Chapter 15: Chapter 15

I really wanted to claw Adrian's face, but came to think how his face is too handsome for me to do it. Now he was standing in front of me, smiling calmly as if what he was doing didn't nearly frustrate me. He ignored all my calls, and he didn't even pay attention to my text messages.

I had to tell my father a lie that I had accepted Adrian's proposal to me, and I just realized that it was a fatal mistake I made. When I said that, I was only thinking about myself, without thinking about how Ashton would react to it.

"First of all, I knew that Ashton was with you. He even took good care of you, so I didn't want to intrude on your time. Besides, why called me when Ashton was with you?"

Adrian's question left me unable to answer. He made me wonder why I did that. And why was I worried too?

I immediately shook my head. "No, you weren't picking up my calls has nothing to do with Ashton being with me. You're just trying to get out of trouble by turning it on me,"

Did he think he could silence me by turning his mistakes around like it wasn't his fault?

Adrian looked into my eyes gently. He seemed to be looking for something from my eyes. The corner of his lips lifted, not revealing his usual grin. He then exhaled slowly.

"Why? Why do you want to know why I was not picking up your calls?" Adrian took a step forward, then his fingers touched a strand of my hair. "Are you worried now about me?"

"What?" I replied, intending to speak casually, but ended up whispering instead.

Adrian recognized my nervousness, and he took the opportunity of it. While I was struggling to choose the right words to refute his statement, I was surprised when he tucked my hair behind my ears. I looked up at him who was also looking at me.

"You're cute, when you're confused." Adrian stated.

Can I take that as a compliment? Alright, I'll take it for granted so that my empty heart feels happy.

I sighed, no longer wanting to deny that I was worried about him. "Yeah, I was worried about you. Is that what you wanted to hear from me? Now that you hear it..."

I looked down when Adrian didn't respond. Doesn't he really want to make me fall in love with him, so we can get married right away?

"Why are you silent?" I asked, starting to worry if I sounded too eager to be with him.

"You want to know how I feel right now?" asked Adrian while cupping my right cheek and making me look up again to meet his dazzling eyes. His right hand grabbed mine and brought them closer to his chest. "Feel my heartbeat..."

I saw how my hand fit perfectly in his. After that I returned my gaze to him, and he didn't take his eyes off me.

Adrian's hand was no longer on my cheek, but down to my waist, bringing me closer so there was no distance between us. My lips parted from being so nervous to be so close to him. Before, I didn't feel anything when I was with him, but why did it feel magical this time?

"When I'm with you, I feel comfortable, Mabel. You remind me of Selena in a different version," Adrian whispered before finally taking his eyes off me. He seemed to be fighting himself.

"Selena?" I had never heard the name of any woman out of Adrian's lips. "You have a girlfriend?"

Adrian's eyes turned to sorrow. He looked lonely... just like when I saw him sitting in the garden that night. "Just forget I ever mentioned her name,"

"Who is she, Adrian?" I asked more eager when Adrian raised his hands in the air. I also just realized that all this time I was the one who told too much about myself and even my sadness to him, but he never shared his story with me. I never asked how he felt, or what he was dealing with on a day-to-day basis.

I just knew the cover of him and his family. And I realized that I really knew nothing about him.

"Drop it, Mabel. Just stop asking, please..." Adrian took a step back, still shaking his head without looking at me. He slowly turned towards the door and left my room in silence.

This woman named Selena seemed to have thrust a sharp dagger into Adrian's heart. He couldn't be so hurt and lonely if Selena hadn't done something hard for him to forget. I would find out somehow who Selena is, even if it's not from Adrian's mouth.

I stepped downstairs and found Adrian still there. His expression changed quickly, but I was sure he was just good at hiding what he was feeling.

I joined Sarah and Rainy. After I told them about my engagement to Adrian, my sisterly relationship with Rainy improved. If that really could make our relationship okay again, then that's okay. I would try to keep my distance from Ashton for her.

"What are you guys watching?" I asked as I took the sofa cushions and placed them on my thighs.

Rainy handed me a bowl of popcorn with a smile. "Try it. It's really delicious,"

I couldn't fight the smile on my face. I nodded, trying a few mouthfuls of the sweet caramel popcorn.

Sarah was too focused on watching, not hearing my question. That's why Rainy told me that they were watching a zombie movie. Survival films are one of my favorite types of films. I was starting to focus on watching, but out of the corner of my eye, I couldn't help but glance at Adrian.

"Adrian is discussing the exact date for your engagement," Rainy told me before I even had a chance to ask. "Our parents agreed to hold your engagement on the same day as their wedding,"

My heart skipped a beat hearing it.

