Hailey's brow furrowed in perplexity as she cast a puzzled gaze toward the unexpected car that had positioned itself assertively between her and her parked vehicle. Julie, standing by her side, couldn't contain her muttered exclamation of confusion. "What the hell," she mumbled under her breath, sharing Hailey's bewilderment.
The audible click of the car door unlocking redirected Hailey's attention, her eyes narrowing slightly as the front door swung open, revealing none other than Adrian. Julie's eyes widened as they fixated on Adrian's features, and an unspoken acknowledgment crossed her thoughts, 'He is more handsome in real life.'
"Hey babe, I'm here to pick you up myself," Adrian announced with a disarming smile, his voice adopting an easygoing tone that contrasted starkly with the man Hailey encountered the day before.
The unexpected endearment caused a grimace to form on Julie's face. 'Did he just call her "babe"? This is not going to end well,' she thought with a hint of foreboding.
Hailey, in the midst of processing this surprising shift in demeanor, blinked twice. A peculiar urge to unleash a torrent of curses welled up within her, but she suppressed it with a shake of her head. Instead, she met Adrian's gaze with a half-hearted smile, nodding in acknowledgment. Without dwelling on the unusual interaction, she turned her attention back to Julie and asserted, "Give me what I asked for earlier."
Julie, momentarily startled by the sudden command, swiftly regained composure. She nodded in compliance, "Sure, ma'am," and briskly brought forth the requested folder.
Hailey took the folder and turned her attention back to Adrian and said, " I'm going alone with Mr Zhan."
Acknowledging Hailey's request, Julie responded with a respectful nod, "Okay, ma'am."
"Shall we?" Adrian proposed, receiving a nod of agreement from Hailey. With a silent exchange, Adrian seamlessly claimed the driver's seat, while Hailey gracefully settled into the passenger side. The door closed with a soft thud, and Adrian inserted the key into the ignition, setting the car into motion through the city streets.
As the vehicle glided along the road, a tranquil ambiance enveloped them. The only audible sounds were the rhythmic hum of the engine, the percussive beat of Adrian's fingers caressing the steering wheel. The car came to a halt at a red light, where Adrian's fingers continued their dance.
In the midst of this pause, Hailey's voice sliced through the stillness. "Don't do that again," she asserted, her tone carrying a frigid determination, void of any discernible emotion.
Adrian shifted his gaze toward her, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "What did I do wrong? I was only doing my duty as your boyfriend," he chuckled, his voice resonant and smooth. Warmth and playfulness flickered in his eyes as they met Hailey's stoic gaze.
With the transition of the traffic light from red to green, Adrian resumed driving. Hailey, maintaining her stern countenance, reinforced her stance. "I don't like it, so don't do it. Plus, we are not officially in a relationship yet," she declared, her voice sharp, bordering on a subtle threat.
Adrian nonchalantly shrugged, adopting an air of indifference as if the status of their relationship held little significance to him. "Hmm, yes, I guess you're right. We are not in a relationship yet," he remarked with a pause, his gaze fixated on Hailey as he sported a playful grin.
Rather than responding, Hailey remained silent, choosing to avert her eyes and convey her irritation through pursed lips.
Swiftly, they arrived at their destination. Stepping out of the vehicle, they found themselves facing the grand façade of the hotel. Hailey's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her gaze fixed upon the familiar structure – the very hotel where she caught Mason cheating on her with Eliza.
Hailey couldn't help but wonder, 'Is this some sort of twisted joke? How did I find myself back at this place?' The memories of past heartache lingered, casting a shadow over her thoughts. She redirected her attention from the hotel, stealing a glance at Adrian. His gaze bore an odd expression, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he inquired, "You alright? Don't you want to go in?"
"I'm fine," Hailey replied briskly, pivoting on her heel and making her way toward the hotel entrance. Adrian trailed closely behind.
