Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

*Calista*

I woke up with Adrian sitting next to me, casually working on his laptop. I blinked my eyes a few times and recalled the day before, my entire body shuddering from the memory. Ivan tried to attack me again, but Adrian was somehow there to save me. I felt guilty, Adrian knew this would happen, and I stubbornly fought him to the nail. Now look where I am? I feel so stupid... Adrian must be annoyed at this point, he's become nothing but a babysitter for me.

I remember asking him to stay with me last night, and he obliged without any hesitation, he remained by my side. I also remember kissing him... Though I was feeling lost about the situation with Ivan, I was very aware of wanting to kiss Adrian. Something about him rescuing me and punching Ivan in the face, brought my lips unconsciously to his. I don't regret it, but I can't help but wonder if he does? I crossed the line he had been avoiding just the other day. Where do we go from here?

"Good morning," Adrian said in a warm and gentle voice, "Are you doing okay?"

"I'm... still processing everything." I admitted, sitting up and feeling my strained neck.

"Calloway said you'd be in more pain today, because of what happened yesterday... Just try to take it easy." Adrian suggested, helping me relax against the pillows.

"Adrian..." I murmured in a broken voice that didn't even sound like me, "I'm sorry.."

"Sorry for what?" He set the laptop down and turned to face me with knitted eyebrows.

"So many things..." I mumbled with teary eyes, "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you... and insisted on meeting with Ivan alone.. I'm sorry for involving you in this entire mess!"

"Firstly, I involved myself. However," Adrian looked into my eyes and smirked crookedly, "I knew I was right about you meeting him alone, but it's okay, I'm just glad you're safe."

"There's one more thing..." I softly murmured, and he arched an eyebrow, "I'm sorry for kissing you.."

"Why?" Adrian asked nonchalantly.

"Because... It was crossing the line." I responded, feeling my forehead crease.

Adrian's not acting bothered by the kiss and this is stumping me. Why wouldn't he be? He is my boss, I am his assistant. It's unprofessional and unethical… It's... pointless. Sitting there, staring at his gorgeous features, I find myself wanting to kiss him again! Snap out of it, Calista!

"I didn't mind." Adrian murmured with a cheeky grin, shrugging.

"You... didn't?" I asked, dumbfounded, my jaw slightly ajar.

"I quite enjoyed it." Adrian winked and climbed out of bed, "I've got to go get ready for the day. I'll come check on you once I've finished."

He chuckles and leaves the room, while I'm still staring at the door with the same riddled expression. What the hell just happened? Adrian enjoyed our kiss. Repeating those words to myself sent my heart into orbit and a permanent smile plastered on my face. I hopped out of bed and went into the bathroom to start getting ready as well.

I went about my business in the bathroom, elated and walking on air. After I showered and freshened up a bit, I applied light makeup and tossed my hair into a messy bun. I exited the bedroom with the towel wrapped around my body, while I walked into the closet to find an outfit. I wanted something comfortable, because it's Sunday, but also something cute because... well, because I wanted to look cute!

I picked a light pink warm sweater with a pair of skinny jeans and white tennis shoes. When I had finished changing, I opened my door to find Adrian already standing there with his fist up to the door about to knock. I giggled, as he chuckled, and I shut my door behind me. Following him downstairs into the kitchen for breakfast, I couldn't help but stare at his tattooed arms. He was wearing a long sleeved cream thermal, but had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing the gorgeous tan-inked flesh of his arms.

Walter served omelets for breakfast this morning, something I was starting to get used to, being treated like royalty. Man... when it does come time to return to the normal world, I'm afraid it's going to slap me in the face! I've been spoiled rotten since living with Adrian, not that I'm complaining, but this isn't what my life would be like if it weren't for him.

We eat breakfast in silence, but something feels different between Adrian and me. It's hard to explain, in fact, I can't explain it at all. All I know is, it's different, he's different, and I think I'm different too… I'll admit, though, everything is changing for the better, I think.

"Calloway said you could return to work on Tuesday at the earliest, depending on when you're ready." Adrian stated, sipping his coffee.

"Why not tomorrow?" I asked, curiously.

"Because you were set back a little bit." Adrian murmured softly, his eyes shifting towards mine.

"You mean because of Ivan's attack?" I clarified.

"Yeah," he said and pursed his lips, "So, Tuesday then?"

"Yeah, Tuesday." I grunted and dropped my gaze down to my empty plate, I slid it forward on the table and pushed out of my chair.

"What are your plans for today, Calista?" Adrian asked, his voice smooth like velvet.

"I'm going to call Quinn and catch up with her, then I was thinking we could stop by my old apartment and grab the rest of my belongings?" I asked, watching as Adrian's lips pulled into a satisfied grin.

"I'd be happy to help you." He said with a nod, before I left the room.

I walked up the stairs and back into my bedroom with an overwhelming euphoric sensation. Even just his words make me melt into a puddle in front of his feet, and I think he gets amusement out of it sometimes. Maybe he knows how he affects me, maybe I'm translucently obvious...

