I stifled another laugh and nodded. “I understand you completely. Lunch sounds great. I’ll meet you outside the building tomorrow and we can have a chat.”
“Oh, that’s really great! Thank you so much!” Anna squealed, pulling me in for another quick hug and dashing out of the small conference room.
I walked back to the office with a slight frown on my face. Adrian noticed it instantly, and was by my side before I was able to blink. “What happened? Are you okay?” he asked.
I looked up and smiled at him. “Yeah, I’m fine. Anna… Anna just apologised to me.”
Adrian stared back at me blankly, before he slightly raised an eyebrow. “… Who is Anna?”
“I… Anna? Don’t you remember? The woman from marketing department that you… well, you know,” I finished, avoiding his gaze.
“Honestly Shortcake, I don’t remember anyone since you came along.”
He smirked.
I began blushing at the comment before playfully pushing him away. “You’re an idiot,” I mumbled with a smile.
“A very lovable idiot,” Adrian said while waggling his eyebrows.
“A very egotistical idiot,” I corrected, smirking smugly.
“Did you say testicle?” Adrian faked gasped. “Shortcake, that’s positively scandalous!” He gushed, widening his eyes as they landed on me.
“What- Adrian, where did you even come up with that?!” I laughed, before placing the new employee files on his desk.
He shrugged with a grin, before speaking up again. “My father has invited us over for dinner this weekend. Are you up for it? He was jealous that I went to my future in-laws’ house and you haven’t seen yours yet.” He shook his head at his father’s behaviour, before looking over at me for an answer.
I took a seat at my desk before raising an eyebrow. “‘Future in-laws’?” I asked.
Adrian nodded eagerly. “I may as well get used to calling them that since we’ll be getting married soon.” He shrugged.
“How are you so sure that I’m going to say yes?” I asked in amusement.
“Well, you can’t say no,” Adrian glared, clenching his jaw.
I was taken aback by his sudden anger towards the subject. “Um… Why?” I asked slowly, afraid of how he’d react.
“That’s not important,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze. “Are you going to accept my father’s offer or not?” he asked, steering back the subject. “I need to let him know.”
“Yes, of course I’ll go. Now tell me why I can’t say no,” I demanded, bringing up the previous topic.
“Just forget about it, Emily. It’s not important.” Adrian sighed, avoiding my stern gaze.
“Clearly it is, since you got angry over it and won’t tell me what the reason is! Come on, did someone blackmail you into marrying me? Is that why you’re with me?” I pressed, frowning slightly.
“What? No! I don’t have to tell you anything. You didn’t tell me about David Walter. I think it’s even now,” he reminded me.
“You know why I didn’t tell you about David Walter! It concerned my best friend’s safety! Does this concern my safety? Are you being forced into marrying me because someone is threatening my life?” I asked with wide eyes.
“No! Who said I’m being forced into marrying you in the first place? I’m Adrian Kingston; I do whatever the fuck I want,” he snapped.
“What is it then?” I asked again. I knew I was becoming annoying. Hell, I was annoying myself. But curiosity was like a bug I couldn’t get rid of.
“Forget about it, Emily,” Adrian repeated through gnashed teeth with a clenched jaw.
I glared. “If you were in my position, you would’ve made me tell you.”
“Well, I’m in my own position so I don’t have to tell you anything,” he replied with a glare.
I could tell he was about to burst. His eyes were narrowed to slits and his jaw was clenched to the point where there was a circular bone popping out of his jawline. “Fine. If it’s that important to you, I’ll just leave it. I’m sleeping at Amy’s house tonight,” I announced, looking away from him and turning to the computer screen.
“No, you’re not,” Adrian snarled, making me focus on him again.
I glared. “Yes I am. You can keep whatever the hell you’re hiding away from me, but you can’t keep me from sleeping at my best friend’s house.”
“Jesus, just drop it, will you? It’s nothing!” he exclaimed angrily, throwing his arms up in defeat.
“I have dropped it!” I snapped.
“No you haven’t! You’re angry, so you want to sleep at Amy’s to avoid me!”
“That wouldn’t be happening if you would just be open with me like I was with you with the David Walter situation,” I retorted angrily.
“You were only open about that because I caught you having lunch with him!”
“Oh, so you want me to hire someone to stalk you so I can find out what it is so you can be open about it, is that it?” I asked with eyebrows raised.
“No! It’s nothing like that.” He growled in a low voice, inching closer towards me in anger.
“Well, I guess you don’t mind if I sleep at Amy’s tonight then.”
“Dammit, Emily, just drop the subject and forget about it,” Adrian commanded in a cold tone.
“Fine. I guess next time, I should just keep everything to myself as well,” I muttered, looking back at the computer screen. ”Because clearly the trust thing is only happening one way.”
“Shortcake, you know I trust you. I trust you more than I trust Allen; and I’ve known the guy since High School. Just please drop this, I don’t think you’re ready to hear it just yet. You’ll freak out and I’ll lose you,” Adrian mumbled, no longer looking angered by my persistent behaviour.
I sighed. “I’m not weak, Adrian. I can handle it. Especially if it’s something concerning me. Do you know how unfair that is? I have a right to know!”
“Not with this you don’t,” he replied, his voice becoming cold again.
I let out a frustrated growl. “I can handle it, A-”
“Fine! I’m in love with you, Emily!” Adrian yelled. “Are you happy now?!”
I could only stare back at him after that. Everything went silent; even the usual murmurs we would be able to hear from the offices outside fell quiet. I’m pretty sure Adrian yelled loud enough for the entire top floor to hear him. He was breathing slightly heavier than usual as he looked straight into my eyes before he looked away.