THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRAVING.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRAVING

CHAPTER 12: First Impressions

Sleep didn’t last long.

I opened my eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling in confusion. The room was dark, quiet… too quiet.

I turned my head toward the bedside clock.

3:07 a.m.

I sighed and sat up, running my fingers through my hair.

“Why am I awake?” I muttered.

Then it hit me.

Adrian’s mother.

I swallowed hard.

Today was the day I would officially meet her—the woman who raised the man I loved… the woman who would soon become my mother-in-law.

My heart began to race.

I got out of bed and walked slowly to the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

“You’ll be fine,” I whispered to myself.

But even I didn’t believe it.

After taking a quick shower, I brushed my teeth and went downstairs to the kitchen.

The house was silent.

Everyone was asleep.

I toasted some bread and poured myself a glass of orange juice, but my appetite was almost nonexistent.

As I sat there, lost in thought, something suddenly crossed my mind.

Mrs. Meena.

I frowned.

It had been a while since I last saw her. That alone was strange—but what bothered me more was the fact that her phone wasn’t going through.

That wasn’t like her.

At all.

A small knot formed in my chest.

“Maybe she’s just resting,” I whispered, trying to calm myself.

But the feeling didn’t go away.

Time moved faster than I expected.

Before I knew it, sunlight filled the house, and my phone began to ring.

Adrian.

A smile instantly formed on my lips.

“Good morning, Fearless Queen,” his smooth voice came through.

I giggled softly. “Good morning, my king.”

“How was your night?” he asked.

I hesitated slightly before replying, “I wasn’t fine.”

There was a brief pause.

“Why?” he asked, his tone immediately shifting with concern.

“Because you weren’t with me,” I said softly, pouting even though he couldn’t see me.

He chuckled.

“Don’t worry… it’s just a matter of weeks.”

Weeks.

Just hearing that made my heart flutter.

We talked for a while—about random things, silly jokes, and memories from the night before.

For a moment, I forgot everything.

The nerves.

The worry.

Everything.

But the moment the call ended…

Reality came rushing back.

By the time I checked the clock again, it was already past 9 a.m.

Panic hit instantly.

“Oh my God!”

I rushed to my wardrobe, pulling out dresses one after the other, tossing them on the bed.

“No… too much.”

“No… too simple.”

“No… too boring!”

I groaned loudly, holding my head.

“This is a disaster.”

After what felt like forever, I finally found the perfect one.

A soft, elegant peach chiffon dress—light, flowy, and just enough to make a statement without trying too hard.

I slipped into it carefully, smoothing out the fabric as it settled perfectly against my body.

Paired with matching flats and simple pearl earrings, I stood in front of the mirror again.

This time… I smiled.

“Okay… this works.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Marshall stepped in, leaning slightly against the doorframe.

“Are you still getting ready?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied, adjusting my hair.

He looked at me for a few seconds longer than usual.

Then he nodded slowly.

“You look like the prettiest girl in the universe.”

I blinked in surprise.

Then smiled.

“Thank you.”

I picked up my phone to check the time.

10:17 a.m.

My eyes widened.

“I missed his calls!”

I quickly dialed Adrian back.

“I’m at your gate,” he said.

“I’m coming!” I rushed.

I practically ran downstairs, my heart pounding again—but this time, not from fear.

From excitement.

From anticipation.

From… everything.

Adrian stepped out of the car the moment he saw me and opened the door for me.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his eyes lingering on me.

I smiled shyly. “Thank you.”

The ride to the restaurant was quiet but comfortable.

I kept glancing out the window, trying to calm my nerves.

But the moment we arrived…

Everything changed.

The restaurant was breathtaking.

Massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting golden light across the room. The floors gleamed like glass, and every table looked like it belonged in a royal palace.

I froze slightly.

“This place…” I whispered.

Adrian smiled. “You like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” I said honestly.

But inside…

I felt small.

We were seated at a table near the center.

I picked up the menu casually—

And nearly dropped it.

A glass of water…

Five hundred dollars.

My throat went dry.

I scanned through the rest.

Everything was expensive.

Painfully expensive.

I slowly placed the menu down, forcing a calm expression.

Don’t embarrass yourself.

“She’s here.”

Adrian’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked up.

And my heart skipped.

She walked in with elegance that demanded attention. Every step she took was confident, controlled, powerful.

Her presence alone was enough to silence the room.

This was Adrian’s mother.

I swallowed hard.

She approached the table and sat down gracefully.

Her eyes landed on me.

Sharp.

Observant.

“You must be Honey,” she said, offering a small smile.

“And you must be Adrian’s mom. It’s nice to meet you,” I replied, trying to remain calm.

She nodded.

But something about her smile…

Didn’t reach her eyes.

The waiter handed us the menu.

She barely glanced at it before ordering.

“A bucket of chicken and fruit wine.”

Adrian followed. “Vegetable rice, with coconut and pineapple.”

Then both of them looked at me.

“Aren’t you ordering anything?” Adrian asked gently.

I hesitated.

His mother’s gaze was on me.

Watching.

Measuring.

Judging.

“I’ll just eat what you ordered,” I said with a small smile.

Her lips curved slightly.

Not a smile.

Something else.

We ate mostly in silence at first.

The tension was subtle—but it was there.

I could feel it.

In the way she looked at me.

In the way she spoke.

In the pauses between conversations.

But slowly… things began to ease.

Adrian started telling funny stories from his childhood, and I found myself laughing despite everything.

Even his mother laughed.

For a moment…

It felt normal.

After the meal, we stepped outside.

The air felt lighter.

Or maybe… I was just relieved it was over.

Adrian walked his mother to her car, and I followed behind.

Then suddenly, she turned to me.

And pulled me into a hug.

I froze slightly.

“You should come to my house tomorrow,” she said softly. “By 3 p.m. We’ll go shopping.”

I blinked.

“Oh… okay. Thank you… Mom,” I replied.

She smiled again.

That same unreadable smile.

As she drove off, I stood there, staring after her.

Something didn’t sit right.

“I should be happy,” I whispered to myself.

But I wasn’t.

Not completely.

“Did you have fun?” Adrian asked as we walked back to the car.

“Of course,” I replied.

And I meant it.

But not entirely.

The ride back home was quiet.

This time, not comfortable.

Just quiet.

I leaned my head against the window, my eyes slowly closing.

And before I knew it…

I had fallen asleep.

Something had changed.

I just didn’t know what yet.