The café was modern, bright, with light wooden tables and the smell of freshly ground coffee filling the air. The pendant lights created a cozy atmosphere—almost too intimate for Lina, considering who was sitting beside her.
Adrian chose a table in the corner — of course, away from movement and curious eyes.
Always calculated.
Always alert.
But the way he still held her hand as they sat… that wasn't calculated at all.
It was instinctive.
And Lina felt it on her skin.
— What would you like? — he asked.
— Ah… a cappuccino is fine.
— And something to eat?
— I'm not hungry.
Adrian stared at her for two seconds.
Two dangerous seconds.
Two seconds in which Lina realized he was analyzing her soul, not her stomach.
— You're nervous — he concluded.
— I'm not! — she reacted far too quickly.
He raised an eyebrow.
— Yes, you are. Your eyes are darting everywhere. Your fingers are squeezing mine. And you're breathing fast.
Lina's eyes widened.
— I-I think I'm just… tired.
— You're nervous — he repeated, as if signing an official report.
She sighed, defeated.
— Maybe a little.
Adrian lifted her hand to his lips and, without much thought, kissed her fingers.
A soft kiss.
Quick.
Almost imperceptible.
But it set Lina entirely on fire.
She froze.
Completely still.
— Now relax — he said. — I'm here.
I'm here.
Why did that sound so… intimate?
The waiter arrived, and Adrian placed the order:
— A cappuccino for her. And a double espresso for me.
The waiter smiled politely at Lina, but when he looked at Adrian… he froze, recognizing him.
— M-Mr. Luce, it's an honor to have—
— Thank you. — Adrian cut in with polite coldness. — Just bring the order.
The waiter left almost running.
Lina laughed softly.
— You scare people.
— I just want peace — Adrian replied. — I didn't come here to be approached.
— And with me? Do you want peace too?
He looked at her so deeply that she almost stepped back.
— With you… I want presence.
Lina blushed to her soul.
The coffee arrived quickly.
Lina wrapped her hands around the warm cup, trying to calm herself.
Adrian watched every micro-expression — almost studying her, but not in an invasive way.
In a way that said:
I want to understand you.
— Lina — he called.
— Hm?
— There's something I need to know.
Her heart jumped.
— What is it?
— Yesterday — he began, voice low — you were… shattered when we met. And today, even though you're trying to smile, I can see you're holding back a lot.
Lina lowered her eyes.
He continued:
— If I'm going to protect you… I need to understand what hurts you.
Her breath shook.
— Adrian, I…
— You don't need to tell me everything — he said gently. — Just what matters. And in your time.
Lina tightened her grip on the cup.
In your time.
He said it like he knew she carried wounds too big to open all at once.
And knowing that… comforted her.
— My half-sister's name is Bianca — Lina said after a few seconds. — She always… competed with me. Even when there was nothing to compete for.
Adrian stayed silent, listening.
— Yesterday… I found her with my ex. They were… — Lina closed her eyes, voice breaking. — Together.
Adrian set down his cup.
— She did it on purpose — he stated.
— Yes — Lina breathed. — She always does. Everything that's mine… she wants. And my mother… always supported her. Always.
Adrian stayed quiet.
Then he leaned slightly closer.
— That explains why you trembled when the consultant called you "friend."
Lina looked at him.
— You noticed that?
— I notice everything about you — Adrian said. — And I didn't like that term. You're not my friend. You're my fiancée.
Lina looked away, heart racing.
— But we're not a real couple…
— Not yet — Adrian replied instantly. — But we're heading there.
She almost dropped her cappuccino.
— W-what?!
— It's inevitable, Lina.
— N-no, it's not! I… I'm just a beginner actress, you're a CEO, and—
He placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face gently.
— Lina.
— Y-yes? — she whispered.
— I already chose you.
The rest… we build together.
She lost her breath for the thousandth time.
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable.
It was full of something.
Something growing between them.
Something Lina didn't know how to name… but was starting to feel.
Then Adrian released her chin, but not her gaze.
— Now let's finish our coffee. We still have two more stores to visit.
Lina made a face.
— Two more?!
— Yes. — He smiled lightly. — I'm nowhere near done taking care of you today.
She sank into her chair.
This man was going to kill her heart.
With love.
— Adrian…
— Hm?
— Thank you.
— For what?
— For… all of this.
He watched her for long seconds.
And said, with devastating simplicity:
— I like taking care of what's mine.
Lina choked on the cappuccino.
— A-Adrian!
— What? — he asked, innocent as a brick.
— You can't just say things like that, so… so—
— True?
She hit her forehead on the table.
He laughed.
Yes, laughed.
A short, almost hidden laugh… but real.
And Lina knew, in that moment:
She was lost.
Utterly lost.
And she didn't want to be found.