I pull out my phone and am ready to call Quinn, when a text from Ivan comes through. My breath hitches in my throat and I feel my insides tangle together. Taking a deep breath, I open the text to find a lengthy paragraph written out. Here we go:

I'm done playing games with you, Calista. I want you to know that I'm coming for you, and that's a f*****g promise. I want your new little boyfriend to know that he's in for it too. Consider this your warning. If your not back in our f*****g apartment by Monday morning, I'm coming for you. This isn't over, Cali. I said you were mine and I f*****g meant it. You don't know who you've f****d with. Make it easy, because I don't want to do things the hard way. I don't think your little boyfriend will fare well doing things the hard way... remember that. I'll see you soon, Cali.

My hands are trembling, and I dropped my phone on the floor, as tears prick the back of my eyes. My chest feels tight, and my breathing is labored, as I stumble backwards, lost in thought. I tripped over my own two feet and fell to the floor, my back hitting the dresser behind me. The drawers rattled above me, but I didn't pay them any mind, I was consumed with the danger I'd put Adrian in. I can't let Ivan hurt him, I won't!

Adrian and Ida came bursting into my room, where they found me still lying on the floor. I tried to clear my face of the horror, but I knew Adrian had already noticed. As his eyes study me intently, Ida is helping me off the floor and dusting me off like I've been there for days.

"What happened, darlin'?" Ida asked, helping me over to the bed.

"I... I slipped and fell, just clumsy." I shrugged, forcing myself to smile.

"Poor lamb," Ida chuckled and glanced over at Adrian, "I'll go brew a pot of tea to calm yer nerves, aye?"

Ida quickly shuffled out of the room and I briefly glanced at Adrian, who was still staring directly at me. One eye slightly squinted, a small smirk played at his lips, as he slowly walked over to where I was sitting. My entire body became stiff, I was never good at lying, especially to someone like Adrian. As far as I can tell, he already knows.

"Do you want to tell me the truth?" Adrian asked casually, sitting beside me on the bed with an indifferent expression.

"What do you mean?" I asked, as my eyebrows drew together in frustration.

"I can tell something is bothering you," Adrian softly remarked, and I avoided his penetrating gaze, "I'm asking if you'll tell me the truth."

"I can't." I grunted, my eyes drowning in uncontrollable tears.

"I think I already know," Adrian whispered, and my eyes darted towards his, "Ivan contacted you again, didn't he? Now he'll threaten you, to intimidate and scare you, ultimately to manipulate you back into his world. Am I right?"

"Adrian..." I groaned and sighed exasperatedly, "It's not that simple..."

"I won't let him hurt you, Calista." Adrian firmly remarked, his jaw clenching tightly.

"What if he doesn't want to hurt just me? What if he's willing to hurt whoever he needs to get me back? It's not worth other people getting hurt-" I argued, until Adrian forcefully interrupted.

"Your happiness and well-being isn't worth it? Listen to yourself, Calista! Don't let him win, don't let Ivan control you like that." Adrian growled, grabbing my chin gently to turn my face towards his.

"Ugh!" I groaned and turned my head away from him again, "Adrian... I can't.."

"What the f**k did he say to you?" Adrian growled and stood back on his feet, walking around the bed.

His foot accidentally kicked my phone on the floor, causing it to slide across the hardwood floor and bounce against the wall closest to me. My heart skipped a beat, I forgot I had dropped it when I fell. I looked at Adrian and could tell what he was thinking. Simultaneously, I sprung from the bed and Adrian dove from his position, both of us diving for my phone. Our hands both grasped onto it, tugging it back and forth.

"Let go, Adrian!" I shouted, already out of breath.

"No." Adrian growled and yanked the phone from my grasp.

He opens the text messages while I'm clawing at him to drop the phone, and reads the message from Ivan. I stopped fighting and sat on the floor, breathing heavily. I watched Adrian scan the text message, a small smirk developing across his lips, before handing the phone back to me. He helped me off the floor and back onto the bed, brushing the stray hair out of my face. Softly caressing my cheek, he cupped my jaw with his large palm and stared deeply into my eyes. I couldn't look away, not that I wanted to, not now.

"Do you trust me?" Adrian confidently asked.

"Yes…" I muttered, clearing my face of tears.

"Then listen when I say, I won't let Ivan hurt you ever again. Let me handle him, alright?" Adrian asked, and I felt the urge to immediately agree, but how was Adrian planning on handling things?

"I don't want you to get hurt…" I murmured, blushing because it's an admission to having an attraction, but I had to make sure.

"That's something else I can promise," Adrian chuckled and lifted my chin with his fingers, "He can't hurt me."

"You sound so sure." I raised an eyebrow.

"That's because I am." He grinned crookedly and kissed me on the forehead, something that always seemed to calm me down.

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked in a playful tone.

"There's nothing you need to know." He shrugged, his light gray eyes studying my face.

"That's shady…" I teased, tilting my head.

"Don't reply to Ivan, I'll handle it. Ida will be back soon with some tea." Adrian noted, and headed for the door, which for some reason had my heart hammering against my chest.

"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Nowhere you need to know." Adrian gave a pressed grin, before slipping out of the room.