Fatal Alliances: Chapter 38
Ricardo stood at the door with his one-of-a-kind’ smirk smile’ towards us.
“I should really start locking these doors when I’m with you.” I heard Adrian mutter in an annoyed manner.
As I was about to walk away, Adrian held my wrist in his hand behind the small of my back. I wasn’t able to move. This was probably one of the most awkward moments in my life. Every step Ricardo took towards us, I felt my face burning up even more- if that was even possible. God, why wasn’t Adrian letting go of me? I swore I heard him gave a low wicked chuckle from behind. Or maybe it was just me always picturing him as the evil dictator.
“Hello, Juliet.” Ricardo smiled at me and flashed a short, playful, yet questioning look at Vandermir but erased it quickly.
“Hi, Ricardo.” I politely replied, “I was just leaving.”
I struggled and tried to wiggle my wrist out of Adrian’s hand, but to no avail. Did he really think he could just keep me with him like that? Why wasn’t he letting go of me? He was such a brute for making me feel so embarrassed. Well, you know what they say, you can paint a zebra black, but it’ll always have its stripes.
Sinking my heel into his foot, I heard him groan and it was suddenly that easy for me to get out of his grip. What a sexy groan. Hurriedly, I got out of the room and went back into my own. To be honest, I wasn’t the person to run away from anything but I didn’t want to stay back there for some reason. I didn’t know what to think, what to feel at the moment, maybe that’s why I wanted to get away. I didn’t know how to handle what just happened.
Really, what the heck just happened? He-Adrian -he kissed me. Again. Wait, did he do it to spite me again? Did he do it to mess with my emotion? To screw with my head? I knew he consumed alcohol, but Adrian isn’t the type of man to let it get to his head, he knew perfectly well what he did. No, this- this was different. I knew it was. There was somewhat a softer side of him, a part I didn’t know could possibly exist. But then again, he quickly changed back to that sick, cocky, wicked bastard he was when Ricardo came into the room. God, he was so complicated.
About thirty minutes after, I heard a knock on my door. Ricardo stood at the entrance with a subtle smile upon his face, “Someone’s here to meet you, Juliet.”
“Me?” I asked, bewildered.
“Yes, meet us in the drawing-room.” He finished and walked back off.
Did someone want to meet me? Here? That was odd. Nevertheless, I brushed my hair quickly and headed out of the room. In the drawing-room, sat an old man with Vandermir and Barney. Something told me they had been there a while now, probably since I walked out the room from Adrian. The man didn’t seem familiar to me at all though. Now that I thought about it, I had never seen that man in my entire life. As I entered the room, everyone’s attention quickly turned towards me. If there was one thing I absolutely hated, it was being stared at.
“You must be Miss Greene.” The aged man smiled as he got up to greet me.
“Oh, hello.” I politely smiled back.
“My name is Mr. Nelson. Simon Nelson. I’m Barney’s father. How are you, Juliet?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied as gracious as I could.
Adrian stared at me intently and locked eyes with mine. For a brief moment, I felt a sweet electrifying shiver that worked in so many unexplainable ways throughout my body. “Sit, Julie.” He said in his velvety voice.
Taking a seat next to Ricardo, I sat opposite Vandermir and Mr. Nelson as well. Barney sat on the lone sofa at the side next to us.
“I know I was supposed to bring the partnership documents for you to sign, Miss Greene but I wanted to let you know that there’s been a little problem.” Barney’s father began.
“A problem?”
“Yes,” Adrian interrupted, “The officials were on his trail so he had to cover his tracks about having anything to do with the partnership.”
“Oh.”
“But don’t worry, someone will bring it here for you to complete.” Mr. Nelson assured me.
“Donnie will.” Ricardo inputted, “I already called and told him about it, so he’ll see to collect it on his way with Finny.”
“I hope all ends well, Miss Greene. For too long this terrible business has been going on. It needs to stop.” The old man continued and suddenly turned to Adrian as if he remembered something, “Oh, Mr. Vandermir, you had wanted to speak to me?”
“Yes, but in private,” Adrian stated and got up.
“I see.” Mr. Nelson nodded and got up as well, walking away with Vandermir to another room.
It was a bit strange being left alone with Ricardo and Barney. Pushing myself to strike up a conversation to break the silence, I turned to Ricardo, “So how long do you think it will take until Donnie gets here?”
