2
When I got home.
Aidan Shaw was sitting on the sofa, a rare sight.
I saw him, but ignoring each other in private was one of the few unspoken agreements we had, so I turned to walk up the stairs.
"Elara Hayes," he called out suddenly.
I made no move to go back down, simply turning to look at him.
"What is it?"
Aidan Shaw looked up, his eyes meeting mine, wearing that same old cynical expression.
"You're coming with me to a banquet. Now."
I frowned. "I'm not feeling well. Just have Secretary Chen go with you."
Aidan Shaw let out a cold laugh at my words.
"Did you think I was asking you?"
"Elara Hayes, you don't have the right."
I really wasn't feeling well, and on top of that, going to a banquet meant I'd inevitably have to drink.
"Didn't Secretary Chen always go with you before? Why not today?"
Aidan Shaw suddenly started laughing.
His reaction left me completely confused. I reached out a hand to steady myself on the nearby banister.
"What's so funny?"
Aidan Shaw stood up and advanced on me, one step at a time.
He stopped when only a single step separated us.
"Elara Hayes, are you jealous?"
His smile was playful, just like the rebellious boy he used to be. But no matter how I looked, I could no longer find that old clarity in his eyes.
I was lost in thought for a moment, and my hesitation only made Aidan Shaw more certain he was right.
Aidan Shaw leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against my face.
"What?"
"Hit a nerve?"
I let out a soft laugh, raised a hand to push Aidan Shaw away, and looked at him seriously.
"Don't worry. To me, you're a Patron, at most. Since there are no feelings involved, why would I be jealous?"
"It's just a banquet, isn't it? It's not like I haven't been to plenty of them."
