Chapter eighteen
~ELANA~
I stare at the gray storm in his eyes. It takes me a few seconds for the words to actually sink in. Like I never want to be away from you. Like I’ve been stuck in a storm, and you’ve brought the sun with you.
I’m frozen in place, unable to move an inch away or towards him.
All I can do is breathe and stare at him, my cheeks still wet with the remnants of the tears he’s just brushed away.
He lifts my chin and slowly brings his lips to mine.
His words echo in my head as I bring my hands up to cup his face.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers against my lips before pulling away just enough that we share a breath.
“Kiss me again, and I might forgive you.” I give him a small smile, my hands still cupping his face.
“Forgive me, and I might kiss you again.” He flashes me a wicked grin.
“Are you bargaining with me?” I lower my hands, but he grabs my wrists firmly and brings them above my head, pressing me against the wall of the elevator. My heart jumps to my throat as he lowers himself until I can feel his hot breath on my neck.
“It seems like you’re trying to bargain with me, little duck.
” His voice is low and hoarse, a combination that has me pressing my thighs together.
Noticing, he chuckles against my ear and kisses my neck softly.
“Have it your way.” He pulls away and brings my wrists down before releasing them.
“Say you forgive me, and I’ll owe you a favor. ”
“Is my forgiveness worth a small favor?” I ask, trying to at least appear like my knees aren’t threatening to give out.
“A favor of any size, anytime.” He steps back and presses a button, and the elevator starts moving again. “Tick-tock.”
“I forgive you.” My smile grows with his.
The elevator dings, and the doors slide open.
Adrian moves out of the way and cocks his head to the side.
I step out and turn to face him once more as he presses the button to his floor.
His eyes meet mine, and he winks before the doors slide closed in front of him.
Two hours of staring at the computer screen has left me drained, both mentally and physically.
My eyes ache from the strain, and the rumbling protests of my empty stomach demand attention.
With a sigh of relief, I power down my computer.
As I rise from my chair, my limbs feel stiff from the prolonged sitting.
I stretch my arms overhead, relishing the sensation of movement after sitting on my butt for so long.
Should I let Ryan know? Glancing around the office, I see no signs of him.
Quickly jotting down a note to let him know I’ll be back soon, I stick it on the corner of my computer screen before grabbing my phone and wallet.
Exiting the office, I make my way to the elevator and press the button. The doors slide open with a soft ding, and I step inside, pressing the button for the ground floor. As the elevator descends, I’m already planning what I’m going to get off the menu, my stomach growling with impatience.
I don’t bother looking around as I almost jog to the restaurant in the courtyard. Thankfully, it’s relatively quiet, apart from a few occupied tables I can see through the glass walls.
As I enter the restaurant, I’m greeted by the same hostess I’d met on my first day.
“Hi, it’s just me,” I speak before she even has the chance.
She gives me a polite smile and nods. “Any preferences for a table?”
“Something by the windows, maybe?”
“Certainly. Follow me.” With an incline of her head, she turns and starts walking with me behind her. She leads me to a small table for two overlooking the courtyard.
“A waiter will be with you shortly.” She offers me another trained smile before walking away.
I settle into a comfortable chair and take in the view before turning my attention to the menu.
I open it and scan my options. It doesn’t take the waiter long to appear beside me, and I order soup with a side of garlic bread. That should do it.
As I wait for my food to arrive, I fish out my phone to text Lilly, give Ethan a quick update, and ask him for one in return.
Both their responses are instant, but before I can type out a reply, something casts a shadow over my hands.
I look up, and I’m met with a set of piercing blue eyes and red-painted lips.
It’s the woman I saw at the launching event.
I don’t remember her name, but I remember the way she acted so familiar with Adrian—too familiar.
“Elana, is it?” Her voice is as cool as her eyes as she narrows them.
“Yes,” I say rather hesitantly. There’s no way she remembered my name when I couldn’t even remember hers.
“I hope you remember me. I’m Victoria. May I sit?” She tilts her head to the side, her tone implying that it’s not a question.
“Sure.” I watch her as she takes the seat opposite of me and reclines.
“As Adrian’s friend and COO, I wanted to personally welcome you to the company. Though you’re just an intern and most likely won’t stay long.”
I blink at her, unsure how to reply or if I even should. She gives me a smile that is anything but friendly.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I get the point of this conversation.” I set my phone down and rest my hands in my lap.
“I’m here to help you before it’s too late.”
“Oh?” I narrow my eyes in confusion.
Victoria leans forward in her chair, a condescending smirk playing on her lips.
“Adrian has a habit of hiring pretty little girls like you,” she begins, her tone dripping with disdain.
“But I know him better than anyone. And trust me, darling, he’ll eventually get bored once he’s had his…
fun,” she says, her tongue resting on the roof of her mouth a moment too long.
“I’m here to work, ma’am,” I reply evenly, trying to keep my composure. What is she trying to achieve?
She waves a dismissive hand. “Oh, don’t play coy with me.
I’ve seen this scenario play out countless times before.
Girls thinking they can win the big boss's heart.” She clasps her hands, her gaze boring into mine.
“But let me tell you something, woman to woman, and you’d be wise to open your ears.
Adrian Morgan is not only out of your league, but he’s also not the type to settle down with someone like you. ”
“Someone like me?” I feel a surge of anger bubbling inside me but try to remain calm. What the hell does that mean?
Victoria’s smile turns patronizing. “Adrian is a man who enjoys the company of beautiful women, but he’s not interested in anything serious.
