Chains & Roses

Chapter 2

Adrian’s POV:

I headed to Mr. Melron’s house for some business discussions.

We’d been partners for over seven years now. Despite my age—thirty-two—he treated me more like a friend than a colleague. We got straight into work as soon as I arrived, but halfway through, a soft voice carried down the staircase.

I looked up.

Erina. Melron’s eldest.

Hazel eyes. Pale skin. Pink lips that looked far too soft for a world like mine. Brunette hair spilling over her shoulders, a body that had traded its girlish frame for an elegant curve. Kid’s grown up fast.

Melron barely paused, just smiled and invited me to her birthday party that evening. Eighteen, he said casually, like it wasn’t some milestone that should come with warning signs.

The room buzzed with hidden plans—balloons tucked away, whispered instructions to the staff. They were setting her up for a surprise, and she didn’t seem to have a clue. No wonder everyone was dancing around her with hints.

She came into the dining room, still carrying sleep in her hair and puffiness around her eyes. She slid into her chair and reached for pancakes. Something about that simplicity made it worse—she looked like a little doll in the morning light, delicate and… unguarded.

I forced my attention back to Melron, but my eyes betrayed me, flicking back to her. Not because I cared. I didn’t do care. Not because of love either—love isn’t for men like me. I studied people. That’s all. And she happened to be beautiful, the kind of beauty that demanded attention without trying.

My phone rang. I excused myself and answered, pacing a step away. But the pull was there. A flicker. The hairs on my neck rose, and when I glanced back, her gaze was locked on me.

For the first time, I smiled at her. Just a small one, almost unintentional, and gave her a wave.

Her cheeks lit up instantly, soft pink rushing across her face. She bolted to the kitchen like a skittish deer.

Did I make her nervous? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, she’d never seen me smile before. Nobody really had.

I ended the call, shook off the thought, and finished business with Melron. On the way out, I asked my manager quietly,

“What do you buy an eighteen-year-old girl for her birthday?”

stopped my car on the way. I bought an expensive diary. Guess she would like it. It's none of my business even if she didn't. It was evening .The Melrons' house was buzzing that night. Lights, music, laughter-like the whole place was alive. I wasn't the type who liked parties, but I came anyway. Business partner, old friend... I had to.

And then I saw her.

Erina.

She was standing there in a soft dress, glowing like she didn't even know it. Everyone else disappeared for a second. I walked up to her, told myself it was just manners. Nothing more.

"Happy birthday," I said, handing her the gift.

When she reached for it, her fingers brushed mine-light, almost nothing. But it was enough. A spark ran through me, sharp and fast, and I actually froze for a second. Her hazel eyes flicked up, wide, and then she smiled shyly. My chest tightened.

I pulled my hand back quick. No. Not happening. Not me.

I was about to step away when a boy walked up, grinning like he owned the room. Louis. Another businessman's son, I knew the type-rich, cocky, friendly on the outside. He hugged Erina like they'd known each other forever, and she didn't pull away.

"Guess what?" he told her, almost too loud. "We're going to the same college. Lisbon University."

Her jaw dropped. "Wait-what? Are you serious?"

He laughed, nodded. "Yeah. Your father wanted it to be a surprise. Happy birthday, Erina."

Her eyes filled with happy tears, and she threw her arms around him. Everyone clapped, cheered, congratulated her.

But me? My jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

The way he touched her shoulder, the way his hand stayed a second too long on her waist-it burned in my vision. My blood was boiling, and I didn't even understand why. She wasn't mine. She was just a girl. Just a kid.

Still, my fists curled. I wanted to rip his hand off her.

But I didn't. I swallowed it down, forced myself to stand there calm, cold, like nothing was wrong. That's who I was. A ruthless man who didn't flinch, didn't break.

She cut the cake, laughter filling the room. Music started after-soft, slow, the kind of song that begged for couples on the dance floor.

And of course, Louis grabbed her hand. "Dance with me," he said, pulling her in before she could even answer.

I stood in the shadows, glass in hand, watching.

Her head tilted back as he spun her lightly, her hair brushing over her shoulder. She looked happy, innocent. He looked like a man ready to take what wasn't his.

Then it happened. He leaned in. Too close. His lips just a breath away from hers.

Something snapped inside me.

The glass in my hand shattered against the marble floor, the sound cutting through the music, through the whole party. Heads turned, silence fell for a split second.

I felt everyone's eyes on me, but I didn't move, didn't explain. I just straightened my jacket, let my face fall back into that mask I'd worn for years. Cold. Untouchable.

"Apologies," I said flatly, as if it meant nothing. "Clumsy of me."

And before anyone could ask, I turned and walked out.

But inside, I wasn't calm at all. My hands were shaking, my chest was tight. And one thought kept hitting me harder than the broken glass.

Why the hell did I care so much?

Erina's POV:

had no clue. No clue at all.

All day everyone had been acting strange, whispering behind my back, smiling like they knew something I didn't. I thought maybe I was just imagining things. But when evening came, the maid brought me a dress and told me to get ready.

"Why?" I asked.

She only smiled. "Just trust me, miss."

So I did. I curled my hair a little, added a touch of lipstick, slipped into the dress. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. Maybe I did look... pretty.

I headed downstairs, confused, my heels clicking against the steps. And then-

"Happy birthday!"

The whole room burst into cheers. My friends, my family, everyone clapping, balloons falling, lights flashing. My heart leapt into my throat. Oh my God. How could I forget? My own birthday.

I laughed, covering my face for a second. I felt like a little kid and a princess all at once.

And then I saw him.

Adrian.

Tall, sharp, always dressed like the world owed him respect. He started walking toward me, his eyes steady, his expression unreadable. My smile faltered a little, not from fear, but from... something else I couldn't name.

He stopped in front of me, and in that deep voice of his, he said gently, "Happy birthday."

Just two words. But they hit me. Hard. Like his voice wrapped around my heart and squeezed.

"Th-thank you," I whispered, barely able to meet his eyes.I heard a call of my name.