Adrian's POV:
Where the fuck is she? It's been over ten minutes.
I expected she'd be doing girly stuff in the women's room, that's the only reason I haven't gone to find her myself yet.
But shit! I'm losing my patience here.
"What do you think, Mr. Moretti?" A voice brings me back to the present.
"Hmm? Yes... yes, that's a good idea," I answer, even though I have no idea of whatever was asked.
"I know, right? It's the same thing I was telling Mr. ..."
I tune the voice out again. There's still no sign of Elena.
Okay, that's it.
I'm about to excuse myself from the group of people around me, when I sight Elena walking into the room.
I feel a sudden relief wash over me instantly, as I release a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
But the relief is cut short when I look at her face.
Her mascara is smudged on the sides. Her face is all red, and her eyes wander around the room, frantic, but there's a sadness to them.
The immediate relief is now replaced with worry. And... anger.
I watch as she makes her way to the bar. There's small communication between her and the bartender, and a few seconds later, he hands her a glass of water.
What the fuck?
Isn't she the same Elena who refused to stop drinking just a few minutes ago, and now she's drinking water?
Imagine it's fucking sparkling water.
Something is definitely wrong.
Before I can rethink it, I take out my phone and text her.
You:
"What took you so long?"
Through the corner of my eye, I watch her, as I wait for her reply.
She takes out her phone from her purse and studies the screen for some seconds.
The three dots then start to pop up. I take in an unsteady breath in anticipation.
Elena:
"Nothing. I was just reapplying my makeup."
That's a lie. How could she spend over 10 minutes reapplying makeup, all for her to come out, and then it looks even worse than it was before?
I don't type that though, instead...
You:
"Are you okay? You seem off."
Elena:
"I'm fine."
You:
"You're not fine."
I stare at the screen but no reply comes in. When I look to her, she's staring straight ahead with a sad expression on her face.
What happened while she was away?
I don't even bother excusing myself anymore. I just walk out and head for Elena instead.
Behind me, I hear some of the men call out my name but I really don't give a fuck about any of them right now.
"Elena." I call softly as I reach her side.
She doesn't move. It's like she doesn't even hear me.
I lift my hand up to touch her, but the moment my hand comes down on her body, she flinches so hard, she almost falls from the chair.
I wrap an arm around her back to steady her, panic rising in my chest.
"Relax. It's just me. It's just me." I assure her.
She stares at me with wide eyes, trembling under my hold.
"Adrian..." her voice is barely a whisper.
Her fingers are shaking and her chest heaves up and down as she takes in deep, heavy breaths.
"What happened to you?" I bring my hand up to her face and stroke her cheek gently. I use the opportunity to study her face.
Did she just finish crying? Her lashes are wet and her eyelids look a bit swollen.
Anger floods me instantly and I clamp down on my jaw to suppress it.
"Were you crying?"
Her brows lift slightly, and she pushes away from my hold, steadying herself.
"I... I was not crying. I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me, Elena. You were clearly crying." I try my best to keep my anger out of my voice.
"What happened in the restroom? You were gone for long. Did anyone hurt you?" I ask, searching her eyes.
"No!" She rushes out. "No one... nothing happened. I wasn't hurt. I'm telling the truth."
"I... I just stubbed my toe while I was in the toilet. It really hurt. I didn't even realize when the tears fell from my eyes," she says, forcing a smile.
Do I really look that stupid to her? Does she think I'll buy shit like that?
What is it that she's hiding from me so badly? And if I'm right, and somebody hurt her, I swear to God I'm going to turn this whole place into a fucking blood bath and I won't stop until I find the person. And then I'm going to touch him. Everywhere. On every inch of his fucking body.
And of course there's going to be lots of torture weapons for that.
"Uh... are you done with the other guests? Can we leave now?"
"Elena," I call, worry sounding in my voice.
"Yes?"
"You're shaking," I murmur as I stare down at her trembling fingers.
Her eyes dart down and once she sees what I'm referring to, she quickly draws back her hand and hides it by her side like it will change the fact that I've already seen it.
"It's nothing. I'm just cold."
"You're cold?" I ask, studying her face.
"Yes," she answers, looking away.
I don't know why she's lying but it doesn't seem like she's going to say anything to me now either.
"You want to leave?"
She looks up at me, her eyes dancing between mine. "Only if you're done."
"Okay. I'm done. Let's go," I say, helping her to her feet.
"Are you sure? I just saw you talking with those people a few seconds ago."
"Exactly. Few seconds ago. And now I want to head back to the room, so are you coming or not?"
She bites down in her bottom lip, and instinctively, me eyes drop to them. But I quickly look away swallowing heavily.
"I'll come," she mutters.
I place my hand on the small of her back, and lead her out of the room, ignoring all calls of my name from around us.
Once we reach our room, I shut the door behind us and spin to face her.
"Now we're alone. You can tell me what happened." I say, fisting both hands in my pockets.
It pisses me off that something is bothering her, and it's clear, but she has still refused to tell me. Does she think I wouldn't be able to help her? Or does she not trust me enough to tell me?
She doesn't even know the things I'd do for her. The extent I'll go to just to make sure she's okay.
"Nothing happened, Adrian," she exhales deeply.
"You know if someone or something is bothering you, you could tell me, right? And you know I'll do everything in my power to eliminate the problem?"
Her brown eyes soften as she stares up at me. "I know, Adrian. I promise if there was something wrong I'd let you know. I'm fine. I just want to rest."
I clench my jaw. She really won't tell me, huh?
I battle between letting her take some rest, or forcing the question out of her, but I stick with the former.
I know her. If she doesn't want to say something, she won't say it. I'll just have to find out myself.
"Fine," I breathe. "Go rest. I'll head out to finish up a few things and then I'll be back."
"Okay," she answers softly.
My eyes don't leave her. I stare at her, studying all her features, ingraining them in my head. And she just stares right back.
I finally force my legs to move, then I turn, and head out.
Immediately the door closes, I lean my back to it, running a hand through my hair.
Elena Moretti.
You really are something.