Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"If love was an object, it would be a kitchen knife."

Adriana pushed away, sanity coming back to her in a rush.

"Nathan, if we cross this line, there's no going back."

Seeing he did not care, she walked out on him.

"Wait, Adriana!" He begged following closely.

Adriana turned to face him, her eyes basked in tears.

"Why me? I've always hated you and I'm sure the feeling was mutual."

"For some time, yes but when I was with you Adriana, I felt something that I haven't felt in a long time."

"What did you feel?" She asked, more in a hush.

"I felt loved."

Adriana burst into a fit of laughter making her cheeks huge.

"I've always had fantasies of what it would be like if we met differently, if I wasn't a bitch and you never met my father."

"But it can be different now. I'll say it again Adriana, I've never felt this way for anyone before. I just want you in my life."

By this time, they were already near Adriana's ride.

"I wish it was meant to be Nathan but my father will always resent you. I don't want him to see me as a tool in your conspiracy and then he lost his daughter too. It'll kill him."

"I think he'll understand," Nathan assured, holding Adriana's hands and staring into her dark irises.

"It won't Nathan! Because I'll always put my family first."

Nathan was stuck. He didn't stop her from going, He didn't stop her from starting her car and he didn't stop her from zooming away.

It was clear, that he would still be insignificant no matter what.

"How did it go?", Rodriguez texted.

"Terrible. She said No." Nathan sent back.

Rodriguez sent a sad emoji with a try again.

Nathan was so not doing that. He was not a puppy who came back even after being flogged by its master. He was human and his heart was shattered.

Adriana couldn't be forced to be his and he could really see how divided she was. If she remained at his side. She would look like a betrayer and Thomas will definitely hate him more. She had made a good choice but without him in it. He just had to accept it.

The drill now was to get the papers back and get back his old life. The future was bright and miracles could happen.

It was his last night in penury. The lonely road that had opened his sealed heart, showed him pain, showed him sorrow, gave his love and took it away.

Nathan swiped his off phone finally taking control of his emotions and Misty eyes.

"Rodriguez, I'm coming to your place tonight."

The phone jingled as the text went through.

It was the most delicate night.

One That could save, or ruin him...Again.

The latter held more benefit, Rodriguez was had more to lose if he failed this night. He had disappointed Claire but he had this chance, No one was going to die in his name, not anymore.

***

The car slowly moved into the driveway, dramatic like Adriana's mental state.

She walked out and dragged her tired legs into the building she would vacate tomorrow. She had given Nathan his house papers already, quietly sneaking it out of her Father's room earlier in the morning.

She made a mental note to call her mother just to hear her moral gibberish I case she felt like a worthless snake.

The lights at the uttermost parts of the mansion were on. She could see the light passing the dark curtains.

Her father was around.

She best avoided him.

The main door was locked so Adriana reached into her purse and searched for her keys. She didn't need to bother her father, half of it because she was avoiding him.

Three turns and the door opened.

Adriana dragged her lazy legs upstairs.

She could hear her father ranting upstairs.

Probably business. Putting so much strength to Nathan's Enterprise. Oh the irony!

The agreement got intense and Adriana began to make out some of the words being said.

"$200! for a shot. That's very unfair." She heard her Dad say.

She walked up the spiraled stairs half running to get what was going on.

Shot?

He wasn't up to his tricks again.

Without waiting, she barged in.

Adriana saw her father abruptly cut the phone.

"Hello, sweetheart. You scared me."

"You never call me sweetheart! Who are you going to shoot?"

"You heard everything?"He mumbled.

"Everything!" Adriana affirmed, more like lied.

"The blackmailer. Whoever he is, he wants to do the exchange at Lighthorn Creek. It plans on leaving an assassin to hunt him down."

Adriana let out an involuntary gasp. She imagined Rodriguez bring shot in the head.

No! No!

"Dad, don't you think that's a bit severe?"

"Honey, we are talking about a blackmailer here."

Images of Adriana blackmailing Claire flashed through her head.

"I don't support it Dad. If you hadn't killed Claire, we wouldn't be in this mess."

Thomas sent Adriana a cautionary glare and she kept her damn mouth shut.

" She got what she deserved. It would have come to her anyway. She was weak and you know what they say."

Adriana was beginning to fear the man in front of her. He wasn't just losing it, he was psycho.

Was he still there?

"Dad?"

"Are you waiting for me or against me Adriana?"

Adriana gave a defeated wheeze and gave her father his answer,

"I'm with your father. Family first."

Thomas smiled.

"That's my girl."

Adriana gave him a weak smile, her head making a note to call Nathan.

She didn't want blood on her hands, Not this time.

***

"So the plan is simple. He'll drop the documents here." Rodriguez said pointing to a hand-drawn map out of the creek.

"You don't look so good my friend." He stopped his planning and joined Nathan on the dining table.

"Are you still thinking about your rejection?"

Nathan was quiet making Rodriguez guess that was it.

He exchanged looks with his wife then continued,

"You know when I first met my wife. She wanted nothing to do with me. She rejected me twice and her brothers bashed me to warn me to keep away but u didn't. I tried the third time and she said yes..."

"You don't understand." Nathan cut in," I think she's scared of what her father would think of her if she loved me."

"Well, you can always try and I thought you wanted to take your mind off her." Rodriguez joked.

"Well, maybe alcohol would help."

His helpful wife dashes into the store to bring out a bottle of McDowell's.

She was an energetic woman who cherished working.

"Thanks."

Nathan served himself a glass of the alcohol and sank in.

The gin got in quick and Nathan soon began to think of something else other than Adriana.

"So we go there at 6 in the morning, Get it all done and everyone gets their happily ever after."

"Yes. Everyone gets their happily ever after." Rodriguez repeated, with more Glee.

Nathan's phone buzzed. One look at it and his face turned pale.

Why was Adriana calling him?

He rejected it and to prevent her from Calling again, He switched off.

It was gonna be a big day tomorrow and he wanted absolutely no distractions.

Don't you want to hear what she has to say?, A tiny voice in his head asked.

Another swing of the gin and he felt fuzzy, killing that thought and forming new ones, ones that made him feel like he was on top of the world.