CHAPTER 5
647 Words
UNEXPECTED CONNECTION
The following week passed quietly.
Almost too quietly.
Adrian became busier with work, while Charlotte slowly adjusted to her new life.
She learned which parts of the mansion she could use.
She learned the schedule for Adrian's meetings.
She learned which events required her presence.
Most importantly, she learned that Adrian had a habit of drinking coffee late at night while working.
Despite his cold personality, he was surprisingly predictable.
One evening, Charlotte found him in the library.
He was sitting alone, surrounded by documents.
"You haven't eaten."
Adrian looked up.
"I'll eat later."
"You said that three hours ago."
"I was busy."
Charlotte placed a plate on the table.
"Eat."
He stared at the food.
Then at her.
"Are you giving me orders?"
"Yes."
Something almost amused appeared in his eyes.
"You're getting comfortable."
"Maybe."
Charlotte turned to leave.
"Charlotte."
She stopped.
"Thank you."
She smiled.
"You're welcome."
She left.
Adrian watched the door after it closed.
Something was happening to him.
He didn't understand it.
He had spent years keeping everyone at a distance.
Yet Charlotte was slowly finding her way past every wall he had built.
His wolf was worse.
Whenever she came near, it became restless.
Protective.
Possessive.
And Adrian hated that he couldn't control it.
He closed his eyes.
Mine.
The word echoed inside his mind.
"No," he whispered.
He refused to listen.
Charlotte couldn't be his mate.
That was impossible.
He had already lost once.
He wouldn't allow destiny to control him again.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was beginning to notice something unusual.
Adrian was different around her.
Not always.
But sometimes.
His voice became softer.
His eyes lingered on her.
And whenever someone upset her, he was always the first person to notice.
She tried not to think about it.
After all, this was only a contract.
The next morning, Adrian asked her to accompany him to a business meeting.
They were halfway there when the car suddenly stopped.
Charlotte looked out the window.
"What happened?"
Adrian's security driver stepped out.
Adrian immediately became alert.
"Stay inside."
"Why?"
"Just stay inside."
He opened the door.
Charlotte grabbed his sleeve.
"Adrian."
He looked at her.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Something strange happened.
A sudden warmth passed through Charlotte's chest.
Adrian seemed to feel it too.
He froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
Then he pulled his hand away.
"Don't."
Charlotte was confused.
"Don't what?"
"Nothing."
He stepped outside.
Charlotte watched him speak with the driver.
A few minutes later, he returned.
"We're taking another route."
"Why?"
"Road construction."
She knew he was lying.
But she didn't push him.
That evening, Charlotte stood in front of the mirror preparing for another event.
She touched the necklace she had been given earlier that day.
It was a simple silver pendant.
She had no idea why Adrian had chosen it.
When she walked downstairs, Adrian was waiting.
He looked at the necklace.
His expression changed.
"Where did you get that?"
"You gave it to me."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Take it off."
Charlotte frowned.
"Why?"
"Just take it off."
She removed it.
The moment she placed it in his hand, Adrian's fingers brushed hers.
Both of them froze.
A strange sensation passed between them.
Charlotte stepped back.
"What was that?"
Adrian looked at her hand.
"I don't know."
For once, he sounded genuinely confused.
Then his wolf spoke inside his mind again.
Mate.
Adrian's heart pounded.
No.
It couldn't be.
He looked at Charlotte.
She was staring back at him, equally confused.
"Adrian?"
He didn't answer.
Because for the first time, he was beginning to suspect that the woman standing in front of him wasn't simply the woman he had hired for a six-month contract.
She might be the woman destiny had chosen for him.
And if that was true, their carefully written contract was about to become the least important thing between them.
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