I walked back to my bedroom to take a shower. Now that Jason has agreed to keep our meetings strictly professional, my mind can be at ease. I hop in the shower, and let the hot water wash over my body relaxing me. After thirty minutes, I get out and get ready for the day. As I walk downstairs I see April making lunch for everybody.

"Hey."

"What's up?"

"You have no idea April. Mrs. Anderson has given me time off so I can spend some time with my mother in her last few days."

"I mean that's good right? She knows how much your mother means to you and she is doing what she feels is best for you."

"Yeah you're right."

"Have you talked to Jason?"

"Yes I have." There was a long pause and excitement filled her eyes.

"So did he profess his love for you yet?"

"April I told you already, Jason doesn't feel that way about me, he was flirting with me okay. There was no hidden meaning in his actions. Well anyway we talked and he took responsibility for the fallout we had, because it really was his entire fault."

"Well at least you two are on good terms again; a house full of tension isn't good for anybody. So what are your plans for today?"

"Well I figured I'd go and see how my mom's doing," I say while grabbing my car keys off the counter.

"Wait you're going now? Don't you want lunch?"

"Nah thanks for asking though." I waved April goodbye, and head out to my car. Today was a beautiful day and I truly am grateful for the time off Mrs. Anderson has given me.

I decided to pick up some chocolate covered strawberries for my mom and flowers from the grocery store near the hospice. When I arrived a nurse led me up to her room, where she was reading a book.

"Hey mama, how are you feeling?" I walked over to her bedside and grabbed her hand.

"I'm a little tired, but seeing you makes me feel stronger. Are those flowers for me?"

"Of course, and I brought you chocolate covered strawberries." I placed the flowers on her side table and took a seat.

"Thank you dear. Did you know Mrs. Anderson called me?"

"No I didn't, she told me she was coming to see you tonight but she never mentioned calling you."

"It was so nice to hear from her," she said before she started gasping for air.

"Mama... Mama."

I immediately called a nurse for help, and within seconds a nurse and a doctor rushed into the room. I watched as the nurse got an oxygen mask out and administered oxygen to my mother.

"What's wrong with her?" I shouted, but nobody would answer me. The doctor motioned his finger for me to follow him outside.

"Doctor what is wrong with her?"

"Christina, as you know the cancer has spread to her lungs, causing her to not receive enough oxygen. Her days are getting shorter so there is a higher chance of this happening again. I think it's best if you leave her for today and come back tomorrow. The nurse is administering a drug to help her sleep and deal with the pain so she won't be responsive for the next few hours."

"Please let me stay for a while. I don't mind if she's sleeping I just want to be near her." He reluctantly agrees and I head back into the room to find my mother sleeping soundly. I stay with her for two hours before I decide to leave.

I grab my bag, and give her a kiss on the forehead before leaving. When I get in my car, I wipe away the tears which have been forming. My day went from being great to being terrible in a matter of seconds. I really feel like calling Stacy to cheer me up, but she's already done so much for me. I pull out my wallet, and Aiden's card falls out. I remember him saying that he's a great listener, and as I dial his number I stop myself. How could I go and confide in a complete stranger. Without thinking, I accidently pressed the call button, and called him. He answered on the second ring.

"Maxwell, talk to me." The way he answered his phone exuded power, and it made me a little nervous.

"Hey Aiden, its Christina the girl you met on the train yesterday."

"Oh hey I'm glad you called, how are you?" His voice softened from his businesslike tone which put me at ease.

"I could be better."

"Do you want to talk about it, remember I'm a good listener?"

"Yes, and that's exactly why I called you."

"Where are you right now?"

"I just left the hospice my mother is staying at, so I'm just outside of La Cocina."

"I know where you are, wait right there I'll come get you."

"Wait you're in Jersey."

"Yeah I had another meeting."

"Okay I'll be waiting."

I went and sat down on a bench outside the restaurant. Within fifteen minutes, Aiden pulled up in a new BMW.