Upon entering the lobby, Hailey's eyes instinctively sought the reception desk, but Adrian's firm grip on her hand brought her to a halt. "There's no need," he declared, a self-assured smile gracing his face. Hailey, on the verge of posing a question, found herself preempted as one of the receptionists enthusiastically spotted them. "Good morning, Mr. Zhan! What you asked for is ready," she exclaimed, offering a broad smile. Adrian reciprocated, saying, "Good morning to you too, and thank you for the information."
As they proceeded toward the elevator, curiosity bubbling within her, Hailey couldn't resist inquiring, "Are you a VIP guest here?"
"Something like that," Adrian responded.
'Something like that? What's he playing at?' Hailey pondered, rolling her eyes in response before promptly stepping into the elevator as soon as the doors slid open, with Adrian following suit.
The metallic doors closed, and within the confined space of the elevator, Adrian pressed the button for the top floor. The ascent began, the only sounds permeating the air being the soft hum of the lift and the palpable awkwardness between them.
After a few moments, the elevator gracefully came to a stop, and its doors opened to unveil the top floor. Adrian, poised and confident, led the way as Hailey followed suit, traversing the lavishly adorned hallway.
Their journey culminated at a set of grand double doors. Adrian smoothly retrieved a key card from his pocket, expertly swiping it through a discrete slot. With a gentle motion, the doors parted, revealing a subdued and luxurious space, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers. Stepping inside, they were greeted by the hushed ambiance, with thick carpets absorbing their footsteps and plush armchairs extending an invitation to unwind. A concierge warmly welcomed them, guiding them to an impeccably set table. Sinking into the embrace of the chairs, Hailey took a moment to survey the elegant surroundings—only Adrian, herself, and the attentive concierge occupied the intimate space. The stunning view from the windows offered a captivating panorama of the city below.
Adrian picked up a menu from the nearby table. "Do you want anything to drink or eat?" he inquired, adopting a casual tone.
"No," Hailey replied simply, folding her arms. "Let's get this over with... I don't plan on spending more than fifty minutes here," she added, her impatience evident.
Adrian nodded in understanding, returning his gaze to the menu. "You must be really hungry; let's eat first before business," he suggested with a hint of amusement.
Hailey eyed him and responded, "I don't want to; let's do this once and for all."
Adrian, raising an eyebrow in response, proposed, "Alright then, let me take care of the order for both of us." His hand gracefully rose, signaling the concierge to approach.
Hailey's eyes widened, a hint of disbelief crossing her features. 'Is this guy for real? I explicitly told him I do not...' Her thoughts abruptly halted as her stomach voiced its hunger with an unexpected growl. In an attempt to maintain composure, she swiftly covered her mouth, casting her gaze down at her stomach .
Amused by the unforeseen turn of events, Adrian chuckled, "Your stomach says otherwise." His laughter gained momentum when Hailey shot him an irritated glance.
"You can order whatever you want," he generously offered. Hailey, albeit reluctantly, retrieved the menu from the table, her eyes scanning the array of dishes while Adrian efficiently placed his order. The concierge, having concluded the interaction with Adrian, now turned his attention to Hailey. She conveyed her preferences, and with a nod, the concierge respectfully withdrew, leaving them.
Adrian, leaning forward on his chair, cast a thoughtful gaze in Hailey's direction, a comment on the tip of his tongue. However, their attention shifted as the concierge returned with their meticulously prepared orders. Adrian reclined in his chair, patiently awaiting the concierge's tableside service. Once the plates were arranged, the concierge discreetly excused himself, leaving Hailey and Adrian to delve into their meal in a companionable quietude.
As they concluded their dining experience, utensils gracefully laid down, they shared a lingering look. The concierge swiftly returned to clear their plates, momentarily interrupting the unspoken exchange between Hailey and Adrian.
"Can we delve into business now?" Hailey inquired, her impatience evident as she leaned forward, arms folded, and bestowed upon Adrian her most formidable stare. Adrian thought, 'It was starting to feel like a real date, though... She's a real boomer.'
Sighing, he responded, "Yes, of course."
He reached for the wine glass before him, a gleam of determination in his eyes. "Let's talk business," he proposed, leaning back in his chair. Hailey, still maintaining her intense gaze, watched as Adrian, with a playful smile, took a sip of his wine.