The moment Elena stepped back inside the house, her cheeks were still warm from embarrassment. Each step up the hallway felt heavy, as if the memory of Adrian's teasing voice followed her like a shadow.
"Are you done gawking?"
Her heart thudded painfully at the reminder. She pressed a hand over her face, groaning softly into her palm.
"What is wrong with me?" she whispered, shutting her bedroom door behind her.
She leaned against it, trying to slow her breathing. How was she supposed to control herself around someone like him? Someone who looked like he walked straight out of a dream she used to imagine at fourteen? Someone who could tilt his head, raise an eyebrow, and turn her entire soul into butterflies?
She covered her face again.
"No more staring," she ordered herself. "No more freezing. No more… whatever that was."
Her voice was soft but firm. She needed to behave normally. Like herself. Like the Elena who lived in books and helped people and loved quietly, not the Elena who nearly melted into the garden soil because a man did push-ups within ten feet of her.
Her blush returned at the memory of his arms flexing—
and she immediately shook her head so hard her hair flew around her face.
"Stop… stop… stop."
She marched toward the bathroom, hoping cold water would knock sense into her. The moment the warm shower washed over her, Elena exhaled, letting her thoughts scatter like petals. By the time she stepped out, wrapped in a towel and a robe, she felt a little more grounded.
At least until she remembered breakfast.
Downstairs.
With her father.
With Sienna.
With Adrian.
She froze halfway through brushing her hair.
"Absolutely not," she whispered. "I am skipping breakfast. No one can make me go down there."
But the universe had its own plans.
She dressed quickly—soft blue jeans, a comfortable blouse, and her long hair tied half up in a loose ribbon. She grabbed her bag, shoved her notes inside, and took a deep breath before opening her bedroom door.
The closer she walked to the staircase, the faster her heart raced. Voices drifted up from the dining area—her father's deep voice, Sienna's enthusiastic chatter, and Adrian's steady replies.
Elena stopped one step short of entering the room.
She couldn't face him.
Not right now.
Not when her face heated up simply from remembering his voice.
Her plan was simple: slip out quietly, call the driver, and leave for university early.
But fate almost never listened to her plans.
She walked toward the front door, head down, footsteps light.
Before she could reach for her phone, a car honked sharply outside the gate.
Elena flinched.
The door flew open before she could touch it.
"ELENA!"
Four familiar voices chorused at once.
She blinked.
Standing by the gate, half out of a car, were her friends—
Mia, Olivia, Grace, and Hannah.
All four girls burst toward her like a stampede of worried angels.
Mia arrived first, grabbing Elena's shoulders. "WHERE WERE YOU? We heard you fainted!"
Olivia cupped Elena's face. "Are you hurt? Tell us you're not hurt!"
Grace held her hands dramatically. "You scared us to death, you little fairy! Why didn't you message?!"
Hannah hugged her. "We came as fast as we could."
Elena blinked, overwhelmed.
She loved them so much.
They were chaotic, loud, dramatic… and her safe place.
"I'm okay," she managed, smiling as they looked her over like bodyguards. "Really. I'm fine."
Olivia's eyes narrowed. "You don't look fine."
"She looks pale," Mia agreed.
"She looks like someone stole her breakfast," Grace added.
Hannah nodded wisely. "We're taking her with us—you need fresh air, not this mansion stress."
Before Elena could reply, another voice cut in behind her.
"There you girls are…"
Her father stepped out, adjusting his glasses, his expression warm. "Good morning."
The girls' backs straightened instantly, like soldiers before a commander.
"Good morning, Uncle!" They said in unison, overly polite.
He chuckled softly. "Already here to take her to university?"
"Yes," Mia said quickly. "We were… uh… worried."
"And excited," Grace added with a bright smile. "Elena deserves some girl energy."
Before Elena could drag her friends toward the car, another voice stepped outside.
"Are these your friends, Elena?"
Adrian.
Elena felt her stomach drop to her ankles.
Her father turned to him. "Adrian, this is Elena's group. They're very close."
All four girls stared at him
—then stared at Elena—
—then looked back at him —
with matching expressions that said, "HOW DID YOU NOT TELL US ABOUT HIM?"
Before they could open their mouths, Elena panicked.
