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The sports car gleamed under the school's parking lot lights, its sleek design a testament to Adrian's wealth. Christine lounged in the passenger seat, her eyes fixed on the dashboard with a mix of disinterest and curiosity. "A sports car? Show off," she mumbled to herself, her voice barely audible.
Adrian adjusted himself in the driver's seat, his movements fluid and confident. He reached across her body, his face inches from hers as he fastened her seat belt. "Seat belt," he uttered, his breath hot against her skin.
Christine's eyes flicked up to meet his, a hint of annoyance in her expression. "If you're trying to flirt with me, it won't work," she told him off, her voice firm.
Adrian's smile was quick and charming, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "And why do you think that?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement. In a matter of seconds, he made a U-turn, controlling the car skillfully as he drifted around the school lot before taking his leave. The engine purred smoothly, a testament to Adrian's driving skills.
As they sped away from the school, Christine couldn't help but notice the way Adrian handled the car with ease. 'I bet he wanted everyone to notice,' she thought to herself, a hint of sarcasm in her mental tone.
The silence between them was brief, broken by Adrian's voice. "Now to business. I guess you do know why I'm here," he spoke, his eyes fixated on the road ahead.
Christine raised an eyebrow, her expression thoughtful. "More or less. But I thought the big boss would be the one visiting, not that I expected that much, but you'll do."
Adrian's gaze didn't waver from the road, but his tone took on a slightly dry note. "Father doesn't waste time on measly stuff or so I would say if you were any other person but you're not."
Christine's curiosity was piqued. "Eh? So he doesn't want to get his hands dirty," she continued, her voice probing.
Adrian's response was laced with a hint of irritation. "You're no fun, y'know. Always ruin the mood," he muttered. "But I guess you could say that. I'm his cleaner, but for this job I'll be more than that." He glanced over at her, his eyes locking onto hers for a brief moment.
Christine felt a shiver run down her spine, but she didn't back down. "I do have someone in my headspace right now," she said, her voice steady.
Adrian's smile returned, this time accompanied by a wink. "You mean Evan? I'd advise you stay on your toes around him."
Christine's expression turned skeptical. "I thought you'd be more scarier than this... based on rumors."
Adrian's response was smooth, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Believe half of what you hear and half of what you see."
The conversation was flowing smoothly, but Christine's tone turned serious, her eyes flashing an innate coldness. "The progression of this conversation is way too smooth, it's like a simulation."
Adrian's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a slightly warning note. "Now, now, no need for the murderous intent. You did see what was on the flash, didn't you? Your job is quite simple, go to Japan and..."
Christine cut him short, her voice firm. "What if I refuse?"
Adrian's gaze didn't waver, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "You just can't. The preparations are already in place, so you don't have a say in this."
Christine's eyes narrowed, her expression thoughtful. "Adrian Scott, 17 years old. Son of William Scott, a tyrant. Vice president of The Peros. Took a life when you were only 9. Trained to be what you are."
Adrian's eyes flashed with a distant coldness, his gaze locking onto hers for a brief moment. "I guess you did your homework. But those informative skills of yours could get you killed, princess."
The air seemed to thicken, the tension between them palpable. Adrian's voice dropped to a whisper, his words sending a shiver down Christine's spine. "The audience are already waiting for you to embrace the stage with your presence. It's all in your hands, princess."
Adrian swerved the car into another path, causing Christine to grip the dashboard tightly. It felt like he was doing it on purpose, testing her reactions or maybe just enjoying the drive. The silence between them stretched long after the sudden turn.
After a long drive, they arrived at a waterfall, isolated from human settlements. The only structure in sight was a cabin with an extravagant exterior design, making Christine wonder about the interior. Adrian stepped out of the car, turning to open the door for her.
"Welcome to my sanctuary," he spoke, his voice smooth as he held her hand firmly, pulling her towards the cabin. Midway, he took off his leather jacket and tossed it around her shoulders. "Better?" he gestured, awaiting a response.
