Chapter 47: "Shut up. Stop imagining"
And then the screen went blank.
Adrian blinked. "You’ve got to be kidding me."
He sighed softly, glancing at the black screen. "The phone just died, Granny," he said with a small laugh.
Granny waved her hand gently. "It’s alright. Next time you come with him, I’ll see him in person."
Adrian nodded. "I’ll make sure of that."
He stood, lifted the basket, and leaned down to kiss Granny’s forehead. "Take care of yourself, Granny."
She smiled, patting his arm. "Safe journey, my child."
...
By the time Adrian returned to Mega company, the sun had dipped low behind the towers. He sat back in his office chair, eyes drifting to a giant puppy doll resting on the table-something he had bought on the way back. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he remembered Ash’s puppy eyes.
Just then, the door opened. Bravin stepped in and bowed slightly. Adrian quickly moved the doll aside.
"Is everything done?" Adrian asked calmly.
"Yes, sir," Bravin replied. "I’ve sent two servants from Rosehill agency to the destination you mentioned. They’ve carried all the basic needs; groceries, clothes, fruits, medicines, enough for a month. I also arranged for two milking cows and a personal doctor who’ll handle her check-ups instead of her visiting the clinic."
Adrian nodded once. "Good."
Bravin bowed again and turned to leave.
Adrian’s gaze fell on the small basket at the corner of the table- the one filled with millet flour and avocados Granny had given him.
"Bravin," he called.
Bravin paused. "Yes, sir?"
Adrian pointed at the basket. "Take those home. They can be use before I go home."
Bravin nodded respectfully, "Alright, sir," he said, picking them up before quietly leaving the office.
Five minutes later, a commotion erupted outside. Voices rose in alarm, followed by hurried footsteps.
The door suddenly flew open.
Celeste stormed in, her expression cold and blazing at once.
Two guards followed, clearly uneasy. One stammered, "S-Sir, we tried to stop her but..."
Adrian raised a hand calmly. "It’s okay. You can leave."
The guards hesitated, then bowed slightly before stepping out and closing the door behind him.
A few minutes later Celeste stepped out of the office wearing a slow, cold smile. The employees who had been whispering went silent at the sight of her; they fell back into their workstations as if nudged by fear.
When she reached the guards, her voice cut sharp. "Next time you dare stop me, I will make things worse for you."
In the office, Adrian sat in his chair, face a tight mask of anger and something darker, an edge of fear he couldn’t hide.
He sat in his office long after everyone had gone, lost in thoughts that refused to quiet down. The stack of documents on his desk lay untouched; the ashtray was already half full. He lit another cigarette, watching the smoke drift lazily toward the ceiling as Celeste’s words echoed over and over in his mind.
His phone buzzed.
Ash: Are you still working? Don’t tell me you’re not coming home.
Before he could reply, another message appeared.
Ash: Are you going to your penthouse.
A third followed almost immediately.
Ash: Can’t you feel me? I’m still in heat.
Adrian exhaled slowly, thumb hovering over the screen before he finally typed back.
Adrian: You’re at home, and your mother’s around keeping an eye on you. If I come, I might not control myself knowing you’re just on the next wall. Better I go to the penthouse.
A moment later, Ash’s reply popped up.
Ash: Mother is busy in her room, lost in her series. She’s already forgotten me.
Adrian carefully picked up the giant puppy doll and stepped out of the car. The drive home was quiet, his thoughts still tangled, until he finally reached home. Without a word, he went straight to Ash’s room and pushed the door open but froze mid-step.
Ash’s mother was sitting on the bed, Ash lying across her lap. She was gently soothing him to sleep, humming a soft lullaby. The scene caught him off guard.
"I...I was just checking on him," he muttered awkwardly.
Ash’s mother glanced up at him for a moment, then gaze shifted down to the giant puppy doll cradled in his arms. Adrian noticed her curiosity, scratched the back of his head, and said, "Ah...this? I was given it for a project I’m sponsoring. I couldn’t resist, and...I thought Ash might like it."
Her mother reached out. "Let me see."
Adrian hesitated but handed it over. She examined it for a moment, then smiled. "What a coincidence...the puppy looks like Ash’s puppy eyes."
"Err..."Adrian stammered, unsure how to respond.
