Now we haven't divorced yet, Adrian states, his tone icy and pointed. Don't, therefore, rush to get close to this other man.
"I wasn't," I shout back, my chest heaving with anger.
His phone rings, and without saying a word, he turns away and proceeds to leave to take the call, and I am left alone with emotions seething within me.
"Hey." "
Josh draws nearer to me, taking off his jacket. Are you all right? he asks softly, placing the jacket on my shoulders.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I respond quickly, even as my heart is racing.
"I have to go, I say and walk away without looking back."
Elsewhere, Adrian has drinks with his bodyguard. His face is dark, and his thoughts obviously elsewhere.
Indeed. Did you learn any news on that woman from the other night, Adrian asks his guard.
No sir. We checked the hotel records. But there was a power outage that night. So the data from that period was deleted, the guard responds.
Adrian clenches his glass momentarily, and irritation flickers in his eyes.
Hello. Sorry to interrupt.
It is interrupted by the voice of another person,
"I couldn't help but notice the necklace. This necklace actually belongs to me." "Can I have it back, please."
It is Rose, Lina's younger sister.
You claim to own this necklace, Adrian says calmly.
Prove it, he says.
He seems to be unaware that it's Lina's necklace. "My opportunity has finally arrived," Rose thinks to herself.
Hmm, I got that one as a gift from my mother, Rose shows Adrian on her phone. Then I misplaced it lately, she says and puts on a pitiful face.
Adrian examines the image carefully.
"Hey," Adrian suddenly asks. "Do you remember me from that night?"
I've been looking for you all along, he presses on.
Please. That is all I want, Rose continues, in an attempt to change the subject.
We hatten eine so tolle gemeinsame Nacht und jetzt stochert du nur so in aller Stille wieder aus. Komm nur her und bleib bei mir. Versprich mir das.
My sister. My elder sister. She is supposed to attend tonight's banquet, Rose tells me.
Who is your sister, Adrian asks.
Lina, Rose responds.
Lina
Adrian makes a small laugh.
Wow. She has been hiding you well, he says. I'm surprised at how such a materialistic woman can have such a lovely sister.
Please. Can you help me find her? Rose asked softly.
However, at the same time, chaos is unfolding nearby.
What are you. What are you doing in Josh's suit.
An unknown woman approaches me along with her friends, her hand snatching the coat from my shoulder aggressively.
What is it that you have been doing to my sister?
Just as she does, Rose rushes into position, placing herself right in front of me.
"Are you okay, sister, Rose asks."
"I don't need your patronizing empathy," I snap at her.
"Is this how you treat your sister, Lina, Adrian asks as he appears on the scene," an online reviewer states.
"She is just concerned about you," Adrian adds.
Sister I…
Rose stutteres while attempting to touch me.
"Let go of me, I say, pulling away."
"I told you that I do not want to talk to you again, and that is now the second time, and you are still ignoring
Hey. Mind your tone, Adrian warns.
"Do you know who he is?" I ask Rose as I draw near and lean in close enough that I'm whispering in her ear.
"His name is Adrian Blackwood, I whisper":
What, asked Rose loudly.
Does that jog any memories, I ask her.
Well. Now he's my husband, which makes him your brother-in-law, I say before turning to leave.
"What did she say?" Adrian asked Rose while he is watching me walk away.
"Nothing," Rose replied smiling.
Are you really Adrian Blackwood, Rose asks.
Well. Is that a problem, Adrian replies.
Rose examines him closely. They said Adrian Blackwood was cruel and ugly. He did not look a bit like the rumors.
You could have told me you are my brother in law, Rose jokes.
I know you like me too, Rose explains.
But I can't mess up my sister's marriage.
Don't worry. My marriage with Lina is just a sham, Adrian explains.
We will soon be divorced, he continues.
Until that point, it is best for us to maintain our distance, as calmly advised by Adrian.
Rose nods gradually, but she looks at him for too long.