Chapter 3 Under the Same Umbrella

Emily glanced at the clock above the bar as she stepped toward the door. The sky outside had turned pitch black, and the rain was still pouring heavily. It was only then she realized how long she had been sitting there, lost in her thoughts.

Adrian stood next to her, holding an umbrella he had just opened. His movements were calm and deliberate, as always. “You parked your car at your apartment?” he asked, his deep voice cutting through the soft background hum of the bar.

Emily nodded. “Yes.”

“Then let’s walk back,” he said simply. “I’ll go with you.”

She hesitated for a moment, but the thought of walking alone in the rain made her nod. “Okay.”

The two stepped out into the downpour, the umbrella shielding them from the worst of it. The streets glistened under the soft glow of the streetlights, and Emily felt the coolness of the night air against her skin. Adrian walked close beside her, their shoulders nearly touching beneath the umbrella.

She noticed how much of the umbrella’s coverage Adrian had given her. His broad shoulders were partially exposed, drops of rain darkening the fabric of his shirt. Her lips parted to say something, to tell him he didn’t need to do that, but just as the thought formed, she realized they were almost at her building. She decided to stay quiet.

When they reached her apartment, the lobby was dim, and Emily immediately noticed something was off. The space was crowded with people, murmurs filling the air. A security guard approached her and said apologetically, “Ma’am, we’re experiencing an emergency power outage. Our backup generator also seems to have failed. We’re working to resolve the issue, but it may not be fixed tonight.”

Emily stared at him, stunned. She had been looking forward to getting home and sinking into bed after such a draining day. Now, even that seemed impossible. Her shoulders sagged slightly as she wondered what to do.

Adrian’s calm voice broke through her thoughts. “You can stay at Lila’s. She’ll be happy to have you over.”

She blinked, looking up at him in surprise. “Lila?”

“Yes,” he said, his tone steady. “You should call her. She’ll want you there.”

Emily hesitated before pulling out her phone and calling Lila. As soon as she explained the situation, Lila’s cheerful voice came through. “Emily! Of course, come over. This is perfect. We can have a proper catch-up! Stay as long as you want.”

After hanging up, Emily sighed softly. “Alright,” she said, glancing at Adrian. “I’ll come.”

Adrian nodded and gestured back toward the street. “I’ll drive.”

The two of them walked back to the bar, where Adrian’s car was parked. When she slid into the passenger seat, Emily was struck by how spotless it was. The car had a faint, clean scent—refreshing and subtle. She adjusted her position slightly, reaching for the seat controls, but paused when she realized the seat was already perfectly adjusted to her frame. It was as if it had been made for her.

The thought startled her. Does Adrian often have someone sitting here? she wondered, though she quickly brushed it off. It wasn’t her place to care.

But before she could let the thought fade entirely, Adrian spoke, his voice breaking the silence. “This is the first time I’ve driven someone myself.”

She turned to him, startled. “What?”

Adrian’s gaze remained on the road as he continued, his tone casual yet precise. “I usually rely on a driver. But tonight, I thought I’d drive.”

Emily felt her cheeks warm, embarrassed by her earlier assumptions. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

“There’s no need to thank me,” Adrian replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Don’t be so formal. We’ve known each other for a long time, haven’t we?”

His words made her glance at him briefly, and for a moment, she caught his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard. His sharp jawline and focused expression were undeniably handsome, and the realization made her quickly look away.

When they arrived at Lila’s house, Emily was once again reminded of just how grand it was. The mansion was a sprawling estate, elegant and pristine. Lila’s parents had lived there with Adrian for years, but after they moved abroad and Adrian left to pursue his own ventures, Lila had been living there alone.

Lila opened the door with her usual bright smile. “Emily! Finally! You should stay for a while, and we can properly catch up. It’s been forever.”

Emily smiled faintly, grateful for Lila’s warmth, but before she could respond, Lila turned to Adrian. “What about you, Adrian? Are you staying here tonight too?”

Emily glanced at him, expecting a refusal. Adrian had always struck her as someone who preferred his solitude, someone who wouldn’t linger unless he had to. But to her surprise, Adrian nodded.

“I just got back to the country,” he said calmly. “I haven’t arranged a place to stay yet. I’ll stay here for now.”

Emily’s surprise must have shown on her face because Adrian’s gaze briefly flicked to her, a glimmer of something unreadable in his expression. And for the second time that night, she found herself unsettled by his presence in a way she couldn’t quite explain.