You've Been in My Mind (English)

Shadows Between Us

Elle forced a tight-lipped smile at the man who had come to pick them up. His brows shot up the moment he saw her beside Adrian, and his gaze swept over her from head to toe before shifting to their house, eyes narrowing in scrutiny.

“What’s this? Whose house is this? I didn’t know you moved. I’d say this is a downgrade,” he scoffed, not bothering to hide his disdain as he glanced at Adrian.

Elle followed his gaze, processing the word downgrade. Their home wasn’t massive, but it was elegant and nestled in a private subdivision—comfortable, well-maintained, and far from shabby. Why would he call it a downgrade? Was it because Adrian was a celebrated basketball star? Did he expect Adrian to live in a mansion dripping with luxury?

"You vanished after the game without a word. What happened? You didn’t go home either. And what’s with the stuff that’s still there?" His questions came rapid-fire, voice edged with irritation.

Chloe shot Elle a wary glance, clearly sensing the tension. Elle, in turn, looked at Adrian’s brother, uncertain of what to say.

Adrian exhaled sharply, then gestured toward the newcomer. “This is Carlos, our team manager,” he introduced, his tone neutral. Then, shifting his focus to Elle, he started, “This is Elleri—”

And then he hesitated.

Elle felt the pause linger like an unfinished sentence hanging in the air. Her gaze flicked to Adrian, questions swirling. Why did he stop?

“Childhood friend,” Adrian finally supplied.

Carlos arched a brow, skepticism evident. “Childhood friend? And yet you spent the night here?” His gaze cut back to Elle, assessing.

Adrian’s expression hardened. “Carlos,” he said, sharp and clipped.

“What? Why?” Carlos challenged, his posture rigid.

“I don’t have to explain why I’m here, do I?” Adrian countered, voice firm, unyielding. He met Carlos’s gaze head-on, refusing to back down. “What’s wrong with staying at a friend’s house? There’s nothing in my contract that forbids it.”

Carlos opened his mouth as if ready to argue, but thought better of it, lips pressing into a thin line.

Adrian didn’t wait for further debate. “Let’s go. I have a lot to do,” he said as he pulled open the car door, signaling for them to get in.

Carlos hadn’t let up since they left the car—his hostility toward Elle was palpable. And now, standing in Adrian’s condo, he wasted no time launching straight into his interrogation.

“Why is she living here with you?” His tone was sharp, almost accusing, as his gaze darted between Adrian and Elle.

Adrian sighed, already bracing himself for the inevitable wave of criticism.

“What do you think people will say? What happens when they find out? What about Aster? Your couple image?” Carlos fired off his concerns in rapid succession, frustration bleeding into every word. “I’ll find her another place to stay. An apartment, maybe.” His eyes flicked toward Elle and Chloe, as if they were mere pieces in a puzzle he was trying to rearrange.

Adrian didn’t even hesitate. “That’s not an option,” he said firmly, glancing briefly at Elle. They hadn’t married for love, but he honored the arrangement set by their families.

Carlos, undeterred, crossed his arms. “I’ll find the nicest apartment available in the city,” he insisted. “Just not here. It’ll be bad for your image.”

“I already told you—it’s not an option.” Adrian’s voice dropped, edged with finality. “Elle stays here with me. End of conversation.” He turned to her, his expression softer, despite the growing tension. “Let’s talk.”

Carlos exhaled sharply. “LA, you can’t do this. Your place isn’t some shelter.”

Elle stiffened. “A shelter?” She scoffed, her eyes widening. “You think I’m some kind of homeless person?”

Carlos faltered, caught off guard by her reaction.

Adrian straightened, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “Carlos, I don’t want to keep arguing. And besides, this is my home. I have every right to decide who stays here. My personal affairs? They’re not yours to control. Maybe you need a reminder—you’re my team manager, not—”

“Fine.” Carlos cut in before Adrian could finish. His jaw tightened, his usual confidence momentarily wavering. “But don’t expect me to back you up when this turns into a mess. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Adrian gave a faint smirk, unconcerned. “I’ll tell you right now—this won’t be an issue.”

Carlos let out a short, exasperated breath. “Fine. Your choice. Just be at practice this afternoon. And don’t be late.” He spared Elle one last glance. She managed a small smile—polite, nothing more—but Carlos didn’t bother to acknowledge it. He turned and walked out without another word.

As the door clicked shut, Chloe huffed. “Why is he always so prickly? And Kuya, why didn’t you just tell him Ate Elle is your wife? I think he completely misunderstood why she’s living—” She stopped, realizing the weight of her own words.

“I’ll buy groceries.” Chloe barely got the words out before rushing toward the door, clearly eager to escape the brewing tension. She hadn’t even finished her sentence—her brother’s sharp gaze had been enough to silence her.

Once the door clicked shut, Elleri turned to Adrian, her expression serious. “I think we need to talk about our setup.”

Adrian held her stare for a moment before nodding slightly. “This is about Aster.”

“She’s back,” Elleri stated, as if confirming what she already knew.

Adrian sighed. “I know. I saw her at the stadium yesterday.”

“I did too,” Elleri admitted. There was a pause before she added, “Um—does she know about…?”

“She doesn’t,” Adrian interrupted, his response swift and final. “And I have no intention of telling her.”

Elleri arched a brow. “So what’s your plan? Pretend we’re just old classmates? Friends? You know she’s going to find out eventually.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “She just got back from overseas. If she finds out I’m married, it’ll wreck her.”

“And when exactly do you plan on telling her?” Elleri asked, folding her arms. “Oh wait—I forgot. You’re not planning on telling her at all.”

Adrian exhaled through his nose. “Just give me time. Right now isn’t—”

“What, convenient?” Elleri cut in, her tone edged with disbelief. “So your brilliant solution is to lie to her? Pretend you’re still available when you’re clearly not?”

“It’s not like we got married because we love each other,” Adrian shot back. “Our families arranged this. From the beginning, you’ve known who I—” He stopped himself, hesitating. Then, firmer, he added, “I think you just need to accept that. Because eventually, we’ll get a divorce.”

Elleri blinked. “Divorce?” The word felt foreign coming from him—too real.

“You don’t expect me to stay married to you forever, do you?” Adrian pressed. “You know I—”

“I know,” she interrupted, cutting him off before he could finish. “You don’t have to keep reminding me. I’m just your classmate. A family friend. Sorry if you have to put up with this marriage.”

Adrian watched her carefully. “Are you hurt? Disappointed? You knew from the start—”

“I know,” she interjected again, her voice controlled, almost detached. “This is just an agreement. No feelings involved.” But that wasn’t entirely true. Not for her. Because from the very beginning, she had only ever wanted one person.

“We can live together, but only because we have to keep up appearances for our families. But don’t expect me to—”

“I know that,” Elle cut in, her voice steady. “Don’t worry. While I stay here, I won’t get in the way of your career or your relationship with Aster. I’ll be a good wife—on paper. I’ll be busy with work, and you’ll be caught up in the playoffs. We can live under the same roof and barely see each other. I won’t be a problem for you.”

Adrian’s gaze flicked to her. “You know, I never considered you a problem in my career.”

“Well, Carlos seems to think otherwise,” she countered, tilting her head slightly.

“Don’t listen to him. That’s just how he is. He means no harm,” Adrian replied, dismissing the thought with a shake of his head. Then, shifting the conversation, he asked, “When do you start work?”

“The day after tomorrow,” Elle answered simply. “Same school as Chloe.”

“That’s good, then. She’ll have someone with her,” Adrian remarked, nodding absently.

Elle studied his expression. Distant. Uninterested. It was just like him—even before all this.