Untitled Episode
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Chapter Two — The Cold Language
In the morning Elena decided to dress up to school she picked the plainest clothes she owned, the ones that said don’t look at me, and reminded herself of the silent rules she’d already carved into her spine:
Don’t engage.
Don’t provoke.
And for God’s sake, don’t want him
The mansion smelled like wealth trying to disguise itself as hospitality fresh bread, expensive coffee, all arranged like a performance. The dining room looked more like a courtroom than a place to eat. A long, polished table that kept everyone at a polite distance.
Maria was already seated next to Senator Richard Vale, spine straight as if she feared tipping out of her new life.
“Good morning, Elena,” the Senator said with his hands half stand, Every inch of him was perfectly arranged. “Slept well?”
“Yes, sir.” She sat far down the table, the safe place where she could disappear.
Maria jumped in, eager, overly bright. “Richard has arranged your school credits. No inconvenience at all. Everything is sorted.”
“Efficiency,” the Senator said, slicing fruit in precise motions, “is a lifestyle.”
Elena opened her mouth to ask for the coffee
and the doors burst open.
Adrian walked in like he owned the building and hated it at the same time. Black hoodie, jeans, backpack slung carelessly over one shoulder. He didn’t even glance at the table. He wenbt straight to the coffee station, pouring into a beat up travel mug.Giving this bad boy vibes which the father did not really fancy
He caught Elena’s eyes just once. A flicker. A smirk.the boldness she displayed last night he wanted more he wanted to see the real her what she is a fearless wolf or just a soft lam
“Morning, Father. Mother,” he said, though his real mother was never mentioned.
“Adrian,” the Senator clipped out, tightening his jaw. “Sit. We’re discussing stability.”
“I prefer being alone lone,” Adrian murmured, not even turning.
But he walked to the table anyway and sat directly across from Elena.
Suddenly the long table didn’t feel long at all.
She was kinda happy but did not know why
The Senator droned on about legislation. Maria nodded like she was being paid to. But Elena felt Adrian watching her, studying her, poking at her with silence.
She reached for the cream.
His hand shot out first.
He grabbed the pitcher, holding it hostage between them.
Ask, his eyes said.
Need something from me? Say it.
“Adrian,” she said quietly. Not pleading warning.
His smile unfurled slowly. Dangerous. “Magic word, princess?”
The nickname wasn’t sweet. It was a reminder. A threat with a ribbon on it.
“Courtesy is earned,” she murmured, drawing a small, perfect circle in her jam with her fork. “Not demanded.”
His expression sharpened, amused and annoyed in equal measure. He slid the cream toward her, letting it scrape loudly
“Oh, she speaks,” he said, voice just loud enough to interrupt his father. “Must be all that bottled up energy.”
“Adrian!” the Senator snapped.
“I’m welcoming her,” he said easily, lying without blinking. “She’s quiet. Like she’s hiding something.”
Elena held his gaze.
You know exactly what I’m hiding. And you’re the reason.
“Some people prefer silence,” she muttered finally, “because it’s cleaner.”
“Cleaner,” he echoed, the word rolling off his tongue like a dare.
He tapped his fork against the table soft, rhythmic.
A pattern she recognized.
His late night music.
His secret signal.
A message no one else could hear.
The Senator finally dismissed him. “Go. You’ll be late.”
Adrian stood, his chair scraping loudly. He didn’t look at his father.
He looked straight at Elena.
“See you later… mate.”
The word hit her like a pull on a wire inside her chest. Too familiar. Too intimate. Too wrong.
“What wrong with that jerk me his mate never but why is my chest beating too fast nah I'm thinking too soon theres nothing attractive about him just a spoilt daddy's boy she thought
He tossed his mug into the sink and left
Elena excused herself. “I should get to school.”
She made it to the front door
And stopped.
Adrian was outside.
Waiting.
Hands in his pockets. Hood up. Pretending he wasn’t waiting.
“The car’s around the corner,” he muttered without looking at her.
“Why are you waiting for me?” she whispered.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” A scoff. A lie.
“The driver reports everything. I just needed him to see the right princess getting into the right car. Clean story, no misunderstandings.”
It was a flimsy excuse.
He knew she knew it.
“Just say you're attracted to me or find me pretty asshole who finds you attractive "
“me never I can't do such stop thinking high of yourself princess "
The morning sun was bright and cold.
But between them, the air felt warmer. Charged. Complicit.
- Writer
