"Did no one ever tell you listening to other conversations is bad etiquette, Mr. Harrison?"
Amellia patiently sat there, waving at the waitress for a refill, while a figure sat across her. Suddenly Amellia understood Irene's fear. You can disdain the man but still fear. You can love him but still fear him. It's in his eyes. The haunting dark black eyes and hair were so dark that it put darkness to shame. Amellia breath hitched as Adrian stared at her, void of emotion.
By then the waitress brought her another cup of tea while giving Adrian a cup of coffee. Adrian took the white mug close to his face taking a sip. "I can say the same about you, Miss Cooper. I will give you a better deal." Adrian had a polite smile but Amellia knew better than anyone that it was a threat, it wasn't up to her whether she took it or not.
"Stay away from my family. Irene, Hayden and especially me. In return, I will consider your earlier words as a joke." Adrian continued, putting down the cup and staring straight at him.
Amellia took a quick scan of Adrain from head to tea. In a black suit, his legs crossed. His one hand rested on the arm of the chair while his fingers intertwined and his other hand on his lap. Amellia couldn't help but gulp. She knew a royal when she saw one and the man in front of her was oozing royalty. A picturesque king born for the greatest and she wants him. Not as a friend, not as a confidant but as her husband, partner and especially her lover. He was tailor-made for her and she was going to have him no matter what.
Amellia smiled, keeping her laid-back composure. "What makes you think I was making a joke? I was serious about the marriage."
Adrian narrowed his eyes at her, "Didn't Irene tell you, I despise bastards more than anything and you want me to marry a bastard?"
"What's more romantic than that? People would love it. Stop being ridiculous, I need your name and you would want a marriage and an heir. It is convenient." Amellia knew one thing people like him wanted, a beneficial deal. Love was overrated. It's the convenience that matters.
Adrian let out a chuckle, "I think you are getting me wrong, Miss Cooper. I believe in marriage being a celebration of love, not a deal. It's not business. I guess, this just proves how unsuited we are to each other." Adrian stood up, "Take care of what I asked you or I will not be this merciful." With that, he walked away out of there.
Amellia was left speechless by how the events turned out to be. How can she miscalculate such a big step? No, she was not at fault. He was weird, marriage a celebration of love? What was he? A toddler? Who has a naive idea of marriage? Amellia groaned in annoyance suddenly the interest was disappearing and replaced with anger.
Rejection was not for her. First her past life now him. Too bad before she just wanted him due to him being a match for her but now she was going to make him take back his word and beg her to marry him. It was time Adrian Harrison learned Princess Amellia was someone he could order around.
Amellia picked up her book and walked out of the coffeehouse. Her legs were killing her as slowly limped out of there; the modern world was not much different from the past, mostly when it came to women. They still associate beauty with pain like the unstable heels she had to wear with her pink floral dress.
"Did he agree?" Irene's voice took Amellia by shock causing her to lose balance and fall on the ground.
Irene's brows furrowed, seeing Eva struggle to walk on heels. The Evanthe Emily Cooper, struggling to walk on heels was the news of the year. Her whole career was made on her walking on heels. No one does catwalk better than her when it comes to heels.
Amellia finally stood up after a lot of struggle while Irene waited, just staring at her. "Did you forget to walk?" Irene inquired.
Amellia tried to calm herself; she knew what she meant. Eva was a model, who made money by walking on the runway wearing clothes made by people like Irene. It was a strange job but it earned her a lot of money.
"I injured my legs recently, the cuts have not healed completely. That's not the point, why are you still here?" Amellia said it was not like she was lying or anything.
This was Irene's time to be flushed, "I was curious what happened. I know he was listening to the conversation."
"And how did you know that?" Amellia walked closer, almost hovering over Irene. Irene barely reached Amelia's nose level, making Amellia more intimidating.
"Adrian loves control, he keeps tabs on me and Hayden. It wasn't hard to guess. Also, I saw him sitting across from you when I went back to order a cappuccino to go." Irene continued, shrugging her shoulders. "If you are wondering where the cappuccino is, I didn't order after seeing you two." Irene hurriedly cleared, averting her gaze from Amellia.
Amellia took a step back. She remained quiet. If Irene was curious that meant her plan was working unlike her brother she was easier to read. "Help me with Adrian and you get me out of Alex's life and ruin Adrian."
Irene glanced back at her, "You got it wrong. You were never in Alex's life and you are mistaken. I want something else." Irene's lips curved into a perfect crescent smile.
"Have Adrian's child out of wedlock. He hates bastards. What better way to ruin his life than making his child one."