ADELINE'S POV
Dante and I got to the restaurant about thirty minutes late and let's just say Liam is not at all happy about it. He was extremely happy to see me after such a long time though. He looks so vibrant and healthy. He's gained a whole lot more muscle which tells me he's working out more than he used to.
Not to brag, but my best friend looks like a Greek god. He's so perfect and handsome and his girlfriend Naomi is nothing short of what I picture a goddess to look like. They're such an adorable couple and I will never get tired of saying how happy I am for Liam that he got Naomi back and that he's finally treating her better this time which is nothing short of what she deserves.
"You're a bad influence on her." Liam says jokingly in a teasing voice to Dante. "Adeline is practically never late to anything."
Dante scoffs and takes a sip of his wine. "Adeline and I were a little bit busy. Something I'm sure you and Naomi would understand." Dante says and I almost choke on my drink and Liam's eyes grow wide for a split second before he bursts out laughing, Naomi blushing silently beside him.
Dante chuckles lightly and my heart warms at the fact that he and Liam are getting more comfortable with each other.
"You know I wasn't sure about you before man." Liam starts saying. "I mean you just came out of nowhere and stole my best friend. Something that many before you have tried and failed. I was worried about your intentions for Addie but now I can see that you bring out the best in her. You make her happy so welcome to the family man. Anyone special to Adeline is special to me too so I just want you to know that I got your back. For anything."
Dante furrows his brows and stares at Liam for a few seconds in contemplation before finally smiling and raising his glass up in a toast. Naomi and I smile at each other and I can't even begin to explain the amount of joy I feel right now at the fact that Liam and Dante are now friends.
It's all I could ever ask for. That my best friend and the man I call my partner be on good terms. Right now, I don't even care if my parents accept Dante or not. Nothing I have ever done has ever been enough for them and no matter what I do, even if I finally give in and marry Adrian Wellington, they will still find another reason to make me the black sheep, to be disappointed in me.
All I have ever done all my life is give and give and give, ignoring my own wishes and what I truly desired to satisfy the people I call my parents. No more. It ends now.
I'm happy with Dante and I'm pretty sure that I'm falling in love with him. I'm in too deep now and there is absolutely nothing in this world that my parents, or Adrian or anyone can do to take me away from him. I belong to him now.
As we all keep making small talk around our table and enjoying the happiness of our double date, my smile completely falls when I notice three figures walking straight towards our table. My mother, my father and Adrian.
Adrian looks at me and then completely averts his gaze towards Dante, pure evil and darkness in his eyes as he takes confident strides towards us, my parents walking right beside him with scowls on their faces. The pure disappointment in their eyes is enough to make me lose my appetite and everything in my mouth suddenly tastes bitter and sour.
I wonder what they'll think if they find out that Adrian threatened to ruin them. Of course, they won't believe me and even if they did, my parents love their company and their money more than they love their daughter. It will only give them more reason to force me to marry Adrian.
When the three intruders finally reach my table, Dante's arm immediately goes around my shoulders, holding me protectively as he keeps his gaze planted on Adrian's face.
"Funny to see you all here. Adeline's parents and I were just having a meeting to discuss the future of their new company with me as a major investor." Adrian says looking specifically at me and I know and understand the implication of his statement.
My parents greatly depend on Adrian for their company to be a success and he's reminding me just how easy it is for him to ruin them. Everyone on the table already looks tensed and uncomfortable just from the presence of my parents.
Even Liam looks uncomfortable. Liam has always been a respectable person no matter the circumstances but the fact that he hasn't even raised his head once to greet my parents just proves how he too is angry about the fact that they're trying to force me into a marriage.
I look at my parents from my mother to my father but I can't even bring myself to say a thing to them. I'm so angry and disappointed in them that I'm scared of what may leave my tongue if I start speaking to them. I just want them to take Adrian and leave so we can continue our double date.
"I can see you're still associating yourself with this good for nothing Adeline. And your sense of clothing I see hasn't changed either. I thought your mother and I taught you some sense of decency Adeline." My father finally says, breaking the awkward silence and every single person on my table snaps their heads towards him in surprise.
"You better watch your mouth old man." Dante barks out. "She's your daughter. Talk to her with some respect and have the decency to not be an incompetent father out in public. It's not a good look on a man your age."
My mother gasps and wraps her arm around my father's hand. Adrian watches the entire scene with nothing but a smirk on his face, as of this entire situation was pleasing to him.
"Do you have any idea who you're talking to boy?" My father asks and I can see a smirk playing on Dante's face. the real question is if my da has any idea who Dante is. Adrian and my parents walk around her like they own the world but in my little time spent with Dante, I've realized he's richer than Adrian and my parents combined but he's very discrete about it.
"I know I'm talking to a dick." Dante says shutting my father up. Liam and Nomi chuckle lightly and my father tries s much as he can to hide his embarrassment but it's written all over his face.
I'm not even sorry for what Dante just said to him.
"Adeline, get up. We're leaving. I'm putting an end to this madness right now." My father says looking straight at me and my heart starts beating fast in my chest. Not because I'm sacred of him but because I'm angry and worried that he's going to create a scene.
"Your father gave you an order Adeline. Get up." My mother repeats but all I do is keep my ass planted to my seat as I glance at my parents. Letting out a huge sigh, I push my chair back and stand up.
"Aren't both of you sick and tired of going round in circles about this?" I say crossing my hands around my chest, trying as much as possible to keep my voice as low as I can. People are already staring at out table curiously and the last thing I want to do right now is cause a scene.
"How many times do I have to repeat myself dad? I am not marrying Adrian Wellington. I am not a child to be pushed around. I am not some object to be bought and sold without my consent. I have said No and as my parents, both of you should respect me enough, and love me enough to take my decision seriously."
"You are bringing nothing but shame to this family and your father and I will not have it. Enjoy this while you can Adeline. Because once we launch our company and it's time for you to marry Adrian, you will marry him. Whether you like it or not. it is for your future Adeline. We're only doing what's best for you and when the time comes, you will thank us for it." My mother says harshly.
"Let's not put too much pressure on her Mr. and Mrs. Fitz." Adrian suddenly butts in, addressing my parents. "Adeline is just confused. She doesn't know what she wants but I am a patient man and it is my wish to make our two families one. Adeline just needs time to see."
I look towards the annoying man talking with nothing but disgust in my eyes. My parents offer me one last disappointed glance before escaping out of the room with Adrian and I suddenly start feeling self-aware about everything. I can't even enjoy a double date without my parents ruining it for me.
"You don't have to stay if you don't feel like it anymore Adeline. Liam and I will understand." Naomi says and I shake my head vigorously at her.
"No." I blurt out. "Let's just forget about what happened okay guys?"
I look around the table, from Dante's angry face to the pitiful looks on Naomi's and Liam's faces. "We came here for a normal night and a double date and that's exactly what's going to happen."
Even as I try to convince myself and everyone else on the table that everything is okay, I know they can sense the tension in my voice, but I'm going to be okay. This evening will not be ruined because my parents don't know how to respect my privacy.