Adan’s Mistake

Nine

Out of all the places in the world he brought me to a ramen restaurant? I would be honest, I didn’t expect Adan to ever visit such a place, let alone eat here. As a doctor, I assumed he would be all about having vegetables and everything organic.

Maybe there’s organic ramen.

“Yes,” Adan said, quickly taking a hold of my hand as we stood in front of the restaurant. “Ramen is one of my guilty pleasures, I have to admit,” he told me, not looking guilty in the slightest. “Do you like ramen? I already know the answer but I want to ask.”

“I—I guess. I’m not obsessed with it. I can have it once in a while,” I answered.

His eyes twinkled and an adorable smile settled on his face, making me forget for a moment that I hated him and that he forced me away from my boyfriend.

“You’ll love this place, I’m sure,” he said, giving my hand a soft squeeze.

“You said you’ve never been here before, so how do you know I’ll like it?” I questioned as he pushed through the front door and stepped inside the restaurant.

The first thing I noticed were the small, square table on one side and a long rectangular table taking up the other side of the restaurant with numerous high stools for people to sit while facing the window. The square tables, on the other hand, were only big enough for four people.

“Are there no servers?” I asked just as a door opened from behind the counter and a man in his early twenties stepped out. He wore a yellow apron around his waist and I got a glimpse of a notepad sticking out from its pocket.

“Welcome, table for two?” He asked, giving me a glance before moving to Adan who nodded. The server smiled before stepping out from behind the counter and leading us to one of the square tables. The fact that Adan and I were the only customers made me feel strangely at peace. I hated crowded restaurants—the noise drove me crazy.

We sat down across from each other and the server handed us a tablet to look through the menu before disappearing.

“This place is so quiet,” I remarked, eyeing the empty tables and chairs. “I like quiet places.”

“I know. That’s why I brought you here,” he said and I could feel a fissure appearing in the walls around my heart. The walls I’d built because of him.

“Thank you. I hope the food is good,” I said.

“I’ll shut the place down if it isn’t. But I’ve heard good reviews about it. There weren’t that many, but the ones which were there were all singing its praise,” he said and I nodded and fell silent. I couldn’t believe I was sitting in a cozy restaurant with my Master and talking about ramen. This was something even my mind could conjure up. But every time it painted a scenario with Adan, he was always doing unspeakable things to me.

“Why would you put an innocent person out of business?” I asked.

His immediate response came in the form of an arched eyebrow. “No one should be in business if they’re serving bad food. And if something happens to you because of what you eat here, then not only will I shut this place down, I’ll have the owner thrown in jail for the rest of his life.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “If you’re that worried about me being sick, why did you bring me here? You could’ve tried it on your own.”

He leaned forward and took a hold of my hands which were resting on the table. His thumbs caressed my knuckles, sending sparks shooting through my nerves. Was he aware of the effect he had on me? I really wished he didn’t because it would be utterly embarrassing. It was wrong of me to desire him and after what he did, I had every reason to hate him. And I did, to an extent. But not enough to pull my hands out of his grasp.

“Now that you’re with me I want to take you everywhere with me. I want you to experience everything with me,” he replied, causing warmth to bloom in my heart.

The server returned and Adan ordered the restaurant special for the both of us. I didn’t bother getting offended over the fact that he ordered for me. He was my Master, he had every right to decide what I ate and didn’t. And if I didn’t like the food, then I could just blame him for it.

We were left alone for a total of fifteen minutes before the server appeared again; this time with our food. He placed a giant tray in front of Adan before placing a similar one in front of me. In the center of the tray was a large ceramic bowl filled with ramen noodles and broth. Next to the big bowl were three smaller bowls in red, yellow and green and were filled with various items. I spotted an egg in one bowl and kimchi in the other and some vegetables in the third bowl. And next to the bowls were different sauces in small, brown bowls.

“This looks delicious and smells even better,” I commented before grabbing the pair of chopsticks on the side.

“I agree,” Adan said while picking up his chopsticks as well.

I took the first bite and had to physically stop myself from moaning out loud due to the sudden burst of flavors.

“This is absolutely amazing,” I said and twirled some noodles around my chopsticks before popping them in my mouth. The ramen was the perfect blend of spicy and sour and after two bites I added in some of the vegetables and kimchi, which just made the ramen even better.

“You don’t like the egg?” Adan asked as he added the sauces in his ramen.

“I’m not in the mood for egg right now,” I admitted and he nodded before eating. “Do you like the food?”

He nodded and gave me that adorable smile again. “Yes.”

“So you won’t be putting anyone behind bars?” I teased and the answering twinkle in his eyes had me grinning.

“No. For now he is safe,” he said and I chuckled before going back to the food. We made small talk throughout the meal and when we were finished I was almost tempted to ask for another bowl.

Adan—with his uncanny abilities—must’ve figured out my train of thoughts because he smiled and leaned forward.

