ADRIAN'S POV
I sat alone in the VIP lounge of one of my most popular pubs, the dim golden lights reflecting off polished glass tables and leather seats. Soft music filled the background, blending with the low murmurs of conversations outside the lounge. This place usually helped me relax—helped me think.
Tonight, it wasn't working.
I poured myself a glass of wine, swirling it slowly as my thoughts drifted back to the girl I had collided with earlier at the Hilson mansion.
Those eyes.
That attitude.
That sharp tongue.
That confidence.
Feisty, I thought, smirking slightly. Exactly the kind I like.
Before I could sink deeper into my thoughts, someone tapped my shoulder.
"Why are you smiling like a fool?" a familiar voice said. "I've been here for almost five minutes, and you didn't even notice."
I glanced up to see Isaac standing there, arms crossed, amusement mixed with confusion dancing in his eyes.
"If you came earlier instead of fucking around," I replied lazily, "I wouldn't be thinking about her."
Isaac's brows shot up. "Oh?" He leaned closer, grinning. "Are you telling me the great Adrian Goodwill just fell in love at first sight....with a girl that somehow hurt his ego?"
I scoffed, but my chest tightened slightly.
No. No way.
The way my heart raced when I caught her, the warmth of her waist beneath my hands,my body—it meant nothing. It had to mean nothing.
"That's nonsense," I said sharply. "Let's focus on business."
We ordered more drinks and started discussing our latest gun exportation routes—ports, suppliers, security risks and my empire. Everything was routine.
Then I saw her.
She walked into the pub slowly, her movements graceful but heavy with sorrow. Her eyes looked hollow, her confidence stripped away. She didn't belong here—not like this.
What the hell is she doing here instead of the party? I wondered.
I watched as she made her way to the bar, shoulders slumped, ordering drink after drink like she was trying to drown something painful,something she wished to drown away with alcohol.
Something twisted in my chest.
Why is my heart behaving like this? I questioned myself. This isn't like me. Very unlikely of me.
I tried to brush it off. It's just lust,attraction or anythingexceptone word I don't believe in, I told myself.
But deep down, I knew I was lying.
Suddenly, Isaac shook me hard.
"Damn it, bro!" I snapped. "Did you have to do that?"
He stared at me intensely. "Why are you looking at Miss Feisty like you can't wait to have her in your bed?"
I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."
But my gaze never left her.
She was crying quietly now, wiping her tears between sips of alcohol. Watching her like that made something ache inside me—something unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
"No," I muttered. "She needs someone to comfort her."
Isaac smirked knowingly as I stood up. Fool, I thought.
I walked toward her confidently and took a seat beside her. She didn't notice me until I spoke.
"Can I buy you a drink to calm you down?"
She turned sharply, eyes widening as if she'd seen a ghost.
"Didn't know Mister Watch Your Way would be here instead of enjoying the party," she said sarcastically.
I smirked. "I don't attend useless parties."
To my surprise, she smiled—bitterly.
"So I'm not the only one who thinks the party is fucked up," she said, letting out a short laugh.
That caught me off guard.
I ordered drinks for both of us. Slowly, she began to talk—about the betrayal, the humiliation, the slap, the words that cut deeper than knives. I listened quietly, resisting the urge to interrupt.
"You're strong," I said after a while. "Don't grieve over people who don't deserve your love,attention and yourself either."
We talked more—about her education, her ambitions. With each drink, her walls crumbled further.
She was drunk. Very drunk.
"I think it's time I get you home," I said firmly, taking the glass from her hand.
She pouted, and for a second, the urge to kiss her nearly overwhelmed me.
"I don't want to go home," she whispered sadly.
"You need to," I replied. "There are horny guys here who won't care about consent."
She shook her head. "No ooo… don't want to go."
She stood up unsteadily and nearly fell, but I caught her just in time.
"Stubborn woman," I muttered. "Shut up and let me send you home."
I lifted her into my arms and carried her out of the pub. I placed her gently into the car, fastening her seatbelt before driving off.
Then reality hit me.
Damn it.
I didn't ask where she lived.
And she was already asleep.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration flooding me.
There was only one option.
I drove toward my villa.
This, I thought grimly, is going to be my doom.