Safe In His Arms

Chapter 4: Marry Me

Elara sat down for a while in the stranger’s little home, still shaken. After a few minutes, she realized something—she didn’t know any number from Adrian’s house to call for help. Fear started to rise again.

Meanwhile, Adrian had already hired men to search for her. They searched the entire road, calling her name, but there was no sign of her. Adrian was growing more and more worried.

Finally, one of the men spotted Elara near the small house at the end of the road.

Adrian rushed there quickly. When he saw her safe, relief washed over him, but his face soon hardened.

“Elara, why did you leave without telling anyone?” he asked, his voice filled with anger and worry. He wasn’t angry at Mrs. Whitmore—he was angry at Elara for putting herself in danger.

Elara lowered her head, ashamed, knowing he was right.

“I…i was just getting some fresh air."

Adrian’s jaw tightened as he ran a hand through his hair. “Fresh air? Elara, do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you?” His voice was calm at first, but there was a sharp edge beneath it, like a storm barely held back.

“I… I didn’t realize I was that far,” she whispered.

His eyes narrowed, burning with frustration. “That’s the problem—you don’t realize. You disappear, I have men searching the entire road like you’ve vanished into thin air. Do you know what that does?” His tone rose, a mix of anger and something deeper he couldn’t quite name.

She shrank back slightly, confused at his intensity. “I just… can’t live like this,locked away , like a prisoner.”

For a moment, Adrian pressed his lips together, forcing his temper under control. He took a slow breath, trying to cage the emotion clawing its way out. “You think I enjoy keeping you here?” he asked, voice low but firm. “You think this is about control? Elara, if something happened to you…” He stopped himself, the words hanging heavy in the air.

Elara looked at him, wide-eyed, not understanding why he seemed to care so much.

Elara crossed her arms, her voice sharp and trembling.

“Why are you so concerned about me anyway? You’re just a stranger to me, and me to you. I don’t understand—why don’t you just leave me alone? If they do anything to me, why would that matter to you?”

Adrian froze for a moment. His jaw tightened, and for a second, it looked like he might raise his voice. But instead, he drew in a slow breath, his eyes hard, controlled.

“You really think it wouldn’t matter?” he said, his voice low but edged with anger. “You don’t have the slightest idea how wrong you are,not everyone turns their back, Elara. There are people out there who can’t just watch someone walk straight into danger. Doesn’t matter if we’re strangers or not—life is still life.”

Elara’s eyes filled with tears, and she burst out crying.

“I… I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I feel trapped by this situation. I was free to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, wherever I wanted. Now… I’m a prisoner. When will this ever stop? I’m powerless. I can’t go after those men.”

Adrian clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm. His voice rose slightly, full of frustration but controlled.

“Don’t ever say you’re powerless. They want you to believe that, but it’s a lie. You survived what they tried to do. And until this ends, I’ll be here making sure they don’t get the chance to trap you again.”

---

The ride home was quiet. Elara stared out the window, her hands gripping the edge of the seat. The city passed by in a blur, but her mind was still on the man who had chased her. “I’m powerless,” his words kept echoing in her head. She shivered, thinking about how easily danger had found her.

Adrian drove steadily, his jaw tight, eyes fixed on the road. He didn’t speak, but she could feel the controlled frustration in the air.

When they arrived at the house, Adrian parked the car silently. Elara got out quickly and hurried to her room, closing the door behind her. She sat on the bed, hugging her knees, thinking about everything that had happened—the dealers, the chase, the fear, and how helpless she had felt.

Meanwhile, Adrian went to his study and picked up the phone. He called his father, explaining what had happened and how dangerous the situation was.

“Father, she’s still a target,” Adrian said. “I don’t know what to do.”

His father was silent for a moment. Then he spoke slowly, with weight in his voice.

“Adrian… sometimes there’s only one way to truly protect someone. You know the power you have, the connections your family holds. If you want her safe, there’s a way… a strong bond, a union that no one can challenge. Think about it carefully.”

Adrian put the phone down, frowning. He hadn’t expected his father to suggest that.

In her room, Elara’s thoughts began to take shape. She remembered the man who had chased her, the way he had said she had no power. If I had power, maybe I wouldn’t have been so scared… she thought. And then an idea came to her. She could use Adrian’s power, the safety of his family, to protect herself.

Maybe… I should ask him to marry me.

She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts kept spinning, heavy and restless. She had always imagined marriage to be about love—sharing laughter, building dreams, finding someone who truly saw her. But life had turned upside down so quickly.

She had never been very interested in men, not beyond the occasional crush. Her focus had always been on working, studying, making a future for herself. But now... she didn’t have the luxury of choice. Safety demanded something else. Marriage. Not for love, but for survival.

She realized how cruelly fast life could shift in a single moment.

As night settled deeper, she found no rest. Finally, unable to stand the silence of her room, she went to the kitchen. She warmed some milk on the stove, trying to calm her nerves.

“Adrian,I… I didn’t know you were here,” she whispered, startled when she noticed him sitting at the table, a cup of tea in his hand.

He gave her a small nod. “It’s alright. I usually stay up late. Couldn’t sleep, huh?”

She shook her head. “No… but maybe it’s good you’re awake. I have something to ask you.”

Adrian studied her, concern flickering in his eyes. Something about her fragile tone tugged at him, reminding him of the man who had once been like a second father to him—his father’s loyal employee. That man had been his guide when his father was absent, the one who taught him decency, kindness, and loyalty. His death had left a hole in Adrian, but the lessons remained, shaping him even now.

Elara took a deep breath, steadying her hands as she poured the warm milk into a cup. Her voice trembled, but she pushed the words out.

“Let me be direct… I know your family has power. I’ve been thinking… maybe if I lived here under another title, if I was protected by your name, I would finally be safe.”

Adrian frowned, his eyes sharpening. “What are you saying, Elara?”

She turned to him, tears glistening but her gaze steady.

“Can you marry me, please? just… so I won’t be powerless anymore. If I am your wife, they’ll think twice before coming after me.”

Her words hung in the air, fragile but firm, as she gripped the cup in her hands like it was her last shield.