"Okay, let's go!" she said hurriedly, grabbing Hannah's arm and pushing them toward the car. "We are getting late!"
Olivia resisted. "Wait, wait—who is he? He's so—"
"INSIDE. CAR. NOW," Elena said firmly, shoving Grace inside.
Grace managed to look over Elena's shoulder and shout, "Looking handsome as usual, Uncle!" causing her father to laugh.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
Sienna stepped out behind him and waved cheerfully. "Girls! Good morning!"
They waved back politely but with eyes full of curiosity.
Elena practically dove into the car and slammed the door shut.
Mia turned to her immediately.
"ELENA. TALK."
"Yeah," Olivia leaned forward. "Who was that?"
Hannah crossed her arms. "And why did he look at you like he knows you?"
Grace smirked. "Or like he carried you out of a burning building."
Elena groaned into her hands. "He didn't carry me out of a burning building."
"Then what happened?!" Mia demanded.
Elena took a long breath.
"His name is Adrian," she said quietly. "He… um… he's here for business. He's Sienna's… boyfriend."
The car fell silent for two entire seconds.
Then—
"What?!"
"Wait—HER boyfriend?!"
"You're joking."
"No way, Elena!"
Her friends stared at her with wide, shocked eyes.
Olivia reached out slowly. "Elena… did you—before knowing—did you maybe…"
"Yes," Elena whispered, cheeks heating. "I… I liked him. A little. I didn't know who he was. I didn't know he was hers."
Her voice cracked at the end, and her friends immediately softened.
Mia scooted closer and hugged her arm gently. "Oh Lena…"
Hannah placed a comforting hand on her back. "That must have been awful."
Grace sighed sympathetically. "You poor thing."
Olivia frowned, eyes narrowing protectively. "Did he treat you badly?"
"No," Elena said softly. "Not at all. He was… actually very kind."
"And?" Grace asked gently. "What about now? How do you feel?"
Elena stared out the window at the passing streets.
"I feel…" she paused, searching for words, "like someone took a beautiful story from my hands and wrote a different ending."
Her friends exchanged looks—sad ones, supportive ones.
Mia said quietly, "We're right here with you."
"Always," Hannah added.
Olivia leaned forward, squeezing Elena's shoulder. "We'll help you forget him."
Grace smiled softly. "Or at least not think about his muscles again."
Elena covered her face. "Please—don't remind me."
All four girls burst into laughter, and Elena found herself laughing weakly with them.
The pain didn't disappear.
But with her friends beside her…
It felt a little easier to breathe.
And as the car carried her toward university, Elena let out a slow breath, leaning her head against the window.
She didn't know how she would face Adrian again.
She didn't know how she would smile around Sienna.
She didn't know how she would hide the storm inside her chest.
But she did know one thing—
At least she wasn't alone.
Not today.
The rest of Elena's day at university unfolded like sunlight breaking through leftover clouds. It felt good—refreshingly normal. She sat with her friends under the old oak tree, sharing pastries and teasing each other before their classes started. During lectures, she buried herself in her notes, answering questions, laughing quietly at inside jokes, and simply breathing without the heavy weight of home.
For a few beautiful hours…
she forgot.
Forgot the mansion.
Forgot the tension.
Forgot how her heart behaved around one particular man.
After her last lecture, she walked out with Mia, Olivia, Grace, and Hannah trailing behind her like a troop of colorful butterflies.
"Long day," Mia stretched.
"Fun day," Grace corrected, already scrolling through her phone.
"Productive day," Hannah added.
Olivia smirked. "Chaotic day."
Elena laughed. "All of the above."
She stopped near the university gate and pulled out her phone. "I'll call the driver now. You girls go ahead."
"Are you sure?" Olivia asked.
Elena nodded. "I'll meet you all tomorrow. Go home before the rain starts again."
They hugged her one by one and headed off, their chatter fading into the distance. Elena stood alone, adjusting the strap of her bag, the breeze lifting her hair as she tapped the driver's number.
"Sir? Please come to the university gate."
"Yes, Miss."
She ended the call and waited.
Two minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her.
She hadn't even opened the door yet when an odd feeling told her something wasn't right.
Their car wasn't this new.
Still, she opened the back door and stepped inside. "Flower shop, please."
Her voice was polite, soft, as always.
