At NASA Headquarters – After the Meeting
Adrian glanced at the time before turning back to the group.
"Alright then, I'll take my leave. It was truly a pleasure meeting you all, and I hope my grandfather will be just as pleased when he hears about this partnership."
The NASA CEO smiled warmly. "Oh, why not? We'll be honored to meet him. Hopefully, that day comes soon."
Adrian nodded. "I look forward to it." Then his eyes shifted toward Alice.
"And Miss Alice?"
Alice, who had been quietly admiring him from the corner of her eye, suddenly snapped back to reality.
"Y-yes… Mr. Shinwa?" she stammered.
Adrian chuckled at her nervousness. "Why are you so nervous?" His smile softened. "Anyway, it was wonderful meeting you too… and honestly, I feel proud."
Alice dropped her gaze to the floor, her lips curving into a shy smile she couldn't hide.
With that, Adrian bid them all goodbye, stepped into his car, and drove away. Yet Alice's eyes lingered, following him until his car disappeared from sight.
---
Later – At Alice's Home
Alice lay sprawled on her bed, face buried in her pillow, but her phone was secretly in her hands. On the screen glowed a picture she had taken — Adrian's face, sharp and flawless, captured when he wasn't looking.
She couldn't stop smiling. Her heart raced each time her thumb brushed over the photo.
From outside, her mother's voice called:
"Alice? Dear, are you okay? You've been in your room since you came home."
Alice jolted upright, quickly tucking her phone under the blanket.
"Ah—y-yes, Mommy! I'm fine!"
Her mom stepped inside, concern on her face.
"Are you sure? Did something happen?"
Alice nodded quickly. "Mhm, I'm fine." Then, without warning, she threw her arms around her mother in a hug.
"You know what, Mom? Today was… amazing. Like, absolutely mind-blowing. I loved every second of it."
Her mother, Hazel, tilted her head with a small smile. "Hmm, wow… that's wonderful. But what exactly made my sweetheart this happy?"
Alice tugged her mother over to sit on the bed beside her. After a pause, she pulled out her phone and showed Adrian's picture.
"Actually, Mom… today my car hit his car. But instead of being angry, he helped me… even gave me a lift. And guess what? He's Adrian Shinwa — Lord Shinwa's grandson."
Hazel smirked knowingly. "Ohh, I see. So my daughter has a crush on him, hmm?"
The words made Alice panic. "No, no, Mommy, it's not like that! Please give me back my phone!"
Hazel mischievously snatched the phone and ran across the room, laughing. Alice chased her frantically.
"Mommy, please! Don't tease me!"
The room filled with laughter, the air light and playful.
---
Scene Shift – The Shinwa Villa
At the grand dining table, Lord Shinwa sat proudly at the head, his sharp eyes fixed on his grandson.
"So, my dear Adrian has now taken over my responsibilities, hmm?"
Adrian smiled politely, bowing his head slightly. "No, Grandpa. I could never truly take your place."
Lord Shinwa reached over, placing a firm hand on his grandson's shoulder. His voice brimmed with pride.
"You're touching the sky, Adrian. And for me, that is the greatest honor. You are my pride, my child."
Adrian's eyes softened as he glanced toward his mother, who sat nearby. She smiled back at him, pride and love shining just as bright light
Scene – At the Shinwa Villa
The dining table buzzed softly with warmth as Lord Shinwa (Mr. Wilson) praised his grandson. But suddenly, the sound of delicate footsteps and a cheerful voice filled the hall.
Julie (smiling brightly, running inside):
"Hey my beautiful, handsome grandpa — I'm here!"
Both Mr. Wilson and Adrian turned toward the door.
Mr. Wilson (eyes lighting up):
"Oh my goodness… what a pleasant surprise, Julie!"
Adrian (pressing a hand over his chest dramatically):
"Ohh… my sweetheart."
Julie rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Adrian. He held her back protectively, as if she belonged there. She giggled, planting a soft kiss on his cheek while looping her arms around his neck. Adrian's hands slid naturally around her waist. Their closeness made the room shimmer with warmth.
Julie (teasing, nose brushing against his):
"So… did my dashing boyfriend miss me?"
Adrian (leaning down, stealing a quick kiss on her lips):
"Of course, darling. How could I ever forget you?"
Julie (blushing, chuckling):
"Aww…"
Mr. Wilson (pretending to cough):
"Ahem… Julie sweetie, don't tell me you've already forgotten your grandpa standing right here?"
Julie instantly pulled back from Adrian and ran to hug Mr. Wilson.
Julie (grinning):
"Nope, never! Grandpa, you are my life."
