Chapter 3

Lina's POV

Adrian's fingertips traced along my waist.

I pushed his hand away and straightened my rumpled dress.

"The contract is signed. I need to get back to the company."

Adrian reluctantly withdrew his hand, leaning back against the seat, his eyes dark. "Come to my place tonight?"

"Can't." I refused flatly. "I have a video conference tonight."

Adrian chuckled softly but didn't push it, having the driver take me back to the company.

As soon as I entered the office, the receptionist intern rushed over with a huge bouquet of red roses.

"Lina, someone sent you flowers. No card, just said to wish you everything you desire."

The girl looked thoroughly gossipy. "From your boyfriend? That's so romantic."

I glanced at the gaudy bouquet of red roses, probably ninety-nine of them.

No need to guess who sent them.

Three years ago, Ethan loved sending these. He always had his lackeys order them, too lazy to even write a card himself.

Right after receiving the flowers, I got a text from an unknown number.

"Got the flowers? Even though I don't remember the past, Lucas said you like red roses. I've arranged a gathering at the club tonight. Come meet everyone."

I tossed my phone aside and pointed at the bouquet. "Throw it out."

The receptionist froze. "What? But that's such a waste..."

"If you like them, take them for a vase. Just don't put them in my office-the smell is too strong." With that, I walked straight into my office and opened my computer to handle emails.

At nine that evening, I finished my meeting and rubbed my temples.

My phone screen lit up with an incoming call from Adrian.

"Come downstairs."

Just two simple words.

I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. That familiar car was parked by the roadside, hazard lights flashing.

I gathered my things, went downstairs, and got into the passenger seat. Adrian smoothly took my bag and placed it in the back seat.

"Didn't Ethan organize something at the club?" I asked casually. "Why didn't you go?"

Adrian started the car, a mocking smile playing at his lips. "Boring. I'd rather pick you up from work."

As soon as he finished speaking, the car display suddenly lit up showing an incoming call: "Ethan."

Adrian glanced at me, tapped answer on the screen, and put it on speaker.

Ethan's voice came through. "Adrian! Still not here? Been waiting forever!"

Adrian steered one-handed, tone flat. "Got held up. I'll come by later."

"What could be more important than hanging with the guys?"

Ethan complained, then changed the subject. "Lina hasn't shown up either. Can you get in touch with her? That woman is probably at home picking out an outfit, not answering her phone."

Adrian looked over at me, eyes playful.

He said into the phone, "You sure she'll come?"

"Definitely."

Ethan sounded confident. "Once she gets that bouquet, she'll have gotten over being mad. She always fell for this stuff before. I set up this gathering tonight specifically to announce we're getting back together and give her some official status. That's a pretty big olive branch, right?"

Adrian took advantage of the red light, reached into the glove compartment, and pulled out an exquisite velvet box. He flipped it open with one hand and held it up to me.

Inside lay a dazzling diamond necklace.

His eyes signaled: Put it on.

On the phone, Ethan continued rambling. "I'll coax her back first, but I'll still play however I want. As long as she behaves."

Ethan went on. "Actually, Lina's pretty great. She loves me so much-if I sweet-talk her a bit, she'll go back to revolving her whole world around me like before."

Ethan on the other end seemed to hear something and asked suspiciously, "Adrian, what's that sound on your end? It sounds like there's a woman?"

Adrian looked at me and replied casually, "Nothing. Just the GPS voice."

I couldn't help it-I opened my mouth and lightly bit his finger.

Adrian's eyes darkened. He immediately gripped the back of my head and kissed me.

The call ended.

The car fell silent.

Then Adrian chuckled softly and restarted the engine. "You're not going? Aren't you afraid he'll lose face in that circle?"

"Face?" I looked at the night scenery flying past the window, tone flat. "Did he think about my face when he was faking his death and playing around?"

Adrian said nothing, pressing hard on the accelerator as the car's speed suddenly increased.

He reached over to hold my hand, his fingertip gently caressing my palm.

"True enough."

Then he added, "Someone who dares to sleep with me-you really don't have anything you wouldn't dare do."

My heart jumped. I turned to look at him.

Adrian kept his eyes on the road, expression calm, as if that statement had just been casual observation.