Lina finished breakfast with her cheeks still warm and her heart still racing.
Every time she looked at Adrian, that mix of admiration, fear, nervousness, and… something too new to name washed over her again.
When she stood, Adrian did the same.
He always seemed prepared, composed— even the way he pushed his chair back was impeccable.
"Put on something comfortable," he said. "We're leaving in thirty minutes."
"Leaving? Where to?"
"To buy whatever you need." He crossed his arms. "And that includes proper clothes."
Lina looked down at the comfortable pajamas he'd left for her.
"This isn't proper?"
"For sleeping, yes," he replied, completely serious. "But not for going out with me."
She almost rolled her eyes but managed to hide the laugh.
In the bedroom, Lina opened the closet door—the one Adrian told her was "temporarily" hers—
and nearly lost her breath.
Empty hangers, lit shelves, automatic drawers, everything spotless… waiting for her.
It was bigger than her entire room back at her mother's house.
After putting on something simple she'd brought with her—she wasn't brave enough to touch anything in that closet yet—Lina stepped out and found Adrian waiting in the hallway.
He looked at her for two seconds.
Not with lust.
Not with judgment.
With attention.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Good. Let's go."
The private elevator took them straight to the garage, where the car was already waiting.
The driver opened the door.
"Not today," Adrian said. "I want to drive."
Lina's eyes widened.
A billionaire CEO… driving himself?
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Don't trust me?" he countered, a hint of humor in his voice.
She crossed her arms.
"I didn't say that."
"But you thought it," he replied, opening her door.
Lina got in, trying not to smile.
As the car sped down the avenues, Lina stared out the window.
Everything looked like a different city—brighter, more beautiful, more alive than it had yesterday.
Maybe because yesterday she had been broken inside.
Today, she wasn't.
Adrian kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting neatly on the armrest—perfect posture even while driving.
"Do you have a specific clothing style you like?" he asked.
"I… don't know. I never really… got to choose."
He looked at her.
Only for a second.
But that second said so much.
"Then today you'll choose," he stated. "And no one's going to stop you."
Lina bit her lip, struggling to handle the emotion rising in her chest.
It was strange to be treated like this.
So good.
So dangerous.
The car pulled up in front of a shopping mall that looked more like a luxury hotel—mirrored glass, revolving doors, a red carpet at the entrance.
"Adrian… is this a mall or a castle?" Lina murmured.
"It's where I buy most of my things," he said, as casually as if it were the local grocery store.
Lina ran a hand through her hair.
"It's all so… excessive."
"It's comfortable," Adrian corrected.
"For you!"
"And it will be for you too," he said, walking beside her.
She didn't even have time to argue.
The moment they stepped inside, three employees from one of the most luxurious stores walked toward them—discreet, polite, and clearly impressed by his presence.
"Mr. Luce," one greeted with a collected smile. "It's a pleasure to have you with us again."
Lina swallowed hard.
"Again."
Of course.
He was probably a VIP everywhere.
"We're looking for clothes for her," Adrian said, motioning to Lina with a subtle tilt of his head.
The employees looked at her—
and immediately switched to full professional mode.
"Of course! We'll find what suits the young lady best."
Adrian glanced at Lina.
"Feel free. Choose whatever you want. Don't hold back."
She blinked fast.
"Adrian, I can't—"
"You can," he cut in. "And you will."
He stepped closer, leaning in just enough that only she could hear.
"Lina… I'm not buying your life.
I'm buying… comfort.
What you deserve.
What you never had."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She looked away quickly, fighting the emotion.
"I'll… try," she whispered.
Adrian nodded, satisfied.
Soon Lina was surrounded by elegant, casual, modern outfits… so many that she didn't even know where to begin.
The employees guided her naturally.
She looked at herself in the mirror… and didn't recognize the woman staring back.
She looked like a more confident version of herself.
"This one looks wonderful!" one of the employees said.
Lina blushed.
"I've never worn something like this…"
Adrian, sitting in an elegant armchair while waiting, glanced up.
And when he saw Lina in the navy-blue dress that hugged her waist so delicately…
He froze.
For a second, his perfect CEO expression slipped.
He looked… surprised.
And something else.
Something Lina had never seen in him.
"Adrian?" she asked softly. "S-so… does it look good?"
He rose slowly.
Very slowly.
Walked toward her.
Stopped in front of her.
Looked her up and down.
And said, in a low, sincere voice:
"It looks perfect."
Lina blushed so hard she thought she might combust.
The employees exchanged discreet smiles.
And Adrian, noticing her flustered reaction, stepped back a little—respecting her space—
but keeping his eyes locked on hers.
"Take this one," he said. "And all the others you like."
She took a shaky breath.
"Adrian…
I've never—no one has ever done this for me."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Then get used to it.
Because this is how it will be from now on."
Her heart melted.
Completely.
And the day was only beginning.
But right there—in the middle of dresses, shoes, and sincere glances—
something shifted between them.
Something gentle.
Something deep.
Something inevitable.