Cyan Club.
Inside the private room.
"Give me the strongest liquor you have here!"May Miller held half a bottle of beer in one hand while the other arm hung around Riley Palmer's shoulder.
Riley and Chloe Frost immediately tried to stop her.
"Alright alright, stop drinking already.""If someone else sees this, they'll think YOU are the one who got dumped."
May lifted her eyelids and looked at Riley.
"Riley… that Chris Carter is blind…"
"—urgh—"
Before she even finished, May's face turned pale and she started gagging.
"May! Are you okay!?"Riley didn't even care that a few drops splashed onto her clothes.
"Urgh— urgh—"May kept vomiting until there was barely anything left inside her stomach, then completely passed out.
Chloe Frost held her shoulders tightly. "May!"
She glanced at Riley."Riley, go clean your clothes first. I'll handle May."
Riley nodded, looking helplessly at the small stain on her shirt.
Washroom area.
Adrian Carter leaned against the doorway, watching Riley trying to scrub the stain off her clothes.
"Master Carter, why are you standing there staring like that?"Caleb Montgomery shoved one hand into his pocket, glancing at the petite girl inside.
"Ohhh! So THIS is Master Carter's type."Caleb teased Adrian.
Adrian's eyes were filled with Riley only. He smiled faintly."Is that not allowed?"
"Alright alright, don't bother Master Carter."Leonard Sterling hooked his arm around Lawrence's neck.
"Master Carter, we'll go in first."
Adrian didn't look at them. His gaze remained soft as he stared at the girl inside.
"Tsk… why won't this stain come off…"Riley Palmer kept rubbing the spot.
A greasy drunk man suddenly walked out of the restroom.His steps staggered toward Riley.
"Little girl alone?"His eyes ran down her body, full of filthy intent."Lonely? Let big brother keep you company."
He smirked and slowly reached out toward Riley.
Riley ignored him and was about to leave.
But the man didn't plan to let her go.
Adrian Carter crumpled a piece of tissue paper beside him and threw it at the man.
"Who the hell did that?!"
The man looked toward the doorway angrily.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Adrian quickly pulled Riley out and shielded her within his arms.
"Definitely not someone you should ever meet." His tone was low.
The man looked up, and gradually turned silent.His fierce expression suddenly shifted to fear.He fled miserably.
Only then did Adrian loosen his grip on Riley.
"It's okay now."
He lowered his head and gently patted her back.
Riley still had traces of panic in her eyes. Her gaze stayed on the floor.
"Thank you." Her voice trembled a little.
Adrian paused for a moment, wanting to place his hand somewhere in comfort, but he didn't know where… so he retracted it.
"You didn't come out with your boyfriend?"
His voice was soft, afraid he might startle the girl in front of him again.
Riley snapped back, raised her head, and answered seriously."I don't have a boyfriend… I've been single… for 24 years."
Adrian looked shocked, staring at the girl in front of him. "No boyfriend?"
"No." Riley answered again firmly.
The corners of Adrian's lips lifted. The restraint in his eyes seemed to break open.He was genuinely happy looking at her.
"Riley, what are you doing there?" Chloe Frost's voice suddenly came from behind interrupting Riley who was admiring his smile.
"I… I…" Riley panicked and looked between the two.
"Allow me," Adrian glanced at Riley, then continued slowly with meaning, "I'm Riley Palmer's… neighbor."
"Oh." Chloe responded lightly.
"Hello, I'm Chloe. Riley's friend. Please take care of her in the future."
"It's my pleasure." Adrian replied gentlemanly.
Adrian then looked at May Miller on Chloe's back and hesitated lightly."Need help?" He pointed toward May.
Chloe casually bounced May's weight. "No need. We'll leave first, Mr. Carter."
"Let's go, Riley."
Riley glanced at her, then back at Adrian."Adrian, I'll go first. Goodbye."
Riley quickly walked after Chloe, helping carry her bag.
"Goodbye, Riley Palmer."
Adrian watched them disappear completely from sight before he turned and entered the private room.
Inside—
Caleb was seriously singing into the mic, while Leonard silently recorded him beside him with his phone.
Adrian watched their actions and smiled.
