Chapter twenty-four
~ELANA~
I wake up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on the room.
For a moment, I’m disoriented, my mind still waking up from the dreamless sleep.
Then, as consciousness fully returns, I realize I’m not in my bed.
Adrian’s familiar scent on the pillows and sheets around me reminds me of where I am.
Stretching lazily, I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. That’s when I notice the note on the nightstand. I reach for it and unfold the paper, a smile tugging at my lips as I read it.
I hope you slept well. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Come down whenever you’re ready.
Still clad in his T-shirt, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stand, the fabric falling around me like a makeshift dress.
Downstairs, I make my way over to the sound of clattering pots and sizzling pans. I find Adrian in the kitchen, his black sweatpants hanging loosely around his hips and the muscles on his back dancing with each movement. He looks up as I enter with a twinkle in his eyes. Gosh, he’s breathtaking.
“Good morning,” he greets me with a grin, flipping a pancake with impressive ease.
“It’s a good morning indeed,” I reply, leaning against the doorway and watching him pour what looks like jam in a small bowl. “It smells wonderful.”
He chuckles. “Well, I figured after what I did to you last night, the least I could do is feed you… again.”
I glance down at the shirt, suddenly aware of how it hangs loosely on my frame, the fabric soft against my skin. Feed you again. Heat rises to my cheeks as I realize the implications of his words.
I wince slightly as I move over to sit on one of the barstools, the soreness from last night’s… activities making itself known. Adrian notices my discomfort, and his expression softens.
“Are you sore?” he asks, setting down the spatula and crossing the kitchen to stand in front of me.
“Yes, a little,” I admit as he kisses the top of my head. He smells so good.
“Maybe you should take it easy today. You don’t have to come to the office with me.”
I consider his suggestion for a second.
“You don’t think my boss would be mad if I called in sore?” I grin at him with raised brows.
Adrian chuckles again and walks back to the stove.
“Nah, I’m actually quite close with your boss. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you bribed him a little.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, really? And just how close are you with my boss?”
Adrian leans towards me from across the kitchen conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a murmur. “Someone could ask you the same question.”
“The pancakes are phenomenal,” I say through a mouthful of heaven. “Even Ethan’s pancakes can’t compare to these. Is there something you can’t do?”
“It’s my grandmother’s recipe. She used to make them every Saturday.
” Adrian sets his fork down with a fond smile.
“Ethan and I used to watch TV and eat pancakes until we had to roll off the couch. She would also give us homemade jam, but I never learned how to make that.” He pops another piece of pancake into his mouth, still smiling.
“You two really were like brothers.” I knew they are close, of course. After all, Adrian would come over almost every day before he moved and became… Mr. Morgan.
“Still are. He will never stop being my brother.” He takes a sip from his coffee and sets it down before slicing into his pancake again.
“You love him,” I say almost absentmindedly.
“I love him,” Adrian confirms with a nod after a moment of silence. “Of course I love him. I always will.”
“He loves you, too. Very much.” I give him a soft smile and take a sip of my tea.
“What’s not to love?” Adrian chuckles, and I follow him. Truly, what’s not to love? There’s something bothering him. I can see it in the way he takes his next breath.
“Do you really have to go to the office today?” I ask instead.
“Mhm,” he murmurs while chewing.
“I just thought, since you’re so close with the boss, you could stay here today.” I watch him with expectance, but he simply shakes his head.
“Trust me, spending the day with you is a far more pleasant alternative, but there are things to take care of, especially after last night.”
Right, he fired Victoria. I keep myself from smiling at the thought.
“Go ahead and smile. You don’t have to pretend.” He nudges me and pops the last piece of pancake in his mouth. “I have to go get ready.” He taps his phone to check the time and slides off the barstool, taking his plate with him.
“I’ll miss you,” I admit, watching him put the plate in the sink. He walks back to me and bends down to kiss me.
“I’ll miss you, too, baby,” he murmurs against my lips, sending butterflies through my tummy with the last word.
“No ‘little duck’ today?” I ask playfully.
“You’re always my little duck. It doesn’t mean I can’t call you baby.” He flicks my nose and points at my plate. “Would you like another pancake?”
“I’m good for now. I’ll get some more later. Thank you. These truly are the best pancakes.” I kiss his bare chest and smile up at him. “I’ll wash the dishes and clean up while you get ready.”
He leans down and kisses me once more before pulling away just enough to look at me. His eyes are glistening, clear and warm as he scans my face with a smile.
