Chapter 118 Stay Here

118 Stay Here

Aaron could never picture himself being this kind. Three days of nursing a woman. A stranger. A pregnant stranger. No one in the family expected his compassion or sympathy. For all they knew, she was a runaway wife chased by her abusive husband. But her skin bore no marks. Not even a cut. Who was the husband? Who was the father? That was all he wanted to know. And on the fourth day, Aaron got his answer. As dusk melted into dawn, the sky still a pale navy, and dense clouds rolled over stars, Aaron woke up. He performed his morning duty without a servant, for he always found it odd that another had to wash his face and dress him when he had a perfectly working body. He left his room at the same time the butlers and maids began to bustle in the hallways. His parents were likely going to wake up soon.

Aaron fell into the same routine he'd been performing for three days. Initially, he was surprised at how frequently he'd visit her room. It wasn't like anything would change with his presence. From the size of her barely protruding belly, Doctor Farne predicted she was only four to five months along, at max, six.

Aaron didn't expect anything different today. Yet, when he opened the door, he felt like fainting.

There she was.

Her back was towards him. The scene captivated his entire being, enough for him to itch for a paintbrush. She turned and blinked. He almost fell to his knees. She was the embodiment of morning and night. It was almost as if stars were woven into her silver locks and the universe tucked into her eyes. Her pale skin reminded him of moonlight, smooth and ethereal. "Hello," she addressed as if this was her house. As if he was the intruder. And not her. Her voice was the purest sound he had ever heard. He couldn't describe her with mortal words. She was fated to be a poet's muse for eternity. "Where am I?" she continued, her brows pulling together in confusion. The very act captured his heart.

"Y-you're in House Eves," Aaron stammered, kicking himself for tripping over his words. A force of habit whenever he was nervous. He swore he had gotten rid of the nasty behavior, but it resurfaced when he didn't watch himself. "And you are...?" "Aaron," he exhaled. "Aaron Eves."

"Aaron Eves," she tested the words.

Aaron realized his name had never been more perfect until now. A faint amusement crossed her enchanting features. His mind was mush. He didn't know what to do and was suddenly aware of every single strand of hair on his body. His smell. His behavior. Everything. Was the corner of his tunic wrinkled? Did he forget to wipe a spot on his chin? Did he still have bedhead? "A pleasure to meet you, Aaron... Eves."

Did she know who the Eves were? Aaron had a thousand questions to ask. "A-and you are?" he repeated her words.

Confusion clouded her beauty. She slowly blinked in an attempt to draw out time. She touched her bottom lips, an action his eyes snapped to. Lines formed between her etched brow. Her pondering state was one to be painted for eons. Aaron had never seen a woman so effortlessly elegant as her. He grew up in high society. Mingled amongst the finest-bred ladies, yet none could even compare to her pinky. "I... I don't know who I am," she confessed.

"What?" Aaron deadpanned. "Y-you don't know?"

"No," she whispered, almost horrified. "I don't remember anything." Aaron was floored. "Not even the child in your belly?"

"You must at least have a name, do you not?" Lord Eves continued grilling her. "Name a price. What do you wish for?"

Aaron was bewildered. This was unlike his father. He expected this behavior from their mother! "Something to help my stomach?" she mumbled, rubbing her tummy. "It is growling and I do not understand why."

Lord Eves blanched. She was so... stupid. He was speechless. House Eves may be human, but they were rich and established. Their house was around for centuries. Their lineage traced back thousands of years. They were present when the ancient treaty between humans, vampires, and werewolves was signed. They were wealthy, even in those days. There wasn't a single human who didn't know the Eves name.

If given the chance, crooks like her would ask for money, a house, a title, or anything that could give them power. Yet, this woman dared to ask for food? Something so easy to give, something that could be picked up from the ground? And she didn't even understand hunger.

"Aaron," Lord Eves calmly decided. "Tell a butler to fetch Doctor Farne. Have the maids bring up breakfast. And make sure no one wakes your mother. She doesn't need to trouble herself with this madness."

"Father," Aaron exasperated. "I truly think she has lost her memories. She would have no incentive to trick us with the mount of gold that adorn her, and—"

"Don't make me repeat myself, Aaron," Lord Eves coldly stated, his expression blank.

Aaron felt a trickle of sweat dribble down his spine. His father seldom spoke to him like this. Unable to help himself, he could only nod his head. When he caught the woman's befuddled glance, he could only offer her a smile.

"Stay here," Aaron told her. "I'll be back."

Aaron headed for the doors, but to his surprise, he heard footsteps follow after him.

"And where do you think you're going?" Lord Eves demanded, stopping in her path. Aaron desperately wished he could take her with him. His hands itched to grab hers. Instead, the stranger tilted her head innocently, like a child who could do no wrong. "With Aaron Eves," she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And why would you do that?" Lord Eves questioned.

She ran her hand on her swollen stomach. "Well, didn't he cause this?" Hm... do you believe her? Xincerely