Chapter Five
825 Words
She hadn’t expected that so quickly.
But she recovered instantly.
“That sounds nice.”
Adrian studied her again.
“Unless you’re busy.”
Selina stood up slowly.
“I’m not.”
Their eyes met.
For a brief second, something electric passed between them.
Adrian felt it.
Selina did too.
And that made her pause internally.
Because this…
This wasn’t supposed to feel real.
This man was supposed to be a tool for revenge.
Nothing more.
But standing here, looking into his calm, intelligent eyes…
Selina suddenly felt something unexpected.
A flicker of doubt.
Adrian opened the door for her.
“Shall we?”
Selina walked out beside him.
Downstairs, the city buzzed with evening life.
Adrian’s car waited outside.
As they drove through London streets, Selina stared out the window quietly.
Her plan was moving forward.
Everything was going exactly as she intended.
Soon enough, Jason would discover the truth.
That the woman he betrayed was now close to the one man he respected most.
His brother.
The thought should have made her feel victorious.
Instead…
Selina felt something unfamiliar growing inside her chest.
Something dangerous.
Because Adrian Carter was nothing like Jason.
And if she wasn’t careful…
She might end up hurting the one man who didn’t deserve it.
Across the car, Adrian glanced at her thoughtfully.
He didn’t know why this woman fascinated him so quickly.
But he knew one thing.
Meeting Selina Hayes today felt like the beginning of something important.
Something that might change both their lives.
Neither of them realized it yet.
But the moment Selina walked into his office…
Their fates had already collided.
And when the truth finally came out—
Nothing would ever be the same again.
The restaurant Adrian chose overlooked the Thames.
Soft lights reflected on the water outside the wide glass windows, and quiet piano music filled the elegant space. It was the kind of place people came to for serious conversations or unforgettable evenings.
Selina sat across from Adrian at the table, pretending to study the menu.
In truth, she was studying him.
Up close, Adrian Carter looked even more intimidating than in the photos she had seen. Tall, broad shoulders, calm posture, and eyes that seemed to analyze everything.
Jason used to complain about him sometimes.
“My brother thinks too much,” he once said.
Now Selina understood what he meant.
Adrian was watching her the same way.
Carefully.
Like he was trying to figure her out.
“You’re very quiet,” Adrian said.
Selina looked up.
“I’m thinking.”
“About what?”
She gave a small smile.
“About whether I made the right decision coming here.”
Adrian leaned back slightly.
“And?”
Selina lifted her glass of water.
“I think I did.”
Adrian’s gaze sharpened.
“You still haven’t told me how you heard about me.”
Selina expected that question.
She kept her voice calm.
“Business articles.”
Adrian almost smiled.
“That’s not true.”
Selina raised an eyebrow.
“You’re very confident.”
“You’re very mysterious.”
For a moment they simply looked at each other.
Then Selina changed the subject.
“So,” she said lightly, “do you always invite strangers to dinner?”
“Only the interesting ones.”
Selina laughed softly.
“And I qualify?”
Adrian didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
The waiter arrived with their drinks, interrupting the moment.
When he left again, Adrian spoke.
“You said someone betrayed you.”
Selina’s fingers tightened slightly around her glass.
“Yes.”
“Was it a man?”
Selina nodded.
Adrian studied her expression.
“Boyfriend?”
Selina hesitated for a second.
Then she said quietly,
“Something like that.”
Adrian didn’t push further.
But he could see the pain flash briefly in her eyes.
And for some reason, it bothered him.
“You must have been very angry,” he said.
Selina laughed under her breath.
“You have no idea.”
Her voice carried a sharp edge.
Adrian noticed.
“And now?” he asked.
Selina met his gaze.
“Now I’m just… moving forward.”
But that wasn’t entirely true.
She wasn’t just moving forward.
She was planning destruction.
And Adrian was part of that plan.
The thought made her chest tighten slightly.
Adrian picked up his glass.
“You know,” he said, “most people come to London to escape something.”
Selina tilted her head.
“And you?”
“I came to build something.”
“Your company?”
“Partly.”
“And the other part?”
Adrian looked out the window briefly.
“Peace.”
Selina watched him carefully.
This man wasn’t like Jason.
Jason was loud, impulsive, arrogant.
Adrian was calm.
Controlled.
Thoughtful.
And that made what she was doing feel… slightly wrong.
But the image of Jason and Lila kissing flashed through her mind again.
The guilt disappeared instantly.
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