Adrian's POV:
I slam the door hard behind me as I step into my office. My jaw is aching from how tightly I've been clenching it.
I shed my jacket and my tie, throwing them on the seat, then roll my sleeves up to my arms as I head for the mini-bar.
I grab the first bottle I see, then grab a glass and fill it to the rim. Then I bring it to my lips and swallow the whole thing back, feeling a sense of relief as it burns down my throat.
I press my palms on the counter and bow my head.
Elena.
That damn room full of people.
Her humiliation.
A bitter laugh escapes me. The audacity! To blame my fucking wife for theft?!
In what world did that camel girl think that I would believe her lies against my own wife.
Elena is many things. Stubborn, disobedient..but she's not a bloody thief.
I tighten my grip until the edges of the counter dig into my palms.
This... This is exactly why I didn't want her to work. I knew shit like this was going to happen. I know the world better than she does, and I can say that humans are far worse than the devil himself.
She gave too much trust, too much kindness, and all for what? Just to be framed in the end. And for a measly watch!?
I fill up the glass again, then sigh, and walk over to the glass wall blaring the city.
And I'm also fucking angry at myself. I don't know why, but I feel like I'm the reason that happened to her. That I'm the reason she was humiliated like that.
I let her work in that stupid building with incompetent, desperate employees.
Imagine I hadn't planted Tessa there to keep an eye on her, then things would've been worse for her. Of course, I would still find a way to clear her name, but it's her dignity I'm thinking about.
She couldn't even look at me. And the times she did, she could barely maintain the contact. She looked so small and ashamed, and I had felt something snap inside me. I tried so hard to restrain myself from doing something I'd regret.
Man or woman, I don't fucking care. If anyone tries to harm my wife in any way, they won't go off easily.
I bring the glass up to my lips again and take a slower sip this time.
The shock on her face was evident when she watched the video. I still don't get why she put so much trust in that girl when she'd barely known her for two weeks.
But it's good she saw for herself. At least she'll learn from it.
I pour back the rest of my drink then, with a heavy sigh, I walk over to my seat to look over some files before I get home.
As I try to work, Elena's image keeps flooding my mind, making it hard for me to focus.
That little devil.
******
By the time I arrive home, it's late. I close the door behind me as I step in.
The house is quiet, except for the faint sound of someone pacing.
Once she sees me, she freezes, and her eyes widen.
But I don't stop. I keep heading for the stairs. I don't trust myself to speak to her yet.
"Adrian..." she whispers as I walk past her. Her vanilla scent hits me, and I close my eyes briefly taking it all in, but I ignore her still.
"Adrian..." she calls again, but this time, she comes to stand in front of me, blocking my path.
My eye draws down to her. She has her hands out, as if that will stop me. She looks awfully determined, but I don't miss the nervous look in her eyes.
My jaw ticks and I narrow my eyes on her.
She swallows, then drops her hands beside her. "Can... we talk?"
"It's late. I have to get to work early tomorrow," I say and intend to push past her, but she shifts again, blocking me.
I grit my jaw in annoyance.
"Please?" She looks up at me pleadingly, as her eyes search mine for an answer.
I roll my eyes internally at how easy of a man I am, then sigh heavily. "Three minutes."
"What?" Her brows shoot up.
"Time is ticking," I drawl, feigning boredom.
"Uhh..." she breathes, holding her hands together in front of her.
"I want to thank you."
"For what?" My voice is low, rough.
She hesitates. "For... defending me today."
I laugh under my breath. An unamused laugh.
"And if I say I wasn't defending you?"
"I... but you..."
"I did what?" I cut her off harshly. I'm struggling to keep in the anger that never left.
"I didn't defend you, Elena, I corrected stupidity," I state.
"I won't allow disruption on my property"
She blinks.
"I... but still," she swallows. "You still helped me. And I want to thank you for that, regardless."
"I did help you," I nod, and rub on my jaw lightly.
"And do you know what would have happened if I didn't show up? If Tessa hadn't captured that video?"
Her gaze drops.
"Exactly," I grit.
Silence stretches between us.
She shifts slightly.
"You're too trusting," I say. "Too soft, and that's exactly why people take advantage of you. Of your kindness and innocence."
Her eyes lift up again. "I..."
"And this," I continue, sharper now, "is exactly why I didn't want you working there."
"You think that it's only a physical threat that could harm a person, but it's very far from that. The world doesn't work the way you see it," I say, softening my voice a bit. "You think people are just good unless they prove otherwise."
She stays quiet, just listening.
"People like Camilla? They see someone kind and innocent and they see an opportunity. A target."
She stiffens.
"It was a mistake made by one person. It doesn't mean the rest are like that," she says softly.
"Mmm," I nod lightly. "But you couldn't tell when it was Camilla. So what makes you think you'd be able to tell others?"
She purses her lips.
"Today wasn't the whole world turning against you," I say quietly. "But it was only a reminder that you have only yourself. People won't always trust or believe you. They won't always be there for you."
"And stop thinking you have to prove yourself to everyone who doubts you too."
She's silent as she watches. Her breathing is soft, but unsteady. I feel like I've said too much.
I look away first, because her eyes are doing something strange to me. Something I don't like.
"I'm going upstairs," I mutter.
I take a step, but her fingers catch my sleeve.
I freeze.
She looks up at me, her mouth opens and closes again, she's hesitating, and then her voice, barely a whisper, she asks, "Did you doubt me? Even for a second, did you believe I had taken..."
"No," I say before she can even finish her sentence. "I didn't."
Her brows crease like she's confused, but her eyes soften. "Why?"
My throat tightens.
"Because I know my wife. You may be stubborn, but you're not a thief."
Another heavy silence.
The air is tense, and my body is starting to feel hot.
I gently pull my sleeve from her grip.
And walk away before I say or do something I won't be able to take back.