Chapter 20: Chapter 20

I was scared to death. The feeling that I felt when Mabel was around me scared the hell out of me, because it was the same feeling I had for Selena.

It was not supposed to work like that. I shouldn't be getting too deep into the mission I was in charge of. I got lost in my game, and honestly I felt like Ashton was the winner.

Mabel left a few minutes ago, and here I was, couldn't get her out of my head. I told my men to look after her, but still, I couldn't calm down until there was news that she had arrived at her mansion.

I went back and forth in my room with a mild headache. Everything that had happened could not be continued. I made up my mind to see my grandfather while he was still here, in my mansion. Heading to his room, I didn't knock and instead just barged in. He was sitting quietly, facing the large window that highlighted the view of the city.

"I knew you would see me,"

"I want to stop. I don't need Mabel to take Ashton down," I paused and took a breath. "I want to get her out of this plan. She doesn't deserve to be a puppet to my advantage and the mistakes Ashton's father made,"

"Calm yourself first, Adrian. Don't be hasty in making decisions," said my grandfather casually. He then chuckled. "You don't even understand what you're talking about,"

"Excuse me? I consciously understand," I approached my grandfather. "I don't want this marriage to happen,"

"Why? Because you're reckless and instead entrusted your heart to that woman?" My grandfather still didn't look at me, but his tone was clearly mocking me. "The way you look at her is different. It's filled with feelings, pleasure, and love."

"There's no love," I hissed at his lecture.

"Keep denying it, but you know the truth yourself. And you can't run from your body, Adrian."

"Who I love is none of your business, grandfather." I felt so messed up. Mabel's face and the kiss we shared kept haunting me. I really wanted her to be by my side right now. More precisely, I needed her. She was like my new obsession that had to stuck to me from the moment I touched her sweet lips.

I was too scared that I was going to mess things up someday. Mabel was so sincere to me, and I could see through her.

"Are you sure?" My grandfather finally left the sofa and stood facing me. "You don't have to be honest with me about how you feel for her. But if you walk out of this game, you're letting Ashton win and get the woman you're into."

My jaw clenched at the thought of Mabel falling in love with Ashton again. She already loves me, so can I just let her go? And let her fall back into Ashton's arms?

"A tough choice, I know." My grandfather chuckled and patted my shoulder twice.

"It is what it is," I responded, not wanting to show my grandfather my weakness. "Even before I came, they were already together. I was the destroyer who got in the middle of their relationship,"

"Really? You think so? Come on, Adrian. You're my grandson, and I've been taking care of you since you were little. I know you're not the type to give up on something that catches your eye. And now you're telling me this?"

I averted my gaze.

"So? Are you still sticking with your first statement?"

"Don't try to change my mind,"

"I'm not," My grandfather smirked like he was celebrating victory. "If I were you, I'd keep moving to get what's rightfully mine."

I shook my head. "And I'm not you,"

My grandfather was about to speak again when one of the servants knocked on the door and completely took our attention.

"Come in," My grandfather walked away from me. He folded his arms behind his waist and faced the door, as if he knew someone would be coming to see him that day.

I let out a worn out breath.

Our servant came in and bowed to my grandfather. "The guest you've been waiting for has arrived here. May I let her in to see you now?"

Her? Suddenly I assumed the guest was Mabel. Did my grandfather make her come back here? But then my jaw clenched to see who the guest my grandfather was expecting.

Rainy entered the room confidently alone. Her face didn't show any guilt, instead she turned her red lips into a smile. I should have known this before.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Valentino Moretti," Rainy reached out for a handshake with my grandfather.

"Glad you make it," My grandfather replied with a nod. "I assume you and my grandson have met before. So there's no need for a proper introduction between the two of you,"

Rainy smiled at me, and I knew there was a motive behind it.

"Of course, he's the future husband of my future sister."

I chuckled and gave her a sweet smile. "Yeah, and you're the ex-girlfriend of a guy named Anthonio Blake."

The smile disappeared from Rainy's lips. She tried hard to act like what I said didn't bother her. Did she think I would never know about her past?

My grandfather immediately cleared his throat, realizing we were being sarcastic at each other.

"You know, Rainy. I've known Anthonio from day one,"

"Adrian," My grandfather gave me a warning by briefly calling my name. I knew it was a code for me to immediately shut my mouth.

"What? I just told her," I smiled widely. "And by the look in her eyes now, I can tell she didn't know."

Rainy pressed her lips then gave me a sharp look. "Yeah, I found out just now."

"I think Anthonio didn't really trust you if he didn't tell you a lot. You never even showed up at the events he went to," I continued when I was given the chance. "Were you just the one night stand girl or just another passed by girl?"