“What?” I ask, turning my head to kiss the palm of his hand.
He shakes his head. “Nothing.” But the smile remains.
Alone in Adrian’s apartment, I decide to make the most of my day off. After spending a couple of hours in the library, I return to the living room. The weather outside is still gloomy, with raindrops pattering against the windows, so cozying up indoors sounds like the perfect plan.
I head to the kitchen, grab a bag of popcorn, and pop it in the microwave. Once it’s ready, I return to the living room with snacks in hand, set them on the coffee table, and then grab a blanket from underneath the couch and settle in.
As I look around, I notice something different about the couch—it’s spotless, the bloodstain from last night completely gone.
Adrian must have taken care of it before he left for work.
Smiling, I rise from the couch and make my way over to the fireplace.
With a flick of the switch, the flames dance to life, casting a warm, flickering light around the room.
With popcorn in hand, I grab the remote and power on the TV, flicking through the channels for something to watch. After scrolling through a few options, I settle on a romcom. As the movie begins, I snuggle deeper into the blanket and pop a handful of popcorn in my mouth.
Halfway through the movie, my phone suddenly buzzes, startling me. I fumble for it, expecting to see a message from Lilly or Adrian., but a text from Ethan pops up instead.
Ethan: I’m on my way. Stay where you are.
I furrow my brows in confusion. Did he text me by mistake? Maybe this was meant for someone else.
Without hesitation, I dial Ethan’s number, but it goes straight to voicemail. My stomach drops as panic sets in. Ethan always answers his phone, no matter what. What the hell is happening? I set the bowl of popcorn aside and quickly dial Adrian’s number, my hands trembling.
“Hey.” He picks up after just one ring.
“Adrian, Ethan just texted me.” I pause, unsure how to word it.
“What’s wrong?” I can hear the tension in his voice.
“He texted me to stay where I am and that he’s coming. I don’t know if the text was meant for me, but he won’t pick up the phone. He always picks up his phone,” I blurt it all out.
“Shit.” There’s a brief pause before Adrian responds. “I’m coming back,” he says firmly.
“Okay,” I reply, my mind spinning with possible reasons. “Do you know anything?”
“I’ll be home soon,” Adrian assures me, his tone unwavering. “Just stay put and keep trying to reach him. I’m coming.”
I nod, even though he can't see me. “Okay,” I reply, trying to steady my breathing.
“I’m coming,” Adrian says again before hanging up.
I stare at my phone for a few seconds before calling Ethan again. Nothing. If the text was really meant for me, what on earth could have made Ethan fly back home, and why won’t he answer his phone?
Twenty minutes and a dozen attempts to reach Ethan later, Adrian strides into the penthouse, his expression tense with concern. I rush to meet him, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Did you reach Ethan?” he asks as soon as I’m within earshot.
I shake my head, my voice trembling. “No, he’s not answering. Did you speak to him?”
Adrian’s expression darkens as he shakes his head. “No, but I received this on my way back,” he says, pulling out his phone, opening his messages, and handing it to me.
My eyes widen in shock as I recognize the footage, my hand flying to my mouth. It’s a video from last night of me protesting as Adrian throws me over his shoulder and carries me into the car, making it seem like he’s forcing me against my will.
“Oh my god,” I gasp, unable to tear my gaze away from the screen.
“And they also sent me this,” Adrian adds, showing me a picture of us taken from the elevator cameras, with me visibly upset, with tears streaming down my face, and Adrian appearing to corner me.
I feel a wave of disbelief wash over me as I realize what’s happening.
“Whoever did this is trying to make it look like you forced yourself on me,” I whisper, my mind racing.
Adrian nods grimly. “Exactly. And I think I know who’s behind it.”
I look up at him, my eyes wide with alarm. “Victoria?”
“Yes,” he replies without hesitation. “There’s no one else who could have done it. She must have been close by last night.”
My stomach churns at the mention of her name, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. She watched Carson almost… she saw what happened and didn’t come to help me, didn’t do anything.
“Last night, when I pushed her away, she threatened to tell Ethan everything,” Adrian murmurs. “But I thought she was bluffing. I didn’t think she was spiteful enough to do something like this.”
“I meant to tell him.” I look up at Adrian. “I meant to tell him as soon. How did Victoria even contact him?”
Before Adrian can respond, the elevator dings and the doors slide open to reveal a furious Ethan standing on the other side.