Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(13)

I loved RPH and I honestly didn’t want to resign because of issues with my boss. Although I’d been pressured to take the job, I was happy and excited about my new position. I couldn’t have asked for a better transition than what I’d experienced as I took on my new position as CEO. There had been little to no resistance in the new hierarchal structure. I don’t quite know if I had expected any but I was pleased all the same. I had hoped that Aiden would back off and allow me to truly appreciate my new role without his interruptions and finagling; so far that hadn’t been the case, so I couldn’t help but wonder what was next.



The doorman greeted me as I walked into my building. “Hello Miss Cason,” he said.

“Hello Silas,” I replied. Silas was one of the building’s front desk attendants who also served as a doorman as the need arose. I walked past him to the elevator, the doors opening just as I approached and a couple stepped out. I stepped in and pressed the button to my floor. I had just enough time before dinner to get in a quick work out. I entered my condo and dropped my purse on the sofa. I hurriedly undressed and tossed on some workout clothes and headed downstairs. I had a quick run on the treadmill followed by some time on the elliptical. The music was blaring; the upbeat tempos pulling me in as they pushed everything else to the background. Music was my therapy and I was relying on it more and more as of late. It was an escape from the memories, even if only for a short time. As for the long haul, I knew the memories would fade but they simply weren’t fading fast enough.



*****



Kellan and I had started a second glass of wine and the sound of a Skype call interrupted our laughter. My only Skype callers were typically one of my family members, April or Kellan. I moved my mouse to awaken my laptop and saw that it was my mother.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, greeting her with a cheeky smile.

“Hello, Aria. How was your day?”

“It was okay.” I replied.

“Just okay? Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Not really. I’m not in complete agreement with my boss on a few things.” It killed me to think of Aiden that way. “But that’s typically the case for anyone working for the man,” I added, smiling. “But things will work out. How was your day?”

“Pretty great actually. I’m working on some gifts for you and your sisters for Christmas.”

“Already? You’re getting a great head start,” I said.

“Well, I think I should’ve started sooner because I actually don’t know what I’m doing. I’m attending a quilting class.”

“Wow! You’re making quilts for us?” I asked.

“Yes, and I wanted it to be a surprise but since I need to get more information on your favorite colors and such, I needed to check in with you,” she said.

“That sounds amazing. I can’t wait to see it.”

I totally forgot Kellan was sitting next to me until he grabbed a strand of my hair. “I’m being rude, Mom. My friend, Kellan is here,” I said, turning the monitor to include him.

“Hello Kellan,” Mom said.

“Hello, how are you?” he asked.

“I’m well. This is a special treat. I rarely meet any of Aria’s friends,” she mused.

I rolled my eyes as I thought about why she’d never had a chance to meet any of my friends. For one, she was never in any capacity to meet any of my friends until very recently and two … I didn’t have any friends, except April.

The intercom buzzed. It had to be the food delivery. Kellan and I had decided to skip the restaurant and stay in for dinner. It was more my idea than his, I foolishly hoped that I could introduce my home to new memories that would flush out the others somewhat faster. I told Mom I’d be right back and left Kellan to speak with her. I made the offer to treat us to dinner to which Kellan refused but he gave in when I suggested he take care of the tip. I paid the delivery guy and placed the food in the kitchen and headed back to the sitting room.

Kellan’s laughter caught me by surprise as I entered the room. I could hear Mom laughing too. I wondered what that was all about.

“That was dinner,” I said, looking at Kellan and then at the monitor. “So what did I miss?” I asked.

“Nothing that you don’t already know,” Mom replied. “I was telling Kellan about your first school play, you know the one where you had the hiccups.” I didn’t respond. I wanted to smile and not place a damper on the moment but this flashback was of a time when we were all together as a family and while I was making great efforts to reconnect with Mom and my sisters, I hadn’t yet opened the door to the room that included my dad.

I looked over at Kellan who was still grinning.

“You two are about to have dinner so I’ll check in with you later ... more than likely tomorrow because I really want to get started on the quilt swatches.”

“Okay Mom, but did you want anything else?” I asked.

“No, I just wanted to see your face and hear your voice. I love you, Aria.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

“It was nice talking to and meeting you, Kellan,” she added.

“It was nice meeting you too, Mrs. Cason,” Kellan replied.

“It’s Costanzo. Her last name is Costanzo,” I blurted out. My last name was different because I changed my last name to Mom’s maiden name before I graduated from college. I didn’t want my dad’s name to follow me around for the length of my career … another attempt to distance myself from him and my memories.