I've never felt this much shock and genuine surprise in my whole life. Not even when I was adopted out of the multitude in the orphanage.
Adrian Maserati is strange. I'm not talking dorky strange, I'm talking psychotic strange. He is way different from what I imagined him to be.
Exceeding the mark by a large margin.
Starting from his appearance, he looked way too soft and sweet with me at this moment—gentle even.
But underneath that cute smile, even I, have half the brain to know that therein lies the actual Adrian that the rumors speak of. The one I was supposed to fear and tremble at. It laid dormant, and I didn't want to know what he looked like.
His dark hair fell in soft, short waves, brushing just above his eyebrows. It made him look effortlessly handsome. I found myself wondering if it felt as soft as it looked—and the thought alone unsettled me.
He is very aware of the rumors, he said it himself and he asked me to trust him. How could I though?
I have heard countless rumors and stories about how he handled his work and deals. So, I couldn't trust him standing in front of me.
It would have went better if he actually showed me the side that I knew and expected him to have. Maybe that would make me less scared of when his alter ego was going to come out to play.
"Let's go," he cuts in, dragging me from my thoughts, "we have to go get your wedding dress."
Wedding dress?
Oh. Yes. That was why I was here.
Woah. I suppose I need one to get married tomorrow. Good heavens.
"Okay..," before I know it he has latched his fingers on mine, a trickle of warmth spreading through me at the contact.
I look at our entwined fingers in a daze, he had really soft fingers. Like he never worked a day in his life.
He pulls me along and out of the house we go. I didn't even get to rest, my body trudges reluctantly after him.
It was midday, and the sun was as relentless as ever. That had to be why I felt so warm—not the way he was holding my hands, so gentle it made my chest tighten.
We get to the car, he opens up my side, ushering me in. "After you, Princess."
Now, here was another thing, the nicknames. I don't think he has mentioned my name at all today.
The reminder just convinces me further that he might not actually know who I am. Maybe he thinks I'm Emily. The one he actually wanted. The one that ran away.
And I should tell him, introduce myself but I don't. For some stupid and selfish reason. I liked his attention and his behavior toward me. It felt warm and genuine and contrary to every rumor and gossip I had heard.
And also, I don't think I want to find out how his behavior will change after he finds out.
He's already moved to the drivers side, he starts the car and just like that we were driving out of the estate.
I fiddle with my fingers and invisible threads on the light wash jeans I chose to wear today. Thankfully, mother didn't see my choice of outfit.
The silence stretched between us. From the corner of my eye, I've caught him stealing glances at me, his face etched with a seemingly permanent smile.
I couldn't help but break the silence. "Where are we headed?" I asked low but deliberate.
"We are going to get you your wedding dress." He said with a toothy grin. "I would have gotten you one myself but I couldn't be sure of the style you would like or the size you wear."
I'm taken aback once again by this man. Why was he being thoughtful? And why was he so grin and wide smiles around me?
"Oh…that's nice of you."
He peered towards me briefly as he drives, "Nice? Isn't that basic decency."
Maybe, maybe not. But I wasn't used to it. I didn't get a lot of thoughtfulness in my own family.
I didn't respond to him, I don't have a response.
He continued, "Do you have anything else you'd like to get for the wedding?"
"Uh.."
"You know, shoes, bags, jewelry. Anything at all?" He added, "I'd gotten all of those for you though. But it'd be better if you picked out your own in your own style. Incase you don't like any of what I got."
I just stare, dumbfounded.
This was so confusing.
We finally arrived at a destination. I don't recognize this place.
In lieu of my non answer, he finally answered my inner question, putting the car to a park at the lot, "We are at the Lumiere luxury bridal store," he declared.
He jogged out of the car before I could fully process where we were and opened my door.
"Come on, we have to go pick out your wedding dress."