Tempting Adeline

18

ADELINE

“Fine, I agree.”

I blinked. Is he serious right now? He could have just said yes yesterday.

“Are you just going to stand there?” He asked, his brows furrowed. I wanted to give him a punch in the jaw right now but I calmed myself.

“I need to get us a contract. It has to be written down and printed. But I don’t have time for that so I’ll put it down on a piece of paper.” Before he could reply, I dashed out of the room to get a paper and a pen.

I hurried back and lucky for me, he has already put on his sweats. I sighed in relief then walked to his desk and took a step scribbling some words on the paper. “You should also add why there’s no s*x there...you know for emphasis so I don’t forget.” He muttered, a lazy grin playing on his face.

I glanced at him, trying to read through his expressions but they are cheeky and confusing at times. I narrowed my eyes on him. What is he planning? But anyways...I’ll be clueless till then. I shrugged, and put it down then handed him his copy.

“Read it and tell me what you think. A mutually beneficial deal with opportunities for the both of us, or maybe mostly for me but I satisfy my goals and yours.” I rambled. I feel excited by this. “Please sign with your blood.”

I chuckled at the scowl on his face. He took the pen and signed it. I looked at the messy handwriting. Guess it’s true what they say boys have messy handwriting, especially artists.

He then handed the paper to me. “You should get this printed. I want my own copy.” He then turned to leave. I breathed a sigh of relief following behind him. I need to set everything in order for the first photoshoot.

“Please be at this address tomorrow at noon.” I scribbled something on the paper and handed it to him. “Don’t be late.”

I then turned to leave, again forgetting to take my scrunchie. I’ll take it later but for now, I’m late for the volunteer I promised.

“Don’t you want a ride?” He asked behind me. “You need a ride, don’t you?”

“It’s fine really.” I smiled sheepishly. “I’ll take the bus.”

“Considering that you haven’t laminated the paper, I can just tear it to pieces and forget the whole deal.” He pointed out. “Let me drive you. I won’t repeat myself.”

I glared at him but it’s no use. I don’t want to wait at the bus station for another hour waiting for a bus so I obliged. “Fine. Don’t waste my time though. I’m already running late.”

My mind is as difficult as he is.

I entered his SUV and we drove in silence. No surprises there.

When we arrived, I stepped down, murmured a thank you and left. I entered the shelter, my eyes locking on Bridget immediately. She walked over to me in smiles. “You look amazing in your outfit.”

“You always say the nicest things.”

“Glad you could make it. Let me show you around then.” She held my hand introducing people to me and me to people.

I already feel tired putting on a smile and talking about myself. Social gatherings like this aren’t my vibe.

“I’m tired, Bridget. I get it. You have a whole community of animal lovers.” I sighed in frustration. “I just need a break. I’m feeling drained already and my cheeks hurt from smiling.”

“You haven’t even met Jules yet.” Bridget whined pulling me to one of the offices there. I wanted to struggle and yell but I stopped seeing Josiah. What is he doing here?

“Sigh? What are you doing here?” I was baffled. He was even smoking a blunt. His cold eyes just landed on me and averted. Harsh.

“Don’t bother me, Rivera.” He replied before throwing the blunt on the floor and quenching the light. “I’ll be back, Jules.”

I turned my head to see the so called Jules and holy fuck...she was pretty. She had these thick rimmed glasses with freckles and braces too. Her green eyes shone with delight like she was happy to see me. Another prominent thing was she had herself dressed in pink.

Her phone case was pink, her files were in a pink folder and even her pen was pink too. It looked like Barbie threw up on her. The only colour that didn’t look like her favourite colour was her fiery red hair.

“You must be the new volunteer. I’m Jules.” She stretched out her hand for a shake. “I can already tell we’ll be good friends and partners too but I can’t decide if you will leave me hanging.”

I looked down, her hand was out and hanging. I quickly accepted it. “I’m Adeline.”

“I love your name. Can I call you Adele?”

“Sure. If it’s named after someone popular, why not?”

“Great. We should start with the feeding now. Well, Sonia the snake hasn’t been fed and ‘Tiger’ too needs her vaccine. And...”

“I’m sorry but is Josiah working here too?” I asked. “He’s someone I know and I’m curious.”

“He helps around here but he’s not working here. We are all volunteers. This is something I do in my spare time but Josiah is my body guard.”

I wanted to ask more about this but I refrained.

Turns out, there wasn’t a tiger but it’s a small kitten with the aggression of a tiger and Jules’s favourite pet here. If she loves it so much, she can just adopt it but no, she leaves it behind.

I sighed, already exhausted.

“Here, you must be tired. You did great work today.” Bridget handed me a cup of parfait. “It’s a little something Jules made for us all. She’s sweet, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she is.” I took a scoop of it. “Thank you.”

“Can I ask you something?” Bridget asked.

“You don’t have to answer me if you’re uncomfortable.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“The guy that dropped you off this morning, is he your boyfriend?” She asked quietly.

“No, he’s not. That’s my step brother!” I said incredulously hoping I sound convincing enough.

“Oh, thank God.” She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Could you please set us up for a blind date? He’s totally my type.

“Actually, he’s...” I have to think of a lie fast. I can’t explain this feeling but I sure as f**k don’t like it. “...impotent. His d**k can’t rise.”

“What? Last I checked, it rose fine to me.”

His voice spoke behind me.

Ahh, f**k.