"Adrian!" My grandfather bluffed. "Watch your mouth,"

"I was just asking," I gave him a casual answer.

Maybe Rainy thought I couldn't see the anger in her silence, but I could totally see how she was holding herself back from exploding in anger. She hid her fist behind her body.

"It's okay, Mr. Moretti. Really," Rainy said, holding back the bitterness on her tongue. Her eyes didn't even leave mine, so that I had access to see my reflection in those eyes as blue as the sea of ​​death. She had endangered Mabel's life. If Mabel didn't make it that day, I didn't know what the worst thing I could have done to Rainy was.

I didn't care about the feelings of this cruel woman in front of me because of my words. I clearly showed my displeasure to her. There would never be a good word between us to write. Once she had hurt the people I cared for, at that time there was also no apology for her.

"So what's the plan to invite her here?" I was back throwing a tantrum.

"Don't act like you don't know, Adrian." Rainy explained with a forced smile. "Mr. Moretti himself has explained everything to me,"

My grandfather nodded. "Yeah, and this is between you. I want you to cooperate,"

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "I told you I don't want to hurt Mabel,"

"But you stepped in from the start to hurt her. And now you're saying that?" Rainy sneered.

"That was my original plan, but I never hurt her." I replied with a heavy breath. "I never hired a hitman to kill her,"

Rainy's lips trembled after my reply. She tried her best to appear calm and unmoved by my words. "Who are you accusing, Adrian?"

"Why?" I smirked mischievously. "You feel accused?"

My grandfather could only massage his temples. He wouldn't have the power to make me like Rainy, much less work with her.

"Look, I want you to work together to kidnap Mabel. And Adrian, I promise you that Mabel won't be hurt. No one will dare to hurt her. We'll just kidnap her and blackmail Ashton,"

Rainy raised an eyebrow, pleased that my grandfather was on her side.

"Whatever, but remember, I never promised not to stand in the middle to get in the way of your plans." I said threateningly. I gave Rainy a death glare and then walked towards the door as my grandfather called out to me.

"You're against me just because of a woman you just met?"

I turned around and smiled as if my grandfather's words had no effect on me. "You said yourself that I fell in love with Mabel. So let's just start there," I then lowered my voice to a whisper. "And love makes a person do anything for the one he loves,"

"What a nonsense!" My grandfather snapped.

I just left the room after that. As I left the room, I seemed to have left whatever my previous plans were behind, and now I was walking forward to the front.

My feelings were shaken, and I didn't like the feeling at all. I wanted to reply to Mabel's last question that whatever I did with her was even more important to me. Her smile, her laugh, even her voice was what I wanted to see and hear every time I woke up in the morning. But I couldn't explain it all, because I knew one day I would have to be honest with her about my true motives for entering her life.

"Get my car ready," I ordered my men. I wanted to throw all my thoughts away from me, including staying away from my grandfather. "What's Mabel doing right now?"

"She just returned to her mansion and didn't come out of there until recently," They explained.

I nodded in relief, knowing Mabel was safe there. At least Rainy hadn't taken another step.

"Adrian! Wait!"

I closed my eyes for a moment when I heard Rainy calling me. I didn't want to turn around to look at her, so all I could hear was the sound of her footsteps getting closer and closer.

Rainy finally arrived and stood in front of me. I told my men to go and give us some privacy, because I knew what the woman was going to talk about; definitely the same thing.

"Keep what you know to yourself,"

I chuckled knowing that Rainy was frightened by what I said earlier. "You're afraid I'll tell Mabel about it?"

"No, because I know Mabel wouldn't believe you. What's more, you don't have any evidence."

"You're wrong, Lady. I still have those two hitmen of yours in my basement,"

Blood rushed up, filling Rainy's face which was as red as fire. She obviously didn't expect me to keep her hitmen alive. Yeah, I even treated their wounds after their car exploded that day. I already knew this day would come, and my caution was not in vain.

"I'll keep my mouth shut if you don't throw another tantrum,"

"What do you want me to do?" Rainy sounded desperate now.

"Don't try to hurt Mabel like before. I put my eyes on you," I enjoyed every drop of sweat that dripped from Rainy's forehead. I swallowed her fear. Her life would be ruined if she dared to do that ever again.

"Why do you care so much about her?" Rainy asked back, making me stop in my tracks.

"Because she is Mabel,"

"There's nothing special about her," Rainy replied which irritated me even more. "A man like you deserves to fall in love with a woman more than her. An independent woman, has a charming persona, a real dream woman."

"Don't talk like that about Mabel," I said in a low, but intimidating tone. "And save your advice to yourself, Rainy." After that I really left my mansion.