"Zara! Can you just let me finish the sentence first? Adam sighed. "You can go wherever you want. Sneaking out sometimes puts you in danger. Uncle trusts me and allows me to take you; you don't need to sneak at late night."
Zara rolled her eyes, turning her head to stare silently out the window. I sneak out because I don't want to come with you, she thought bitterly. "Danger? You're laying down rules before we're even married. My life is already mapped out for me. What a pathetic joke," she murmured as her phone message popped up. "I forgot to ask. Why are you always texting me, and it feels like torturing me. What the hell are you thinking about me?"
No... I just checked in. We always do. But lately..." Adam's voice trailed off, a genuine confusion in his tone. "Everything feels different. You hate me more; even a small thing seems big to you. I have no idea what's wrong with me."
"Are you sure?" Zara rolled her eyes upwards as she texting on her phone.
Adam's eyes shifted to Zara's fingers flew speedily across her phone screen, a small smile playing on her lips as she texted. If I ask who that is? She'll accuse me of being controlling. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. He shook his head internally.
As Zara's huge mansion came into view. Adam slowed the car, stopped his car a few meters away from the gate, glanced around, "Can I drop inside the mansion?" he asked. His polite voice broke the silence,
"No... Dad doesn't know about this, I want to keep it that way," she said, her voice still cold and distant.
"Okay... " Adam said as he reached for the door handle, his eyes met Zara's. He made a small, hesitant movement, trying to touch her lips while opening the door. Zara eyes looked away as her hands unlocked her door, a subtle arch of her brow a clear don't even try.
She is smarter when it comes to this, Adam wondered. "Can I walk until you reach the gate?"
"Ugh! You are making me sick. I can go alone, just a few steps...." she snapped, pushing open her door and sliding out of the car. Without a backward glance, she slammed the door shut and strode towards the gate.
"Fu*k.... I am tired of this shit" Adam shouted, slamming his fist against the car's dashboard. He sighed; his eyes fixed on her until she reached the gate.
Zara opened the gate and walked inside casually. The hall was silent and empty; she walked upstairs and got into her room. Inside her room, she leaned against the closed door and let out a relieved breath. "How did he even know where I was last night?" she whispered, as she stood before the large mirror to unzip her dress, her reflection staring back at her with a mixture of confusion and longing. Her mind raced back to a comforting darkness, the anonymous embrace. "Was that a real person or did I imagine him? Why do I feel safe around him?" she whispered to herself, closing her eyes to imagine his touches, her arms wrapping around herself in a protective embrace.
Meanwhile, across the town, in a modest apartment across town, the hoodie man entered the apartment, silently placing his shoes on a slipper stand. "Oppa. "Min-Jun's sister called out. As she turned on the light, her eyes narrowed with concern. "Where have you been?" she asked.
"Jee, I just went for a walk," Min-Jun said, his voice low as a smooth lie.
Min-Jee smirked, folding her arms across her chest and raising her brows. "Did you stalk her again, today" she questioned as her voice increased. "Oppa, you can't leave her alone, she already dating another person. Even she can't identify you even if you stand in front of her."
"Min-Jee, but that's not her fault. I promised her, and I want to keep my promise until my last breath. That's what gentlemen do," Min-Jun said, his voice confident as he moved towards his room.
"Promise, mya*s" Min-Jee whispered," You're probably sick of her." She returned to her room and shut the door sharply.
Min-Ju walked towards his room, opened the door, removed his hoodie, and placed it on a hanger. He fell into the bed, spread his hands on the bed, and let out a deep, relieved breath, watching the photo frame of Zara and his kiss picture. A soft, happy smile replaced his lips, "She's going to be my assistant," he murmured, the memory of Zara in a vibrant dress at the bar flashing through his mind. His eyelids fluttered closed, and he turned off the light by clapping his hand.
On a bright morning, the sunlight flashed in Zara's bedroom. She fluttered her eyes slowly at the warm sunlight that flashed on her face. Her hands moved near the table, and she grabbed her phone. She squinted at the screen, her eyes widening in disbelief as she sat up abruptly. She tapped open the email.
Congratulations, you have been selected as a DNA analyst intern at ABC company.
The message was displayed, "What the hell?" she screamed happily, and jumped out of bed.
"Mom...." Zara cried excitedly, bursting out into the hallway. "Mom! I got an internship!" She threw her arms around Selena, showering her with kisses. "I am so excited about my dream job," she exclaimed.
Just then, Dante entered the hallway. He stood silently and watched them. "Dad, I got an internship...." Before she finished the word, the heavy wooden front door swung open.
"Hi, Uncle, Hi Aunty, " Adam said, his voice confident as he entered the hallway, casually holding a bouquet of red roses, his face was bright like the sun, and his tailored light blue shirt crisp and bright smile on his face. Everything made him perfect.
What... why did he appear suddenly? What if he tells them about last night? Zara's mind raced in fear, her smile faded, but her eyes fixed on him.
Adam walked towards her with a calm smile on his face and gently pulled Zara into a hug. "This is for you, Zara..."he murmured, his voice deep and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
A tight, irritated smile stretched across Zara's lips. Looking away, I think he's good at acting, she thought.
Selena gave a warm hug and said, "Long time no see, Adam," her tone calm and observing.
"Busy with work, Mrs. Winters," Adam replied smoothly, his eyes then turned to Dante. "I was hoping to take Zara out today. Would you allow it, Mr. Winter?"