You’re among the countless women he’s taken to events and his bed that eventually get dumped with nothing but a broken heart.
I’m sure you’ll find that out soon enough. ”
I can’t listen to this. Her words sting, but I refuse to let her see exactly how much.
“I appreciate your concern,” I say, my tone grim. “But I’m simply here to work.”
She chuckles, a sound that grates on my nerves. “Suit yourself,” she replies dismissively. “But don’t act like you didn’t see it coming when he does the same with you.”
The waiter interrupts with a quick apology and sets my food down in front of me before turning to the woman across from me.
“Ms. Duchamp, can I get you anything?”
She waves the waiter away with a red-nailed hand, not even looking at him.
“Thank you,” I call after him, feeling bad for seeing him be dismissed with such little respect.
Victoria leans in closer, regaining my attention, a smug smile playing on her lips. “You know, Elana, Adrian and I are very close,” she says, her voice dripping with implication. She punctuates her statement with a sly wink.
My heart sinks at her words. How close are you exactly? That’s what I want to ask, but I will not give her the satisfaction. The thought sends a wave of unease coursing through me.
“It’s nice to see an employee of his considering him a friend,” I reply, trying to keep my tone casual despite the turmoil brewing inside me.
“Hmm.” Victoria nods, her expression smug. “We’ve known each other for years, and we have a very special bond.” She leans back in her chair and taps her scarlet nails on the table.
I force a tight smile, my mind racing with questions and unwelcome images of their bond. “I see,” I murmur at last.
Victoria chuckles, pleased with herself. Bitch. “I just thought you should know. I wouldn’t want you to get your hopes up about Adrian. It pains me to see so many girls fall for the sweet little lies he tells them.”
“I doubt Mr. Morgan would appreciate your words.”
“He appreciates more of me than you know. Enjoy your meal.” With a final smirk, Victoria rises from her seat and glides away.
I did not enjoy my meal. In fact, I did not enjoy a single thing about my day after my encounter with Victoria. The knowledge that she had paid for my meal came to me only after I’d already finished my soup and bread. It wasn’t an act of kindness; it was a final slap in the face from her.
There hasn’t been a minute since during which I hadn’t thought about what she’d told me, the conversation replaying over and over in my head.
After it, my conversation with Adrian himself flashes through my mind.
He ran after me. He told me he never wants to be away from me.
His words clash with Victoria’s warnings.
It pains me to see so many girls fall for the sweet little lies he tells them. Victoria’s words echo in my mind, poisoning the warmth I felt during my moments with Adrian in the elevator, just like she poisoned my food by paying for it.
As I walk towards the black Mercedes with Mac patiently waiting for me, both conversations replay in my mind.
“Hi, Mac.” I give the older gentleman a weak smile as he holds the door open for me.
“Good evening, Miss Elana.” He closes the door and slides into the driver’s seat a few seconds later. “How was your day?”
“Eventful.” I sink into the leather backseat and meet Mac’s understanding gaze in the rearview mirror. “Are we going to wait for Adrian?”
“Mr. Morgan has dinner with some of his business associates and a few board members. He asked me to tell you he should be home around nine.”
I don’t have the energy to respond, so I offer him a nod I’m not sure he’ll see and close my eyes, the humming of the engine lulling me to sleep.
After returning to Adrian’s penthouse about an hour ago, I took a long, soothing shower to wash away any lingering traces of Victoria’s heavy perfume.
Now, dressed in my usual pajama shorts and an oversized hoodie, I make my way to the kitchen.
I haven’t eaten since lunchtime, and I desperately need to eat something that isn’t paid for by Victoria.
So, you’ll eat something paid for by Adrian? I scoff at myself while rummaging through the fridge for something to put in my belly.
My search yields a pot of pasta sauce, and with a shrug, I decide to whip up a quick dinner.
As I stand in the kitchen, stirring the boiling pasta, my phone dings with a text from Lilly.
She’s still worried about the party she dragged me to.
She’d called me earlier today, and I’d told her the whole story about how Jason led me upstairs but then backed away when I told him no and how Carson found me shortly after Jason left.
I didn’t spare her the details about Adrian’s arrival, either.
It seems like she’s still worried I might be upset over it.
I type out a quick reply and fetch a spoon.
The pasta sauce on the stove begins to bubble, so I know it’s time to turn off the heat.
I scoop a little with the spoon and bring it to my mouth. Delicious.
Suddenly, a prickling sensation runs down my spine, and I instinctively turn around, almost colliding with Adrian’s towering mass of muscle.
He swiftly catches my wrist, preventing the spoon in my hand from hitting him.
His amused smirk sends a flutter through my chest as I meet his gaze, mischief twinkling in his eyes.
“Good evening,” he murmurs, his voice smooth as silk.
“Hi,” I respond, my voice slightly breathless as he pulls me closer. “I’m making pasta,” I blurt out, trying to steady my racing heart.
“I can see.” He chuckles, glancing over my shoulder before focusing back on me. “I’m home a little early, my dinner meeting was cancelled.” His touch lingers on my skin as he releases my wrist, and his eyes soften.
“You’re actually right on time,” I assure him, feeling warmth spread through me despite my nerves.
“Am I?” He raises an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Mhmm.” I nod, creating some space between us so he can see the stove better. “The pasta is almost ready. But I don’t want to eat in the dining room tonight.”
“No? And where would you like to eat?” His amusement dances in his eyes as he crosses his arms.
“I think it’s time to call in my favor.”