Second Chances

17. Adrianna

She could have said something, anything, rather than standing there like a dumb person and listening to insults after insults. Was she that bad a person? Was her father's money the reason why anyone would even take a second look at her? Well, that was the reason why Elton married you in the first place, her conscience chimed in.

Adrianna was being driven to Morgan Inc and that was when she had allowed herself to cry freely. She knew Elton was a despicable man, but to keep hearing those words again and again... his words had managed to chip away at her self-confidence. Just then, her phone rang, drawing her attention. She furiously wiped her tears and cleared her throat as she answered the call.

"Addieee! Aunty told me moments ago that you are finally starting your work again! So good to see you do what you have always loved! What are your plans for tonight? This definitely calls for a celebration!" Tess squealed.

"I... uhhh... Tess, can we have this celebration tomorrow, please?" Adrianna managed to answer steadily, worried that her voice must have given out that she was crying right now.

"Addie, what's wrong? I can sense the change in your voice. Were you crying?" Adrianna could clearly detect the worry and concern in her tone. She simply let out a sigh. Tess knew her too well for her own good.

"Just some things, overwhelming things. I will be fine, don't you worry," she managed to say, hoping that would convince her friend.

"I am not buying this, A. We are meeting today after office. I will be done sooner with my work, say 5. Let me know when you get off."

"Tess, liste..."

"No, not hearing another word. We are meeting. See you. And always remember, you are the best at what you do. Don't let any asshole say otherwise. Okay? Love you!"

Adrianna nodded as she disconnected the call. She knew she was the best at whatever she set her mind to. Why was she letting Elton's words get to her? Maybe because deep down, he had unknowingly targeted her insecurities.

***

"Pumpkin! It is so nice to finally see you here! God! I can't put it in words. So, so happy to have you back!" Jeffery opened his arms wide and hugged her. He had missed his daughter a lot, and had been unhappy when she had decided to stop working and be a housewife. He knew the talent she possessed and couldn't bear to let it all go waste. But now that she had made up her mind, he was on cloud nine.

"I missed you too, dad," Adrianna softly said. The journey to Morgan Inc. and that call with Tess had given her enough time and strength to regain her composure. She didn't want her dad to worry over her. She was a big girl and she was capable enough of taking care of her own problems.

"Come, there is so much to do! I made some modifications to your office. We also opened a new cafeteria. And you know what, there are quite some people who are waiting to meet you," Jeffery excitedly rattled off, his energy and positivity rubbing off on Adrianna.

In the past three hours that she had been here, she had met all the old employees, some of them who had become her friends, her old team - the familiarity of the place and the nostalgia of how she used to be made her feel better, making her resolve to show Elton she wasn't who he thought she was much stronger. Just as his thought crossed her mind, her mobile screen lit up, notifying an email.

You better talk to dad and stop this circus right now. You will never get my attention or love so stop with this nonsense. This company is mine and I don't want your obnoxious presence here. Get this in your thick skull.

She might be determined, she might be building herself back, but nothing could prepare her for the hurt Elton's words always caused. She closed the mail and looked at the time. She knew Tess was waiting for her call but she didn't really want to mingle with anyone. She just wanted to be alone and cry her heart out to feel better. As if reading her thoughts, her screen lit up again.

Don't you dare cancel on me, Addie. I am at the cafe near your office so do not think of escaping me.

Adrianna let out a sigh. There was no way she could bail herself out of the situation now. She exited her office and met her father, taking his leave.

"Really, pumpkin. I am so glad to have you back. And one day when you feel good, we will have a heart to heart," and he placed a tender kiss on her crown, making her eyes brim with unshed tears. It was true, parents did know their children's untold sorrows. She simply hugged him tighter and murmured a bye before leaving his embrace.

***

"Out with the truth now, why are you sad?" Tess asked her the moment they were seated. She had selected a new lounge bar that was an exclusive, invite-only place. This meant less hormonally charged crowds, tolerable music levels with a relaxed atmosphere where they could actually have conversations without shouting.

"Tess, can we please talk about something else?" Adrianna was exhausted after a long day at work and being at the receiving end of Elton's scathing remarks.

"What happened to you, Addie? You were a strong, independent woman. You never took s**t from anyone so why are you allowing that ass to do it to you? What has changed in you? Why are you letting it happen?" Usually, Tess would always be understanding of Adrianna's situation but this had been going on for far too long. She missed her old friend and wanted her back. However, what she didn't realise was her tone when she said whatever was on her mind.

