Chapter 3

“It's okay for us to sleep together. I said, and added, before he could say anything. “I mean, in a completely non-sexual way.

He laughed, and the doorbell rang.

“I'll take it. I muttered, pulling Adrian's wallet out of his pillow cover, making him scream.

- Hey!

Only, when I opened the door, it wasn't the pizza delivery guy. It was Mr. Frederich Harrison. I grimaced, closing the door behind me before he could see or say anything.

“You weren't there at your apartment. he said, as if that was an explanation.

- What you want? I said through gritted teeth.

“You know what I want, Jennifer. Why don't you stop being so stubborn and accept the terms? It's a clear fact that you're going to need me sooner or later. In the end, I'm the only one who can offer...

I looked at him and cut him off.

- I do not need you. And I'm happy with what my parents gave me, so take your offers and go knock on some other door.

“Shelly wants to meet you. - He said. My heart tightened. Shelly was his wife, who had just recovered from cancer.

- I can not. - I said. “I'm leaving town for a while.

- As your friend? he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“That's none of your business. I heard Adrian say behind me. I turned to see him dressed in pajama pants and a shirt. I gave him a grateful smile.

“As you can see, she doesn't want him here or in her life. Leave her alone.

Frederich looked at him. I took my friend's hand and dragged him into the apartment, closing the door behind him. I gave him my best smile and he laughed. He obviously found my anger funny.

"Seriously, are you going to see her?" - He asked.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that listening to other people's conversations is ugly?" “I provoked him. He looked at me seriously and I sighed. “No, I really don't want to give her hope. I don't think I can...

He gave me a small smile before pulling me into his arms. I hugged him tightly, seeking the comfort he offered me. Adrian was always there for me. He knew what I wanted to say, what I needed to hear.

- The pizza has arrived. Adrian announced as the doorbell rang again.

I sat on the couch and turned on the television. I put down a glass of rum when Adrian handed me a plate of pizza. We ate in silence, only occasionally talking until I fell asleep on the couch.

"The one thing you should never ask my mother?" Adrian asked as we were on our way to his father's house.

“Umm…” I tried to remember. “About surgeries and your first marriage.

"What are you going to ask my father if you find yourself in an uncomfortable position with him?"

“About your business.

- Good. I don't think Pierre will talk to you unless it's at meals or something. Adrian stated. “He doesn't socialize much. He has to maintain his image as an asshole, ruthless, anti-social businessman.

I laughed at the way Adrian described his brother. We drive up a hill. According to Adrian, his parents lived on the outskirts of Italy. They lived in something next to a mansion, which couldn't even be called a house.

“We're here. Adrian announced as the driver opened the door.

I got out and almost drooled over the view. The mansion in front of me was beautiful. It was a sight to behold. There was a small lake to one side and a large lawn. The house itself was huge. Adrian took my hand in his and I looked at him confused, until I realized. Ah, our role...

"Oh, and Jenny?" Adrian smiled as we entered the house. I gave him a questioning look. “You don't have to pretend to be difficult. Just think of all the fantasies you've had about me. How irresistible I am, how sexy I am…” He trailed off.

I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or slap him. So I decided to just hit him on the arm, making him laugh.

— Adrian? a woman screamed and he immediately put his arm around me. A woman who looked like she'd had surgery gone wrong walked into the room. I looked away, not trusting myself not to laugh. Now I understood what Adrian meant by the surgeries.

- I missed you so much! she exclaimed. “Come and give your mother a hug.

Adrian let go of my arm and hugged his mother. I smiled at them. The affection she had for Adrian was evident in the way she looked at him. She held him at arms length and examined him.

“You need to eat, honey. You are so skinny! She scolded her son as only a mother would.

Adrian looked away sullenly, completely embarrassed. I really didn't understand how his doting mother could not know he was gay.

— Jennifer! His mother exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. I had met Adrian's mother once before this one, and I believe she didn't think very highly of me. Until she realized I had no idea about Adrian's lineage or his wealth.

— Hello, Ms. Lawrence. — I greeted her.

She walked away with a smile on her face.

"Don't call me Mrs. Lawrence, you make me feel old. Call me Marie, please.

I smiled at her, sneaking a glance at Adrian, who was looking at her cell phone and smiling, making me wonder what he was looking at.

“Oh look. Pierre is here. Marie announced and I turned around.

My jaw dropped to the floor as my eyes focused on the man she'd announced. If I thought Adrian was a fucking handsome man, this one then… was the incarnation of Adonis.

I gaped at Adonis in front of me. He was absolutely exuberant. He had inky black hair that looked tousled. His jaw was perfectly defined, his face chiseled. And blue eyes as dark as the sea at night. Before I could complete my inspection of the rest of his body, Marie spoke up.