"Wow nice car."

"Thanks," he said getting out of the driver's side.

He gave me a hug and kissed my cheek as a greeting, which caused me to blush a little and locked his door.

We walked to a nearby coffee shop to talk. A waitress came to our table and took our orders.

"What will you have," she said batting her eyelashes at Aiden. He gave her a small smile and glanced over at me before telling her his order.

"I'll have an espresso black no cream but a lot of sugar." The waitress smiled and giggled at Aiden while I rolled my eyes. She then turned to face me and gave me the rudest stare, "And you..."

"I'll have a green tea."

"Coming right up," she said as she walked away from our table.

"Wow she is a mess."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on Aiden, she was full on flirting with you."

"Oh that, well I can't help it if women find me charming," He said as he fixed his tie and winked at me.

I rolled my eyes earning a chuckle from Aiden, "What you don't find me charming?"

"No Aiden you are extremely charming, and good looking, who wouldn't be drawn to you."

"Why do I hear sarcasm in that," he said laughing. I only gave him a smile and sealed my lips.

"Oh it's like that now?"

The waitress from before came back to our table and cut me off before I could respond, "Here are you're drinks, let me know if you need anything else," she said as she slid a sheet of paper to Aiden. She looked me up and down as if she was sizing me up before she turned around and left.

I heard a chuckle from Aiden, and stared at him puzzled.

"What's so funny?"

"You were totally right, she was hitting on me before. She left me her number, and everything." He held up the paper and shook his head before placing it back on the table.

"I told you. I think she was sizing me up before she left."

"Yeah I totally saw that. Don't worry if I was to put you up against her, you would win hands down."

"Thanks," I say trying to hide my blush. I could see Aiden smiling at my embarrassment, so I averted my eyes from him and focused on my green tea.

"Anyway let's move on to why you called me. So what's going on that has you so sad today Christina?"

"Well my day started off okay, but then it took a turn for the worse when I saw my mother earlier."

"What happened?" I then remembered that I hadn't told Aiden about the situation with my mother. I wondered if I should even tell him seeing as he's sort of a complete stranger.

"You're thinking about whether or not you should tell me about your mother aren't you?"

His question caught me caught me off guard and I nodded.

"Christina its okay, you have nothing to worry about. I just want to help you." I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. "Well I recently found out that my mother has stage four terminal breast cancer."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." I nodded my head and continued as Aiden listened intently to what I was saying.

"Today I had brought my mom some flowers, and out of nowhere she started gasping for air. I was told my mother only has a few more days to live since the cancer has spread to her lungs." I begin to cry softly as I continue speaking.

"Seeing her like that killed me. I've never seen her in so much pain,"

I begin fiddling with my fingers when Aiden grabs my hands from across the table, and holds them still. Look Christina I sort of know how you feel. I lost my mother in a car accident when I was young. I was about eight years old, and I couldn't really understand what was happening at the time. When she was gone I would always ask my father where she was, and when she would be coming back. My father would tell me all the time that she was gone, but I couldn't understand. I finally got what he meant when I was ten and he took me to her grave. That's when it really sunk in for me. It was easier for me, because I really didn't have that much time with my mother, so I didn't grieve for a long time. You on the other hand have spent your whole life with her and have so many memories, so things will be hard for you when she's gone. I just want to let you know that I'm here for you if you ever need someone to lean on okay."

I begin to tear up again, and Aiden reaches across the table to wipe my tears away. He stands up and walks over to give me a hug. His embrace was warm, and comforting. I felt safe and calm, as he traced circles in the small of my back.

"Do you feel any better?"

"Somewhat thanks for listening."

"No problem."

"Well I better get back home."

"Yeah and I have another meeting in one hour."

"I hope we can do this again sometime. You know talk and maybe hang out."

"I'd like that." I give him another hug and head towards my car. I drive back to Mrs. Anderson's home and April answers the door."

