Chapter Five

ELENA’S POV

Aldric had already stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind him.

I stood at the entrance with my heart in my mouth, wrapped in my night dress. My heart pounded rapidly with fear as I waited for the expected reaction.

“What do I do? What do I do?” I muttered, trembling as I paced the bathroom entrance, waiting for the raised voice and confrontation between Aldric and Adrian in the bathroom.

But nothing happened.

It was all calm. I heard the sound of water running and I just stood there confused;

Aldric came out, wiping his hands with a small towel and his expression was as calm as neutral.

I nearly collapsed from relief. He probably did see Adrian.

His brows lifted slightly, “Elara… why do you look worried?” he asked softly. “What’s wrong?”

“I…it’s nothing,” I stammered.

He tilted his head, studying me. “Are you sure? You look pale just now.”

I swallowed hard, as I tried to think of a good explanation.

Then I remembered what Elara had told me about him;

“I just… didn’t want you to use my bathroom yet. I know how sensitive you are to scents, and I haven’t cleaned it since I came back yesterday.”

Aldric’s lips curved into a soft smile. “You don’t have to be that careful with me,” he murmured. “It’s fine.”

I smiled. Of course it's fine now.

He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “I'll freshen up and prepare for work. Meet me downstairs for breakfast.”

“Sure.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead and walked out.

The moment the door closed, I sprinted into the bathroom and searched the entire place.

My heart was beating fast and I was breathless but Adrian was nowhere to be found.

He wasn't in the bathroom.

“When did he leave?” I whispered into the silence with confusion etched on my face as I caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Did he leave when we were sleeping?

At that point, I didn't even care when and how he left but I was relieved that Aldric didn't see him.

But the feeling didn't last long, the dread was still hanging over my head;

How was I supposed to face both men on the same table after everything that happened last night?

I brushed my teeth, took a shower and put myself together before going downstairs.

The dining room smelled like fresh pastries and brewed coffee. Beatrice and the maids were arranging plates and cutlery as I stepped in.

I breathed in deeply, steadying myself as I joined them.

Everything would be fine. I just needed to talk to Adrian and put an end to whatever he's trying to do.

Then buy some time to find Elara and let her know that she misunderstood Aldric and the situation wasn't what she thought it was.

‘Yeah, that's it. I'll escape this place before I end up losing it,” I said in my thoughts

I nearly jumped as I felt two hands circle around my waist, “Ahhh,” I dropped the cutlery I was holding in panic.

“Hey, relax, it’s me,” Aldric murmured against my ear.

My whole body calmed a bit. “Aldric! Don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared me!” I turned to face him with a frown on my face.

He laughed quietly, still holding me against the table, caging me in place. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He touched his forehead to mine. “You looked lost. Is everything okay?”

I nodded, “Yeah,”

He stared at me for a brief seconds then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “Better?”

“A little,” I whispered, with a soft smile

His thumb stroked my cheek. “Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? We've never done that before except it's an event. I want it to be just us.”

“Dinner…?” I blinked in surprise, then smiled softly. “Yes. I’d like that.”

His eyes lit up. “Good. I’ll make reservations once I get to the office. I’ll pick you up after work.”

He pressed his lips on mine again and kissed me, this time it was deeper, slower and longer.

My hands went to his shoulder without me realising, holding on to his shirt as the feeling made me weak in the knees.

“You might as well eat her for breakfast, brother.” A deep voice echoed right beside us.

My body tensed at the sound of the voice and my face flushed in embarrassment.

Aldric pulled away, still smiling, but I turned, already knowing exactly who it was.

Adrian stood a few feet away from us, arms folded, flexing his biceps in his short sleeve shirt. His eyes were burning with a jealousy he didn’t bother hiding.

His lips curved slightly, “Seriously,” he scoffed. “Get a room.”

Aldric chuckled. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Why are you grumpy?”

“I’m fine,” Adrian replied, but his glare stayed pinned to me.

Those eyes were the same eyes that had looked at me last night in the dark, they were hungry, claiming, dangerous mixed with anger.

My stomach twisted.

Aldric slung an arm casually around my waist. “Maybe you should find yourself a girl,” he teased. “Stop being jealous.”

Adrian’s smirk was slow and deliberate. “I already have one. But something tells me you wouldn’t be happy with it.”

My lungs snapped shut and I found it difficult to breath properly;

I stared at him, my heart racing in my chest but he held my gaze and the memory of his hands and mouth on my body filled my head.

Aldric laughed, oblivious to the tension between us, “Bring her over. I don’t mind. Maybe that’ll stop you from being jealous of me and my wife.

“Maybe I'll do that,” Adrian murmured, eyes still locked with mine.

We sat for breakfast and I tried to keep myself steady and avoided Adrian’s burning gaze as much as I could.

I could feel his eyes boring holes into my forehead; he was barely eating and I couldn't eat much either.

His hand tensed on the table, every time Aldric called me “love.” Every time Aldric tucked my hair behind my ear and fed me from his own plate.

I was a nervous wreck inside.

Then my phone buzzed on the table

I picked it up and saw that it was a message from an unknown number but I knew who it was instantly.

*Meet me in my room the second Aldric leaves*

It was Adrian Harrison.

I lifted my eyes, and Adrian was looking directly at me, with his phone in hand.

I put my phone down on my lap and typed under the table while Aldric was distracted by a phone call.

Elena:

*Fine. I need to talk to you too.*

His reply came instantly.

Adrian:

*No. You’re not talking.

You’re getting punished for what you did last night and this morning. You thought I was going to let it slide?

Brace yourself sweetheart, because I won’t go easy on you.*

My heart slammed hard into my ribs; I looked up, my lips parted slightly;

Adrian had a dangerous and possessive smirk plastered on his face.

His gaze fixed on me with just pure, simmering desire and a dangerous promise that made my whole body tremble.