"Riley, eat this."
"This one's good too."
Chris tightened his grip on the chopsticks in his hand, staring at Adrian, who kept putting food into Riley's bowl.
"Chris, where's your girlfriend?"
The chairman spoke slowly, reminding him of his earlier instructions.
Chris looked at the chairman in a daze, then glanced at Riley.
Seeing Riley's completely this-has-nothing-to-do-with-me expression, the emotions he had finally managed to steady collapsed once again.
"She… had something to do today. She couldn't come."
The chairman gave Chris a glance and didn't respond, quietly continuing his meal.
Chris took a deep breath, repeatedly sneaking looks at Riley.
It had been so long since Riley last smiled at him… so, so long…
"Dad, I'm back."
Adrian's older brother, Jassen, loosened his tie and strode toward the table.
He pulled out the chair next to the chairman and looked to the other side, purposely avoiding his brother.
He felt a bit unhappy but didn't dare say anything.
Jassen's gaze shifted to the young woman sitting beside Adrian, and he froze for a moment.
"Adrian's girlfriend… she looks a little familiar."
Adrian looked innocently at him. "Probably from Chris's previous small company. Riley used to work there."
Hearing Adrian's words, Riley choked. "Cough—cough—"
She glared at Adrian and pinched his thigh under the table.
Without moving her lips, she whispered, "Shut up."
Adrian's eyes curved as he looked back at her, the corners of his mouth lowering.
He clasped the hand that was pinching him.
"Eat." the chairman said coldly, ignoring their exchange.
The dining table returned to silence.
After dinner, Riley and Adrian sat on either side of the chairman, accompanying him while he watched TV and chatted.
Chris walked up behind Adrian with a cold expression.
"Uncle, let's talk."
Adrian glanced at Riley's expression. Only after the girl gave him a slight nod did he lazily get up.
He followed Chris out of the living room.
Chris didn't speak the entire way, quietly leading the walk.
Adrian didn't say anything either. He didn't plan to break the ice.
It wasn't until they reached the bauhinia tree they had planted together as children that Chris finally stopped.
He looked at the now, towering tree and spoke softly.
"Uncle…"
Before he could finish, Adrian cut him off coldly.
"Chris."
"This time, I'm not letting you have your way."
Chris clenched his hands and turned to face Adrian.
His voice was hoarse. "Uncle, you promised me before."
"Riley was the one you gave up to me, what right do you have to take her back now?"
Adrian pinned Chris against the tree trunk, his gaze sharp and fierce.
"Chris, you're the one who wronged her."
"You're the one who let her go."
"What did I tell you back then?"
"I said. If you ever hurt her, I would do whatever it takes to bring her back to my side."
"I endured it for five years. What more do you want from me?"
"I gave you your chance. You're the one who didn't treasure it."
Adrian released Chris and watched him collapse slowly to the ground.
"Chris, you are the one who let go first. Stop bothering she."
Just as Adrian turned, planning to leave the garden to look for his girl.
He saw Riley slowly walking toward him. Adrian let out a small, bitter laugh.
He lowered his head, not daring to meet her eyes.
He was scared...scared that his little girl still loved someone else…
"Riley… it hurts…"
The weak voice came from behind Adrian, Chris.
Chris struggled to lift his hand and motioned for Riley to come over.
Adrian took a deep breath and prepared to leave the garden.
But as he walked past Riley, he didn't stop.
"You're going to leaving me?" Riley's voice trembled, watching his retreating back.
Adrian froze.
He slowly turned around to look at her.
"Riley… I…"
Riley walked toward Adrian, step by step, until she stood right in front of him.
"Adrian, I like you. I love you. I mean it."
Seeing the tears in Adrian's eyes, Riley's eyes also reddened.
"Riley… I'm not worthy."
"No, you're worthy. You really, really are."
Riley stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips, stopping him from saying any more self deprecating words.
Adrian cupped her head and kissed her fiercely.
His eyes remained fixed on Chris, who lay beneath the bauhinia tree behind them, a look of pure provocation.
It wasn't until Riley's hand started pounding lightly on his chest that Adrian reluctantly let go.
