Ella refused to keep up with the guessing game.
"I won’t know if you don’t tell me," Ella spoke up when there was no response from Adrian.
One minute passed by.
They stood in the middle of the path, with Ella holding Adrian’s palm and expecting a reply from him.
While the man did not utter a single word.
If Ella could eat her words back, she would have!
God forbid a pleb like her dared to expect this ’I won’t say a word but you need to understand what I am saying’ god to communicate with her.
’Perhaps, I am overthinking it and pushing his boundaries...’ Ella sighed and let go of his hand.
Suddenly, the sky darkened and Adrian’s face was enshrouded in shadows.
Ella: "_" Sir, can you not scare me ?
However, contrary to her expectations, the man did not act or speak.
Instead, he turned around and walked away.
Watching his retreating back, her breath caught and a hint of discomfort crept in Ella’s chest as her fingers curled into a fist.
Before she could think, she had snapped—
"Fine, I will tell you Adrian!"
Adrian’s footsteps came to a halt.
"You were not wrong. I have my secrets..." As Ella spoke, her voice trembled slightly.
"But I don’t want to talk about them with anybody who I care for!"
Ella hated to admit. She hated to admit that her previous life was a colossal mess of her bad decisions. And deep down, she was scared.
She was scared not because she thought that nobody would believe her. But rather, she was afraid that someone would believe her. And if they did, what then?
They would probably mock her, laugh at her foolishness, say that she deserved it or simply, they would turn their backs to her like Adrian did just now.
A few minutes passed by. As Adrian stood there in silence, Ella slowly snapped back to herself. Her fist loosened and her lips parted.
"I..." She coughed once before averting her gaze, "I am sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you like..."
Suddenly, Adrian turned around.
Looking at his heaven-blessed face, Ella was momentarily bedazzled until she saw the shock on his face.
Ella froze. Never before had she seen such a reaction on his face. One of pure shock and wonder.
"W-What...?" Ella reflected upon all that she said just now. Did she blurt something in her haste?
"Uh... Sorry... What?"
Adrian walked towards with slow, steady and powerful footsteps.
As he stood in front of her, he slowly raised his hand to her face.
His fingers hovered near her hair, never once touching her yet not backing down.
"You care for me," It was as if Adrian’s disjointed brain could only decipher that only thing from all that she said.
’...I don’t want to talk about them with anybody who I care for!’
Thinking about the words she uttered in her haste, a hint of crimson crept up Ella’s face.
Before she could say another word, Adrian grabbed her hand.
They had just taken a few steps when a black sedan stopped in front of them.
Ji Yan stepped out to open the door for them but before he could act, Adrian had already opened the door for her.
Ella cleared her throat and looked at him hesitantly. "Are you..." alright?
The man turned her face away before she could even finish speaking.
Sighing, Ella got inside the car.
On the way, Adrian did not say another word to her nor did he look at her. Just as he had come here, looking out of the window, he kept his gaze out on the road.
Ji Yan, the single dog, inwardly sighed. Sure enough. This was what a couple’s fight looked like!
At this point, even Ella’s concern had turned into confusion. Adrian couldn’t have thought things through properly and decided to be angry again, could he?
After a while of racing her head, Ella could not figure things out. So, she looked away from him and glanced at the road instead.
The moment Ella took her gaze off him, the man moved. Adrian looked at her, a hint of a frown remained on his face, and his fingers kept clenching and unclenching.
How could you care for someone like me?
Unbeknownst to Adrian’s concerns, Ella felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her.
Leaning on the glass panes, she was dozing off when the sight of street food stalls caught her attention.
Ella immediately straightened and on cue—
Her stomach growled dishonestly.
Ella’s head whipped in the direction of the man who was avoiding her earlier.
"Baby, are you sure you want to eat it? You don’t have to force yourself—"
Ella was not done speaking when Adrian grabbed her hand, his thumb sliding onto her palm as he leaned in and took a bite of the hotdog.
Ella’s system stagnated for a few moments before heat rose up to her. W-What is this sensuous way of sharing food? Couldn’t you ask me for it!
Ji Yan, who was sitting next to them to remain low-key, had his eyes bulging out. Second Master, you can’t tolerate such food!
"Is it good?" Ella stifled her laughter when she looked at his stony face as he chewed the hotdog with such sheer focus.
Adrian paused, blinked once and then took another small bite from her hand before he turned it towards her.
Ella’s eyes curved into moons.
"Oh my god, look at them... So sweet. Why don’t I feed you like that?"
"Is that man some celebrity?"
"I don’t remember seeing him before..."
"That girl looks hideous by his side though..."
"Honey, you sound like a jealous relative!"
"I feel like they make a cute couple."
Ella caught some of the whispers and murmurs and sighed inwardly. In Adrian’s presence, it was truly impossible to remain low-key.
But it was a good thing that Adrian was an enigma in the outside world.
Everyone knew his name but very few had seen him in real life before which helped them in having some peace as people surmised that this was just another rich and exceptionally stunning man who decided to stop by and try some street food for a change.
In the distance, a sports car was parked sat idle, it’s presence gone unnoticed due to darkness.
*In Eve Mansion, Adrian sits in front of a mirror, examining himself closely *
Author: Hey there, Second Master, what’s up?
Adrian: *turns his head and narrows his eyes* Why?
Author: Um... uh uh... what are we talking about here?
Adrian: Why would she care for someone like me?
Author: Second Master, you... you... since when did you start thinking this way? What is this self-butchering?! Should she care for other people, if not you? I can get her to care for other guys if you are that uncomfy—
Adrian: Never. You dare?! *aura intensifies*
*Author picks the readers and runs*