CHAPTER 11

ARIA’S POV

I take a step to the back when the man wheels himself forward again, getting even closer into my personal space than he already was. Looking to Regis for help in that moment doesn’t help one bit because he also has the same look of confusion written in clear lines all over his face.

“I can’t believe it’s really you. Look at you, all grown.” He’s smiling through tears.

When he grabs my hand out of nowhere, I yelp at the unexpected contact, backing away from him. It is exactly what Regis needs to break out of his confusion as he steps between us. I hide behind him, rubbing the hands the man held not too long ago.

“Sir,” Regis says, “Is everything okay?”

At Regis’ words, the man breaks out of whatever spell he’s been put in since he saw me.

“Oh, how rude of me,” He says and then meets my eyes to continue, “I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable. I just couldn’t help myself.” He chuckles at the end of the words. However, that isn’t enough to convince me to step out