Riley looked at Adrian's face, breathing heavily, cheeks flushed.
"Go back?" Adrian looked at her with a smile.
Riley touched the corner of her mouth and nodded.
Chris watched their silhouettes slowly disappear.
Bitterness surged in his chest, then turned into something sharper. His expression twisted, and he slammed his fist against the tree.
"Adrian, just you wait!"
In the living room.
On each side of the chairman sat Lydia and Jassen. The three looked like they were in the middle of some discussion.
The chairman's expression was dark, gloomy, and intimidating.
When Riley and Adrian returned, they saw the chairman stand up coldly.
"I'm tired."
But when he spotted Adrian at the door, his tone shifted instantly, turning warm.
"Riley, are you tired?"
Adrian held her hand. "Mm, she is."
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and looked at her gently.
"All right. If you're tired, go home and rest. It's improper for a young woman to stay overnight at a man's house."
The chairman looked at Riley kindly.
"Goodbye, uncle." Riley said obediently, bowing slightly.
Adrian then led Riley out of the old estate.
Inside the car.
Riley's expression gradually darkened. She looked out the window and ignored Adrian completely.
Adrian's heart tightened. His grip on the steering wheel grew uneasy.
"Riley…"
Still no response.
Adrian's eyes drooped as he drove in silence.
At the apartment parking lot.
He parked the car, watching the girl beside him unbuckle her seatbelt and grab her bag without saying a word.
He immediately locked the car. "Riley, can we talk?"
She stood with her arms folded, staring straight ahead.
"Riley, I didn't hide it from you on purpose. I really like you. Since the moment you first liked Chris, I already liked you…"
Riley frowned slightly and finally turned her head toward him.
Seeing her look at him, Adrian felt his heart drop back into place.
"Adrian, I'm not blaming you," Riley said coldly.
"I don't believe that," Adrian shook his head, his eyes watery as he looked at her.
Riley looked into his tear filled eyes, and her heart softened.
All the grievance and frustration she had felt at the Carter estate dissolved instantly.
"Adrian, I really don't blame you."
Only then did Adrian relax. He followed behind her carefully, watching the sway of her hands as she walked.
At her apartment door, she angrily opened the door herself.
"Beep—"The lock clicked open.
Adrian grabbed her hand, pressing her against the door.
"Click—" The door locked.
Adrian was no longer the gentle version of himself. He pushed forward, continuously taking what belonged to him.
He held onto Riley, leading her slowly into his own apartment.
"Beep beep beep—"The door unlocked, and Adrian removed Riley's clothing piece by piece.
His lips trailed down the side of her neck.
"Riley, I don't want to be apart from you. I don't."
Riley tilted her head back as he kissed her again and again.
"Riley… don't leave."
Riley gently pushed Adrian's face up so she could look at him. "I won't."
"Riley… how do you prove it?" Adrian asked, his hands still touching every inch of her.
"Mm-ah-"
Riley let out a soft sound.
Hearing it, Adrian's smile grew wider.
Riley's cheeks burned. She looked at him. "Marriage. I'll marry you."
Adrian froze slightly, his movements slowing.
He slowly raised his head, staring at her.
"Riley… are you serious?"
"Yes." Riley nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Adrian kissed her gently and slowly set her down from where he had been holding her by the entryway.
Riley's legs trembled as she walked out of his apartment, heading to her own across the hall.
Adrian watched her go inside.
He picked up his phone and dialed.
The call connected, but the other person didn't speak.
"Leonard, I'm getting married!"
"What the hell! Adrian, that fast?!" Caleb's voice came through excitedly.
"Caleb?"
Adrian looked at the clock, 11 p.m.
"No other news?" Leonard's voice finally came through, calm.
"No, I just wanted to tell you," Adrian said cheerfully.
"Bye."
"Hey—Leonard!"
Beep beep beep.
He'd obviously hung up.
Adrian looked at his lock screen and smiled.
It was a photo Caleb had taken at Happy Valley.
Buzz—
[Come back to the old estate tomorrow.]
A message from the chairman.
Adrian frowned at the screen.
He didn't reply.