"Sir, a young lady is waiting at the reception. She intends to meet with you."

"Did you get her name?"

"Yes, she is Aurora."

"Let her in." The words escaped his mouth pretty fast.

"Okay sir," Evelyn said, and stepped out.

"Do you know the lady?" Zoey furrowed her brows at him.

"Jealous?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, just asking. So?"

"Not sure, darling. But the name rings a bell."

"If you say so." They chatted for a while until someone knocked.

"I gotta go," she said, getting on her feet.

"Take breaks more often, and work less," he ordered strictly, planting a kiss on her stomach.

She smiled, and nodded. "Okay okay. See you around."

"A kiss? I'm missing you already."

"Awwn," she purred. "But the rules are against PDA–

He cut in, approaching her direction. "Who made the damn rules?" he asked, leaning against her body.

"Yo… you," she stammered.

"So, you will break them. Only for me."

He drew her face closer, examining her body reactions. The way her breath hitched under his touch. The fluttering of her lashes. The exact nervousness on her face when they shared their first kiss. Though it had been years, the memories remained evergreen.

"Aurora!" Adrian groaned at the sound of a second knock.

"Sorry. I'm leaving," Zoey said.

"Your luck," he ran his fingers through his hair, arranging the mess she created.

"Your loss," she giggled, and pecked his lips.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Victory kiss," she winked, and left, ushering in Aurora immediately.

…

"Good day–

"Wait, blondie?" he interrupted.

"Surprisingly, you haven't forgotten the name."

"How long were you hiding?"

"I wasn't. Do you remember everything that happened, now?"

"No, drunk memories. I requested for the CCTV footage the day we met at the restaurant, and discovered you lied. But I never saw you again, until now. So, tell me why you are here."

She stood blank, staring speechlessly.

"Speak!" his voice shook the building.

"I… I don't know what to say," she cried.

"Do you want money in exchange for the nightstand? Because I need to get rid of you in my life."

"I beg your pardon!" she yelled. "What the hell do you take me for?"

"A cheap slut who takes advantage of men, and sleep around with them for money."

What the heck?!

"You didn't bother asking what I take you for. A man who craves his ex. A man who judges others when he is wrong, feeling he's right. A man with a stupid mentality who feels money can solve everything. You may assume I took advantage of you, but that's not the truth. I agreed to do what we did that night because you threatened to hurt yourself. Did you ask yourself the consequences if I had left you all alone? Do you honestly think I need your money? You should be atleast grateful. I'm not trying to prove my actions right, but it was for the best. And the reason I came? To share the outcome with you."

"What outcome?" he finally found his tongue.

"I know it will come as a shock to you, but we… we have a child."

"H-how do you mean?" he stuttered.

"You have a daughter, we."

"Impossible," Adrian threw a fist into his other palm.

Many questions ran down through his mind. What would be Zoey's reaction if she found out in her condition? How was he going to handle everything? He couldn't think of anything at this point, but he prayed it was a prank.

"Medical reports will tell," he said, grabbing her wrist tight till they arrived at the basement park. He didn't inform anyone about his leave, except Evelyn.

"Get into the car, blondie."

"Where are we going, and why?" Aurora asked.

"Her school, then the hospital. We'll pick her up from school, then go for a DNA test," he explained.

"Oh, you don't believe what I said earlier. Okay," she didn't argue further.

"So, kindly get in. Will you?"

"Yeah, sure," she said, hopping into the front seat.

"I thought you'd sit at the backseat."

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon," she smiled, and strapped her seatbelt.

"You better not be joking about everything, else."

"Medical reports will tell," she repeated his exact words earlier.

He growled, and started the engine.

"Name of her school?" he asked.

"Jean Academy," she lowered her voice.

"A public school?" his facial reaction screamed disgust as he began the ride.

She glared at him, then looked away.

"Sorry," he apologized.

"You were saying your mind. It's cool," she forced a smile because she didn't find it funny.

She couldn't afford a private elementary school for her because of her little earnings.

"I'm also sorry," she said out of the blues.

"Why?" he asked, avoiding eye contacts.

"The manner I talked to you at your office, it was insulting. I'm sorry."

"Okay."

The ride remained silent.

She kept stealing glances at him, several thoughts running down both minds.

"You don't talk?" she asked.

"To strangers. You never go mute?" he inquired in return.

"Around my family."

"Nice. I just don't see one around," he said. "So, do me a favor, and talk when it's necessary," he added.

"Your car, your rules. Fine," she folded her arms, averting her gaze outside. She didn't say a word until they arrived at her school.

"The school hasn't been dismissed yet, but I will talk to her principal." With that, she left his car, and headed for the principal's office.