A Marriage in Secret
1576 Words
“It’s kind of hilarious, isn’t it?” Adrian said with a chuckle, adjusting the strap of Elleri’s bag on his shoulder. “We just got married, and here I am, sending my bride off at the airport like she’s going on a vacation without me.”
Elleri glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “Not much of a honeymoon, huh?”
Adrian sighed dramatically. “Tell me about it. I had grand visions of a romantic getaway, just the two of us, sipping cocktails by the beach, watching sunsets… And instead, I’m dropping you off like some kind of chauffeur.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. As if you actually wanted a honeymoon with me.”
He stopped walking for a moment, making her turn to look at him. His gaze was steady, serious in a way that caught her off guard. “What makes you think I didn’t?”
Her stomach twisted, but she quickly masked it with a shrug. “Because this isn’t how it was supposed to be. You wanted to marry someone else.”
Adrian chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. “Yeah… and if things had gone differently, I wouldn’t be standing here now, would I?”
She stared at him, her chest tightening. This conversation was skirting dangerous territory—territory she didn’t want to navigate, not now, not ever.
“You should focus on your flight,” she said finally, shifting the strap of her purse. “You’ll be in England soon, and that’s what matters.”
Adrian watched her for a beat, then tilted his head slightly. “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?” His voice had softened, laced with something that almost felt like concern.
Elleri forced a small smile. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
“I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle myself just fine.” Elleri muttered, crossing her arms as she glanced at Adrian.
He raised a brow at her stubbornness but didn’t comment.
She sighed, then shifted the subject. “So… what about you? What’s your plan once I leave?”
Adrian turned to look at her, as if debating whether to answer.
“Oh, don’t bother saying it,” she continued, rolling her eyes. “I already know—you’re still waiting for Ester.” She didn’t wait for his response. “I saw the news. She just signed a contract with an entertainment company. She’s preparing for her first acting role.”
Adrian smirked, shaking his head. “You seem to know a lot about her.”
If I’m going to compete with her, I need to be informed, Elleri thought but didn’t say aloud. Still, what good would it do? I’m leaving for five years. Who knows what will happen while I’m gone? Especially when I don’t even have your heart to begin with.
She forced herself to snap out of her thoughts as Adrian spoke again.
“Well, since you asked, I might as well tell you,” he said casually. “I’m planning to start my own business.”
Elleri raised a brow. “Oh? Do you already have something in mind?”
“I have an idea.” His response was deliberately vague.
Elleri squinted at him suspiciously. “And if I ask what kind of business you’re thinking of, would you tell me?”
Adrian chuckled. “What do you think?”
She groaned in frustration. “Answering a question with another question? I’m not playing riddles with you, Adrian.”
His laughter deepened at her reaction. “Alright, alright,” he said, holding up his hands in surrender. “Truth is, I haven’t finalized my business plan yet. It’s better if no one knows for now.”
Then, unexpectedly, he reached out and playfully pinched her nose.
Elleri scowled, rubbing the spot where he had touched her. “Seriously?”
But Adrian’s expression suddenly shifted, as if something had clicked in his mind.
“What?” she asked, eyeing him warily.
“Here,” he said, pulling out a small piece of paper—almost like a business card—and handing it to her.
She furrowed her brows, taking it. “What is this?”
“I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle myself.” Elleri huffed, crossing her arms as she looked up at Adrian.
He chuckled at her defiant tone. “That so? Guess we’ll see soon enough.”
She sighed, shaking her head. “Anyway, what’s your plan once I leave?”
Adrian gave her a side glance but stayed quiet.
“Oh, don’t bother answering,” she said before he could speak. “I already know—you’re still waiting for Ester.” The words came out sharper than she intended. “I saw the news. She signed a contract with an entertainment company and is gearing up for her first acting role.”
Adrian’s brows lifted slightly. “You sure do keep up with her career.”
Of course, I do, Elleri thought. If I’m going to compete, I need to know what I’m up against. Not that it’ll matter—I’ll be gone for five years. Who knows what will happen while I’m away? Especially when I don’t even own your heart.
She pushed the thought aside.
“Well, since you’re so curious, I might as well tell you,” Adrian said, smirking. “I’m planning to start my own business.”
“Oh?” Elleri tilted her head. “Got anything specific in mind?”
“I have an idea.” His answer was intentionally vague.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “And if I ask what kind of business you’re thinking of, would you actually tell me?”
Adrian’s lips curled into a teasing grin. “What do you think?”
Elleri groaned. “Answering a question with another question? I’m not playing mind games with you, Adrian.”
He laughed at her frustration. “Alright, alright,” he relented. “Truth is, I haven’t finished my business plan yet. It’s better if I keep it under wraps for now.”
Then, without warning, he reached out and pinched her nose.
She scowled, swatting his hand away. “Seriously?”
Adrian suddenly paused, his expression shifting as if something had just clicked in his mind.
Elleri noticed immediately. “What?”
He reached into his pocket. “Here,” he said, handing her a small slip of paper—something that looked like a business card.
Her brows furrowed as she took it. “What’s this?”
Before she could react further, Adrian suddenly grabbed her hand. His grip was firm, steady, and unexpectedly warm. She froze for a split second, eyes snapping up to meet his.
Elleri’s eyes flickered up to Adrian, her brows furrowing in confusion as she read the words on the small slip of paper.
She wasn’t expecting this.
“Well, there’s that too.” Adrian grinned, clearly amused by her reaction. “I’m planning to sign up for a professional basketball league.”
Elleri didn’t even bat an eye at his announcement. It made perfect sense—of course, a team would want him. He had been a standout in sports since they were kids. Academically, they had always competed, but in athletics? That was an entirely different story. She never stood a chance. Unlike him, she wasn’t the type to dribble a ball or outrun opponents on the court. Instead, she was content watching from the sidelines, cheering him on, celebrating his victories.
“What do you think?” he asked, tilting his head slightly as he observed her reaction.
She frowned. Was he seriously asking for her opinion?
She handed the card back to him. “Do whatever feels right for you.”
Adrian smirked, twirling the card between his fingers.
“I think you’ll be great at it,” she admitted, crossing her arms. “Even when you first transferred to the university, you immediately impressed everyone. And let’s not forget the girls—they practically lost their minds when they saw you play.”
She forced a small laugh, but deep down, an unsettling thought formed—if he pursued this, more people would notice him. More women would admire him. Her competition wouldn’t be just one person anymore; it’d be an entire crowd.
Adrian chuckled. “Well, I guess this is it,” he said casually. “We’re parting ways here. See you in five years, wifey.” He stretched out a hand toward her.
Elleri let out a short laugh, shaking her head as she reached out and took his hand.
“I know you’ll miss your family while you’re away,” Adrian continued, his tone softer. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them. You just focus on your studies.”
Elleri sighed dramatically. “You sound like my dad.”
Adrian shook his head, amused.
“Well… I guess I’m leaving now,” she said, turning away, ready to go—but before she could take a step, Adrian suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug.
Her heart skipped.
She stood frozen for a moment, caught off guard, unable to react before he released her just as quickly.
“Go now,” he said simply.
Elleri swallowed hard, composing herself before finally walking toward the departure area. She didn’t look back.
- Writer