"W-why does it have to be on the same day?" I asked, losing my appetite for the next bite. "I mean, their wedding is in two weeks. Why does my engagement day have to be so soon?"

"You and mom can choose dresses together, and there will be more guests."

What?

"Yeah, that would be fun." Sarah said as she snatched the popcorn bowl from me.

I felt someone's sharp gaze until it felt like it was piercing my skull. I immediately turned in that direction as Rainy and Sarah were busy watching again. Adrian stood where he was, dropping his eyes on me. My father was still talking, it was clear from his lips which moved incessantly. Ugh, Adrian must not have listened to him.

I averted my gaze from Adrian. Now I remembered that woman's name every time I looked back at him. And it made me feel like something was off...

After five minutes had passed, I found myself in a reclining position. My father and Adrian had finished talking. And I was very surprised when my father said he had something to say to me. It was my turn to talk to him, in the same place where Adrian was standing. But when I saw Adrian also coming closer to us, I was sure my father and I wouldn't have a talk alone.

"You must know that Adrian and I were discussing when your engagement party will be held. And we've already decided, which is three days before my wedding."

"What?" I asked surprised. I should be relieved, because that's what I wanted. But no, because I suddenly wanted my engagement announced on my father's wedding day. "Why don't we celebrate it at your wedding?"

"Are you sure?" Adrian interrupted. "If you don't want-"

"I want to, Adrian." I cut him off. "It's okay on the same date as your wedding," I told my father.

My father glanced at me then glanced at Adrian, and so on. "You two want a different date, or am I the only one feeling the tension of dissent here?"

Adrian and I looked at each other then looked away from each other.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Castello. But please, give me a minute to talk this over with Mabel." Adrian tugged on my wrist, a few feet away from my father. "Are you sure about your choice? I know you're not okay with their marriage. Why force yourself to get engaged on the same date?"

"If I choose the date of your choice, can I still avoid their wedding? I still can't, right?" I exclaimed. "Never mind, I don't want to prolong this matter." I added a mumble, looking down and bit inside my cheek.

The decision was unanimous. All my family members agreed, myself included. Adrian also agreed, and had informed his grandfather. I was nervous when Adrian asked me to have dinner together at his big family mansion with his grandfather. Because of my stupidity, he and I would actually carry out the engagement. It was beyond my control.

And for Ashton... I would tell him myself.

"There's another way. You can be honest with them that you refuse this marriage,"

I looked at Adrian doubtfully after his answer. "You want me to be honest and destroy what they started? Sorry, I really can't. I can't be that selfish and take their happiness for mine,"

Adrian's eyes softened on mine. There was something there that made my body shiver under his gaze. "If the princess said that, then what can I do? Just so you know, Mabel. I want you to someday put your happiness first before the happiness of others,"

"I know," I mumbled quietly. "Thank you, for... for caring about my feelings."

Adrian nodded, understanding my nervousness saying that.

We both immediately told my father. At first my father hesitated, because he called us fickle. But then we managed to convince him that the same date as his wedding was our final decision.

I didn't say much after my decision. Adrian was still talking to my father, but instead I went back to my room. I needed alone time to shut the thoughts in my head. I felt nothing, but emptiness.

Little Mabel never expected life would bring her to this point. She only cared about her father being with her, and her best friend, Ashton by her side. Everything felt safe back then. She was sheltered in her dream. Dreaming of her best friend would later put a holy ring on her ring finger. Wasn't her dream so awesome? But in fact life had changed. Ashton did too.

I smiled, remembering how we used to play as husband and wife. I made coffee for Ashton who just got home from work. By the way he was fired, and we had a bad day because of it. We really acted like adults, imagining that one day we would actually get married.

And I guessed I was the only one who remembered that part. Ashton must had forgotten after changing so much.

I turned around when my bedroom door made a sound. Adrian came in with a smirk. I was getting used to his presence and that smirk on his face.

"I didn't think you would run away,"

"I wasn't you who ran away when I asked who the woman named Selena is," I replied to Adrian's statement in a curt manner, and I didn't expect what I said was out of my control.

Adrian showed a blank expression. Silence surrounded us after that. "You really want to know who is she?"

Our conversation started to get into the part that made me more curious. "We're getting engaged. Don't you think it's important for me to know who the woman you've been with is? I deserve to know,"

"After dinner with my grandfather, I will take you to her."

"You're still in touch with her?" I suddenly asked, and it sounded like a possessive girlfriend. It was not me at all, but why do I feel like Adrian is playing me? He met another woman behind my back when he proposed to me for marriage?