Chapter five

CHAPTER FIVE

A THOUGHT I SHOULDN'T HAVE

ADRIAN

After a while, I saw Elena in the hallway, she studied me for a second before saying goodnight. I replied politely and tried to shake off the attraction I felt when she talked. I told myself there was nothing to it.

Yet as I walked toward the study, I found myself thinking about her again. 

I didn't understand why.

I had met Elena properly only today and already there was something about her that had caught my attention.

Maybe it was because she was new, maybe it was because nobody had warned me that I would come home to find my uncle married to a young woman, or maybe it was simply because I was still trying to understand the whole situation.

Whatever the reason, I needed to stop thinking about it.

I walked into the study and found Victor sitting behind his desk.

“You're still awake?” he asked.

“I could ask you the same thing.” I blinked.

He smiled. “I have work to finish.”

I sat in one of the chairs opposite him. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then I finally asked the question that had been sitting in my mind since I arrived. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Victor looked up. “About Elena?”

“Yes.” I said.

He leaned back. “I didn't think it was necessary.”

“You didn't think telling your nephew that you were getting married was necessary?” I blinked, in surprise.

“It happened quickly.” He replied.

“You keep saying that.” I shook my head.

“Because it's true.” He defended himself.

I shook my head. “You surprised everyone.”

Victor smiled. “Perhaps.”

I studied him for a while. “Are you happy?”

His expression softened. “Yes.”

That answer surprised me because, there was no hesitation, there was no uncertainty, he seemed content.

I nodded slowly. “Then that's what matters.”

“It is.” He replied, returning his attention to his papers.

I remained seated for another moment. Then he said, “You seem distracted.”

“I'm tired.” I replied.

“Six months away will do that.” He said with concern.

I smiled faintly. “Exactly.”

I stood. “Goodnight, Uncle.”

“Goodnight, Adrian.” He replied with a smile.

I left the study. As I walked upstairs, my phone vibrated. I looked at the screen, it was a message confirming the transfer had gone through.

I stopped short as I read it twice, just to be sure.

The landlord had finally accepted the new terms. No more threats about the lease, no more late-night calls demanding answers he didn't have time to give from thousands of miles away. It was, at last, handled.

I leaned against the banister for a moment, It hadn't been easy convincing them. 

I typed out a quick reply, confirming everything looked good, and telling them to stop worrying and get some rest. It was over now. There was nothing left to fight about.

I slid the phone back into my pocket and stood there for a second, staring at nothing in particular.

It was strange, the relief that came with solving someone else's problem instead of his own. For the first time all day, my shoulders felt looser, the tension that had been sitting there since that first phone call in the living room finally easing.

Whatever had made my jaw tighten earlier, whatever had put that unreadable look on my face in front of everyone, it no longer mattered. It was done, and there was nothing more to carry.

I took a slow breath, straightened up, and continued up the stairs, the weight in my chest noticeably lighter than it had been all evening.

I lowered the phone, the hallway was quite quiet, the only sounds I could hear was the birds chirping.

My mind returned to Elena, the way she had looked at me before saying goodnight.

I frowned. Why was I doing this?

Elena was married to my uncle, besides, there was no room in my life for anything or anyone else.

I walked into my room and shut the door.

---

The next morning, I woke earlier than usual.

I had barely finished getting dressed when I heard voices downstairs.

I recognised Clara immediately, then I heard Vivienne, after some time I heard Elena. I stopped for a moment and I didn't know why. I could have simply continued getting ready. Instead, I found myself listening.

Clara and Vivienne were laughing about something. Elena’s voice was quieter than the others, I heard her say “ You'll break that”.

I hadn't heard her voice properly before, I smiled without meaning to, then I caught myself.

I shook my head, this was ridiculous and was getting way out of control.

I left my room and went downstairs.

The moment I entered the breakfast room, Clara looked up. “There he is.”

“Good morning.” Clara added.

“Did you sleep well?” Vivienne asked.

“Very well.” I replied with a grin.

Elena was sitting down and scrolling on her phone. She looked up when I entered.

Our eyes met. That same strange feeling returned.

But this time, I quickly looked away.

“Morning,” I said to everyone.

“Morning,” Elena replied.

I took a seat. Victor wasn't present yet.

Clara immediately started telling me about something that had happened that morning, and I listened while eating breakfast.

It was normal, it was how it has always been.

Then Vivienne mentioned the phone call I had yesterday.

“You have resolved the issue right?”

“Yes.” I replied.

“Good, so when are you taking us out for ice-cream?” Vivienne asked, excited.

“This weekend.” I smiled.

Elena remained quiet, I studied her for a moment. She was definitely listening, I wondered what she thinking.

Then I immediately dismissed the thought. It wasn't important because she wasn't part of my life, Elena was part of my uncle's life.

That was where the boundaries were and I intended to keep them there.

After breakfast, I decided to leave the house for a while. I had some business to handle, and honestly, I needed the distraction.

As I reached the front door, I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned and I saw Elena in the hallway but she wasn't coming after me, she simply stopped there and studied me for some seconds.

For a second, we looked at each other. Neither of us said anything.

Then she gave me a small smile and I returned it.

“Have a good day,” she said.

“You too.” I said.

I opened the door and walked outside. The moment I stepped into the car, I exhaled.

I didn't know what was happening, she just made my stomach flip.

I knew one thing, I needed to stop noticing Elena, because the more I noticed her… the harder it became to pretend she was just another member of the family.