“Not too long.” He answered and stood up as if he was going somewhere. “Don’t mind me, I’m just going to get some rest. I’m a bit tired from all the traveling.”
“Oh, alright.”
“Don’t worry, Ricardo, I’m here. Miss Greene could never get bored when I tell her my jokes.” Barney laughed childishly.
“You two carry on,” Ricardo stated tiredly and went his way.
“So,” Barney began, “You want to continue our game?”
Abruptly, I started laughing at him, “That’s a joke right?”
“Well, I deserved that.” He admitted as I got up and walked away from him.
Did he really expect me to continue that game? He must be kidding me. After he had absolutely no courtesy towards me by leaving me so he could drink with bloody Adrian? And on top of that, get scolded by Vandermir as well? Was I still going to continue that game with him? I think not. After getting something to eat, I walked back toward my room when I heard Adrian and Mr. Nelson speaking in another room; the door was shut. I wasn’t going to eavesdrop, but when I heard my name I stopped.
“I was wondering whether to tell Juliet or not.” Mr. Nelson spoke.
“Don’t. She doesn’t need to know. Not yet, at least.” Adrian replied in a sore voice.
I couldn’t exactly make out what they were saying again because their voices were soon hushed and it was inaudible. Walking away, I wondered what that was about. What was it that Adrian didn’t want me to know? Was he betraying me? Setting me up? No, he wouldn’t do that. Would he? I thought I established the fact that I could trust him again, after everything, but what were they talking about? It was obviously something concerning me. Vandermir wouldn’t lie to me, he never did but what was this about?
Instead of going back into the room, I headed outside to take in some fresh air. Maybe I needed it. Time seemed to be suddenly slow and painful. All that was flowing through my mind was what Adrian had told Mr. Nelson. I just felt so confused at the moment. Frustration took the better of me as I soon realized that Vandermir was ignoring me throughout the day.
Was it because of the kiss? No, it couldn’t be. Or maybe it was, maybe he regretted it. Or was it because of the conversation between him and Mr. Nelson? If it was about me, shouldn’t they have told me? So why won’t they? Was Adrian just using me for something? Was he really setting me up?
This was enough. I had enough. It was childish of him to keep ignoring me like that. He was in his room, I saw him going in there a while ago. I had to talk to him, I just had to. The silence, avoidance, and ignorance were driving me insane. I couldn’t cope with it again.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked on his door only to realize it was slightly opened. I didn’t want to go in. I knew that this was probably the boundary line but never the less I went in. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it was willingly or unwillingly. His room was large and modern; with a white and deep oaky brown interior. Pearl white marbled flooring with a massive plush dark brown rug near the crisp white bed which could probably fit three extended families.
Wow, did he need all that bed space?
“Adrian?” I called meekly. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable that I was in his room. Maybe I should just go. I’ll wait until he comes out.
“What are you doing in here, Greene?” I heard his cold voice trail behind me as he came out of another room while buttoning his shirt.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“Again?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.” I sighed, “Adrian, how long are you going to keep this up?”
“Keep what up?”
“Ignoring me.”
“I’m not ignoring you.” He stated.
“Yes, you are.”
“Well, does it bother you?” He asked roguishly.
“Yes. It does.” I truthfully replied, “And you said you won’t lie to me, yet here you are lying and telling me that you’re not ignoring me.”
“I’m not ignoring you,” He said with a short laugh, “I’m avoiding you.”
“What?”
“Exactly,” He grinned while adjusting his collar.
“Stop it, Adrian. I don’t play mind games. What was it that Mr Nelson and you were talking about? I know it was about me.”
“I know you know, Greene. And it’s very impolite to eavesdrop on others.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping on anyone. I just heard a few things when I walked near the room. And I know it was about me. What are you not telling me? Why are you avoiding me?”
Adrian seemed to become very frustrated with me, “Just forget it, Juliet.”
“I can’t! I don’t like it when I have so many things on my mind! And if it’s about me, then don’t I have a right to know about it?”
“You wouldn’t be able to handle the truth, Julie.” He sighed.
“Please just tell me about it, Adrian. I’m tired of being shut out and lied to.”
“I’m not lying to you.”
“Then please.” I pleaded, clutching tightly onto his shirt.
For the first time, I saw a side of Adrian Vandermir I’d never seen before. He seemed to be in a dilemma, frustrated and agonized by something.
“Rocillie,” He began in a bruised voice, “He’s your father, Julie.”
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