The Dinner
777 Words
Chapter 5 — The Dinner
Priya barely remembered leaving Adrian’s suite.
Her mind was a storm.
Everything felt unreal.
The black card in her hand felt heavier than it should.
By the time she reached the hospital, Adrian’s assistant had already handled the payment.
Her mother was taken into surgery.
Just like that.
No delay.
No arguments.
No humiliating pleading at the billing counter.
Priya sat outside the operating room, staring blankly at the white walls.
She should have felt relieved.
Instead, unease sat heavily in her chest.
Nothing made sense.
Why had Adrian helped her?
Why had he chosen her?
What did he really want?
Hours later, the doctor finally came out.
“The surgery was successful.”
Relief crashed through Priya so hard tears streamed down her face.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Over and over.
“Thank you…”
That night, after ensuring her mother was stable, Priya returned to the tiny apartment she shared with Vanessa.
The moment she entered, Vanessa looked up from the couch.
“You’re late.”
Priya removed her shoes tiredly.
“Work.”
Vanessa narrowed her eyes.
“You look strange.”
Priya stiffened.
“What do you mean?”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“You look like something happened.”
Priya hesitated.
Should she tell her?
Vanessa was difficult, but she was still family.
And Priya had nobody else.
Slowly, she said, “I met someone.”
Vanessa raised a brow.
“A man?”
Priya nodded.
Vanessa smirked.
“That explains it.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Oh?”
Priya swallowed.
“He paid for Mother’s surgery.”
The room fell silent.
Vanessa’s smirk disappeared.
“What?”
Priya explained everything.
The coffee.
The hotel.
Adrian.
The dinner.
With each word, Vanessa’s expression changed.
Shock.
Interest.
Calculation.
Then Priya said the name.
“Adrian Knight.”
Vanessa went completely still.
Her eyes widened.
“Adrian Knight?”
Priya nodded.
“Yes.”
Vanessa slowly stood.
For a second, something dark flashed across her face.
Then it vanished.
Replaced by a smile.
A sweet smile.
Too sweet.
“Well,” Vanessa said lightly, “that’s… unexpected.”
Priya missed the strange tone.
“I don’t know what to think.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Think?”
She laughed softly.
“Priya, do you even understand what this means?”
Priya frowned.
“What?”
Vanessa’s eyes gleamed.
“That man is one of the richest men in Westbridge.”
She moved closer.
“And he’s interested in you.”
Priya shook her head.
“No. It’s just dinner.”
Vanessa’s smile deepened.
“Oh, Priya.”
Her voice softened.
“You’re too innocent.”
Priya looked confused.
Vanessa tucked a strand of hair behind Priya’s ear.
“Men like Adrian Knight don’t ask ordinary girls to dinner unless they want something.”
A chill ran through Priya.
“What do you mean?”
Vanessa’s smile remained.
But her eyes had turned cold.
“I mean…”
She leaned closer.
“…be careful.”
---
The next evening arrived far too quickly.
Priya stood in front of the mirror, nervous.
She wore the only decent dress she owned.
Simple.
Cream-colored.
Elegant but modest.
Vanessa entered the room.
She stared at Priya.
Then smiled.
“You look pretty.”
Priya blinked.
Vanessa rarely complimented her.
“Thank you.”
Vanessa stepped behind her.
Helping adjust her hair.
“You should wear this.”
She held out earrings.
Beautiful silver earrings.
Priya looked surprised.
“These are yours.”
“I know.”
Vanessa smiled.
“Wear them.”
Something about the gesture felt strange.
But Priya ignored it.
Maybe Vanessa was trying.
Maybe they could finally become close.
Priya smiled softly.
“Thanks.”
Vanessa’s lips curved.
But once Priya turned away—
The smile vanished.
Her eyes darkened.
And inside her mind, a single thought repeated.
Adrian Knight will be mine.
---
At exactly seven o’clock, a luxury black car stopped outside the apartment building.
Priya’s breath caught.
Adrian had sent a driver.
Her palms turned sweaty.
She stepped into the car.
The ride felt endless.
When she finally arrived, her heart nearly stopped.
Adrian wasn’t inside the restaurant.
He was outside.
Waiting.
For her.
Tall.
Powerful.
Wearing a black suit.
His hands in his pockets.
His presence alone made people stare.
Then his eyes landed on Priya.
He went still.
Completely still.
His gaze slowly moved over her.
From her hair…
To her dress…
To her face.
Priya’s heartbeat accelerated.
Why wasn’t he saying anything?
Then Adrian stepped closer.
Very slowly.
And murmured—
“You’re beautiful.”
Priya forgot how to breathe.
- Writer
