The billionaire I swore to hate.

Chapter 4

I never thought I would ever sit across Adrian Sinclair like this—knees almost touching, candlelights catching the sharp line structure of his face, his attention fixed entirely on me. It felt too intimate, especially consideriing how long I had been telling myself I didn't care about the guy who had made my childhood a living nightmare.

I said, "To be honest I don't really discuss my past ". Swirled the drink in my glass.

“I usually don't talk about the past” I said, swirling the drink in my glass. “But you make it really easy.”

Adrians lips curved up a little. "That’s funny. I thought same."

Silence settled between us. It was heavy but not uncomfortable and before I knew it, I found myself talking about past relationships, high school crushes that meant nothing and eventually faded away before they could hurt me deeply.

“ I always thought that love was supposed to feel safe”, I said softly.Love should be predictable.

“And now?”.He asked softly.

“Now I think that the idea of being safe can be something we say to make ourselves feel better when we're scared.” I replied, uncertain.

His gaze softened. For a moment, you could see the real him. He looked so vulnerable.

"Nat,I left because my family needed me to…He said quietly. I stayed away because I was afraid of coming back as the same person. The boy who had no purpose, no dreams and of course, the boy who ruined the childhood of the Devereux daughter.”

That really surprised me. Adrian never spoke like this before.He was always controlled and unreadable when people were around so he usually kept his feelings to himself most of the time.

“I built my company from nothing.” He continued. “Not because of the money alone but because I wanted to show people that I was more than just a famous name.

I nodded. "You did a lot more than that Adri and I'm proud of you for the efforts you put in to make this happen. I said softly.

He stopped for a moment,then leaned really close to me. My heart raced.He looked so sincere and honest and for the time I saw it. The vulnerable version of him I haven't seen in years. With those beautiful ocean blue eyes. “Was he about to kiss me?!.” I thought.

"Nat there's something I haven't fully been honest about.”

I got curious

My heart racing,”Go on". I said, curiously waiting to hear what he had to say.

There's a project that I've been working on. It's about energy infrastructure and i think the project is gonna be a big break out for me Natalie but your dad doesn't trust me yet.

I froze.”You really think I can make a difference in that?"

“Yea… that's where you come in.” What is it? I asked, puzzled. “Nat, look I know what I'm about to ask right now may sound really ridiculous but what if you and I fake date. He went on,If your dad sees we're both together then maybe he could reconsider investing in my company's project. I know I'm asking for too much right now but I need your help Nat. Please, I beg of you.”

What?! The words hit me like a spark. "You are asking me to pretend that I'm your girlfriend?!”

“I'm asking you to help me open a door and It's okay if you don't want to.I don't want to make you uncomfortable.”He said quietly, while caressing my hands gently.

I looked at his face closely trying to see if he was joking like he always did but to my surprise,I didn't. What I saw was even worse. I saw hope in his eyes and that scared me.

“If I say yes…are you ready for anything that comes with it?” I asked, unsure of how I felt.

“We could both end up getting hurt if we do this. It is a big risk for both of us to take. I'm worried Nat”, He continued;his brows pulled together, gaze searching my face as if he was already bracing for something to go wrong.

I let out a nervous laugh knowing too well,things will definitely change between us. “That already feels like it’s gonna happen Adrian, It’s inevitable.”

We stood up at the time and the space between us was really fragile with unsaid words and feelings that pressed against my chest. Adrian's fingers brushing against mine made it feel even stranger.

That was when I saw Noah across the room

He wasn't smiling, instead he just stood there with a dark expression that sent a slow shiver down my spine.

I was walking home with Adrian when Noah suddenly jumped in and immediately fixed himself between Adrian and I. This made me uncomfortable.

“Are you okay?” He asked,His voice sounded really tense and unsettling. “You just disappeared without warning. You got me worried.”

“Well, I'm with Adrian, you can see I'm obviously okay.” I replied.

"I saw what happened."Noah said, his tone unsettling. Then he looked over at Adrian. “Be careful Nat. He said; people like him don't do things without a reason. He's the kind of person who always has a plan. We should be careful around him.”

Adrian's jaw clenched tightly, and suddenly he stepped in front of Noah. "If you have something to say to me Noah, look me dead ass in the eyes and say it" he said firmly.

Noah smirked. "I don’t just want her getting hurt, man.”

I looked at both of them and on seeing their faces, I got really uncomfortable. Noah has always been there for me but this time it felt odd .It felt like he was being too possessive and it was kind of scary. His actions were sharp like he was ready to snap.

“I can speak for myself Noah.” I said furiously.

Noah's face looked really upset for a moment but then it changed into something horrible, something dark–An expression I've never seen on him before.

Adrian squeezed my hand. As we left, a scary thought came into my mind.

I was falling for Adrian and the more time I spent with him the more I found myself falling for him.

And someone was watching—waiting to make sure I regretted it.