Chap 32: Blast from the Past

Dylan finally found the person he was looking for. He saw Aiden entering the auditorium with a few others. Aiden raised his head to glance at the stage and suddenly looked down when he confirmed it was indeed Dylan. Dylan smirked at Aiden's reaction. He looked shocked and flustered, just as Dylan had expected. This would be fun. His dull mood had suddenly brightened up. He was losing his mind sitting with these boring people at a boring graduation ceremony.

Dylan never liked to attend any events or parties unless absolutely necessary. He had joined his Dad's Business a year ago and had soon realized he had to maintain a facade. On the outside, he was this charming gentleman who was well behaved but equally dedicated and ruthless when it came to his Business.

Over the years, Dylan has changed a lot. He was no longer the spoilt brat who was interested in nothing but partying and getting wasted with his friends, f**king around with chicks. At this point, he was hungry for power and aspiring to be at the top where he would be able to do anything he desired.

Years ago, when his parents had so easily manipulated him to get away from Aiden, he realized he had to be at their level. Now that he had a goal in mind, he worked hard and performed exceptionally well in his studies. Within a year of joining the Business, he had made a name for himself. He had a few accomplishments of his own and had even acquired a few companies. His father was running in for the Governor position and made Dylan the CEO of their parent company.

This was the first stepping stone toward his goal. He had managed to charm the board members of the company with his skills and talent. His parents were still the company's major shareholders, and they already doted on Dylan. So he had to use this to his advantage at the right time.

His thoughts are interrupted when the Dean, who had been blabbering about Dylan's achievements at such a young age, calls for him to say a few words. Dylan got up and went on to talk about the usual bulls**t about success, excellence, and blah, blah, blah. He was an expert in his words and knew exactly what to say to impress the one in front of him.

He noticed the eyes of the students filled with dreams and expectations, looking at him in awe, craving to be in his position. Everyone was staring at him with proud eyes, all except one.

Aiden, who now sat at the back, watched him skeptically, still thinking what he saw was true or false. Dylan suddenly paused between his speech when he felt like Aiden was seeing through his soul. Aiden had seen through his facade, and Dylan unexpectedly felt a warmth in his heart. For the past six years, he had mastered the art of playing fake in front of others, and now, fortunately, he had one person he didn't need to fake with.

A smile crept on his lips, and he soon wrapped up his speech with his final words. " I am genuinely impressed with the performance of the students at this University and would like to give them a chance of a lifetime to be a part of our company. The top student..." He stared straight at Aiden now. " ...will have a secured job at our company with the best pay in the market. Also, we are starting a new internship program, so start applying..." Dylan added, and the crowd burst into applause.

Jay patted Aiden on his back and said, " Congrats, Dude!! You have secured another job for yourself. Way to go!!!"

Aiden smiled awkwardly at him and said, " I-I don't think I will take this job." Why was Dylan offering him the job? Did he already know that he was the top student, or was it just a coincidence? Whatever it was, he couldn't imagine himself being under Dylan's control again. Not in his wildest dreams.

" Why not?" Rob asked. " This company is way bigger and better than the Tech company you got the job in."

" That's the point. I want to work in a tech company," Aiden said.

" I am sure the Hunt Industries are in Tech as well," Rob stated.

Their conversation was stopped when the announcer started calling out the students' names and handing out their graduation certificates. Aiden dreaded this moment as he knew he had to go to the stage and face his nightmare.

" Why do you look so tensed?" Noah asked, looking at Aiden with concern. " I noticed you have been squirming since we came to the auditorium."

" I-It's nothing. I am just nervous about going to the stage."

" We have already discussed this. I told you to imagine I am the only one present here," Noah assured Aiden, and he nodded reluctantly. It was not as easy as Noah said.

Eventually, Aiden's name was called, and he walked toward the stage shaking and trembling. He chanced a look at Dylan, who smirked at him. Aiden then looked down and approached the Dean, who congratulated him and handed him his certificates.

To Aiden's utter dismay, the announcer then said that Aiden was the topper of the University and requested their chief guest to hand over the award.

Dylan smiled, got up from his seat, and approached Aiden, handing out the award. Aiden stood fidgeting in his spot, avoiding looking at Dylan.

" Long time no see. Did you miss me?" Dylan whispered, getting closer to Aiden. Aiden shuddered at his voice and backed away in fear.

Dylan was impressed that he still had the same effect on Aiden. " Glad to know you haven't changed," he snickered.

Aiden was unable to respond as his voice was stuck due to fear. Dylan had grown taller and looked even more, stronger than before. He was around 6'3," and his demeanor looked sinister.

Earlier, when Aiden had heard Dylan give a speech, he couldn't believe his ears. How could he speak in such a sweet and calm manner? The Dylan he knew wouldn't even bother to spare a glance at someone who was of no use to him, but now he was like a completely different person. Within the first few seconds, Aiden realized that Dylan was faking it. He pretended to be a gentleman, and Aiden's suspicions were confirmed seeing Dylan's reactions.

Aiden peeked at Dylan from the corner of his eye and received the same look he got from him years ago, which screamed of control. " Looking forward to working with you, " Dylan said a bit loudly for everyone to hear.

Aiden stiffened up after hearing those words. Did Dylan already know? Is that why he offered the job in the first place?

With great difficulty, Aiden tried to gather himself, thinking about what Noah had said earlier, and stuttered, " T-Thank you." He then suddenly turned around and hurried across the stage to escape far away from Dylan as possible. When he was back with his friends, he looked at Dylan again and saw him staring at him with a crooked smile.

As soon as the ceremony was over, Aiden couldn't wait to leave. " Let's go," he said to his friends.

" Why are you in such a hurry?" Noah asked.

" I-I... am eager to know about your surprise," Aiden lied through his teeth.

" Okay," Noah said with a huge smile and dragged Aiden towards his car. Rob and Jay followed behind and muttered, " Look at the love birds."

Dylan, who had his eyes on Aiden the whole time, saw him leaving the college in a hurry. " How far are you going to run? This time I won't let you off so easily."

Dylan had struggled a lot to come to his position right now. After he was back from England a year back, the first thing he did was hire an investigator to look for Aiden. It was not difficult to find out about his whereabouts and how he had lived. For the past year, he kept tabs on Aiden and the people he hung out with.

Dylan wanted to approach Aiden as soon as he came back, but first, he had to gain his parents' trust. He worked his a*s off at the company and proved his worth.

According to Dylan's plan, he had thought of meeting Aiden after he had total control over the Hunt Industries and their entire Business because he didn't want his mother to threaten him again. She hated Aiden with a passion and would do just about anything to have him out of Dylan's life.

Dylan's decision to approach Aiden was impulsive. When he got the information that Aiden was moving in with his friend and not planning to stay alone as Dylan had expected him to, it did not sit well with him. Aiden was always a loner, and seeing him being so comfortable with others was somewhat repulsive to Dylan. So, it seemed like even Aiden had changed. Why did Dylan feel so agitated about that?

Dylan took out his phone and called his private investigator. " Follow him. He's just left the campus with his friends."