Chapter 3: An unexpected proposal

Later that day, Adrian finally finished the work that had kept him busy since morning.

He had spent hours inspecting the land, reviewing documents, and discussing the area with his agents, by the time everything was finished, he was exhausted. Yet, somehow, his agents ended up returning to the same restaurant.

Isabella's Restaurant.

When Adrian entered, Nadia noticed him immediately.

She smiled, “Welcome back.”

Adrian returned the smile. “Thank you.”

Their brief exchange caught Isabella's attention, Hannah noticed it too, the two women watched as Nadia spoke casually with Adrian before returning to her work.

Hannah immediately called her.

“Nadia, do you know that man?”

Nadia looked toward Adrian, “No. I just greeted him casually.”

“Have you seen him around Montclair before?”

“I don't think so. He seems like he came from somewhere else.”

Hannah nodded thoughtfully.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Nadia returned to work, Hannah turned toward Isabella, she gave her a knowing look, Isabella immediately understood.

“No.”

“I haven't even said anything.”

“You're thinking it.” Hannah smiled.

“He could be the perfect groom.” Isabella stared at her.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can't marry a stranger.”

Hannah looked toward Adrian again.

“Maybe you wouldn't have to remain strangers.”

Isabella shook her head.

“This is already complicated enough.”

She turned away.

****

Isabella tried to ignore Hannah's words, the idea was ridiculous, she didn't know the man, she didn't even know his name. And yet, when she glanced toward his table, she found herself wondering who he really was.

Adrian sat quietly with his agents, barely speaking, there was something intimidating about his calmness.

He didn't seem interested in the people around him, he simply observed.

“Stop looking at him,” Hannah whispered.

“I wasn't.”

“You were.”

Isabella rolled her eyes, before she could respond, Nadia approached Adrian's table. “Would you like anything else?”

Adrian shook his head.

“No. Thank you.”

His voice was calm, then one of his agents received a phone call and stepped outside, another agent followed.

Within moments, Adrian was alone Hannah leaned toward Isabella.

“This is your chance.”

“My chance for what?”

“To find out who he is.”

Isabella gave her a warning look.

“I am not going over there.”

“Then I'll do it.”

“Hannah.....”

But Hannah was already walking away, Isabella sighed, she had no idea what her friend was planning.

Hannah stopped beside Adrian's table.“Excuse me.”

Adrian looked up.“Yes?”

“I'm sorry to disturb you.”

“You're not.”

Hannah smiled.

“I just wanted to ask something.”

Adrian waited.“Are you new to Montclair?”

His expression remained unreadable.

“Yes.”

“I thought so.”

“Why?”

“You don't look like someone who has been here long.”

Adrian almost smiled.“I haven't.”

Hannah nodded.“Are you here for business?”

Adrian paused “Yes.”

“What kind?”

“Something private.”

His answer was simple.

Hannah realized she wasn't going to get much more from him. Still, she smiled politely.

“Well, welcome to Montclair.”

Adrian lowered his gaze to his phone, apparently losing interest in the conversation.

Hannah glanced back at Isabella, then looked at Adrian again.

“Actually, there's one more thing.”

He continued looking at his phone.

“The lady standing over there is our CEO, and she's been asking whether you're satisfied with our service.”

That caught Adrian's attention, he raised his head slightly, and his eyes met Isabella's, she immediately looked away, pretending she had no idea what Hannah was talking about.

Adrian observed her for a moment before returning his attention to Hannah.

“Then I would like to make a complaint.”

Hannah blinked.“A complaint?”

“Yes. Tell her to come here.”

Hannah fought back a smile.

“Of course.”

She returned to Isabella, who was already looking at her suspiciously.

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing much.”

“Hannah.”

“He wants to make a complaint about our service.”

Isabella frowned.

“What complaint? Nadia has served him perfectly well.”

“Then you should go and find out.”

“I have work to do.”

“And he's a customer.”

Isabella gave her friend an annoyed look before reluctantly walking toward Adrian's table, she stopped in front of him, trying to maintain the professional composure expected of her position.

“Good afternoon, sir. I was told you have a complaint about our service, Is there anything we can do to improve your experience?”

Adrian didn't answer immediately, he was looking at his phone again, then, without lifting his head, he spoke.

“Tortilla Española.”

Isabella blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“Do you know how to make it?”

For a moment, she couldn't speak, Of all the things she had expected him to complain about, a Spanish dish had not been one of them.

“Yes,” she answered slowly.

“I know how to make it.”

“Can you prepare it?”

Isabella stared at him, she had made Tortilla Española only once in her life.

Her mother had requested it while she was lying sick in bed, during the final days of her illness.

Even then, Isabella had wondered why her mother wanted that particular dish when she could barely eat, she had prepared it because her mother had asked her to, she remembered standing beside her mother's bed, watching her take a few bites before resting again.

But she had never understood why that meal had been so important to her, and now, years later, a complete stranger was asking her to make the exact same dish.

The memory came rushing back, her mother's face, her weak voice.The unanswered questions Isabella had carried since losing her.

Her expression changed before she could stop it.

“Is someone dying?”

The question escaped her mouth before she could think.

Adrian finally paused.

For the first time since she had approached him, his attention shifted completely away from his phone.

“What?”

Isabella realized what she had said.

“Oh, I—” She stumbled over her words. “I mean, ha... not really.”

She cleared her throat, embarrassed.

“I'm sorry. That was an inappropriate question.

”Without waiting for his response, she turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Isabella stopped but didn't turn around.

“I'll give you anything you want if you make that meal for me.”

Her steps came to an immediate halt.

Anything?

Slowly, she turned back, Adrian was still seated, his expression giving nothing away, Isabella studied him for a moment, trying to determine whether he was serious.

“Anything?” she repeated.

“Yes.”

She remained silent, a strange possibility began to form in her mind, It was an outrageous idea, perhaps the most ridiculous one she had ever considered, but she was running out of options.

Victor Blackwell wanted to marry her, her lie about having a fiancé had bought her some time, but it hadn't solved anything. If Victor discovered the truth, he had promised to take everything from her.

Her family’s property.

Her restaurant.

Her freedom.

She couldn't allow that to happen, and here, in front of her, sat a man who had just promised to give her anything she wanted in exchange for a meal.

Isabella straightened her shoulders and looked him firmly in the eyes.

“Can you become a groom because of the meal?”

For the first time, Adrian raised his head fully, his eyes settled on hers, Silence stretched between them.

He studied her face as if he were trying to determine whether she was joking or had genuinely lost her mind, Isabella held his gaze, refusing to look away.

Several seconds passed, he said nothing, her confidence began to fade.

Of course, what was I thinking? She rolled her eyes, turned around, and started walking away.

“Okay.”

Isabella stopped, she turned her head slightly.

“What did you say?”

“Okay.”

She stared at him.“Okay?”

“Yes.”

He said it so calmly that she wondered whether she had heard him correctly.

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

“Who is the bride?”

Isabella looked at him for a second, then she smacked her lips.

“Me.”