Ch. 26
The Unexpected Invitation
It was a peaceful Saturday morning.
For once, Selene didn't wake up to the sound of her alarm or the rush of school chatter echoing in her head.
Instead, the soft scent of brewed coffee and the chirping of birds outside lulled her into the perfect weekend calm.
She stretched, yawned, and glanced at the clock.
"Wow," she muttered, rubbing her eyes.
"I actually slept in. I could get used to this."
After washing up, she headed to the dining room, still in a daze, her hair slightly messy and her steps lazy.
The table was already set with warm pancakes, a bowl of fruits, and a steaming cup of cocoa.
She was halfway through her first bite when the dining doors opened and her grandmother walked in, looking far too excited for a Saturday morning.
"Oh, perfect timing, Selene!"
Selene blinked, fork midair.
"Uh-oh. That tone doesn't sound peaceful."
Her grandmother clasped her hands together.
"After you finish your breakfast, go prepare yourself. We're going out!"
Selene nearly choked.
"Uhm..Grandma, it's Saturday. I was planning to stay home and enjoy my peace."
"Nonsense!" her grandma declared, waving her hand like a queen.
"You're too young to be cooped up all day. Besides, your parents are out on a date, so we're having on our own."
"Grandma, you sound like you planned this just to ambush me." Selene groaned.
Her grandmother only smiled sweetly.
"Not at all!"
Half an hour later, Selene stood in front of her mirror, still half-dazed that she actually gave in.
She wore a light yellow sundress soft and flowy, with ribbon straps and a cinched waist that complemented her delicate frame. Her long black hair cascaded down her shoulders, a few strands braided loosely to the side.
Simple white flats completed her look, and a matching straw bag hung on her arm.
Looking at herself, she had to admit...
she didn't look half bad.
"Alright, Grandma," she sighed as she stepped out of her room.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Her grandmother only smiled mysteriously as they exited the Valen mansion and entered the family car.
"You'll see when we get there."
"Grandma..." Selene narrowed her eyes. "That sounds suspicious."
"You'll thank me later, dear."
The drive took nearly an hour, weaving through tree-lined streets and elegant neighborhoods. Selene leaned against the car window, watching as the scenery changed until the vehicle finally slowed to a stop in front of a large gated estate.
The gate was decorated with flowers, gold banners, and a sign that read:
She thought it was just brunch or maybe a random social gathering with other old ladies.
But no.
The plot had other plans.
"Wait. Vale? As in... that Vale family at the Gala?"
Her grandmother beamed.
"Yes, dear. Mrs. Vale, Adrian's grandmother is an old friend of mine! Isn't that wonderful?"
"Wonderful?" Selene muttered under her breath, forcing a smile.
"Just my luck."
Her grandmother didn't notice the sarcasm and cheerfully linked arms with her as they entered the grand garden filled with guests, laughter, and elegant music.
Selene swore, if there was one thing she didn't expect on a Saturday morning, it was to attend Adrian Vale's grandmother's birthday party.
Of all the luxurious events her grandmother could've dragged her to, it had to be the one connected to the second male lead she was trying so hard to avoid.
Universe, you really hate me, huh?
She forced a polite smile as she followed her grandmother through the massive garden venue.
Elegant chandeliers hung from white canopies, the sound of a live orchestra floated in the air, and the scent of roses was everywhere.
Wow, how rich do you have to be to make a flower shop cry like this?
Her grandmother waved to a group of elegant ladies and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Selene to stand awkwardly by the buffet table.
"Great," she muttered under her breath. "Abandoned in enemy territory. Fantastic."
She picked up a glass of juice and sipped while scanning the area trying to spot familiar faces and hopefully not find them.
Of course, life hated her enough to do the opposite.
Because standing not too far away, talking to a few guests with that composed, expressionless face, was none other than Adrian Vale himself.
She turned her back immediately, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the shrimp cocktails.
"Selene?"
Oh no. That voice.
She froze.
Slowly turning around, she found Ethan.
Of course, this guy is here.
Ethan and Adrian are childhood friends.
Ugh!
Ethan looked effortlessly charming in his open-collared shirt and rolled-up sleeves, holding a champagne glass.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Selene herself. Fancy bumping into you again." Ethan grinned.