And then—
A smooth, deep male voice replied:
"As you wish, Miss Elena."
Elena froze.
Her eyes widened.
That was not her driver.
She slowly leaned forward, peeking toward the front seat.
And there he was.
Adrian.
Hands on the steering wheel.
A faint smile tugging at his lips.
Sunlight catching in his eyes like gold.
"Wha—Adrian?!" Elena blurted, blinking rapidly.
He tilted his head slightly. "You said flower shop, so flower shop."
"But—why are you here? Why are you driving? Where is my—"
Her words were interrupted by the sound of the door opening again.
In a split-second blur—
Mia jumped in beside her.
Olivia squeezed in next.
Grace pushed Hannah forward.
Hannah tumbled into the last seat.
All four girls stared at Adrian like he was some rare celebrity sighting.
Elena nearly choked. "Girls—what are you—"
"HELLO AGAIN!" Mia said loudly, offering her hand over the seat.
Adrian blinked, amused. "Hello."
"I'm Mia! The smart one."
"I'm Olivia," the one with the sharp eyes added. "The one who understands chaos."
Grace leaned forward. "I'm Grace. I'm the dramatic one—obviously."
Hannah waved shyly. "I'm Hannah. Sorry for falling on your car."
Adrian laughed—a warm, surprised sound—and shook each of their hands. "Nice to meet all of you properly."
Elena covered her face.
She could feel embarrassment blooming inside her like heat.
Grace nudged her. "You didn't tell us he was THIS handsome up close."
"I didn't think I'd ever see him THIS close again!" she whispered back.
Olivia leaned forward, her voice low but not low enough. "So he's the reason you looked like you were floating the whole morning?"
Elena elbowed her lightly, mortified.
Adrian glanced at her through the rear-view mirror, eyes warm. "Floating?"
She sank lower into her seat. "Ignore them."
But the girls did not let up.
Mia leaned forward. "So, Adrian, where are you from again?"
"Rome," he replied.
Grace gasped dramatically. "Say something in Italian!"
He chuckled. "Later."
Olivia squinted suspiciously. "Why are you driving Elena's car?"
Elena opened her mouth to explain—but Adrian beat her to it.
"Well…" he said casually, "I'm new here. Still learning the city. I thought I'd surprise Elena since she forgot to call for the driver."
Elena's mouth fell open. "I—I didn't forget— I didn't even know— This isn't even our car!"
Adrian's shoulders shook with silent laughter. "I borrowed it."
Hannah blinked. "Do rich people just… borrow luxury cars?"
Adrian laughed again. "Only when they're lost."
Mia nudged Elena. "He has humor. Dangerous."
Grace whispered, "He has arms. Super dangerous."
Olivia added, "He has an accent. Fatal."
Elena groaned into her hands. "Please stop."
Adrian shot her an amused glance through the mirror. "Are your friends always like this?"
"All the time," she muttered.
"Good," he said with a soft smile. "It's refreshing."
The girls beamed.
Elena's heart gave a small, unexpected flutter.
After a few moments of comfortable silence, Adrian cleared his throat and looked back at them.
"Actually, I wanted to ask something."
All four girls leaned forward at once.
Elena sat up too, eyes wide.
"I'm new to this town," Adrian said sincerely. "And… if it's not too much trouble… would you girls help me get to know the place better?"
The reaction was immediate.
"Yes!" Mia said.
"Absolutely!" Olivia nodded.
"Of course!" Grace chimed.
"Sure!" Hannah added.
Elena stared at them, betrayed and bewildered. "You all agreed way too fast."
Mia grinned. "Elena, we love helping people."
Olivia smirked. "Especially handsome people."
Grace shoved her. "Especially lost handsome people."
Hannah whispered, "Especially lost handsome Italian people…"
Elena covered her face again. "I can't believe this."
Adrian looked at her, eyes gentle. "And you, Elena?"
She swallowed, suddenly aware of the weight of his gaze—soft, patient, a little hopeful.
Her heart thudded painfully.
"I… I can help too," she said quietly. "A little."
His smile deepened, warm and sincere. "Good. I was hoping you would."
Her breath caught.
The car started moving.
Her friends continued chattering.
Adrian answered all their questions.
And Elena…
sat quietly, her heart completely, utterly confused.