by Layla Arts
“Why should I get out?” he asked me confusingly.
“You smell from a distance, Hadrian. And I am not letting you work right now when you haven't even had a proper breakfast.” I said. “You are going to sit on the passenger’s seat, and I will drive you back to your house.”
“You're going to drive my Bentley? Are you nuts?” Hadrian scoffed.
“Says the guy who fell asleep in his car.” I pointed out. “Now move your ass, because I bet your house looks like a nightmare since you weren't there.”
After a few seconds, Hadrian finally gave in, and he handed me the car keys. I couldn't believe I was going to drive such an incredible car, but I needed to be careful. If I manage to ruin this beauty, I was probably going to be brought to hell by mister Smith himself – or sued.
I remembered the drive back to his mansion perfectly. Hadrian was leaning the entire time with his head against the window, and sometimes I peeked over at him. He had his eyes closed, and his mouth was a slightly parted. I didn't think for a second that he had slept well – he must be exhausted.
“Eyes on the road, Vicky.”
I didn't know how he noticed me watching him now and then.
I focused back on the road, and before we knew it, we had arrived at his residence. To my surprise, everything looked not even close to broken. As Hadrian stepped out of his Bentley, I followed him. I locked the car and gave Hadrian back his keys. He opened the front door, and we stepped into the hallway.
Everything was clean. Nothing was on the ground, and it seemed like there hadn’t been a party last night. I followed Hadrian throughout his house, and we stopped in the kitchen. He leaned with his elbows on the white kitchen counter. He could fall asleep on the spot.
There was utter silence between us, because we both didn't know what to say.
I took a seat on the chair by the dining table and saw what time it was.
“Maybe you should cancel practice for today,” I inclined.
“Impossible,” Hadrian replied. “You girls need to practice.”
“And you should be there to give us feedback; say what needs to be changed and arrange everything for the next show. You are almost falling asleep on the kitchen counter, so you can’t go to the Empire.”
“I am just tired, Vicky. Don't feel the need to care.”
“Well, I just do okay?” I fired back a bit harsher. I tried to help him, but he was being an ass and not accepting my friendship at this moment. “You should start with being nicer towards me, because your attitude is disgusting. I just wanted to help you. Quit being rude twenty-four-seven.”
“Why would you help someone like me?” Hadrian questioned me bitterly.
I did not know why I wanted to be here; why I wanted to take care of Hadrian. But leaving him at his home without helping him, would be an awful thing to do. The way he stared at me made me feel as if he did not want me to turn around and go back to my own apartment. Hadrian would never scream for help, but his eyes told me otherwise – secretly he wanted me to stay.
Maybe I had created a soft spot for Hadrian during these days – something I preferred not to have. If he didn’t want me to take care of him, he wouldn’t even allow me to take him home.
“I think we all need to be taken care off,” I said.
***
Hadrian was finally sleeping after he had showered, and he canceled practice.
I was seated on his couch in front of his four televisions. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a remote to be found. So I settled for a magazine, which was about cars. I couldn’t say I was entertained because I had no idea what they were talking about.
Since I was getting bored – because I had been alone for the past five hours – I ended up in his kitchen.
My eyes were focused on all the cabinets. The kitchen was very modern and grand. The café did not own such expensive coffee machines compared to Hadrian.
I searched through every cabinet for two mugs, milk, and sugar. The coffee was getting ready, and Hadrian could wake up any minute – I kept his coffee black, how he always wanted to have it back at the café.
Since he hadn't eaten a thing, I put cereal, fruit, and yogurt in a bowl. That was the only meal I could prepare in a short amount of time, and I couldn’t find anything else. His refrigerator was almost empty.
I searched for a tray, which was quite an adventure. But when I had finally found one, I placed everything on it.
I had never seen his bedroom, and I was pretty curious about what it looked like. I had already received a tour through his residence, so I knew at least which rooms I didn't need to enter. I walked with the tray in my hand through the bright and long hallway. I wondered why Hadrian actually needed thousands of different rooms when he lived here on his own.
I didn't knock on the door, but simply opened it without making too much noise. And luckily, I had entered the right room.
The curtains – which leads to the balcony – were opened and were moving because of the door. The room was mostly white, and enough light entered his bedroom.
My eyes landed on Hadrian, who was sleeping peacefully. I almost didn't want to wake him up, but I needed to – otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to sleep properly tonight; his sleeping pattern would be messed up.
He looked so innocent when I came closer. His hair was a mess, and the duvets were wrapped around his body. One of his legs was lying exposed on the bed. Hadrian was sleeping shirtless, and a few tattoos were visible. I stared at them in admiration. He had a skull tattooed on his left side in great detail.
I decided to wake him up before it would be two hours later. I reached out for his shoulders and placed my hands on them. I felt his warm skin coming in contact with my cold hands. I flinched slightly because it was rather intimate to hold him like that. Such a small thing to do felt incredibly personal.
“Hadrian,” I spoke softly.
I needed to wake him up gently.
“Hadrian, wake up.”
A soft whimper left his mouth, and he squeezed his eyes shut one more time before opening them. He repeatedly blinked when he was met with the bright light from the sun. He looked around the room, and I stared at him. Hadrian lifted himself up so that he sat against the headboard. He stretched himself out and smiled weakly before he talked to me.
“Good afternoon.”
His voice was extraordinarily deep; this was his morning voice – holy shit.