"Thank you," she replied, averting her gaze. Adrian chuckled, holding her chin and bringing her gaze towards his. "I'm only doing this so we can build a better relationship, so you don't have to act all stiff," he said, his hands moving to her hair. He pulled off the jet-black wig, removing the net holding her hair in place. "As you don't need this on you."
A golden lush of hair draped down her shoulder. Adrian's eyes lingered, his hand grabbing a strand of her hair. "If you ask me, you're beautiful just like this, I don't see the need to hide it."
She grabbed the wig from his hand, shooting him a glare. "I need to maintain a low profile."
"Of course, you do. It can even cause you some issues," he grinned.
"How much do you know?"
"I know what I need to know and maybe more. Better take up the offer before it's too late," Adrian said.
- - -
The cabin's wooden walls seemed to absorb the silence as Adrian leaned against a rustic beam, eyes fixed on Christine standing near the dimly lit fireplace. He'd tossed his leather jacket around her shoulders earlier – a gesture she'd accepted with wary gratitude.
"You don't need to hide like this," Adrian said softly, his voice breaking the stillness. He stepped closer, fingers brushing against the jet-black wig he'd pulled off her head moments before. "Beautiful like this. Golden hair suits you."
Christine's gaze held a mix of annoyance and calculation. "I need to maintain a low profile," she replied, her tone firm but controlled.
Adrian's smile was slow, confident. "Of course you do." He paused, eyes lingering on hers. "But I think you understand what's at play here, Christine."
Christine's expression turned serious, her voice dropping to match his intensity. "What if I refuse to go to Japan?"
Adrian's gaze didn't waver. "You just can't. The preparations are already in place. So you don't have a say in this."
- - -
"Christine!!" Charlie charged into the club room, finding Christine at her usual position. "I heard what happened yesterday, the girls are all squealing and why weren't you in class. I had so much to ask. Yesterday you didn't come back and I tried calling your cell, but you weren't responding, so I went to your house, but no response. I was super worried."
"Oh okay," Christine replied, thinking about the unexpected events with Adrian - abducting her, threatening her, flirting, negotiating. They spent the whole day at the cabin, and she had to admit, he was a pretty good guy in a weird way. "Where's Evan?" she asked, trying to throw her thoughts away.
"Oh, he mentioned something about visiting some place. I don't know," Charlie said, sitting close to Christine. "What book is that?"
"Birth of A Demon. It's a highly recommend," Christine flipped through the page.
"I gotta ask, what's up with you and Evan?" Charlie probed.
"Always poking around," Christine scoffed. "I really admire you. I got 10 love letters on me right now," Charlie slumped on the desk.
"Sorry, I'm late." Evan walked in, announcing his presence.
"And where have you been snooping around?" Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"It's none of your business," he growled.
Christine raised her head. "What if I ask? Where have you been?"
"Kinda starting to sound you planned this," Evan replied.
"Just answer," she pressured.
"I was just practicing some soccer skills," his voice was low, carrying a hint of embarrassment.
"The great Evan plays soccer. How mighty you've fallen, right?" she gestured at Christine.
"Don't look at me" she shrugged, grabbing her book once more.
- - -
"Whoa!! So, you're going to Japan!!?" Charlie reacted. Evan quickly placed his palm over her mouth to stop her from spewing amore details.
"And I refuse to go" Christine concluded.
"If I heard correctly, you've been given an offer and you're refusing even though your very life is on the line?" Evan summarized.
"You heard correctly. I'm my own man and I do what suits me the best" she smirked, picking up her bag as she stood up to leave, "I'll see you tomorrow" she turned her back against them as she walked away, leaving them in the room.
'This is going to be fun' an incredulous smile curved up her lips.
"Whoa!! So, you're going to Japan!!?" Charlie reacted. Evan quickly placed his palm over her mouth to stop her from spewing more details.
"And I refuse to go," Christine concluded.
"If I heard correctly, you've been given an offer and you're refusing even though your very life is on the line?" Evan summarized.
"You heard correctly. I'm my own man and I do what suits me the best," she smirked, picking up her bag as she stood up to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow," she turned her back against them as she walked away.
'This is going to be fun,' an incredulous smile curved up her lips.