Closer Than Distance Allows
994 Words
"What are you doing?" he asked, watching her with growing amusement.
She kept walking, still blind to her surroundings.
Seeing this, Adrian sighed and pushed himself off the bed, closing the distance between them.
"Seriously, what game are you playing now?" Adrian muttered, grabbing Elleri’s shoulder to stop her.
The warmth of his hand seeped through the fabric of her shirt, making her freeze mid-step. Even the smallest touch from him carried an undeniable weight, an unspoken tension neither of them acknowledged.
"Just wear this," she said, holding out the pajamas without turning around.
Adrian raised a brow, eyeing the fabric suspiciously. "What’s that?"
"Pajamas. Obviously."
He scoffed, crossing his arms. "I’m not wearing that."
Elleri groaned, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Oh, so you’d rather stroll around the house in just your boxers? My parents are here!"
"And?" Adrian shrugged. "It’s not a big deal. I’m their son-in-law."
"You—do you even hear yourself?" she sputtered. "You’re a national athlete! A celebrity! People recognize you everywhere—"
"And yet, we are not on the court," Adrian cut in smoothly, amusement flickering in his gaze.
Elleri clenched her fists. "Just put them on. I am not spending the night with you looking like—like that."
His lips curled, enjoying her flustered state a little too much. "But those are your pajamas. What will happen to my reputation if I—"
"You’re still not on the court," she shot back, throwing his own words right back at him.
Adrian exhaled a laugh, shaking his head. She was impossible.
He glanced at the pajamas, debating his options before finally snatching them from her hands. "Fine."
But the moment he pulled the top over his shoulders, he realized his mistake.
The buttons barely held together, straining against his broad chest. The sleeves hugged his arms too tightly. And the pajama pants? No chance. They wouldn't even make it past his thighs.
Elleri took one look at him and instantly lost it.
She burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching her sides as she doubled over.
"Sorry," she gasped between breaths, trying—and failing—to hold back her amusement.
Adrian stood there, trapped in the too-small blouse, looking more like someone being suffocated by fabric than an actual basketball player.
"You—your—" She could barely get the words out. "You look ridiculous!"
Before Adrian could retaliate, the door suddenly swung open.
"Kuya?" Chloe’s voice rang out in surprise.
She gawked.
Adrian stiffened, eyes widening as realization hit.
Without thinking, he grabbed the nearest pillow and held it up as a shield.
Elleri couldn’t hold back her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she gasped for breath. Adrian’s reaction was pure gold—the shock in his face, the way he instinctively grabbed the nearest pillow as if that would somehow shield him from humiliation.
"D-Dinner’s Ready,” Chloe stammered, still staring at Adrian like she couldn’t believe her eyes.
She had always seen him as untouchable—the cool, composed basketball star, admired by thousands. The kind of man people put on pedestals. And yet, here he was, squeezed into a pajama blouse, looking utterly ridiculous. If his fans ever saw this side of him, she wondered if they’d still think of him as their dream guy.
Chloe glanced at Elleri, who was clutching her stomach, barely able to breathe from laughing so much. Weren’t these two supposed to be at odds? But looking at them now, they didn’t seem like enemies at all. If anything, they looked too comfortable with each other.
"I’ll go ahead," Elleri said, still catching her breath.
Chloe simply nodded, turning away and leaving them alone.
Elleri wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes before turning to Adrian. "Are you seriously planning to go downstairs like that?"
Adrian exhaled through his nose, clearly irritated. "What do you think?"
She pressed her lips together, suppressing another laugh. "Stay here. Maybe my brother left some clothes behind—I’ll find you something."
Adrian narrowed his eyes. "You could have done that earlier."
"Don’t blame me," Elleri shot back. "You’re the one who insisted on staying."
"If you weren’t so stubborn and just came home with me, I wouldn’t be stuck in this mess," Adrian grumbled.
"Fine, fine!" Elleri huffed, leaving the room in search of clothes.
Luckily, her brother had left some behind, and thankfully, they looked like they might fit Adrian. She returned, tossing them at him without a word.
Once he changed, they finally headed downstairs for dinner.
"I’m surprised my son’s clothes actually fit you," Elleri’s father remarked.
"Thankfully," Adrian muttered, stealing a glance at Elleri, who was clearly trying—and failing—not to laugh again.
Her mother shook her head. "She’s as stubborn as ever. She should be living with you, not here."
Adrian simply nodded. "I understand you want to spend time with her. And I’m sorry if I caused any trouble tonight."
"Nonsense," her father waved him off. "You’re family now. You are Elleri’s husband."
Adrian’s lips pressed together, but before he could respond, her father continued, "Oh, right. Your admission letter arrived today."
"Admission letter?" Adrian echoed, turning to Elleri.
"I applied for a teaching position at a high school nearby," she explained.
"You don’t have to work," Adrian said casually.
Elleri scoffed. "What do you expect me to do? Just lie around all day?"
Adrian shrugged. "Do whatever you want. You’re old enough to make your own decisions."
Elleri paused, suddenly feeling cold despite the warmth of the room. For a brief moment, she had hoped he would say something else—something that made her feel like she belonged in his life, like he actually cared about whether she worked or not.
But of course, she reminded herself. She was never a part of Adrian’s dreams. She was only here because their families had forced them together.
- Writer
