Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Around eleven at night, I returned home. The mansion was so quiet and dark, normally I would see servants passing by, but now I saw none of them. I headed for my room, even though my heart felt heavy. Something seemed to be wrong. My feet finally reached the second floor, and there, my heart dropped. The door to Rainy's room was half open. Rainy cried in Sarah's arms, and my father was with them too.

"I'll talk to Mabel about this,"

Rainy shook her head, wiping her tears. "No need, Dad. Ashton left me for Mabel,"

"No! You two went together. You should have gone home together. Mabel shouldn't have gone along with Ashton when she found out you were alone at the party,"

I was like being electrocuted, because I couldn't move, let alone continue my steps. My eyes started to water, not a good sign. I immediately turned around, without making a sound I left the mansion.

I called Ashton. But as before, when I needed him the most, he didn't pick up my calls. There was only one name left in my contacts that could help me escape this painful night.

I called the number, and without a minute, I got an answer. "Thinking of me?"

I smiled contentedly.

That's a short story of how I ended up staying at Adrian's mansion. I used to be afraid when I heard the name of the Moretti Family, now I found myself coming to them myself.

Adrian was already wearing black pajamas. His face looked tired, and his hair was a mess.

"This is the guest room. You can sleep here," Adrian pushed open the door, and for a moment I gaped at the contents inside. Why is the guest room as good as mine?

I just nodded. I refrained from talking much, especially after what happened a few hours ago. Adrian also looked exhausted.

"I'll talk to your father in the morning,"

I stopped my next steps. I didn't know why I told Adrian what happened between Rainy and me. Since when did I become so easily trusting somebody?

"No, I just wanted to run away tonight. After that, I'll go back and talk to him myself. You don't have to bother doing that for me," My eyes fell on the floor.

Adrian nodded. He didn't talk much either, maybe too tired.

"Good night," I mumbled, and quickly went inside. "Thank you," Then I closed the door.

I was lying on the soft bed, thinking how my father's love wasn't entirely for me anymore. Rainy's feelings were more important than mine.

I remembered how Ashton and I played together when we were little, because our mothers were both gone. The difference is, Ashton's mother died when he was three years old due to a miscarriage.

It used to be fun back then. I didn't know the sadness, or the fear that whoever I belonged to could be gone with time. And now? I had Rainy and Sarah. They're so nice, and I couldn't possibly hate them. I was the one at fault.

I put my phone on the nightstand, and then I grabbed the bolster and hugged it. But still, I couldn't sleep. Adrian had previously told me where his room was. I got up and my idea popped up.

I walked out of my room slowly, then headed straight to his room. Strange, because the door to Adrian's room was not locked, instead opened slightly. I peeked and didn't find him in there. Didn't he look so sleepy earlier?

I went downstairs, where the pool table was. No one was there, only the sound of running water from the outdoor pool.

"Hey you!"

I turned and saw two burly men behind me. They watched me from head to toe and back up to my head.

"Where's Adrian?" I asked, trying to dare to return the intimidating stares of the two.

"None of your business," answered one of them. "Now go back to your room,"

"Mabel isn't going anywhere," Adrian emerged from behind them. I was surprised to see his appearance had changed. He was wearing a black leather jacket with black pants as well. And I accidentally saw a gun near his pants pocket.

Sometimes I forgot that Adrian was no ordinary man.

"Leave," Adrian ordered the two men. Now it was just the two of us left. Every time he took a step forward, I spontaneously took a step back.

"You do not sleep?"

Adrian chuckled coldly. "You know who I am, Mabel. And you still think I'm going to sleep at night?"

"Right..." I bit my lower lip. "I-I, can't sleep." Why am I so nervous talking to Adrian? Maybe I never saw this side of him.

Adrian sighed softly. "Are you scared of me now?"

I shook my head immediately. "It's just that your aura on this side is different. I used to see you as a businessman,"

Adrian smiled faintly at my answer. I rarely saw him show a smile. "Why do you have to be this cute?"

My eyes widened after Adrian's words. I could see from his expression, he didn't expect to ask that either. That question just slipped from his lips.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Can't we go somewhere?"

Adrian gave me a knowing smirk. "I bet you've never been to this place..."

I had a bad feeling when Adrian said it, but out of curiosity I was willing to go. I just didn't think he meant a strip club.

For the first time, Adrian didn't hold my hand as usual, but wrapped his arm around my waist to keep me close to his body. When he walked in, everyone seemed to know him. With just one word, everyone complied. "She's with me,"

There were many beautiful women around me, with curvaceous bodies wearing dresses that lack materials. While I was wearing a jacket and trousers. That's what Adrian told me to wear.

