CHAPTER ELEVEN: She Tried to Pull Away, He Held On

“Just put your feet up and rest”

That's what the doctor said.

Adele paced up and down in the kitchen. The sunlight spilled through the windows, illuminating her olive skin. She pulled open the fridge doors and scowled at the contents.

She took a bottle of water and shut the fridge, her hand lingering on the handle.

Ronnie's perfume still hung in the air. Julian will be home soon.

She had tried to convince Ronnie to stay for dinner, but that didn't go to plan. Ronnie had a date, or so she said. Adele felt it was because of Julian. Ronnie couldn't stand him.

Adele didn't know if she should try to change her mind. She barely knew the man.

She also wasn't planning on sticking around long enough to know him. Yet as her mind echoed those words, she felt a little tug in her gut.

What could it possibly be?

She told herself she wasn't in love with this man. She just felt sorry the other night.

She decided to cook for him. A little “Thank you, I'm sorry” present, then they'll reinstate the no contact rule.

She was playing with fire and catching herself before she got burnt was the only option.

Julian Hawthorne wore heartbreak like a tailored suit, and Adele was not going to be another name on a list.

But the way he called her name and tilted her gaze to meet his, made her belly feel warm and mushy.

He's just being nice, Adele. You're a pitiful person. He pities you.

Adele leaned against the kitchen counter and buried her head in her hands.

Then she cracked open the bottle of water, took big gulps and got to work with the pots and pans.

******

Julian gripped the steering wheel and turned his neck to the side, hoping to soothe the ache in his neck and temple.

He got out of the car and his fingers latched on to the car door to keep him from staggering.

He got three stitches on his eyelid and brow, and the doctor specifically advised him not to operate heavy machinery, but Julian was insistent on driving himself home.

He couldn't wait for the driver to get there. He ached to lay his eyes on Adele and be sure she's okay.

Both of his calls to her had gone straight to voicemail, and Julian was getting antsy.

His eyes blurred as he walked toward the door. He steadied himself and rang the doorbell.

Nothing.

He rang again.

An eerie silence pierced the air.

His heartbeat quickened, every nerve in his body alive and on fire.

He threw open the door and walked into the foyer and listened, his heart hammering in his ears.

Then he heard it–a soft voice humming softly and the ding of the oven.

The sweet aroma of nutmeg and butter wrapped around him like a warm hug. He inhaled deeply, his blood pressure back to normal.

The aroma made him heady as he followed it to the kitchen.

He stopped in the doorway and watched her, his heart beating too slow and too fast at the same time.

Her sundress hugged her body like a second skin. The pitter patter of her bare feet set off a series of explosions behind Julian's eyes.

She moved around with effortless grace. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, with a lilac bow at the end.

Earpods in ear, she hummed and flittered around in his kitchen, baking…cupcakes?

The cupcakes were covered in white and purple frosting with little edible letters stuck into them.

Just then, Adele turned around.

Her breath hitched for a second before she broke into a wide smile. Too wide.

“Hey!”

Julian cleared his throat, feeling his mask come back on.

He can't let it be known that he was excited to come home to her.

“Hey” his voice flat.

She moved in for a hug. His arms opened wide of their own volition, holding her in an intimate yet awkward embrace.

Her eyes fell on the bad eye.

Her fingers reached up, almost touching the stitches, then she pulled her hand away and danced over to the kitchen counter.

Her earpods came off and into the case, and she beamed at him.

“So. I made ‘thank you cupcakes’ “

Julian raised his good eyebrow, peering into one of the cakes.

“What are you thanking me for?” his confusion was genuine.

“Not hating me. And taking care of me.” she bit her upper lip nervously and busied her hands arranging the letters.

“See? It's on the cake. It says ‘Thank you for not hating me’ “ her grin was contagious.

Julian stared at her, trying hard not to reach out and hold her.

“Why would I hate you, Adele? You made me cupcakes. Noone has ever made me cupcakes “

Adele smiled and rolled her eyes.

“So you're telling me that Julian Hawthorne has never received baked treats from his admirers?”

His stare was serious.

“Oh I've received lots of baked treats from beautiful women. Not cupcakes. Not from you.”

Adele wanted to ask what he meant by it but held herself back.

The plan was easy. Present the gift, then reinstate no contact mode.

Adele couldn't bring the words to come up her throat.

Julian's mouth opened and closed again. His fingers went to work in his hair as he settled into a kitchen chair and picked up a cupcake.

Adele watched him, wondering if she should let him eat first.

Julian unwrapped a frosted cupcake and bit into the side. He chewed and closed his eyes, nodding subconsciously.

“This is perfect, Ads. I could eat this all day”

A joke crossed his mind but he swallowed it back down. He didn't want to ruin a potential core memory.

“Well you will, because I made twenty two of them”

“I'll eat every last one, my lady”

Adele shifted uncomfortably, her inside voice screaming and kicking her feet.

She tried to steel herself.

As sweet as this was, it had to come to an end.

Being caught in a world of power and secrets was enough reason to stay out of the way, or so she convinced herself.

“Did I say something wrong?” Julian's voice broke through her murky thoughts.

She backed away from the counter and rested against the sink.

“No, you didn't. It's just that I've been thinking about everything and —”

Julian's phone buzzed in his chest pocket.

Adele paused.

“You should take that.”

Julian blinked and dug out his buzzing phone. His brows furrowed in a frown as he read the caller Id.

“It's Leo's school again. I have to take this”

“Please do.” Adele crossed her arms in front of her, grateful for the break.

Julian placed the phone on his ear and tapped his right foot nervously against the marble floor.

“Yes. Yes, I am his father. Why? What happened?”

Adele moved closer to him, her ears piqued.

Julian's face turned white as sheets.

“What do you mean you can't find him?” His voice was a low growl.

Adele clutched her throat, muttering a silent prayer.

“I'll be right there” Julian snapped and slammed his phone down on the counter.

Adele jumped.

“Please don't say it.”

Julian picked up his keys and jogged towards the door. Adele followed hot on his heels into the garage.

“Get in the car” he ordered, pulling open the passenger door.

He slammed his side door when he got into the car and floored the engine, sending the Range Rover skidding backwards.

“My boy is missing.”