And that was how Adrian stepped into my world.
A stranger in a car. A man whose shadow slowed my steps, whose gaze made the air around me feel heavier. Oh, I thought it was Derek The man who once bruised my skin and cracked my heart. But no. It wasn't Derek. Of course not.
The car rolled to a stop beside me, purring like it had a secret. The door swung open, and out he stepped tall, broad-shouldered, and annoyingly confident. His shirt looked like it had been cut just for him, hugging his body in a way that should be illegal. His eyes found mine instantly, like he had been searching for me.
"Wow," he said, without hesitation. "You look so beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off you."
I almost laughed. I'd heard that line a thousand times before, from mouths that didn't mean it. So I did what I always do. I brushed it off. "Yeah, I've heard that before. Thanks. Can I go now?"
His lips tilted into a playful smirk. "Of course. I can see you're in a hurry. But let me just say this you have a smile that could stop traffic."
"Whatever," I muttered, rolling my eyes, already walking away. Compliments never impressed me. Not anymore.
But he didn't leave. His footsteps matched mine, his shadow stubbornly stretched across mine.
I turned sharply. "Why are you following me?"
"Because I don't want this moment to end," he replied easily, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I mean, look at you. You've got a style that's all yours. And those eyes"
"Stop it," I cut in. "I don't like this. Go back to your car before I scream."
He chuckled softly, low and unbothered. "You wouldn't scream. You're too gorgeous for that. Besides…" He leaned in a little, voice dropping into something smooth, "I really love your teeth. Perfect."
I blinked at him, utterly caught between irritation and amusement. "Seriously? You're complimenting my teeth? Who even does that?"
"Me," he grinned, unapologetic.
And just like that, I was stuck in this strange tug-of-war part of me wanting to snap at him until he left me alone, another part fighting the tiny pull that made me want to hear what he'd say next.
I picked up my pace. "Look, I don't care who you are. Just stop following me."
But he didn't. His steps matched mine, again and again, like he had no plans of backing off.
There was something magnetic about it, though I hated to admit it. He wasn't just persistent he was playful, sharp, almost daring me to keep pushing him away. And my stupid heart oh, my stupid, fragile heart was already betraying me.
Because while I told myself he was annoying, deep down I was thinking: he's handsome. He's different. He's dangerous, but in a way that made my pulse skip.
"God, Serena," I scolded myself silently, "not again. Don't start imagining things. Don't start picturing cute babies with a man you just met."
But the thought was already there. My Sagittarius brain never learned.
"I'm serious," I said firmly. "Let me be."
He tilted his head, amused. "I can't. Not when the universe just dropped you in my path."
Before I could reply, a voice boomed from behind us: "Who owns this car? Why park in front of my shop like this? Move it!"
His eyes widened. "Shit." He gave me one last grin, then jogged back to his car.
Finally,
I exhaled in relief, muttering under my breath, "Good riddance."
But as I walked faster toward the market, a tiny voice whispered inside me: You'd like to see him again, wouldn't you?
I shut it down immediately. No, I wouldn't. That man was trouble.
Still…
By the time I reached the market, my mind had almost convinced me it was over. I focused on my errand, weaving through the busy stalls, bargaining like I always do. My hands brushed over tomatoes, peppers, and fruits. I was almost done when I stopped at the yam stand, calculating prices in my head.
And that's when I heard it.
That voice. Smooth. Familiar.
"Finally," he said from beside me. "Took me long enough to catch up."
I froze, my heart skipping. Slowly, I turned and there he was again. The car guy.
"Oh my God," I whispered under my breath. Fate wasn't done messing with me, clearly.
He smiled like he had been expecting me. "See? I knew it. I knew I'd run into you again. You can't escape me that easily."
My chest tightened. "What are you doing here?"
"Buying yam," he said casually, holding one up. "But really? I think I came for you."
I blinked, taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"I just knew," he said, his tone so sure, so steady, it made my breath hitch. "From the moment I saw you I knew you were mine."
My lips parted, words caught in my throat. What do you mean by that?
And in my head, despite everything, despite the warning bells and the shadows of Derek's ghost, one reckless thought slipped through
Oh my God. He's so freaking cute.