Next morning, Jennifer woke up with a smile. Last night was sweet and perfect, like the ones in the movies. She wanted to talk to Adrian about it but she decided that it was better if he took the initiative. After all, it was still possible that he was under the influence of alcohol, when he said that. All along their way to school, Adrian said nothing about last night except that he couldn't remember anything and he was sorry if he had done anything embarrassing last night.
Boom….. what Jennifer thought, turned out true. Adrian had forgotten everything. He didn't mean a single thing last night. She decided not to bring that up ever again. Adrian reached school and flung an arm around James' shoulder. "Bro. Do you know what happened last night?" Adrian asked him. "No. What happened?" James asked. "Last night, Jennifer and I went to Vieille Bon Secours." James couldn't be more shocked.
Adrian dragged Jennifer into the most dangerous club without any security. By security, he obviously meant his mafia members. Since, Jennifer was the only person Adrian cared about, James felt a little protective of her. His best friend was finally opening up from years of self seclusion. He couldn't afford to loose her. Besides, Jennifer was a nice girl. "Did you both…?" Adrian knew what James was implying. "No. We didn't run into any trouble. There was a police raid last night but we escaped a few seconds earlier to that." James was relieved. At least, Jennifer was still oblivious of their true identity. She was safe. Rest everything, could be controlled.
"But that is not the highlight." Adrian said. "Then, what is it?" James asked. "I was drunk. I fell and bruised my elbow. During the time, she was treating me, she discovered my injury on the thigh." This was not right. Jennifer knew, all about it. Calm down! James. Adrian must've handled it. But Adrian's handling skills cannot be trusted when Jennifer ran into the scenario. He can bend every rule for her. Not like he wasn't already bending them. The broke the most important rule. No lying. In the den, every member plays an important role. So, the life of each member depends upon another. Adrian had set this balance really detailed, so that no one would betray each other. That came with a 'no lying' clause. All members trusted each other with their lives. So, no one kept secrets. Adrian was already keeping a secret. He didn't tell the members about Jennifer. He was unsure of their reaction. So he stayed silent.
"So, she knows?" James raised his eyebrows. If it was true, Adrian was dead meat. "Obviously not." Adrian's voice was suddenly tense. He couldn't even think of the repercussions of that. "You are straying from the main part. Last night, she came to check on me. She thought I was asleep. I let her believe that. Then, I acted as if I was murmuring her name in sleep. Then…" Adrian stopped.
"What? Don't leave me in suspicion." James whined playfully. "Then I proposed her. I mean, I was drunk. I wasn't thinking straight and I was in mood for some fun. The timing was perfect. I could forget everything in the morning." Adrian smirked. "How did she reply?" James was taken over by curiosity. "She said she loved me too!!" Adrian dropped the main part. He was pretty sure James screamed loud enough to capture the attention of the entire corridor.
"She did what!" James was happy for his friend. He was happy that Adrian fell in love with a girl who loved him back. At least, the danger of her breaking his heart was gone. "Are you both in a relationship now?" James asked. "No." The answer was shocking. Why not? He loved her, she loved him back. It was all unicorns and rainbows.
"It wasn't how I wanted the proposal to be. So, I acted like I forgot everything." This was awkward. James expected him to dive into it the very next morning but he didn't. Strange. "Why?" he asked. "Because she doesn't know me for who I am but for what I appear to be. When she discovers the truth, it might break her heart and I can't risk that. I would never be able to live with the fact that I was the one who broke her heart." Adrian's face displayed a lot of things. Pain. The desperation to be with her but the sad reality that he couldn't. The love for his den but the feeling of an outsider in his own world. Viewing his world through the glass.
"Okay, so let's just take it slow. Give her some time and when you are ready, tell her everything. I'm pretty sure the den would welcome her." James said. Adrian nodded. "When are you returning home?" James asked. It had been like forever since they visited the forest clearing. He missed that. "Tomorrow." Adrian tilted his head. "Enjoy the remaining of your stay, then. I'll leave you to your lover." James indicated him to the direction from which Jennifer was coming.
Adrian blushed but went forward to greet her. They both went home together. "Do you want to do something special for your last evening here?" Jennifer asked. "Last time we tried doing something special, it was a disaster. Its recent. I hope you haven't forgotten it already." Adrian teased Jennifer. "Can I ask you for something?" Jennifer said. "Anything." Adrian hoped that the answer to her question lied within the boundaries of space where he didn't have to endanger her life. Mafia things.
"I just have something in mind that I need to get off. Do you love Debbie?" The question was abrupt and out of situation. Adrian was taken aback. "No." he replied truthfully. "Okay." Jennifer said and entered her room without another word. Since the day she had learnt that Adrian was in love with someone, this possibility that Debbie might be the girl was eating her off. Not that any other girl was okay. But the way Debbie looked at Adrian like she owned him already made her feel insecure. Today, she decided to get it off her, once and for all.