Chapter Three

Adrian

Adrian reached across the bed with a sleepy groan but his hand met nothing but cold sheets.

He frowned for a second, the warmth that had surrounded him only moments ago was gone. Opening one eye, he sat up and looked around the luxurious suite, it was empty.

The bathroom door stood open and there was no sound of running water. No clothes scattered across the floor, she was gone.

A slow smile tugged at his lips.

"So that's how we are playing this?"

Throwing the duvet aside, he stood and noticed a small folded note resting on the pillow and picked it up.

Thanks for helping me forget.

Emma

Adrian chuckled at the signed name, 

"Emma."

He shook his head.

"That wasn't your real name."

He folded the note carefully and slipped it into his wallet instead of throwing it away.

He had no idea why, perhaps because she was different. She hadn't asked who he was. Hadn't asked for his number. Hadn't tried to stay until morning. She had simply disappeared and he doubted he would ever see her again and for some reason, the thought disappointed him.

A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.

"You alive in there?" a familiar voice called.

Adrian glanced at the clock.

"Damn."

He had completely forgotten.

After a quick shower and an even quicker shave, he grabbed his suit jacket before opening the hotel room door.

His older brother, Alexander Knight, stood waiting outside with the patience of a man who had long accepted Adrian's inability to arrive on time.

"Took you long enough."

"I was sleeping."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"I can see that."

Adrian smirked at his brother. 

"You know, some people enjoy their mornings."

"And some people remember they have family obligations."

Adrian followed him toward the elevator.

"I still don't understand why I have to be there."

"Because Grandfather insists." his brother said, 

"Grandfather insists on a lot of things."

Alexander pressed the lobby button.

"This one's important."

The elevator doors slid shut.

Adrian leaned against the mirrored wall, studying his brother, in his perfectly tailored navy suit.

Not a strand of hair out of place.

"You look like you are heading to a board meeting."

"In a way, I am."

Adrian laughed, "No."

"You are."

"You have never even had dinner alone with this woman, and in three weeks you are marrying her."

Alexander shrugged, "It's what's best for both families."

"So they tell you."

"They are probably right."

Adrian stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head.

"I will never understand you."

"You don't have to."

"I definitely don't."

The elevator doors opened.

As they walked toward Alexander's waiting car, Adrian slipped into the passenger seat.

"So"

Alexander started the engine.

"So?"

"What's she like?"

Alexander was quiet for a moment.

"I don't know."

Adrian blinked, "What do you mean you don't know?"

"We have spoken a few times."

"And?"

"She seems polite, we have not actually met, we just talked over FaceTime."

Adrian burst into laughter.

"That's your review of the woman you are about to marry? 'She seems polite?'"

Alexander shot him an unimpressed look.

"It's enough."

"No, brother." Adrian leaned back in his seat with a grin. "It's terrifying."

Alexander ignored him.

Adrian continued anyway.

"I could never marry a complete stranger."

"Not everyone believes in love."

"I do."

Alexander smiled faintly.

"You believe in attraction."

"I believe in chemistry."

"Chemistry fades."

"The right woman doesn't."

Alexander pulled into the circular driveway of the Grand Regency Hotel.

"We will have to agree to disagree little brother."

As the valet opened the car door, Adrian climbed out, straightening his jacket.

"I still think you are making the biggest mistake of your life."

"And I still think you will change your mind someday."

"Not unless I lose my sanity."

Inside one of the hotel's private dining rooms, both families had already begun gathering, business partners, Lawyers, Wedding planners.

Everyone smiled with the practiced politeness that came with old money and important alliances.

Alexander stepped forward first.

"Sorry we are late."

"No harm done," an elderly gentleman replied warmly.

Adrian barely paid attention, his phone buzzed and he glanced down for half a second but when he looked up again the

world stopped.

She had just walked into the room, his mysterious Emma, except she wasn't Emma, Atleast not the Emma from last night, she wore a simple cream dress instead of the black one from the bar.

Her hair fell elegantly over one shoulder.

No smoky makeup and no whiskey glass just quiet beauty.

She froze the instant their eyes met and saw the color drained from her face.

It couldn't be, someone stepped beside her.

"Valentine," Aunt Grace said softly. "Come."

Valentine, so that was her real name.

Adrian felt his pulse quicken.

Alexander turned toward her with a polite smile.

"It's good to finally see you again."

She swallowed before returning the smile.

"You too."

Alexander glanced toward Adrian.

"This is my brother."

Adrian forced every ounce of surprise from his face before extending his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Valentine."

For the briefest second, Valentine stared at his hand before she placed hers in it and her fingers trembled.

"Likewise."

Their eyes locked and neither acknowledged what had happened less than twelve hours earlier.

"Please," one of the wedding planners interrupted cheerfully. "Let's all sit."

Conversation flowed around the table as they argued back and forth between venues, guest lists, flowers and family traditions. 

Adrian heard almost none of it.

Every few minutes, his gaze drifted toward Valentine and each time was already looking at him only to quickly look away.

She barely touched her food, she laughed when expected and answered questions politely playing the role of the perfect bride.

But he had seen the woman beneath the mask. The woman whose eyes had been full of heartbreak.

The woman who had whispered truths over whiskey.

The woman who had fallen asleep in his arms.

When lunch finally ended, chairs scraped across the floor as everyone stood.

Wedding planners gathered their folders.

The lawyers resumed discussing contracts as family members exchanged polite goodbyes.

Valentine slipped quietly toward the hallway, grateful for a moment alone.

"Valentine."

She stopped, she already knew whose voice it was.

Turning slowly, she found Adrian standing a few feet away, his expression was calm.

He glanced down the corridor to make sure they were alone.

"I won't take long."

She folded her arms across her chest.

"What do you want Adrian?"

He studied her for a moment before speaking.

"What happened last night" He paused, "stays between us."

Relief flickered across her face.

"My brother doesn't deserve to get hurt over one drunken night."

She nodded slowly.

"I agree."

"We were strangers yesterday." he added

"And we will stay strangers."

His jaw tightened, though he wasn't sure why those words bothered him.

"No one needs to know."

For a long moment, neither of them moved, then Adrian stepped aside, giving her space to leave.

As Valentine walked away, he reached into his pocket and felt the folded note still tucked inside his wallet.

For the first time in years, keeping a secret felt far more dangerous than telling the truth.