He sat next to Leonard and quietly asked in his ear, "You and him…"
Leonard glanced at Caleb, then handed Adrian a glass of alcohol. "Chasing."
"Don't talk about me. Adrian, you were just now…"
Adrian brought the glass to his lips and looked at Leonard. "Want to chase."
The two clinked their glasses. Their thoughts were obvious in their eyes.
And yet the big idiot beside them didn't notice anything.
"What are you two whispering about? Not calling me."Caleb put down the mic and took a sip of alcohol.
"You shouldn't drink too much. You just recovered from a cold."Leonard took the cup from his hand immediately. "No more."He handed him milk instead.
Caleb narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Leonard, are you itching to be disciplined by me?"
He wrapped his arms tightly around Leonard's neck and wrestled playfully.
Adrian smiled lightly and drank the remaining alcohol.
He crossed his legs, picked up his phone, and looked at the WeChat number sent by the previous owner of his apartment.
He tapped it.A cute pear avatar caught his eyes, and beside it the name [Little Pear].
Adrian's lips curved.
He didn't notice Leonard and Caleb suddenly going silent beside him.
"Ohhh~ Adrian fell in love."Caleb teased.
Adrian didn't deny nor retort. He actually smiled and answered, "Mm."
Caleb raised an eyebrow, looked at Leonard next to him."Leonard, even Adrian has someone he likes. That makes you the last ice block of our trio."
He patted Leonard's firm chest."You trained this big for nothing."
He laughed and went back to the mic completely unaware his once dull eyes were now filled with possessiveness.
Riley's Apartment.
Chloe gently placed May on the bed.
"Tonight I'll leave her to you, Riley."
Riley smiled softly. "Okay."
"Don't forget balance your work and your health. You just finally came back and you're already busy again."
Chloe shrugged arrogantly."Can't help it, too many people need me."
Riley shook her head, pampering expression in her eyes."All right all right, my Designer Frost."
Chloe chuckled and waved her hand before she left the apartment.
Riley stared silently at her leaving back. Her joy slowly shifted into pity.
She looked at May sleeping and shook her head helplessly covering her with the blanket before stepping out.
Riley leaned on the sofa and let out a long breath.
Buzz buzz—
Her phone rang inside her coat. She took it out and collapsed tiredly on the sofa.
[It's Adrian Carter.]
A short introduction appeared on the friend request screen.
Riley hesitated, opened his profile."Fox plushie… really kind of looks like him." she whispered.
After hesitating for a moment thinking of their meeting and him saving her. Riley finally tapped accept.
As soon as she put her phone down, it buzzed again.
[Still awake?][Mm.]
Riley wasn't really waiting for replies and went to shower.
Buzz— Buzz—
Her phone kept vibrating outside.
When she came out, the messages had stopped.
She tapped the chat.
[Want some honey water?][Don't overthink. I just made too much.][Did you fall asleep?][I'm in outside.]
Riley looked at the message, then the time.
"Five minutes… he probably left…"
She wore her dinosaur pajama carefully and peeked outside.
There seemed to be something by the door…
She opened the door slightly and peeked.
A thermos cup was on the ground.
She picked it up, glanced toward his door warmth rising quietly inside her.
Thud.
Adrian was looking through the peephole watching the adorable little girl peek out, then pick up the thermos.His amusement grew wildly inside. He couldn't help but smile.
Riley opened it the honey water was still warm.She snapped a pic of it.
[Thank you… for the honey water.]
On Adrian's side, he took a sip from his own honey water, expression calm, heart exploding in fireworks.
He restrained himself and replied:[You're welcome.]
He sent a picture of his honey water that put on his finger.
Riley stared at his slender fingers in the picture and zoomed in repeatedly.
Adrian also looked at the photo he sent, satisfied with the angle and lighting, then exited the chat.
He lay on his bed, looking at the phone with no new messages.
He typed first:[Good night.]
Riley's cheeks flushed instantly.
[Good night.]
Riley poured a full cup, drank it all happily.
Then dumped the remaining honey water into the blanket.
She washed the thermos carefully, dried it, and placed it on the table planning to return it to Adrian tomorrow personally.