"You’re tired. You can go to bed now," she said kindly.
Adrian nodded and quietly left, the awkwardness lingering but tempered by her calm, gentle tone.
...
Lucien lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, misery etched across his face. The room was silent, broken only by Aster’s soft snores as he slept on the floor beside him, wrapped in a thin blanket. Yet Lucien’s thoughts rang loudly, circling again and again on the stone slab.
After a long moment, he sat up abruptly, fists clenched, and muttered, "I don’t admit defeat."
...
Morning came. Adrian had barely slept all night, his thoughts consumed by the desire Ash had stirred in him, and reassured by the fact that her mother was in her room, he had felt he could safely indulge his longing.
He overslept. When he finally woke up, he hurriedly got ready for work and went downstairs, only to be surprised to see Ash at the dining table, sitting with his father and mother.
Ash’s mother smiled and gestured to him. "Join us."
Adrian took a seat, concern flickering in his eyes as he noticed the patch on Ash’s neck-blocking his heat pheromones. "Are you okay? Going to school today? he asked.
Ash nodded. Her mother added, "I refused him at first, but he insisted. He’s okay. He has less than a month before his final exams; he can’t risk another day out of school."
She then poured millet porridge into Adrian’s mug. "I forgot to thank you for sending the millet flour and avocados," she said. Then she served him a croissant sandwich. "This millet porridge...it’s making me miss someone. I think I should visit her."
Later, Adrian and Ash sat in the rear seat, the car quiet.
After a long pause, Ash finally broke the silence, glancing at him. "I’m sorry...I didn’t know my mum would come back."
Adrian said nothing.
"Say something," Ash urged, her voice barely above a whisper.
Still, Adrian remained silent.
His eyes widened, fear creeping in. "Are you...that mad?"
Adrian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Bravin. "Pull over at the roadside...and excuse us. I have some business to finish up."
Bravin looked puzzled but complied, slowing the car to the side and stepping out.
Without warning, Adrian peeled the patch from Ash’s neck.
"Today...I won’t focus until I have you," he murmured, leaning closer.
Ash pressed back against the seat, heat rising, trembling slightly.
"Here..." he whispered.
"Yes," Adrian replied, planting a desperate, deep kiss on his lips before trailing a line of soft, teasing kisses down Ash’s neck. Nipping and sucking along the way, he made Ash shiver uncontrollably.
Adrian shifted behind him, pressing Ash against the seat in doggy style, his hands griping his hips, holding him steady. He moved sliding inside with urgency; harder, deeper, faster.
"You...make me feel so good...I can’t imagine you with anyone else," Ash murmured under his breath.
"Shut up. Stop imagining," Adrian growled, increasing the rhythm, each movement sharper, more consuming, until he finally released, their bodied trembling together.
They stayed pressed together, breathing heavy, hearts racing. Adrian’s hands lingered on Ash’s hips, while Ash rested against the seat, shivering slightly. Adrian planted a few soft kisses on his neck and shoulder.
"You okay?" he murmured.
Ash met his gaze, heat still in his eyes. "Yeah...I’m fine."
They remained close, savoring the intensity between them a moment longer.
Then Adrian gently shifted closer and took the patch in his hand.
"Let me," he murmured, carefully pressing it back onto Ash’s neck. His fingers lingered briefly, brushing softly against his skin.
Ash leaned slightly into his touch, eyes half-lidded, still flushed from the heat.
"There," Adrian said quietly, sitting back just enough to let Ash breathe.
Adrian finally pulled out his phone and typed a quick message. A few minutes later, Bravin returned to the wheel, and they drove off toward school.
When they arrived, Adrian leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Ash’s forehead. "Take care," he murmured.
Ash nodded and stepped out, walking toward the gate. Adrian watched until he noticed Ash had stopped. Frowning, he wondered why.
Then he saw Lucien leaned close to Ash. Without hesitation, Adrian stepped out and walked quickly toward them.
Reaching them, he demanded, "What’s going on?"
Ash stayed quiet.
Lucien glanced at Adrian and let out a cold laugh. "Instead of worrying about what the teacher tells his student...maybe you should focus on your little dating night with my sister. I heard about it."
Ash froze, his eyes meeting Adrian’s unwavering gaze.
Lucien smirked. "Am I wrong?"