Chapter 7

Jake was a technician who worked for a rich man. He modified cars to make them faster and better. He, like Aiden, was using the Knote app for the first time.

That night, he was assigned to install a GPS onto Fred's car. Knote sent him info about Fred. He installed the GPS onto a square piece of metal. Jake unscrewed the bolts and attached an additional small piece of metal under the car. Jake deliberately put the GPS on the side because when the truck hit Fred's car, the GPS was immediately destroyed.

Jake was also there when the incident took place. He had to make sure no evidence was left on the road.

He walked out of the hospital, passing Aiden and Eri in the lobby and walking in.

"Hopefully, after meeting you, Fred will wake up," Eri said, as they reached the elevator. 

Aiden looked over, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to say that he hated Fred for taking his job or feign sympathy.

"You know, people who have an inner bond may find it easier to communicate."

They reached the third floor, Aiden walking behind Eri, assuming he didn't know where Fred's room was.

As soon as they entered Aiden's room, a nurse was there.

"Are you his family?" the female nurse asked.

"Yes," Eri said, turning to Aiden. 

"He must be a good person. I'm sure he'll wake up soon since people keep coming to encourage him." The blonde nurse looked at Fred.

"Is anyone else here?" Eri asked.

"Someone just came out," said the nurse.

Eri and Aiden looked at each other, then the nurse excused herself.

"Do you know who it is?" asked Eri, still suspicious of Aiden.

Aiden shook his head slowly. "Probably the office people."

Eri nodded in understanding.

"Talk to him, I'll wait outside." Eri turned her head once as she approached the door. She could see Aiden's sad expression.

Aiden waited for quite a while, before finally sitting on the chair near Fred's bed. He didn't even want to touch Fred's hand.

"Fred." Aiden's words trailed off, he couldn't continue his sentence. So, he was silent for a long time. "I'm sorry."

"I hope you don't wake up."

Eri took out her cell phone, occasionally looking at the door. Her heart was beating quite fast, and she hoped nothing was happening there.

"Hello."

"Where is he?"

"In Fred's room."

"Nothing suspicious?" asked Duke, who was currently at home.

"No, I don't know. Aiden ...." Eri looked doubtful, she couldn't read Aiden's expression, everything seemed unclear.

"I see. Okay, give me the name of the restaurant where Aiden works. I need to confirm where he was when the incident happened." Duke seemed certain that Aiden was the perpetrator of the accident. Duke knew that Fred had taken his job and Fred was the one who had gotten Aiden fired.

"I'll send you the address." Eri found out about Aiden's new workplace from her friend, who saw Aiden at the restaurant.

"You have to keep an eye on him."

Eri felt so tired, she just mumbled. She doesn't know why she agreed to do this, spying on Aiden. Actually, she wanted to prove to herself that Aiden was not a good guy. But doubts always arise. Her feelings were still the same, and they were not easy to erase.

The call ended. After that, Aiden came out of the room. He sat next to Eri, there was a distance between the two of them.

"Aiden, how are you?" Eri turned her head briefly. She laughed awkwardly.

"Fine." Aiden should have taken this opportunity to mend his relationship with Eri, but his mind was full of many things.

Both of them were silent.

"Aiden, don't you love me anymore?" Eri couldn't help but feel that the man had turned cold.

Aiden turned his head, "Ask yourself, I never left you or disappeared suddenly." He said it without a hurt expression, perhaps Aiden was never in love with Eri.

"I, I had to, I don't know who you are." Eri's eyes began to glaze over, she really missed Aiden.

"What do you mean?" Aiden looked nervous, especially when Eri looked at him seriously.

"You might not be a good man for me." A single teardrop fell.

Aiden frowned, "I don't understand, you want to break up, but you're calling me not a good guy. I always do whatever you ask. I'm sorry if I can't be with you all the time. Is that what you mean by not being a good guy?"

"No." Eri shook her head, she wiped away tears, took a deep breath.

"Then what?" Aiden's voice grew higher. "Duke asked you to break up with me, didn't he?"

It was true, but she was also doing it for Aiden's sake. Aiden didn't want to make a mess. He stood up and was about to leave, but Eri called out to him.

"Listen to me first."

"Eri, I don't have time to wait for you to talk about your real reason. I know you well, you never take anyone's word for it easily, including your parents."

Although she was offended, she understood what Aiden meant. Then why did he sacrifice his love so easily? Was there no other way for them to get back?

Aiden left, he even walked quickly, feeling sick of being in that place. But Eri managed to chase him outside the hospital.

"I'm sorry," Eri said, she finally held Aiden's hand. "You're right, dad wants us to break up."

Aiden was about to run away, but Eri held his hand firmly.

"Listen." Eri had tears running down both cheeks. "If I don't do what he wants, you're going to jail."

Aiden's eyes hardened. "What do you mean, I, I did what?" He thought of Fred, thought of the woman he'd stabbed. But all of that was after he was fired. Then what?

"I was just doing my job, but Duke wasn't satisfied."

"Don't accuse my father, it has nothing to do with it." Eri was getting annoyed, she didn't care if she had to yell.

"You never know what he did to me."

"He didn't do anything, it was all you. Don't bring my father into this."

"Okay, I was the one who was incompetent at work, but it was just a small mistake, and he fired me just like that."

Eri sighed heavily. "Seriously. You took the company's money. How could it be that was a small mistake?"

Aiden was silent, looking at Eri for a long moment. Meanwhile, Eri tries to control her emotions.

"What are you talking about? I never did that." Aiden thought for a moment. "Did Duke make that up?"

"No, I saw everything." Both of Eri's tears fell again.

"When!" Aiden shouted.

Eri immediately took out her cell phone and showed Aiden a video. "I tried to find the money in your apartment, I wanted to return it, but I couldn't find it."

Aiden looked surprised to see himself taking the money from behind the table. Even though the video had actually been reversed, he was ordered by Duke to put a stack of money on the counter for payment.

"Of course the money isn't there, I never took it." Aiden returned the cell phone. 

"Aiden," Eri called as Aiden walked away.

"I'm tired, I don't have time to explain that if you don't believe me at all." 

"I do, but this video." Eri looked confused, she didn't want to take the wrong step. 

"Don't you ever think that Duke has never liked me, so don't ask me if I love you or not. You didn't even ask me about this video at first." Aiden walked away.

"Aiden, Aiden, I'm sorry." 

Aiden shook off Eri's hand and gave her an annoyed look. All his frustration was piled up in his face. He could have hurt Eri unintentionally.

"If you want to maintain this relationship, do it." Aiden stared at Eri, "You know what our dream is."