"Hey how was your mom?"

"Not good April, it looks like she doesn't have much time left." This whole ordeal has been mentally and emotionally draining on me. I find myself asking why her? Why now, but I never seem to find the answer.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay I'm fine."

"Is Mrs. Anderson back yet?"

"Yeah but she has a meeting within the hour so she's getting ready for it."

"Oh okay, well do you want to hang out with me?"

"Sure."

April and I walk up to my room and turn on the TV. "Let's order a movie."

"Sounds good," I say changing into a hoodie and some leggings.

"How about we order Magic Mike?"

"Yes I've always wanted to see that movie."

"I head to my mini fridge and hand April a pint of ice cream with a spoon."

"No popcorn," she asked amused.

"Ice cream is way better."

Forty-five minutes into the movie, the doorbell rings. I stopped the movie, and April gets up.

"Well..."

"Well what?"

"Come with me Christina."

"Why?"

"So you won't be tempted to go ahead in the movie."

"Fine," I say getting off the bed.

We both head downstairs and April opens the door. I stand and wait by the staircase. As April opens the door, I see a familiar blonde haired man in a black suit.

"Aiden?"

"Christina, wow didn't expect to run into you here."

"Yeah I live here. So you have a meeting with Mrs. Anderson."

"Yeah, but I'm a little early." I see April looking at me with the spill it face, and I slap my forehead. Aiden scans my body up and down and smiles, "so this is you're dressed down look."

I mentally slap myself again, remembering that I'm only wearing leggings and a hoodie.

"Yeah we were watching a movie in my room so I wanted to be comfortable. "

"You look cute." We stand there getting lost in each other's eyes, when Mrs. Anderson walks down the hall.

"Aiden, welcome darling," she says hugging him and kissing him on the cheek.

"Hello Gloria, it's nice to see you again."

"Aiden allow me to introduce Chris-."

"It's okay Gloria we've already met, so I'm well acquainted with Christina," he said throwing me a wink.

"Oh well that's surprising." Mrs. Anderson throws a look of surprise towards my way and raises an eyebrow at me. "Anyway follow me so we can start our meeting. April please bring refreshments to my study."

April nodded her head and walked toward the kitchen. Aiden waved to me and began walking down the hall with Mrs. Anderson. I walked to the kitchen and April stared at me waiting for me to speak.

"Well..."

"What?"

"What was that? How the hell do you know Aiden Maxwell?"

"I met him on a train yesterday, and I sort of went out for coffee with him today."

"So what you're dating him?"

"No we just went out to talk about my mom. He was trying to cheer me up."

"Yeah sure, wait here while I take this to Mrs. Anderson's study this discussion isn't over."

"Great," I say sarcastically. April walks back into the room demanding that I tell her everything so I did just so she'd leave me alone on the issue. April makes dinner, and after two hours Aiden and Mr. Anderson emerge from her study.

"I can't wait to hear from you soon, thanks again for stopping by."

"No problem."

I begin walking up the stairs when Aiden calls to me.

"Christina, come here for a second. "

As I come back down the stairs I see Jason come through the front door.

"What's up Aiden?"

"Here's the number to my personal phone. Last time I gave you my business number."

I call him so that he has my number. He gives me a hug and kisses my forehead. "I hope to hear from you soon okay."

I nod my head and he turns around to come face to face with Jason.

"Jason right," he says extending his hand.

"Yeah," Jason replies reluctantly shaking his hand.

"I look forward to working with you as well," he says before he leaves out the door.

Mrs. Anderson and Jason land their eyes on me, with the same face April had.

"Dear how do you know Aiden?"

"I met him yesterday."

"Oh okay, "she says throwing me a wink. Oh boy not Mrs. Anderson too, does everyone think I have a thing going on with Aiden.

She walks back down to her study and closes the door. Jason moves closer to me and places his bags on the ground.

"What's going on between you two?"