The New York skyline greeted Adrian as his plane descended into the city he had come to call home. The bright lights that once felt freeing now seemed like a reminder of the truth he had to hide. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as the taxi sped toward his apartment. The closer he got to facing Gianna, the more his nerves built up.
How was he supposed to explain his sudden disappearance? He had ghosted her for days without so much as a message, and he could already imagine the hurt and anger in her eyes.
By the time he reached his apartment, he still didn't have an answer. The only thing he knew for sure was that telling her the truth—that his family's criminal empire had pulled him back in—was out of the question.
The next day, Adrian sat at their usual spot at the café, nervously tapping his fingers on the table. Gianna walked in with Mia, her laughter filling the room. But the moment she spotted Adrian, her smile dropped, and her pace slowed.
"Gia," he started, standing up.
She walked past him without a word, Mia throwing him an apologetic glance as they headed to their usual table.
Adrian followed her. "Gianna, please," he said, his tone soft but pleading.
She didn't look at him. "I don't have anything to say to you."
"I know I messed up, okay? But just let me explain," he said, lowering his voice as other patrons glanced their way.
She finally looked up at him, her eyes narrowing. "You disappeared for days, Adrian. No text, no call, nothing. And now you just show up and want to 'explain'? Do you know how worried I was?"
Adrian swallowed hard, guilt washing over him. "I know. And I'm sorry. But there's a reason. My grandma… she's the last family I have, and she got really sick. I had to go see her."
Gianna's expression faltered for a moment, but her walls went back up quickly. "And you couldn't send a single message? Not even a quick, 'Hey, I'm alive'?"
"I was overwhelmed," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "It's not an excuse, I know, but I panicked. I'm sorry."
She stared at him for a long moment, then shook her head. "I don't know, Adrian. I just… I need time."
The week that followed was agonizing for Adrian. Gianna avoided him at school, ignored his texts, and even switched shifts at the café to avoid working with him. Mia tried to keep things normal, chatting with him occasionally, but Adrian could tell she was holding back her frustration on Gianna's behalf.
For Gianna, the silence wasn't easy either. Every time her phone buzzed, she wondered if it was Adrian. But her pride refused to let her respond. She replayed his explanation in her mind, trying to decide if it was genuine or just a convenient excuse.
Adrian, meanwhile, spent his time pacing his apartment, overanalyzing every interaction they'd had since his return. He hadn't lied about his grandmother, but he knew the half-truth wasn't enough. If he kept pushing her away with secrets, he'd lose her for good—and that thought scared him more than anything.
By the seventh day, Adrian had made up his mind. If Gianna was going to forgive him, he needed to prove he was serious about being in her life. It wasn't just about apologizing anymore—it was about showing her she could trust him again.
4o