Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 972 Extra Story 110 Of Aaron The Bracelet

When Aaron saw the change in Ximena, an indescribable feeling came over him. He knew the reason why Ximena was not rejecting him much that day had something to do with Hanson.

"Your Highness, I am pretty flattered that you came to see me at such a late hour," Hanson said sarcastically. It was a starry night. Hanson was lying on a reclining chair next to the garden pool of the hotel, with a cocktail next to him, wearing a loose short-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of beach pants, looking rather casual and wanton. Hearing Hanson's teasing tone, Aaron felt the urge to beat him up.

But when he took another look at Hanson, some other thoughts crossed his mind. 'Not to mention, he is the last and the most outstanding disciple of the God of Gamblers and he also works for Mr. Brian Long. I have to hold my urge to break his face for both reasons. Besides, I am here to ask him something about Ximena.'

He managed to hold back his frustrations and sat down near Hanson. Placing his elbows on his knees and interlocking his fingers, he stared at the brightly lit pool and asked slowly, "Are you and Ximena familiar with each other?" "More than that," Hanson replied, shrugging. "She is sort of my family."

Aaron turned to look at Hanson in surprise and confusion, since he wasn't expecting him to answer his question without any arrogance or trickery.

Hanson laughed softly and continued, "Anyway, Ximena is kind of my little sister. If there is a man who shows concerns for her, I'm happy for that." He was indirectly assuring Aaron that Ximena was just his sister and there was no need for him to be jealous. He then got up and sat in the soft chair with his legs crossed. He turned towards Aaron and teased, "But it looks like you both have something on your minds now..." When he saw Aaron frown, he laughed and shook his head. "Don't worry! I am not nosy enough to want to figure out what happened between you two. It's just that... Women are complicated creatures. If they are mad at you, just remember one thing..." He raised his right index finger and continued, "As long as she loves you, her anger will dissolve in no time and all your problems will be solved eventually. However, if she doesn't truly love you, she will remain mad at you even if you rip your heart out for her."

Hanson smiled and got up from the chair. Throwing a condescending glance at Aaron, he said, "I need to take Ximena out for breakfast tomorrow morning. I'm going to bed. Show yourself out." Saying that, he left the pool and went inside the hotel.

The moon and the lights near the pool shone its light on Aaron. He seemed a bit lonely, and a helpless smile spread over his face. He glanced at the lake blue cocktail and the red cherry on the side of the glass. The unfinished drink seemed as lonely as he was, but not as desolate.

*

When Ximena and Molly met again, it seemed that they both had changed after that night. While their men were busy at work, they simply chatted and spent time together. This routine went on for a few more days and time passed inadvertently.

At first, Molly and Brian were staying at the villa near the lake which Aaron had prepared for them. But later, Brian arranged for Molly to live at Aaron's manor. She didn't ask the reason for it. She knew that the world Brian lived in was not always safe; sometimes it was filled with a pitch black darkness. It was better to not ask too many questions.

When it was arranged for her to stay at a different place, she didn't feel as lost as she used to be four years ago. In Ximena's company, Molly had a pretty good time. And Ximena felt that she was enlightened by Molly's new perspective and she finally figured out solutions for some of her problems which she couldn't have done on her own.

Ximena leaned against the hood of her car, watching the plane turn in the runway. The plane's engine roared awake, and her eyes slightly deepened. She tilted her head gradually as the small private airplane took off slowly and rose into the sky. She was sort of at a loss as she absentmindedly caressed her empty wrist where she once had the bracelet. A light, complex smile crawled onto the corners of her lips.

Ximena slowly walked to the front fence. The wind at the airport was a bit strong and it made a mess of her soft hair.

Her hands rested on the lattices of the steel wire fence, and as another plane took off, she lifted her hands slowly and moved them along the direction of the plane until it flew into the clouds and disappeared.

"Do you crave for freedom that much?" Aaron's cold voice came from behind. He stared at Ximena's empty wrist.

Ximena withdrew her hands with a bitter smile. She said, "You know very well that I won't leave. Even if I want to be free, I won't leave you...

Ah!" Ximena murmured painfully all of a sudden.

Aaron pulled her hand abruptly. He looked at her ferociously, gnashing his teeth. "Where's the bracelet?"

He squeezed her hand painfully, but she didn't complain. She said, "I gave it to Molly."

"What?! So, you are on such good terms with Mrs. Long now? So good that you are even willing to part with the most important thing in your life?" Aaron's voice was kind of cold and irritated. 'I gave her the bracelet made by the jade seal because the seal was crunched into pieces. She had been wearing it for a whole year, and never removed it even once. But now, she just gave it away so easily.' Aaron's mind raced.

His eyes showed his bewilderment. Seeing his expression, Ximena had the urge to laugh out loud. Slowly, she twisted her arm and got away from his grip. After an indifferent glance at him, she walked to the car arrogantly. She started the car, and the engine roared. The racing sound was like an aggressive provocation to Aaron. Looking at him, she opened the window, and said calmly, "If you can catch up with me, I'll tell you why!"

She changed the gear, loosened the clutch and stepped on the accelerator. She took a beautiful turn quickly and faced the exit. Under the roar of the whining engine, the car sped like an arrow departing from its bow. It disappeared swiftly under Aaron's watch. Aaron looked at the disappearing car with a strange smile. He walked towards Ken and grabbed the key from his hand. He then got into the car and drove away in the same direction as Ximena. Everything happened in an instant. Before Ken even realized what was happening, the two cars had already disappeared one after the other under his watch.

"A passenger car is racing against a sports car..." Ken whispered to himself. He pursed the corners of his lips and shook his head with a scoff. "This is one time a passenger car might be more powerful than a sports car." Ken let out a sigh, and gloomily walked to the airport subway. 0000