Adrian leans against the railing. His arms are folded tight across his chest while his eyes scan below from the upper floor. His friends lounge nearby, nudging each other as they watch.
There is music, laughter, and clinking glasses all throughout the bar. Someone drops their drink, and the music stops as a surge of laughter drowns it out.
"See her?" Jake whispers, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Jenny. Still pining for you, man."
Adrian barely glances at the crowd. "I feel nothing for her," he says flatly. "Her father will pay for what he did to my mom."
Samuel raises an eyebrow. "You're still talking about revenge? Man... maybe take her tonight and be done with it."
Adrian's fingers are tapping on the rail. "I don't want to have anything to do with her. Don't talk about it again," he says.
Meanwhile, on the ground floor, Jennifer laughs with her friends, swaying slightly to the music. Her eyes are fixed on the man who has ruled her heart since junior high.
"I can't believe he's here," she murmurs to her friend. "I can finally see him."
Marie laughs softly. "Jenny, you're hopeless. Why are you always so obsessed with him?"
Jennifer nods, a wistful smile on her lips. "Have you seen anyone better than him?"
Heidi leans closer. "But what if he doesn't even want you the way you want him?"
Jennifer's jaw tightens. "He will. He has to."
From above, Adrian's eyes narrow as he catches sight of her. She moves among the crowd like a fragile flame in the middle of the storm. But he feels nothing, just a cold knot of disgust.
"She's... still devoted," Ben says, shaking his head. "Crazy, huh?"
"Don't care," Adrian mutters. "She'll never see the world the way I do."
Samuel says, laughing. "Remember how she followed you like a little puppy back in school?"
Adrian says in an icy voice, "I've got better things to do than think about her." He rises abruptly, leaving his friends chuckling in the shadows.
The night air is cool outside, heavy with the scent of rain. Adrian's car waits at the curb. After completing a business phone call, just as he slides in, he sees movement near the sidewalk. Some men loiter behind her.
Before he can react, she collides with his chest.
"Ah! Watch where you're—" He stops, noticing her glassy eyes.
"Please... help me," she whispers. Her words are falling apart.
His brow furrows. "Jenny? What… what's going on?"
She clings to him, trembling. "I… I don't know. They are… they are after me. I didn't—"
"Who? Who's after you? And where are your friends?" His eyes start scanning the street.
She shakes her head weakly. "My… friends… don't know where."
Adrian grabs her by the shoulders, steadying her. "Hey, stay with me. You're okay; I've got you."
Jennifer's hands clutch his chest. "I can't… I can't—please… help me," she whispers, almost inaudible over the music.
"Shh! Listen to me. I'm not letting anyone touch you," he says, sharper than he means, scanning the shadows.
"Leave her alone." He stopped for a while, then said with a stern voice, "Now."
The men smile, but they don't move since Adrian is staring at them. After a tense period, they back off and vanish into the night.
Jennifer leans heavily against him, trembling. "Thank... thank you..."
He exhales sharply, still wary. "What did you take, Jenny? Are you drunk? Or... something else?"
Her gaze drops, guilty and fearful. "I... I don't know. I thought it would… make me braver. To see you. I didn't—."
"Never. Again," he snaps. "You almost got yourself killed today. Do you hear?"
She nods weakly, tears welling. "I just... I needed you."
Adrian's jaw clenches, fists tightening. He wants to feel anger and to push her away—but he can't. "Get in the car. I'll take you home. And Jenny… stay out of trouble next time."
Her small nod is all the answer he needs—for now.
-----------------------------
(Morning at Smith Manor)
Jenny's head spins as she steps into the dining hall. She still has a headache from last night that won't go away.
Her father, Peter Smith, is at the breakfast table with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand and a mischievous look in his eyes.
"Well, well, look who's back from her late-night adventure. Did you get your hands on Adrian, Jenny?" He says this with a laugh.
Jenny freezes, and her cheeks turn bright red. "Dad! Stop it... please." She lowers her gaze, ashamed. "You don't understand... he saw me... like that. Vulnerable. Weak. I can't believe it."
Peter's expression softens, and he puts down his cup. "Darling, it's alright. Everyone has their moments. But you have to understand, there are plenty of men who would be lucky to have you. Better than Adrian. You shouldn't waste your youth chasing someone whose family and ours… well, you know how it is."
Her voice trembles. "I know, Dad. I… I just can't help how I feel. I've always… always cared about him."
He reaches across the table, taking her hand gently. "Angel, listen to me. I'll do anything for your happiness. Anything. You're my only child… And after your mother passed… it's been you and me." His eyes glisten. "I just want to see you happy."
Jenny's tears fall down her cheeks as she leans forward and rests her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Dad. I want... I wish life were easier."
He hugs her and says, "I know, baby. I know. But we'll face it together, alright? He laughs and says, "I don't hate Adrian; he's a great guy. I'm just a worried dad."
"Did he say anything when he was dropping me here?" Jenny asks, her gaze lowering.
"Not one word. Forget about it now. You look tired. Take a rest for a while, alright? "I have to go to work." Even though he gets up, his worry makes his usual stern expression less harsh. He lightly touches her shoulder to console her. "Take care of yourself, my girl. You won't even realize I'm gone."
Jenny nods quietly and then slowly walks to her room. She is still feeling the weight of last night.
As soon as she is alone in her room, she sits down on the side of her bed. Her fingers tremble slightly as she picks up her phone. I have to thank him… she thinks, her heart pounding.
Taking a deep breath, she dials Adrian's number.
"Hello?" His voice is sharp and clipped.
"Adrian... I… I just wanted to thank you for last night." Her voice is soft and hesitant.
"Don't," he snaps, cutting her off. "Never call me again. Do you understand? I hate you, Jenny. I saved you because I'm nothing like your father. I'm… a good man. That's it."
Her heart sinks, but she nods silently to herself, though he can't see it. "I... okay," she whispers before ending the call.
Her tears never stop. She doesn't know that the man she wants tonight, the one she thinks she can never have, will be hers one day, but that will only make her more sad.