiden's shirt and spitting venom in his words.

I watched quietly, not interfering in their discussion. Justin was right in confronting him and Aiden was going to get what he deserved. I just stayed there wondering how Justin was back.

"Who is he?" Justin hollered once again, jolting me from my thoughts.

"I don't know, Justin, I never saw his face," He said.

"You liar!" Justin hissed, pushing Aiden against the wall.

"I swear, Justin, I didn't know who he was. He had a mask on and he told me if Amber was attacked yet again, the police will know you're not behind it and let you go scot-free," He said, still in a shaking voice.

"So... So you had the intention of killing a human being just for my release?" Justin asked.

Aiden nodded his head rapidly, probably thinking the height of his loyalty and friendship had touched Justin. However, he was wrong.

"Damn! This is the worst thing I've ever heard. And you're proud of it? What if the police were here? Scratch that. How were you expecting to live with yourself after agreeing to commit such a despicable act?" Justin thundered.

"That's why I couldn't do it anymore. I had been driving with the intent of crashing into Amber and ending her life, but on seeing her shuddering as I came close, my heart couldn't take it and my conscience has been pricking me hard with guilt ever since that day," Aiden explained.

Justin scoffed. "You deserve worse than a guilty conscience," He said.

"But Justin, I just told you I didn't do it anymore. In fact, I called the guy who had told me to do so and renounced the deal," He said, trying to make Justin see reasons with him.

"That's not the point. It's disgusting that you took the deal in the first place. I wouldn't have blamed you for contemplating whether or not to take it, but agreeing to take it? Dude, that's the height of it all, I'm disappointed in you," Justin said.

Aiden turned to me, upon facing rejection from Justin, maybe with the thought that I was going to be on his side, seeking alliance probably.

I looked away from him and concentrated my eyes on Justin whose back was turned to me.

"Amber, why are you staring in the other direction? You promised you won't get angry nor hate me," He said.

Still not looking at him, I said, "That was before I knew the kind of wicked act you intended on committing that day."

"Am..."

I turned my eyes to face him sharply, feeling enraged. "Let's say you were in my shoes, will you not feel angry that your friend had the mindset of murdering you in cold blood? Also, what if you hadn't stopped the brakes in time that day? Is any apology going to have brought me back from the dead?" I asked.

He bowed his head in shame.

"You heard her, Aiden. Now, leave before I do something terrible to you," Justin said, clenching his fists.

"Just..."

"Don't call my name, you don't have the right to anymore, and please, don't ever show your face here again. Grams was right about you, you really aren't a good friend and just so you know, our friendship ends today," Justin said, dismissively.

Aiden looked around for a while then said, "I understand you, Justin. I thought I was looking out for my friend, no! My brother. I was so caught up in the moment that I wanted to kill a person, I even felt she wasn't worth it as her father's a cruel bastard. I'm sorry, Justin, I went too far and I hope you can forgive me. I'll be waiting for you."

Justin didn't say anything as he had meant every word of actually ending his friendship with Aiden.

As Aiden left, he stopped in the kitchen doorway and turned around, staring at me with apologetic eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Amber. When I took that deal, I didn't know you were this amazing and you're even willing to sacrifice all that you own for someone you barely know. You have given me a different perspective about wealthy people," He said.

"Even if I turned out to be a malicious and evil person, you still shouldn't have the intention of killing me. No one deserves to be killed," I said.

"Yeah, I realise that now. Please, do forgive me," He said and walked away.

A heavy silence fell upon us as we were void of what to say. I wanted to look him in the eye but I couldn't because I had just ruined his friendship with his best friend.

"You're not going to ask how I'm suddenly here?" Justin asked after what seemed like ages.

"Err... I wanted to ask you," I said, looking away from him.

He walked to my side and stopped in front of me, sending butterflies buzzing in my stomach as my heart tingled at his sudden closeness to me.

"There's something you must know," He said.

My ears ached badly for what he had to say while my body longed for his touch as my heart kept thumping uncontrollably as it was aware of his closeness to me after such a long time.

I looked up, made eye contact with him and licked my lips, leaving him to make a choice. Did he want to talk to me? Did he want to kiss me?

The answer was in his hands now.