"It is very easy for you to say that. You are not hearing something negative about you all the time. You are not being called ugly, or useless, or a dimwit and what not! So don't preach me! You can only be so strong against all this negativity! And slowly, before you realise it, you even start believing all these things. So I am really sorry if you are missing your old Addie and this Addie is disappointing you!" She retorted acidly, which was unlike her. Adrianna was a non-confrontational person but seeing her right now, Tess knew she had unintentionally hurt her friend.

"Addie, I am sorry. I didn't mean it like that. And you are not a dimwit. And definitely not ugly! Please! Guys used to die to be with you! And some were just intimidated to even talk to you, worried that they wouldn't be able to hold a conversation with you! You are the epitome of what they call beauty with brains. Please don't let that i***t's words affect you in anyway. Please," Tess begged her as she took her hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I... It's okay. And I am sorry too. I don't know why I snapped. Can we please talk about something else?" Her tone came out a bit tired.

Tess simply nodded as she requested the server to get a cocktail for Adrianna and shots for herself.

"Let's truly celebrate your decision to put that brain to work and of course, to our friendship!"

"No! I don't want to take care of your drunken ass!" Adrianna tried to be stern but couldn't help the faint smile that formed on her lips.

"As if I care," she struck her tongue out.

***

"Addieeee! My love, I have a solution for your problem, and it involves you getting laid!" Tess squealed as she downed the remnants of her gin and tonic. She was currently five shots down, excluding her gin and tonic.

Adrianna ended up spewing out her drink in a very unladylike manner and started coughing badly. "What problem do I have? And what solution are you talking about? And would you tone it down?" She asked, puzzled, as she cleaned the mess with the help of some tissues. She had had a couple of shots too and could feel a slight buzz from the alcohol. But she was way better than Tess now, who was on the verge of being a drunken mess.

"My nine o clock. There is a guy at the bar, in blue shirt, calling the bartender while also fixing his hair. He looks snackable. Why don't you approach him and see where things go? I am sure he would be good in bed. You have been alone for too long," out came another inappropriate comment by Tess, making Adrianna go red with embarrassment before she realised the adjective she had used for him. "Uhh... No, thank you. He is not really my type, you know."

"Noooo! Please, just nooo! Your choice in men sucks!" Tess whined before she realised something. "Wait! Your type? You have a type? I am your best friend! You never told me your type!" She complained, looking as if she would cry any moment. "How could you do that to me? We are supposed to be best friends forever!"

"You want to h... hear my type?" Adrianna cautiously asked, hiccupping a bit. "Would that make you feel better?"

Tess nodded childishly as she leaned forward, arms on the table.

"Well then... He should have blue eyes, bright blue eyes, a deep, really deep baritone... you know, the kind that gives you goosebumps. He should have a well-defined jaw.... and... and should be a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. No, not playboy..." she smiled as the memories of that night came back in full force. She could smell the cologne that he had used as if he was right beside her, his voice and proximity had made goosebumps appear on her arms and develop a peculiar feeling in the pit of her stomach. It had been so long since she had remembered everything about that night, what with the mess she was dealing with in her personal life. That night seemed forever ago, but she could still feel his warmth around her. She had never felt this wanted in a long time, and that stranger had managed to make her feel things she hadn't before in the few minutes they were together.

"Aye! Where are you lost? Wait a minute. This description isn't random, is it? You met someone!" Tess shook her shoulder as she accused her, somber than how she was minutes ago.

Adrianna lowered her head and nodded, that faint smile still playing on her lips.

"Oh my God! Are you serious?! Where did you meet him? And did you do it?" Tess asked excitedly, wiggling her eyebrows. She didn't care if she was loud or if people could hear their conversation. She was simply happy that her friend was breaking out of whatever stupid spell she was under to fall for Elton.

Adrianna, whose cheeks were now covered with a slight pink hue, was about to open her mouth to share the details when there was an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? We have among us today a very dear friend of the owner, whom you all know as...."

Adrianna didn't bother hearing what else the announcer had to say as her mind wanted to relive those memories. The feeling of being wanted by someone, of being someone's centre of attention... if only she weren't such a coward. The patrons' loud cheers, including Tess', broke her out of her reverie as the lights slowly dimmed and the supposed star took the centre stage. Unknown to her, someone else had also been listening in rapt attention to her description of her ideal man, and he was more desperate to know than Tess.