Love Began with the First Meeting

Getting near the place, however, she saw an English style white lacquer table with hollowed-out carved designs, a hammock in the shape of a hanging basket in which people could have a nap inside, and a lot of roses scattered inside. She could even smell the pleasant scent of the roses. Of course, it would be even better if the empty bookshelf just beside the hammock was filled with magazines and books about dress design and fashion.

"I'm afraid you are still too weak to read, so I have asked Ken to remove the books and magazines. When you are in a much better physical condition, this place will be filled with everything you like." Aaron sensed Ximena was a little upset about the empty shelf, so he calmly explained.

However, Ximena didn't give him any response, as she was lost in her fantasy about the life she had always yearned for. Out of her happiness, on the back of her mind, she remembered a saying, "When God closes a door for you, he will open another window for you." "Is that what I am experiencing now?' she asked herself silently.

As he was watching her smiling face, his eyes became soft, though there was also a little bitterness and self-mockery inside. Wanting to surprise her even more, Aaron opened the glass door just in time as Ximena turned around, and right there and then, right before her eyes, she saw a sea of roses. She was filled with mirth, standing still, stunned, and didn't know how to express her emotion right now.

Then with slow and steady steps, Aaron went up and held her in his arms, his chin gently leaned on Ximena's shoulder. His warm breath spreading over her ear, he asked carefully, "Do you like it?"

Ximena's nose was stinging and she felt like crying. She wondered, 'Why does he do this for me after I've lost the baby? Why didn't all these come early? Is he truly in love with me and would do this kind of thing for me? True love? Could Aaron have that kind of thing?' "I always have the thought that we will live here in the future, like the usual couple, with two lovely kids around us. You can open a clothing design shop and do whatever you want to do. When I finish my job, I will go back home and have dinner with you and the kids. Every night, we will tell the kids bedtime stories, watch them fall asleep, and kiss their foreheads. Things like that. So simple, for a lifetime." Embracing Ximena a little tighter, Aaron said softly. What he mentioned were the most extravagant things he had ever hoped for, but he didn't have the chance to enjoy. Those things sounded ordinary, but were what he hadn't enjoyed. And if he could become a father, he would be willing to offer all these to his child.

Ximena just froze up for a while. It never came to her that such an aloof, bloodthirsty man would ever look forward to such common happiness. 'But now, everything was impossible. The child has been long lost. Without a child, what else should be used in exchange for everything he just mentioned? All of me? My entire life? How long will it last? Could Aaron offer a life-long promise to me? Or can I take the risk and accept it? No, obviously, I could not risk for it, and I don't have that ability and confidence to win the risk.' A thousand thoughts were buzzing in Ximena's mind.

"Is there any point in saying that now? The facts were placed in front of us and spoke for themselves, and no matter how much they were wiped away, the marks could not fade away. The reunion of those being heartbroken and separated is just a drama, deceiving everyone..." Ximena's voice was insipid, not angry or resentful. "This kind of drama... It's not suitable for you or me!"

"Ximena, I've made it clear that whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Am I not clear enough?" Aaron bit his teeth, wondering both angrily and bitterly, 'Will our bond end because of the child we lost? Can't we make a little more efforts to strengthen it? A family, is it really that hard to have one?'

Ximena squeezed out a bitter smile and said ironically, "Your Highness, I should really thank you for your grace."

Aaron closed his eyes, and he knew that the gap between them had to be filled by time. As far as he or Ximena was concerned, they both needed some time to heal their mental wounds.

Yet, at the moment, only Ximena herself knew how much she wanted to be held tightly in his arms and pour out all her thoughts and bitter tears. But her intuitions were now strongly warning her to hold that urge and step back as that would be such a risky gamble. She told herself silently, 'I have long been hurt, bruised and mottled with scars in QY Island, such an abominable place. I no longer had the courage and confidence to bet that Aaron truly loves me. I am tired; I just want to live simply, not to give myself that boundless extravagant hope, just like now... I would try to stay with Aaron as long as possible.

Love, such a strong emotion that really hurts both people involved. James, Aaron... Am I destined to be trapped by these two brothers?'

After that day, Ximena had been staying at the manor for rest and recuperation. During the period, she had nothing to do all day, so she began to study dress design. Since she was very interested in it, she didn't feel bored. Meanwhile, Aaron was very busy at work, but he would go home to have dinner with her at night. She had no idea why he had to do that or what was his purpose in doing so. Although Aaron was still wearing a cold face as he usually did, Ximena obviously felt that he was nicer to her.

However, on the back of her mind, there was something she could not grab her thoughts on to. Thinking about Aaron, she was worried when would he get tired of such a situation?

On the traditional Chinese New Year's Day, Aaron and Ximena had dinner together. Ximena even made dumplings for the special occasion. Thinking that it was fun, Aaron wanted to help her to make some dumplings, but at the sight of that mass of flour and the fine workmanship, he just gave up the idea. Yet, watching Ximena making some dumplings was a kind of fun for him.

For the first time in her life, Ximena had a New Year's dinner with someone's companion. Then they welcomed the new year together. She could not help thinking of her old days, wandering in one alley after another, looking for food in the dustbins, and when others were happily reunited and shot off firecrackers to celebrate, she was alone and shivering in the cold night wind.

Feeling that Ximena was absent-minded, Aaron asked gently, "What's the matter?"

Ximena looked up at Aaron, and said, "Nothing. I just didn't expect it to be this way."

"This is also my first time to experience the feeling of celebrating the New Year," Aaron said in a bitter tone, yet at the moment his eyes were glowing with happiness.

Feeling sorry for him, Ximena was stunned. Then, Aaron told her the truth, "No one has ever accompanied me to celebrate the New Year before, and it's no fun to celebrate it alone. When I was a kid, because of my old man, I never had a chance to celebrate the New Year. Later then Zoey's dad, also my stepfather, was always in bad condition. As a result, no one could celebrate the New Year with me."

Ximena beamed, her eyes flickering with a touch of complex glow, and said in a bit unnatural tone, "Wow, this is my honor, Your Highness! You have given me your first time."

Slightly annoyed by her response, Aaron frowned and thought, 'What? Is she making fun of me?' Wanting to take back on her, Aaron then came forward and put his arms around Ximena's waist from behind. "Wh..?"

Surprised, Ximena turned around and said. But before Ximena could ask anything, her words were swallowed.

At that very moment, with the early whistles and showers of fireworks and firecrackers, Ximena was passionately kissed by Aaron. 00000000