Episode 8
872 Words
Adrian’s POV:
Leaving her in the dining room, I headed toward my room because I had a lot to finish tomorrow.
I woke up before the alarm.
6:30 AM.
Of course.
My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling. For a moment, there was nothing — just silence. Then it crept in. The date.
27 April.
Same date. Every year.
I inhaled with my nose and my jaw tightened.
“Sir?”
The door opened slightly, Marco sneaked his head to ask for permission to enter.
“Good morning. Everything is prepared. Your meetings, the bar reservation and..” He hesitated just slightly . “The cemetery visit.”
I finally sat up, dragging a hand down my face.
“Good.”
My voice was flat. Too flat.
Marco watched me carefully. He always did on this day.
“Shall I have breakfast served?”
I stood, just in my sweatpants that hugged my waist. Already walking past Marco.
“Yeah. And tell them not to mess it up today.”
A pause.
“And after that, we are going to the golf course. Stay ready.”
“Sure,Boss.”
I exhaled sharply, gazing cold on the lake in my garden through the window.
“Now leave.”
The air was too clean at the golf course. Too calm. Unlike my heart, crippled in revenge. I hated it. I swung hard. The ball shot across the field.
“Too much force,” Marco said calmly.
“Say what you came here to say.”
I just adjusted my gloves, and didn't look at him yet.
“Last night… I noticed something.”
“What?”
“Erina”
That got my attention—just slightly.
“She was on the balcony. Early. Alone.”
I scoffed. “And?”
“She looked… tense. Like she was planning something.”
Now I turned, eyes sharp. “Trying to escape?”
Marco didn’t answer immediately. That was enough to answer.
A low chuckle escaped my mouth—cold, humorless.
“First day, and she’s already testing boundaries.”
I grabbed another ball, placing it down with deliberate care.
“Good.”
Marco frowned slightly. “Good?”
I smirked. “I’d be disappointed if she didn’t try.”
I swung again—clean this time.
“Keep an eye on her. But don’t stop her unless she actually does something stupid.” Marco raised a brow. “You want her to try?”
My expressions only darkened.
“I want to see how far she’s willing to go.”
The night seemed a little quiet today. It was around 2:30 am. Though a full moon lit the whole sky, there were strong winds signaling the attack of summer storms anytime soon. I stumbled slightly as I walked down the hallway, loosening his tie. The alcohol burned, but not enough. Never enough on this night.
I let out a dry laugh.
“Happy birthday.”
The words tasted like poison. A bouquet of red roses with a note. Ms, Valentino was still hitting me. As I turned toward his room—
i stopped.
The balcony door was open. A faint movement in the dark. My eyes narrowed. Slowly, silently, I stepped closer. And there she was.
The beautiful, feisty, little girl of Willam’s.
Erina Melron.
Halfway over the railing. A rope tied to the balcony, disappearing into the darkness below. For a second, I just watched. No panic. No shouting.Just… interest.
Grabbing her arms, “Really?”
MY voice cut through the silence.
She froze.
The grip on your shoulder was still tight.
"Now tell me why you were trying to sneak out."
“I…I…um…Adrian, listen to me . I..” She was trying so hard to get a sentence.I could tell that she was nervous and scared. Probably, she had never been caught like that before. My grip on her tightened —not enough to hurt, but enough to make it clear I wasn’t letting go. I yanked her on my shoulder, grabbing her thighs. As I reached my bedroom, I threw her on the soft mattress. Tying her wrist over her head on the headboard of the bed with chains.
“Tch. Mentiroso," I muttered i—accusation thick in my voice. "You think I don't know when someone's lying?" A pause as I leaned closer, studying her face with sharp focus. "...Or do you just like testing me?"
“I .... wasn't tryna escape....I...Adrian, please!”
I watched her closely, the smirk growing as the rose petals floated through the air and landed against her body—a strange, twisted contrast. My gaze flicks to your eyes, dark expressions never changing.
"It's...an interesting display for my birthday. Chains & Roses" I tugged gently at the chain, pulling her a little closer before leaning in—voice low and mocking. "Did you like it, baby?”
“... I'm..... sorry. Won't happen again.”
"Ah, so you're sorry now?" My grip on the chain tightening again as I pulled her even closer, until her body was flush against mine.
"I don't think I believe you," muttered darkly, eyes glinting. "...I think you need a little reminder of who's in charge here."
- Writer
