Chapter 6: Making A Plan
1038 Words
Diana’s POV
“Looking for a death case?”
Adrian’s voice came from behind me.
I turned sharply, only to freeze.
He was shirtless, dressed in grey sweatpants that hung loosely from his hips,the fabric clinging lazily to his thighs.
In one hand was a bottle of wine, in the other, two glasses. The sight made my discomfort spike instantly.
From our brief meetings, I had noticed the outline of his abs through his clothes. But seeing him like this, bare, relaxed, unapologetic, made my thoughts spiral in directions I did not like.
I could only imagine how living in this house would be if he constantly walked around half-naked like this.
“Like what you see?” he drawled, a cunning grin curling his lips.
I glared at him, hoping it would shut him up. Instead, it amused him even more.
“I really do not mind, Ms Diana,” he said smoothly. “But you make me look like I am hiding something.”
Masked desire flickered in his eyes as he moved closer. Slowly. Deliberately.
“You walk around my house like you are searching for a corpse,” he continued.
“Planning to accuse me of murder already?”
I tried to stand my ground, but with every step he took toward me, my feet betrayed me and carried me backward.
“You would not feel intimidated if you had none lying around,” I muttered, finally lifting my hand to stop him from getting closer.
Adrian was intimidatingly tall. Standing straight against him felt impossible.
Looking him in the eye felt like a challenge I was losing.
He chuckled softly. “Oh really?”
He paused, handing me a glass before pouring wine into it.
“You already see me as a suspect before asking a single question.”
“I barely said anything,” I replied, taking a sip. “You choose to hear what you want.”
For a moment, he simply stared at me.
Then he spoke again. “Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about my plan. We will be attending Kane and Lauren’s wedding.”
“No.”
The word left my mouth without hesitation.
He blinked. “No?”
“I mean no,” I said firmly. “I will not be attending their wedding. That is final.”
He stared at me as if I had lost my mind.
“Just like that?” he asked.
I nodded. “I am not ready to face them, Adrian. When I am, you can drag me to any of their parties you like.”
“You cannot just say you are not ready and think that ends it,” he snapped.
“You do not understand the depth of this,” I snarled, the memory of Kane and Lauren crashing violently into my chest.
“You think this is about one stupid contract and your company?”
My voice rose despite my effort to control it.
“I said I will not attend the wedding,” I concluded.
My heart raced painfully, pounding against my ribs.
He shook his head slowly, disappointment and disdain lacing his expression.
“This is exactly why they controlled you so easily.”
I stiffened. “Excuse me?”
“You played your role perfectly,” he continued coldly. “You cried when you should have fought.
You begged when you should have slammed their faces into a wall.”
His voice echoed through the room.
I swallowed hard.
This was no longer just revenge for him.
His anger ran deeper, darker. I felt like a pawn dropped into a game I barely understood.
He exhaled, draining his wine as if to calm himself.
“You know this is our first public outing as a couple, right?” he said. “And I am certain you want the world to know that Mrs Sinclair is dead.”
I clenched my jaw. “I know what I signed, Adrian. I do not need reminders.”
“I am still not ready,” I insisted. “Not now. Not tomorrow.”
He studied me intensely. Then he laughed.
“What is funny?” I hissed.
“Oh nothing,” he said casually. “I just put a lot of effort into getting this dress for you.”
He lifted a red strapless gown.
I froze. “Where did that come from?”
“This?” he smiled. “Half a billion dollars.”
I blinked. “Half a billion? For a dress?”
“It was the only piece available,” he shrugged.
I scoffed. “Are you trying to buy me, Mr Adrian?”
I stepped back. “If you think you own me, think again.”
He closed the distance between us effortlessly.
“Are you coming with me or not?” he asked, lifting a strand of my hair.
His scent hit me again. Thick. Vanilla. Overwhelming.
“If this is how you plan on taking Kane down,” I muttered, “then you are insane.”
“I will go,” I snapped suddenly. “But only because I am not paying half a billion dollars for a dress.”
I shoved past him.
He laughed mockingly. “I could always replace you.”
I turned sharply. “I am your only option.”
His voice dropped dangerously low. “Did you read the contract carefully, Diana?”
My breath caught.
“It states that I can take you wherever I want, whenever I want,” he whispered.
“Refusing me is not optional.”
Fear crawled up my spine.
I should have brought a lawyer. I should have read everything twice.
But it was too late.
I straightened, forcing confidence into my voice. “You do not scare me, Mr Adrian.”
I snatched the dress from his hand. “Let us not keep the Sinclairs waiting.”
A slow smirk spread across his lips. “Ready to ruin a couple?”
I nodded, even though my heart screamed otherwise.
As we moved, I slipped my hand into my pocket, hoping my phone would vibrate.
Because the sooner Nelson uncovered the truth, the sooner this dangerous game would end.
- Writer
