The sky was still dark when I opened my eyes. A dull throb pulsed at my temples─a combination of fatigue and whatever leftover tension the night had failed to wash away. I didn't bother trying to go back to sleep. Sleep never did much for me, not when my mind wouldn't shut up.
By 5:00 a.m., I was dressed and ready. Dark slacks, crisp shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to let the morning chill kiss my forearms. The silence of the mansion wrapped around me as I moved through the halls until the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee led me to the dining area.
Thomas was already there, standing with practiced posture beside the polished table.
"Good morning, Master Adrien," he greeted, bowing his head slightly.
I nodded once and sank into the high-backed chair at the end of the table. "Morning."
He moved to pour coffee into my mug─he always did it without asking, because he knew exactly how I took it.
"Did you dispose of the dress?" I asked quietly, fingers curling around the warm mugg.
There was a beat of hesitation before he answered, "We… washed it, sir."
I glanced up, brow lifting.
"It seemed expensive," he added simply.
I grunted. "Fair enough."
The bitterness of the coffee calmed me, but my thoughts drifted to the girl still asleep upstairs. Her flushed face. The mess. The way I'd carried her in like she weighed nothing.
"Once she wakes up," I said, keeping my voice level, "have the kitchen prepare breakfast. And something for a hangover. Soup. Tea. Whatever works."
Thomas's brows arched, ever so slightly. He didn't comment─but he didn't have to. I knew exactly what it looked like.
"I'm just being nice," I muttered, more to myself than to him, before taking another sip of coffee. "Don't read into it."
Thomas bent his head. "Understood, sir."
"If she's ready to leave," I continued, setting the mug down with a soft clink, "have the driver take her. I'll drive myself today."
"Of course."
I sat back in the chair, eyes drifting to the windows still cloaked in dawn's shadows.
I didn't know why I cared if she ate. Or got home safely. Or didn't wake up feeling like death.
I just… did.
And that was starting to piss me off.
I stepped out into the morning chill, the sky still wrapped in that pale pre-dawn haze ─ dull grey, the kind of light that made it feel like the world hadn't quite woken up yet. The air smelled faintly of dew and exhaust, clean but sharp. My head throbbed with dull pain ─ residue from the whiskey, the night, and everything in between.
Thomas had already prepped the car, as always. Normally, I'd slide into the back and let the driver deal with the city traffic while I focused on emails. But today wasn't normal.
Thomas had the door open, waiting. "The car is ready for you, Master Adrien."
"thank you"
Thomas gave me a slight nod, as if he'd expected that.
I slipped into the car, shutting the door with a firm click, and pulled out of the driveway. I didn't look back at the house or the room upstairs where she still slept.
She'd be gone when I returned. Just like she should be.
It was almost noon, the soft hum of the city leaking through the tinted windows of my office. I was halfway through reviewing a contract when a knock landed on the glass door.
I didn't look up. "Come in."
My secretary stepped in, clipboard in hand. "Mr. Cameron wants to see you. He's already on his way."
I gave a tight nod, not pausing my work. "Let him in."
The door swung open a second later, and Cameron walked in like he owned the place—no knock, no pause, just the usual theatrics.
"Man, why the hell did you leave us like that last night?" he demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at me. "You selfish bastard."
I didn't even flinch. So dramatic.
My pen scratched across the page. I didn't look at him. Didn't acknowledge his tone. If he expected a reaction, he'd be waiting a long time.
Cameron dropped himself into the chair across from my desk, huffing like I'd ruined his entire week. "Seriously, Adrien. You ghosted. Didn't even say a word."
I finally looked up─slowly, blankly. "Was I supposed to?"
His jaw tightened. "we were supposed to celebrate."
"For closing a deal we've been working on for seven months. We celebrated it by drinking at the club and closing the deal at a club. That was enough."
He shook his head, muttering something under his breath, probably about me being soulless or robotic. I didn't care.
Let him sulk. I had more important things to deal with.
Like why the image of her curled up in my shirt refused to leave my mind. Focus brain, focus.
Cameron didn't leave. Instead, he leaned forward with that dramatic sigh he always pulled when he was about to beg.
"Oh─also, your mom called. Again," he said, giving me a pointed look. "She said you're ignoring her calls."
I didn't respond.
"She wants you at some party tonight. Says it's important. Says we both have to attend."
My jaw clenched. "I'm not interested."
Cameron groaned, dragging a hand down his face like I'd just doomed us both. "You don't get it. She told me─me, Adrien─that if you don't show up, she's marrying me off to the rival's fat daughter."
I finally glanced up from my desk, one brow raised. "And?"
"And?!" he threw his hands up. "You really don't care if I get shipped off like a political pawn to marry some girl I've never even met?"
I leaned back in my chair, unfazed. "You'll live."
Cameron gaped at me like I'd stabbed him. "She showed me a photo, man. Her chin has a shadow. Her chin! She could bench press me in my sleep."
I let out a low breath, fighting the urge to smile. "Then maybe you should start hitting the gym."
"I hate you."
"You'll survive."
He leaned across the desk, eyes desperate. "Please, Adrien. Just show up. One hour. Stand there. Glare at people. Sip champagne and leave. That's your whole brand anyway."
I didn't say anything.
Cameron narrowed his eyes. "I'll owe you. Big time. Whatever you want."
That made me pause.
"Anything?" I asked flatly.
He nodded furiously. "Yes. Just… don't let me get married to the chin shadow."
I stared at him, the silence stretching long before I finally muttered, "Fine. One hour."
He sagged with relief, clutching his chest like he'd just escaped death. "God bless you. I'm telling your mom. You've saved a life today."
I rolled my eyes. "Get out of my office, Cameron."
He was already halfway through the door, grinning like a lunatic.