Chapter 5 - A Weight of A Glance

Lucy Hale

“I’m fine.” 

A curt reply was all I managed to give. 

I'm sure he also noticed the pretense I failed to hide.

I practically felt how unwilling my lips were to stretch, forcing a tight smile. 

It felt wrong on my features compared to the turmoil in my soul. 

“Thank you for asking.” I muttered, awkwardly cleared my throat.

He didn’t seem convinced.

But he heedlessly gave me a small nod, stepping away to give me enough space.

Without wasting any more time, I reached out to retrieve the measuring tape hanging by the wardrobe. 

My fingers unconsciously gripped the tape tight, feeling the fabric graze my palm. 

I needed to regain control again.

I needed to breathe.

And most of all, I needed Adrian Hawthorne out of this boutique as soon as possible.

“Sir,” I asserted, schooling my voice steadily, approaching him again.

Though I wouldn't lie, I'm a bit curious as to who he was. 

I didn’t recall him coming here with Adrian in my past life.

“If you’re ready, I can take your measurements now.” I smiled professionally, finally regaining my posture.

“Sure.” He agreed easily, stepping onto the platform.

I focused on the numbers, the tape, the small motions of the job I knew so well. 

Anything to keep myself from accidentally meeting Adrian’s eyes.

“So, is the new suit for an important event?” I started, even though I was already aware. 

I could see it clearly, and had already lived through it.

The Hawthorne wedding anniversary.

The glamorous, glittering night of his parents' anniversary, where Adrian first pulled me into his world. 

The night his parents announced him as the new successor. 

The night I naively let myself believe that I mattered to him.

The stranger nodded. “Yes, it’s his formal family event. Some sort of an anniversary, I think.”

He tilted his head towards Adrian casually.

I forced a polite smile. “Sounds fancy.”

He chuckled lightly, unexpectedly carefree. “It usually is. Hawthorne events tend to be over the top.”

I remembered it vividly.

The chandeliers dripping with crystal, the orchestra, the guests. 

And Adrian, looking devastating in his black suit, offered me a drink with his charming smile.

‘You’re special to me, Lucy.’

I had believed him in my past life, blushing like a fool. 

Dumbly thinking I mattered even for a second.

My chest tightened painfully. 

A lump formed on my throat, distracting me no matter how focused I was on the tape again.

But the memories kept pulling me under.

Adrian’s hand on my back as he led me through the ballroom. 

His parents were eyeing me with mild curiosity. 

Him introducing me.

‘This is Lucy. Someone very special to me.’

And me, glowing inside, thinking this was the beginning of something beautiful.

It had been the beginning, yes. 

But not of love.

But of ruin.

“Excuse me?” He uttered, carefully reading the nametag I wore. 

“Lucy.”

I blinked sharply. 

The stranger’s voice immediately pulled me back to the present. 

His brow was slightly raised, polite but confused.

“You stopped measuring,” he pointed out gently.

“Oh, sorry,” I laughed awkwardly, stepping back into the moment. “Turn around, please.”

I glanced over to Mia, somewhat shocked as she already shot me a look from across the boutique.

Part concern, yet part question.

I forced myself through the rest of the measurements, to keep my focus from drifting. 

It seems Mia had done perfectly in her job.

Seeing Adrian started to approach the area we were in, probably to skim through the design again.

My stomach twisted each time I felt Adrian’s presence behind me. 

He hadn’t spoken since approaching me earlier, but I felt him. 

Like gravitational pull. 

Like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

Mia eventually joined me, adding up information while I explained the design choices. 

The stranger seemed easy going, offering opinions as we guided them through the fabric selections. 

And I stayed as far from Adrian as I could without seeming obvious.

He said nothing.

He did nothing.

He simply stood nearby, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

Which was somehow worse.

When we finally settled on the final design, I almost sagged with relief. 

Just a little longer. 

Just a few more minutes, and they’d be gone.

“Great choices,” I joined, keeping my tone light. 

“We’ll have the mock up ready soon.”

The stranger smiled warmly. “Thank you, Lucy.” 

He sure was sociable.

I nodded, taking a step back to keep my distance.

Mia clapped her hands once. 

“Alright! Your fitting date will be sent through text as soon as possible,” she chirped with her trained affiliative smile.

She skillfully led them towards the door efficiently, the perfect salesperson.

I stayed behind near the counter, not trusting myself to move too close. 

My legs still felt weak. 

I focused on the receipts, on the desk, on anything that wasn’t him.

As long as it's not him. 

Then, just before they stepped out, Adrian paused.

My breath caught.

He turned his head, just slightly, but enough for our eyes to meet again.

It was only a second.

And yet, it felt as if the air was knocked out of me. 

As though the world tilted. 

His gaze was unreadable,neither cruel nor warm, but searching.

Too focused for comfort. 

As if he sensed something familiar in me, something he couldn’t name.

I stiffened, gripping the edge of the counter until my fingers ached.

I refused to look away this time. 

I held his gaze with every ounce of strength I thought I never had.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked out the door.

The bell chimed softly behind them.

And I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

My knees threatened to give out, my thoughts continued to swirl violently.

Why was he here?

Why, after I changed everything, did fate still bring him straight to me?

I pressed my fingers on my lips, feeling how it trembled anxiously.

What should I do?