Midnight Confessions and Unspoken Promises...
The soft rustle of fabric echoed through my room as I changed into my nightclothes,, The cool satin of my pajama top brushed against my skin,, offering comfort after an emotionally draining day,, I pulled my hair into a loose bun,, letting a few strands fall freely around my face. The mirror caught a glimpse of my tired eyes—eyes clouded with confusion,, unresolved arguments,, and lingering emotions I couldn't quite name.
Just as I reached for the light switch to turn off the bedside lamp,, a sudden pang of realization jolted me.
Where's Bella??
My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't seen her since earlier—before the argument,, before everything spiraled into chaos. She wasn't in the room. She wasn't on the couch,, not under the bed,, and not even by the small cushion near the window where she usually curled up.
Panic wrapped around me like a cold fog,. My fingers trembled slightly as I clutched my phone and dialed Lily's number,, She picked up almost immediately.
"Hello?? Yeah,, Rimi??" she sounded sleepy but alert.
"Lily, I—I'm sorry to disturb you,," I stammered,, pacing the room. "But… have you seen Bella??"
"Bella??" she repeated,, confused. "No,, but wasn't she with you and Adrian?? The last time I saw her,, she was curled up beside you—wait—wasn't that before you both… fought??"
My throat tightened. "Yeah,, it was. I just—she's not in my room,, I thought maybe she wandered off or—"
"Don't worry,," Lily said gently. "She's probably just exploring,, Maybe still near the party area,, or… maybe even with Adrian??"
I froze at the mention of his name.
Adrian...
Even the sound of it stirred a storm inside me. "Yeah… maybe,," I said, my voice soft, uncertain. "Okay. Thanks,, Lily. I'll go check. You get some sleep,, I'll handle it."
"Let me know if you find her,," she yawned. "I'm sure she's fine,, Rimi."
I ended the call and stared at my phone screen for a moment,, debating what to do. The idea of calling Adrian made my heart race. After everything that happened earlier,, how could I just… call him??
Still,, Bella could be with him.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and pressed his name on the screen.. It rang… once, twice… three times... But he didn't answer.
Of course...
I bit my lip and stood silently for a moment, then glanced toward the hallway...
There was no other option—I had to go to his room.
Grabbing a loose robe to throw over my pajamas,, I tiptoed down the quiet hallway. Each step echoed louder than the last,, as if the universe wanted to make my nerves worse. When I reached Adrian's door,, I hesitated. My hand hovered just above the wood. I closed my eyes,, took a deep breath, and then finally knocked—once,, then twice...
"Adrian… it's me,," I called softly.
The door creaked open after a few seconds. My breath caught in my throat.
He stood shirtless,, his hair a tousled mess,, eyes dark and unreadable. The soft glow from his room bathed his skin in golden light,, and for a moment,, I forgot how to breathe.
His lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Something wrong,, Rimi??"
I instinctively covered my eyes with my hand. "Wh-What the—Adrian!!"
He chuckled,, the sound deep and amused. "Relax. This is your future husband's body. You're allowed to look,, you know."
"S-shut up!!" I stammered. "I'm not going to marry you!!"
Before I could process anything else,, he grabbed my wrist gently but firmly and pulled me inside. The door closed behind me with a soft click,, and suddenly,, I was pressed against the wall. His arms caged me in on either side,, and I could feel the heat of his skin even through the thin layers of my robe.
My eyes darted away,, heart pounding. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne—woodsy,, warm,, familiar. Too familiar.
"Look at me,, baby,," he whispered,, his voice low.
"I'm not your baby,," I replied,, but my voice lacked conviction.
He leaned closer,, eyes fixed on me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world. "No,," he said, lips ghosting near my ear. "You're my future wife..."
My breath hitched.
Was I blushing?? I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks,, and he noticed—of course he did.
"You're blushing,," he teased softly,, one hand coming up to gently tilt my chin so I would look at him.
I looked into those eyes—dark,, intense, searching. I felt seen,. Completely exposed.
"I—I came to get Bella,," I whispered,, needing to break the tension before I completely melted under his gaze..
He chuckled again,, then reached toward the bed and picked up a small,, curled-up figure.
"Looking for this??" he asked,, handing over the sleepy kitten... Bella blinked lazily up at me before curling into my arms.
Relief washed over me,, but before I could thank him,, his voice grew soft.
"You know… someone like you needs someone to protect her. To care for her..."
I looked up at him,, eyes searching for hidden meanings in his words. "Is that what you think I need??"
He stepped closer again,, not touching, but close enough to make the air between us sizzle. "I know you do,," he whispered. "And I want it to be me."
The weight of his words settled between us. I didn't reply—I couldn't... My eyes were locked on his,, and his gaze drifted down to my lips.
He inched forward.
Just before our lips could meet,, he spoke again—his voice softer this time,, filled with something raw and vulnerable.
"I won't pressure you to choose me... But you should know… I'll always be here. No matter what."
The closeness,, The sincerity in his voice. It overwhelmed me...
He stepped back,, slowly,, giving me space. But I couldn't stop looking at him.
"Adrian,," I finally said,, voice barely a whisper. "Are you… hiding something from me??"
His expression faltered for a second—just a flicker—but I noticed it.
"There are things,," he admitted. "Things I didn't want to burden you with yet. Things about me… about you… my company… my past."
"Why not just tell me??" I asked,, clutching Bella closer.
He sighed,, running a hand through his hair. "Because once you know everything,, I don't know if you'll still look at me the way you're looking at me right now."
I felt something twist in my chest. "That's not fair,, Adrian."
"I know,," he replied. "But when the time's right, I'll tell you everything... And I hope… I hope you'll forgive me."
"Forgive you??" I repeated. "For what??"
He smiled faintly,, but the sadness in his eyes betrayed him. "Stop overthinking,, baby... Go get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day. Lily and Mike's wedding, remember?? You're the bridesmaid. I'm the best man."
I nodded,, even though my mind was still spinning.
"And…" he added,, his voice lighter now, "you'll be wearing the dress I chose for you..."
"You really have control issues,," I muttered,, unable to stop the blush on my cheeks.
He laughed. "Only when it comes to you..."
I forced myself to step back,, to walk toward the door. Bella mewed softly in my arms,, as if encouraging me.
"I'm happy for Lily and Mike,," I said softly.
"Me too,," Adrian replied.
And then,, as if drawn by an invisible string,, I looked back at him one last time before leaving.
His eyes were still on me,, unreadable yet full of something that made my chest ache.
Once inside my room,, I gently placed Bella on the couch,, where she stretched and rolled onto her back like she owned the place.
I climbed onto my bed,, lying down with a soft sigh,, eyes on the ceiling. But my thoughts were far from sleep.
Adrian's words,, his touch,, his closeness—they lingered like a storm in my chest. I couldn't stop replaying everything.
"You're my future wife…"
"I'll always be here…"
"I don't know if you'll still look at me the same way…"
What was he hiding?? Why couldn't he just tell me??
And why… did the thought of losing him hurt so much??
The silence of the room wrapped around me like a fragile cocoon as Bella's soft purring filled the air. But inside me,, nothing was quiet. The night whispered promises,, warnings,, and feelings I wasn't ready to face.
Not yet...
But tomorrow… everything could change...
To be continue...