Amara woke up alone.
The space beside her was empty, the blanket slightly creased where Adrian had been sitting the night before. For a moment, she just stared at it, her chest tightening with a strange mix of disappointment and warmth.
He must've woken up early. He always did.
She got ready quickly, washed her face, fixed her hair, and headed downstairs.
The dining hall was already loud.
Selene was lecturing Cassian about something he said last night. Cassian was smirking like he lived for the drama. Orion was laughing at both of them. Lyra sat quietly, watching everything with those sharp, observant eyes.
The elders were at the head of the table, discussing something serious — probably mafia business.
Aiden sat near them, calm as always, listening carefully.
Amara slipped into the empty seat beside him.
"Where's Adrian?" she asked softly.
Aiden shrugged. "Probably with the elders. He—"
The door opened.
Adrian walked in.
Calm. Sharp. Focused. Like he owned the room without trying.
But the moment his eyes found Amara, something softened — just for a second.
He took the seat beside her.
Aiden immediately leaned toward him. "We need to talk about the shipment routes. The elders want—"
"I know," Adrian said, voice low. "I checked the reports already."
The elders joined in, their voices dropping into serious discussion.
The cousins kept bickering.
Everyone was busy.
But Adrian was also doing something else.
Amara felt something warm under the table. When she looked down, she saw Adrian's hand on her thigh.
Her eyes snapped to him.
He didn't look at her. He kept talking to Aiden like nothing was happening.
Then his hand was caressing her leg.
Her breath hitched. She glared at him silently.
He didn't even glance her way - but she saw the tiny smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
While Adrian was still stroking her leg, Amara's cheeks warmed up.
She shifted in her seat, trying to move her leg away.
After some time, Adrian again moved his hand on her leg but this time his hand was moving to her inner thighs.
Amara nearly choked on her water.
Selene looked at her. "Are you okay?"
"Yes!" Amara said too quickly. "Perfectly fine."
Cassian snorted. "She looks like she saw a ghost."
Orion laughed. "Or she's hiding something."
Lyra's eyes narrowed slightly.
Adrian's smirk deepened.
Amara kicked his foot lightly under the table. He didn't react.
Instead, he held her thigh firmly, stroking it slowly, teasingly.
Her faced burned. She leaned toward him and whispered, "Stop."
He finally looked at her - just a glance - but it was enough to make her heart stumble.
Then he pulled his hand back, returning to his calm, unreadable expression.
Amara exhaled shakily.
Her face was warm.
Her heart was racing.
And she was sure she looked suspicious.
While others were still bickering about food, respecting elders, Mafia discussions between elders.
And Adrian?
He sat beside her, perfectly calm, eating his breakfast like he hadn't just turned her into a flustered mess.
Amara glared at him again.
He didn't look at her.
But she saw it — the tiny, victorious smile.
And she knew…
This boy was going to ruin her sanity.