Chapter 5 - A Weight of A Glance

Lucy Hale

“I’m fine.” 

A curt reply was all I managed to give towards the stranger, though 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. 

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

“Just a little dizzy. 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.

Grateful for the distance, I turned away quickly, pretending to be busy myself. 

I strided near the wardrobe full of all kinds of sophisticated suits design. It's definitely the designs they would likely select after the measurement.

A light sigh heavily left my lips, I really wished I could just go home and rest for the day.

My eyes moved, sneakily glanced towards the gentleman, seeing him scrolling through his phone. 

Fortunately, he didn't inquire too much of it or it might have been a handful.

Let's just get this done, Lucy. 

Without wasting any more time, my hand moved, reaching out to retrieve the measuring tape hanging by the wardrobe. 

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

The faster it settles, the faster he will leave.

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 into something steady as I approached the stranger 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.

My hands shook once, occasionally feeling eyes piercing behind my back. Though I hid it by adjusting the tape again.

To fill the silence, I forced myself into small talk, something normal, safe and away from my chaotic mind.

“So, is the new suit for an important event?” I asked, 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 a formal family event. Some sort of an anniversary, I think.”

He said it casually, unaware of the storm inside me.

I bit back the urge to say, I know.

Instead, 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 cameras. And Adrian, looking devastating in his black suit, offered me a drink with that 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?... Lucy.” He uttered, carefully reading the nametag I wore.

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 said gently.

“Oh, sorry!” I laughed awkwardly, stepping back into the moment. “I spaced out for a second.”

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, double-checking several times just 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, taking over the design explanations. 

The stranger seemed easy-going, offering opinions while Mia guided him through fabric selections. I helped where necessary, but 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 probably somehow worse.

When the both of them and Mia finally settled on the final design, both suits with subtle texturing, I almost sagged with relief. 

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

“Great choices,” I said, 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! We’ll walk you out. Your fitting date will be sent through text as soon as possible,” she chirped with her trained affiliative smile.

She skillfully led them toward the door, cheerful and efficient, 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.

One single second.

And yet, it felt like the air was knocked out of me. Like the world tilted. 

His gaze was unreadable,neither cruel nor warm, but searching, sharp, too focused for comfort. As if he sensed something familiar in me, something he couldn’t name.

As if fate whispered between us again.

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.

I survived once. I wouldn’t let the past consume me again. 

Not this time.

But as the chill of his final glance lingered in my bones, I knew one thing for certain.

My rebirth wasn’t enough to keep Adrian Hawthorne out of my life.

And fate wasn’t finished with me yet.