"Mr. Ward," she greeted, trying not to sound too stiff.
"You're invited?" Selene asked, trying her best to sound clueless while hiding her mild surprise.
Ethan flashed his signature grin.
"Yeah, of course! I can't miss Adrian's grandma's birthday unless I want to get an earful from her."
"Oh," Selene replied, feigning casual interest.
"I didn't know you two were close."
"Right! You don't know," Ethan said, his grin widening.
"Well, let me tell you Adrian and I are childhood friends."
"But we weren't that close," Ethan added with a teasing laugh.
"More like... enemies forced to share the same sandbox."
"I see," Selene said, nodding with an amused hum.
Enemies, huh? Sure. You two look like you share a brain cell.
"And what are you telling her?"
Selene froze slightly when that deep, calm voice entered the conversation. She turned and there he was.
Adrian Vale, appearing again like some unbothered royal who just walked out of a luxury magazine, hands in pockets, expression unreadable.
Why am I a magnet of trouble? Why is that every character of this novel runs into me. All the time...tsk.
"Just something," Ethan said, chuckling.
"You know, the usual your embarrassing childhood stories."
"Ethan." Adrian's tone was a warning, though his face remained composed.
Ethan only laughed harder.
"Relax, man. I didn't say the part about—"
"Ethan."
"Okay, okay!" Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
"Man, you're no fun."
Selene crossed her arms, watching the exchange with mild amusement.
These two are really close since birth but they're not too proud to admit it.
She quickly pushed that thought aside and smiled politely.
"Well, I'll leave you two to your reunion. I'm sure you've got plenty of shared trauma to unpack."
Ethan snorted, while Adrian gave her that look calm, assessing, like he couldn't quite figure her out.
Selene just turned on her heel and walked off, mumbling under her breath.
"Even funnier~ they both fell for the same girl in the novel. Talk about tragic comedy."
Selene didn't notice that Adrian was still standing a few steps behind her when she muttered that.
Adrian's brow furrowed slightly.
Falling in love with the same girl?
Was she referring to someone he knew?
Or... was she just being her usual unpredictable self?
He watched as she walked away, the hem of her yellow dress swaying with each step calm, composed, and yet somehow chaotic enough to leave him questioning what she really meant.
Meanwhile, Selene had already forgotten about the two male leads as she wandered toward the long buffet table.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Oh my gosh... is that truffle pasta?"
She glanced around no one watching and quickly grabbed a plate.
Within seconds, she was piling on food like she hadn't eaten in days. Roast beef, canapés, tiny sandwiches that were clearly too small for human consumption.
"Rich people really know how to eat," she whispered under her breath, stabbing her fork into the pasta.
"And here I was, thinking this would be boring." She took a bite and almost moaned.
"Okay, fine... maybe life as Selene isn't that bad after all."
Her grandmother, from across the room, looked pleased seeing her granddaughter actually smiling.
But someone else noticed too.
Adrian, now sitting at one of the tables with Ethan and a few relatives, glanced subtly in her direction. She looked peaceful completely different from the composed, polite girl who used to barely talk to anyone.
Ethan followed his gaze and smirked.
"You're staring, Vale."
"I'm not," Adrian replied coolly, though his eyes didn't leave her.
"Yeah, sure. So, what's got you thinking, huh? She said something about love earlier, didn't she?" Ethan chuckled.
Adrian gave him a sideways glance.
"You heard that too?"
"Of course. I've got good ears and zero shame." Ethan grinned.
"So? What do you think, is she talking about us?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He just leaned back, expression unreadable, but his mind was running tracing her words, her tone, the faint smirk she had when she walked away. Meanwhile, Selene was busy stuffing her face with a mini cupcake. She dabbed her lips with a napkin and sighed contently.
I might have just eaten my future stress away. Totally worth it.
Then, out of nowhere she glanced toward the table where Adrian and Ethan sat.
Their eyes met.
Adrian didn't look away.
Selene blinked, awkwardly holding her fork mid-air.
What's their problem? First time seeing a pretty lady eating?
She looked away fast, pretending to admire the flower centerpiece instead, while chewing.