I gulped watching them wiggle their hips freely, even enjoying the money thrown at them.

I coughed when cigarette smoke was everywhere. It was really not my typical place. I glanced at Adrian next to me who seemed calm talking. He was used to this kind of place. I really wanted to go to the restroom, but he didn't take his hand off my waist at all.

"Adrian, I need to pee." I whispered to him. I thought Adrian was just going to show me the direction to the restroom, but instead he chose to end his conversation with his friend and escort me.

"You don't have to do this,"

"The last time I left you, you were kidnapped by another man." said Adrian right in my ear.

I smiled even though Adrian couldn't see it.

"I'll be waiting here,"

I went inside. Actually I didn't want to pee, I just wanted to take a deep breath without cigarette smoke.

After I finished looking in the mirror and fixed my appearance, I went out. Adrian leaned against the wall with a direct look at me. Is it because my feelings for Ashton are so great, until sometimes I forget Adrian is also attractive or what? Adrian's jaw is so sharp, and his dimples are adorable when he smiled. And now, he left his jacket open, revealing a light white t-shirt that accentuated his stomach muscles.

Adrian approached me, slid his arm around my waist. I let him did that, 'cause I just wanted to be safe.

Adrian was not easy to predict, unlike Ashton, who got emotional easily. He was also so calm. From the first time, I met him in the hallway, he could easily act like he was a regular guest. Even though he was the most powerful mafia leader.

"You're staring..." Adrian whispered which made me blush. "If you need anything, just tell me."

I shook my head and stopped staring at him.

"Want to just get out of here?"

I smiled brightly. Finally Adrian offered me the question.

That night, Adrian did not bring his car. He was just being himself with a motorbike, without his men. His clothes were casual, I meant he was out of his comfort zone. I also enjoyed my freedom.

I didn't know where Adrian took me to. But then I could see a high hill on the outskirts of city. Adrian took off his helmet and immediately invited me to go there. He looked excited this time.

"I didn't know there was still a hill with lots of trees in the middle of the capital's tall buildings,"

Adrian held my hand, helping me climb a fairly high hill. I was out of breath when I reached the peak. My body reflexively sat up, and I stretched my legs out. But Adrian was truly tireless. He immediately took a look around the hills, probably making sure everything was safe.

I couldn't stop smiling at the sight that was presented to me. The colors of the lights from every side of the city are clearly visible from here. The lights unite the beauty. The city looked so busy.

After getting enough energy, I moved and sat next to Adrian who was sitting on the edge of the hill.

"Thank you very much," I whispered in amazement.

Adrian chuckled and glanced back to me. "So no more painful night?"

I shook my head without my command. "I thought you only knew places like that club,"

"I brought you there just to let you have a new experience," Adrian laid his body down, making me join him. The night sky was so dark, but that didn't apply to the reflection of the moon and the light from the swarm of stars.

"May I ask you something?" I asked, turning to Adrian who had his eyes closed now.

"Have you ever fell in love?"

Adrian peered at me with one eye. "No," Then he closed his eyes again.

"Really?" I was not sure. "You're the type to fudge women and then disappear in the morning, huh?"

"It's not like that now," Adrian sighed, lifting his body slightly towards me with his elbow for support. "I proposed to you because I'm sure I have completely changed. I wanted to start a family. To a more serious level,"

"Ashton said so too," I pushed Adrian away from me and sat back down.

"But I'm not him," Adrian sounded very irritated when I compared him to Ashton. "We're different,"

I just snorted.

"What's so great about Ashton that you fall so deeply in love with him?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "All I know is that he's all I want right now. If you've ever loved someone, you'd know how it feels."

Adrian closed his eyes for a moment, before his eyes met mine again. "I lied when I said I'd never been in love. I once loved someone so much that I was afraid of losing her. But then, what I feared happened. I lost her,"

My eyes widened, especially after Adrian distanced himself from me. "That's why I told you not to lose yourself in fear of losing someone. Because after that, I lost myself too."

Adrian rose from his spot, causing me to quickly follow him from behind.

"Adrian, wait!" I chased him so fast that my foot slipped. I screamed in pain. I thought Adrian wasn't coming back, but he came back and carried me bridal style.

"You always overwhelm me!" mumbled Adrian in irritation.

I just smiled. Not only Ashton, but now I also liked to bother Adrian. I rested my head on Adrian's shoulder, and either it was me or Adrian's body was shivering from my touch.

I was comfortable with Adrian. I really believed he's a good guy.

"Um, Adrian?" I asked again when we were on the motorbike, on the way to his mansion. "Did you purposely not pick me up to the party so I could go with Ashton?"

I didn't know why I thought so. Because everything Adrian did, was not entirely to put me in trouble.