Mr. Wilson (with pride):
"Oh really? What a charming girl you are…"
Meanwhile, Adrian's mother, Lina, walked over and gently guided Julie toward a chair.
Lina (kindly):
"Sweetie, please sit here and relax."
Julie (smiling mischievously):
"Aw, thank you so much… my future mother-in-law."
Adrian burst into laughter at her words.
Adrian (amused):
"Wow, 'future mother-in-law'? Already so ready, darling?"
Julie (playfully raising her brows):
"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
Adrian (grinning, shaking his head):
"No, no… it's not that simple, my dear…"
The room filled with laughter, the warmth of family wrapping around them — yet somewhere deep inside Adrian's chest, an unnamed shadow stirrer.
The scene shifts to Adrian's room.
The soft golden light of the bedside lamp spilled across the pages of his book as he lay sprawled on the bed, chest down, lazily flipping through the lines. The quiet tick of the clock was the only sound in the room—until the door creaked open.
Without warning, Julie slipped in like a mischievous breeze and pounced on him, wrapping her arms tightly around his shoulders. She pressed a playful kiss against his cheek.
"Hey, baby… what are you doing?" she whispered with a grin, her voice half-teasing, half-tender.
Adrian startled, quickly closing his book as he turned over. Julie took the chance to pin him down, her hair brushing against his face as she hovered above him. Her laughter was soft, contagious.
"Julie…" he breathed, a small smile tugging at his lips.
She rested her chin on his chest, eyes sparkling with that mix of love and impatience only she could manage. "Adrian… when will you marry me, huh?" she asked, her tone playful but carrying that unspoken longing.
Adrian looked into her eyes, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. A thoughtful pause hung in the air, before his lips curved into a warm smirk.
"Hmm… well," he murmured, "first, I want to help Grandpa with the business… and once everything's settled, I'll marry my darling."
Julie's heart skipped, her face lighting up like the glow of dawn. She let out a soft laugh, burying her face against him as if to hide her blush, while Adrian's arms tightened around her, sealing the promise in the silence of the night..
The Next Morning.....
____ NASA Headquarters
Morning sunlight streamed through the glass walls of NASA's research bay, filling the vast hall with a soft golden glow. The quiet hum of machines, the clicking of keyboards, and the faint sound of tools against metal echoed across the space where scientists worked with utmost focus.
At one corner, Alice stood bent over a sleek satellite prototype, her delicate fingers carefully adjusting its intricate wiring. Her brows furrowed in concentration, strands of her hair slipping across her cheek as she worked. To her, the entire world seemed to shrink into this single model — her dream, her passion, her pride.
But suddenly, a shadow fell across her workstation.
Before she could react, James stepped closer, his hand snaking toward hers. His grip was bold, unwelcome.
Alice flinched, jerking her hand back immediately.
Her voice, usually calm, came out sharp and cold:
"What do you want now, James?"
James smirked, leaning against the table as if he owned the place. His voice dripped with arrogance.
"What I want? Well… what I want, you're refusing to give. Isn't that unfair, Alice?"
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Then — crack!
Alice's palm met his cheek in a sharp slap, the sound echoing across the quiet hall.
Her eyes blazed.
"Stay in your limits! Touch me again and I swear I'll file a harassment complaint. You'll rot behind bars, James."
James' grin didn't fade; instead, it twisted into something darker as he stepped closer, his voice low and mocking.
"Oh, darling… that fire in your eyes. It doesn't suit you to be angry with the one you should love. That's not fair…"
Alice's chest rose and fell with rage. She shoved him back, but her heel caught on a cable scattered across the floor. She stumbled, losing balance—
—and before the ground could claim her, strong arms wrapped around her waist.
"Careful."
Jackson's voice was calm, steady, as he pulled her upright.
Alice's breath caught, her cheeks flushed with both fear and embarrassment. She quickly freed herself, brushing off her dress.
"I-I'm fine… thank you."
Without another glance, she hurried away, her footsteps echoing against the polished floor as she vanished down the hallway.
The silence that followed was shattered when Jackson grabbed James by the collar, yanking him close with a glare that could cut steel. His voice was low, dangerous, like thunder restrained.
"This is your last warning, James. If you ever touch Alice again—if you even look at her the wrong way—I'll end you with my own hands."
James narrowed his eyes, his smirk faltering but not fading completely. He pushed Jackson's grip away with forced calm, his cold stare locking with Jackson's before he turned and walked off, disappearing into the shadows of the lab.
Jackson exhaled slowly, fists clenched at his sides, his gaze still fixed on the path James had taken. His jaw tightened as a thought echoed inside him—
"No one… no one will ever hurt Alice while I'm here."