“Do you want a second helping?” He asked.

“Uh no.” I blushed and looked away. “I’m good.”

He chuckled. “Lying to me will only get you in trouble, Angel.” He paused and I knew he meant what he said. “I will ask you again and this time I want the truth. Do you want a second helping?”

I sighed in defeat and nodded. “I do, but a smaller one. And only if it’s not expensive.”

He gave me a pointed look before turning and signaling for the server to come. He ordered one more serving of the restaurant special before turning to face me again.

“We’ll share,” he explained and I nodded.

“Thank you,” I said.

“I’m responsible for your wants and needs, Angel. And I will never give you the permission to deprive me of my right to take care of you,” he stated, and I knew I couldn’t argue with him.

The server arrived and this time we shared the bowl of ramen. I watched Adan lift up the ramen with the chopsticks but he took me by surprise when he brought the noodles close to my lips. I looked at him and then at the ramen before opening my mouth and allowing my Master to feed me. He did it two more times before he ate. But as soon as I picked up my chopsticks he was holding out the ramen for me again.

“You want to feed me?” I asked and he nodded, his face void of emotion. I nibbled on my lips before eating what he wanted me to.

Adan continued the same momentum of feeding me three bites before taking one for himself until the bowl was empty and I finally felt full.

“Thank you. It was perfect,” I said just as the server came with the bill. Adan quickly paid and we got up and left the restaurant but before we could get in his car I stopped him. “Ca—can we come here again, like some other time?”

He gave me a tender look and nodded. “of course. I’ll bring you here every month if you want.”

“Thank you,” I said. “For bringing me here. I wasn’t expecting it to be so good.”

“There are plenty more places we’ll try in the days to come,” he said as he unlocked his car and opened the door for me to get inside.

The drive back to the mansion was silent but I could feel a deep sense of gratitude brewing inside me for Adan. He had no reason to take me out today especially after my recent behavior. But he was treating me like I was his girlfriend rather than his property. I wasn’t sure if that was okay but I wasn’t going to complain; not after the way he treated me to a nice meal.

Did he expect me to pay him back? If so then how could I do it? What could I do for him that would make him see how much I appreciated this lunch?

He already owns you. There’s nothing else you can give him.

That was true. But I couldn’t forget about Wesley or what Adan did to get me away from my boyfriend. I could never forget that and it was clear he wouldn’t apologize for it. But I could hate him and be grateful to him at the same time. Yes! I would call it selective appreciation.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?” Adan asked, wrenching me out of my thoughts. I blinked and looked around to notice that we were close to the mansion and in a couple of turns we’d be there.

“Nothing really,” I said. “I was just thinking about how grateful I am that you decided to take me out for lunch.”

His eyes softened when they settled on my face. “If you liked it so much, perhaps I’ll take you somewhere else next week. I would do it tomorrow but I took an off from work today and I can’t afford to take any more holidays. So it’ll be have to be dinner next week.”

The thought of him working at the hospital made me think of Wesley and how he was doing post surgery. I really wanted to go and take care of him. He hated surgeries so this was practically an ordeal for him. He needed emotional support just as much as physical.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about taking me anywhere. Your work is more important. There are so many patients who need your help,” I said, while glancing at him from my periphery in an attempt to gauge the state of his thoughts. I wanted him to feel guilty for what he did to Wesley. He could’ve easily helped him but he didn’t, only because I refused to break up with him. Was it my fault that Wesley suffered? Would he blame me if I told him why I wasn’t there when he went for his surgery? I wish I could say Wesley would never blame me for something which wasn’t my fault, but the truth was, I didn’t know him that well. I’d just started going out with him when Adan took me and now I might never see him again.

“We’re here,” Adan said and I saw the giant mansion looming in front of us. Adan unbuckled his seatbelt and got out and quickly rounded the car to open the door for me. If he could be so kind and considerate, then why did he have to be a monster to Wesley?

I got out of the car and followed my Master into the house. Grant greeted us with a stern bow before stepping aside so Adan could pass. His icy gaze passed over me but I tried to brush it off. I didn’t know what was the matter with him but he always seemed to be in a foul mood. Maybe one day we’d know what kept Grant fuming.

“You go upstairs and change into something more comfortable. You can relax for a few hours while I deal with some important work, okay?” Adan said to me and I nodded.

“Okay sure,” I replied and with a panty melting smile, he turned and went upstairs.

I took my time in going to his room. For some reason I wanted to look around and soak in the luxury that was apparently my new home.

When I got to Adan’s room, the first thing I did was check my phone. I was on the way to the restaurant when I realized it was out of battery, so now I had the chance to plug it in.

I turned on my phone, happy to see that it was charging well only to frown when I notification of a text message. I quickly opened it and gasped when I saw it was a text from Wesley with only word for me.

Evie?