Adrian's voice was smooth and silky, but there was an undercurrent of anger and accusation. I tried to gather my thoughts, to find the words to explain my actions. "I was afraid," I said, my voice trembling. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
I could feel my face flush, the embarrassment of having been caught in such a vulnerable moment. But I knew I had to stand my ground, to show him that I wasn't going to be intimidated.
I tried to explain to Adrian that I had a fear of the dark, that it was a leftover effect from a bad experience in my past. I told him that I wasn't trying to disturb him, that I just needed the light on to feel safe.
But he just looked at me with a blank expression, as if he didn't understand what I was saying. I felt a surge of frustration, and I wanted to s
