CHAPTER 05

Elena’s POV:

I stood rooted to the ground, unable to digest the words that had come out of Adrian’s mouth.

The reason I rejected his proposal back in school was not because he was short and fat but because he was too close of a friend, and I never saw him as a love interest.

I never thought I did anything that could spark romance between us.

But now, Adrian looked like a complete stranger, but his words made me feel so comfortable.

It would be great if I could have him back as a friend to support each other, but I don’t think that’s possible.

Ryan had loudly claimed to love me, but Adrian… he claimed to love me quietly enough to wait.

I didn’t want to waste his time again.

And my father wouldn’t stay put if I were to be seen with Adrian, either.

I didn’t need to think too much before responding, “Sorry, but you should give up on me. I have no intention of marrying anytime soon. Find someone else who’ll fit your taste.”

I said and walked away quickly.

“You’re the only one I have in my heart, Elena,” his voice washed my back and made me stop.

I turned around and saw his eyes and lips smiling at me.

Was he really that happy to see me?

All of a sudden, I felt like giving him a chance, but what if my father were to hate Adrian because Adrian wasn’t the man he had chosen for her.

I don’t know how Adrian’s family’s financial status is these days, but in the past, they were not as great as my family.

What if my father were to crush Adrian’s family now?

All these thoughts made me nervous.

Adrian approached me and said, “You can date me for a month and see if we’re compatible or not. We can take the relationship forward after that.”

“F-Forward?” My heart started beating faster.

“Yeah, we’ll get married,” Adrian did not seem to hide his intentions. His expression also turned serious, his eyes sparking with possessiveness.

I have been in love with Ryan for a year now, and now I have to date Adrian and possibly marry him sooner or later?

It felt crazy.

But I wanted to get things sorted.

All things.

One month should be enough to do that.

If I date Adrian for a month and then politely reject him, he would not waste his time on me after that.

If my father shows up in the meantime, I will have to deal with him, too.

I cleared my throat and said, “I-I want to forget Ryan. We’ll date for a month and see how it goes.”

I knew I spoke something rude, on purpose, and I didn’t even wait for his response but ran away quickly.

“Thank you!”

I heard him shout, but even his shout had a calming effect on me.

Was it relief filling my heart that he accepted to date me after I told him I would date him to forget Ryan?

Does he really love me that much?

I found myself smiling after leaving the alley.

Was this the right thing to do?

I didn’t know.

I just didn’t want to cry over what Ryan had done to me. I wanted to move on.

And Adrian felt like an opportunity God has sent me.

I was hoping it’d work out with him somehow, but even if it doesn't, that’s fine.

I’m used to living alone.

A few minutes later.

I arrived at my apartment.

A white Porsche was outside.

To my shock, Ryan and that chubby woman were in the car, both sharing a single cigar. I didn’t know Ryan smoked.

He didn’t look like he was being forced to smoke by her. Was she his boss’ wife, Vivian?

Both of them got out of the car.

I kept staring at Ryan, unable to hide the anger that was swelling my heart. “You’ve been cheating on me since the beginning, haven’t you?”

Ryan looked at Vivian once and then smirked at me, “You amount to nothing. You’re not even worthy of being an extra in my life. Did you really expect me to marry you and spend the rest of my mornings in a cafe, sharing coffee with you? You can’t give me anything except your poor, boring love, but Vivian can give me everything I want and more.”

His words sounded more like they were rehearsed.

Was Vivian forcing him to say these words? He didn’t look too happy.

I clenched my fists.

Why should I care?

Ryan was not a kid for him to be led around by another woman, whoever it might be. Whether he was being forced or not, the fact that he was cheating on me would never change.

“Good for you,” I said and walked away.

“T-That’s it?” Ryan frowned as though he expected more.

Maybe he wanted me to fight for him?

Why would I do that?

“We’re going to get married after I divorce my husband,” Vivian said aloud. “I’ll give you our first wedding card.”

My feet stopped.

I turned around and looked at them both. I pitifully smiled at Ryan. “She’s in her mid thirties, right, Ryan? Her husband must be of a similar age. I bet he can’t fuck her well, and so she wants someone younger and stronger. You’re just that. Nothing more.”

I said what I wanted, knowing it’d deeply upset Ryan. And it did.

But he forced out a smile and held Vivian’s hand and kissed it. “My future is bright, but what about you? Have your savings ever gone past 4000 dollars? Do you even know what your tomorrow holds?”

“Hmph,” Vivian snorted, her eyes glinting with cold rage, as though I was her competition and enemy she must ruthlessly destroy, “there’s no fucking tomorrow for her. I’ll make sure of it.”