Chapter 0024
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Riley wasn’t acting like herself after discovering that Adrian had saved her seven years ago. As they ate dinner, she kept stealing glances at Adrian but would avert her gaze when he looked up at her.
Sadly for Riley, Adrian met her eyes towards the end of their late night dinner. Riley swore she became restless.
“Riley, I’ll be out of town tomorrow for two days. There is a business deal that I need to attend to,” Adrian revealed. “But when I return, I promise to spend more time with you”
“We need to get to know each other,” Adrian reminded her By the time I return, we will only have three weeks. before my grandfather arrives.”
“I’m sorry that I have been busy lately, but this business deal is very important to me,” Adrian revealed.
“Is it at the hospital? I haven’t seen you at the King’s Medical Center either,” Riley softly inquired.
“No, it’s something else. I’ll tell you about it later,” Adrian said.
The two drank chamomile tea before Adrian suggested, “When I return, I want to meet your mother. How is she, by the way?”
“Meet my mom?” Riley asked in a panic. She thought, ‘Was it time to introduce another man to my mom?”
As if reading her mind, Adrian proposed, “You can introduce me as a friend as a start. She will find out sooner or later, so an earlier introduction is ideal.”
“Right,” Riley answered. “I’ll tell her about you beforehand then.”
“Do you want to sleep now?” Adrian suddenly asked.
Shaking her head, Riley chuckled and responded, “No, I’m still full.”
“Have you had a proper tour of the house?” Adrian asked.
“Um, yeah, the living room, the kitchen, and the front lawn” Riley answered before laughing. “I’m always in a hurry in the morning, so I barely get the time to appreciate your house, Adrian. I’m sorry.”
A faint smile became painted on Adrian’s face. He said, “That’s fine. It’s understandable. Why don’t we go on a quick tour then.”
“Now?” Riley clarified.
“Yes, now,” Adrian confirmed.
Adrian propelled his wheelchair to the other side of the table. As Riley got up from her seat, he asked, “Do you mind pushing me instead?”
Riley smiled, and she said, “Of course!”
She got behind Adrian and pushed his wheelchair. They started outside the house.
Above them, the stars were gleaming in the dark skies. Riley felt the cold breeze brush against her shoulders, and she unwittingly rubbed her arms.
“Here,” Adrian was quick to give her his coat. “Cover yourself.”
“”Thank you, Adrian,” Riley responded before putting on the coat.
Adrian’s coat felt warm. It smelled of fresh seawater and amber combined. Riley could not help but admire its
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Chapter 2004
masculine and spicy scent. She thought that the smell fit Adrian very well.
They silently studied the villa from the outside. Adrian revealed, “This has been my home for almost six years.”
“What?” Riley was surprised. “So that means ”
“I moved out from my father’s home shortly after my return from Sweden,” Adrian revealed. “I have been on my own since. Only Aunt Linda had been my constant compa
Adrian’s villa covered around a thousand square meters of land. It had a huge green lawn and a paved driveway. The house was modern in style, with lots of glass windows was three stories high, and from what Riley remembered from Linda, it had ten bedrooms.
“We can enter from the back,” Adrian suggested.
Riley pushed Adrian, walking past the Maybach car, which he often used for work and another vehicle that Riley used daily.
Stone walkways and outdoor lamps guided them to the backyard. Riley was surprised to find a veranda behind the house. Adrian said, “I always like to have a grill night out here, but lately, I have been very busy.”
“Then, we’ll make time,” Riley suggested.
“Hmmm,” Adrian responded.
Adrian pointed to the backdoor and said, “The passcode is 73767.”
“Um, okay,” Riley said before putting in the passcode. After the backdoor opened, they entered a vast area with sofas, a pool table, an air hockey table, and a bar at the end of the place.
“Nice, a place to unwind – I love playing air hockey!” Riley exclaimed.
“Do you want to play?” Adrian asked. “Me against you?”
Riley’s mouth rounded. She replied, “Of course!”
She hurriedly pushed Adrian in front of the air hockey table. She looked around and quickly found the switch to the lights. She observed for a moment as Adrian pushed himself up. She smiled at how he managed to get up and supported himself by leaning closer to the table.
Adrian rolled his sleeves up to his forearm, showing off some of his muscles, and Riley stared for a second. Then, he held up the Air Hockey puck and said, “I’ll start.”
Riley got in position from across the table and said with narrowed eyes, “Ready.”
Adrian pushed the red puck firmly, and Riley threw it back to Adrian. When Riley came close to scoring, she screamed, “Ahh – Damn, Adrian! You are so good at this!”
The flat disk moved from one side to another as Adrian and Riley fought to score a goal. When Adrian scored first, Riley let out a low growl. She said, “Well, you have an advantage being a man, but I have some tricks myself. I’ll
score next.”
Adrian just smirked. He replied, “I’d like to see you try, Riley.”
The thing about Adrian was that he didn’t let her win. He made it harder for her to score, which Riley truly appreciated. Eventually, she saw an opening. She pushed the puck closer to her to gain control and quickly pushed it back in Adrian’s direction.
“Ahhh!” Riley laughed hysterically after scoring. She was at it so cheerfully that her smile reached her ears, her eyes glistened and watered with joy. “I scored! I scored against Adrian King!”
and
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Chapter 0024
“I might just beat you,” Riley declared. Her smile remained plastered on her small, heart–shaped face.
Adrian formed a faint smile and suggested, “Smiling suits you, Riley. You should smile more often.”
There was a short pause before Riley felt her face burn. She broke off that awkward moment by scoffing. She said, “Whatever, Adrian.‘
The two continued to play. After half an hour, Adrian was ahead by two points. Still, Riley claimed her future victory. She played her best and saw another opportunity score moments later.
Adrian watched the red disk gliding sideways when Riley pushed herself against the table and hit the puck toward him! She yelled, “Yes! I got it –”
Her scream for joy was cut short because Adrian managed to block it. Worst, he threw it back at her while she was distracted from rejoicing prematurely!
Adrian won.
Riley pouted and glared at Adrian. At that point; Adrian laughed. So far, Riley had seen Adrian smirk and smile, but this was his first genuine laugh. She thought it was sexy how his laugh lines formed on his cheeks and how his adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, “You should see the look on your face right now. It’s very entertaining Her anger quickly faded. She answered, “Smiling suits you too, Adrian. You should smile more often.” Adrian paused. He blinked and suggested, “I used to not have a reason to smile, but maybe… maybe I do now.”
LiLhyz Author
May 20, 2024. Chapter 1-2. The second chapter will be around midnight.