“Hi,” I greeted Hadrian. “I brought you some food and a cup of coffee.”
Hadrian was looking at the tray that I brought with me. I placed it on his lap, and he stared at it with satisfaction.
“It’s simple,”
“No, don't say that,” Hadrian said. “You did this when I didn’t ask you to. Thank you,” he acknowledged. I gave him a genuine smile and grabbed the cup of coffee from the tray that was resting on his lap. Hadrian was putting the pieces of fruit in his mouth, and I knew that he was hungry by the way he tried to fit as much food as he could in his mouth.
“Hadrian,” I spoke faintly. He glanced up before shoving the spoon with cereal and yogurt into his mouth. “Why were you sleeping in your car and did not attend the party?” I kicked my shoes off and pushed myself further onto the bed. I folded my legs while I held the cup with both of my hands.
“I didn't want to go to the party anymore. I wasn’t thrilled about getting drunk.” Hadrian waved me off. I frowned at him, and just accepted his response.
I felt the caffeine kicking into my body.
“Why do you care so much?” Hadrian asked.
“I just do.” I shrugged.
“But after I have been an asshole towards you, you brought me home and stayed,” he explained. “I just don't understand.”
“I am not the type of person to shove someone away so easily. I am still mad at you for saying those words to me, but I cannot stay mad at you for a simple moment when I see you like that in your car. I really thought something bad had happened to you.”
&
nbsp; “Were you scared?” He asked me immediately.
“I was concerned, Hadrian,” I confessed. “That is normal.”
“How can I make it up to you?”
“What do you want to make up?” I wondered confusingly.
“When we were in my office, I was a dick to you. And I have surely been a pain in the ass for the last couple of days. Then you still took me home, let me sleep for a while, brought me all of this–” Hadrian signed to the bowl and mug. “What do you want?” he asked me curiously.
“I don’t want your money, Hadrian.”
Hadrian chuckled. “I didn’t mean that,” he said. “Something you want to do.”
I bit my lip and thought about what I could choose. I didn't want something big. I didn't want to get a gift from Hadrian. So I came up with a wonderful idea, something we had already done for two times; lovely but simple.
“Take me to your favorite café.”
“That soun-”
“Wait,” I stopped Hadrian. “You're going to take me with your Bentley, and I want to see a beautiful park. And don't forget that the café needs to have apple pie,” I chirped. Hadrian smiled at me funnily. “Is that okay? Or too much?”
“It’s perfect,” Hadrian responded.
***
Since Hadrian had continuously been unpredictable, I didn’t know what this meant; a date or a get-together? Perhaps he wanted to thank me for taking care of him. At the end of the day, I didn’t know what I wanted it to be. I saw Hadrian as a friend. I understood he was not your usual friend, but I knew that being distant from Hadrian had become quite a difficult task.
I shouldn’t panic about all of this. All that mattered was having a good time.
Hadrian had a fantastic taste in restaurants, so I assumed this was going to work out.
Only if Hadrian didn't take me to the middle of nowhere.
I was standing in my room, and I was repeatedly yanking new clothes out of the closet to hold in front of myself while I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I did not know what was suitable for an afternoon with Hadrian.
Again, I reminded myself of going out with Hadrian. My boss. How wonderful.
So I told myself it was a kind-hearted gesture. It was no date, and that would be totally wrong, since he was my boss. And it was stupid to even think he would take me on a date, since he was going from one woman to another. We were friends.
Coming to the realization, I had absolutely nothing to wear. At least, that is what I told myself. I didn't want to be overdressed, and I didn't know whether I’d still like the outfit when I’d see him. Normally, my mind would work wonderfully in these conditions, but I felt as if I was failing thoroughly.
Due to the stress, I grabbed a black skirt with a white shirt. I stepped into my Nike and checked myself in the mirror.
It could be worse, my subconscious told me.
I pulled at the hem of the skirt to adjust it, and I searched for a decent bag.
A few knocks were heard on the door, and I took a deep breath. Hadrian had arrived, and I questioned myself how he’d look like. I unlocked the front door and was met with attractive emerald eyes. A smile was displayed on his lips, and it may sound so weird to admit; but if he had a decent personality. I wouldn't mind to seriously date him.
"Done with checking me out from head to toe?" Hadrian asked me with a pleasant smirk on his face.
"Whatever." I scoffed and closed the door behind myself. "You better have chosen a great café, because I want quality, Mr. Smith."
"Sure Miss West, I only deliver quality," Hadrian said with a teasing tone. I knew that he was referring to something different that could deliver outstanding quality.
Hadrian wore dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt. He held his sunglasses with his right hand as he escorted me to his Bentley.
At this point, I wondered why I hadn’t asked Hadrian to give me a car.
Thankfully, we wouldn’t be driving around for too long; I wasn’t a massive fan of long car rides. The radio was on, and I mumbled along with the music that was heard. As he was driving, I relaxed on the passenger seat and looked at the buildings and cars passing by hurriedly.
Rushing in a small town, I forgot to call you.
“I thought you never listened to this kind of songs,” I pointed out seriously.
“I have worse music on my phone too, so don't speak too soon,” Hadrian informed me, and I chuckled. “I connected my phone to the car.”
“Can I choose a song from your playlist?”
His left hand was holding the steering wheel, and he handed me his phone with his right. He quickly unlocked his phone, so I was able to search for a new song to play. I scrolled through the playlist and occupied myself to see the songs he liked the most.
“You’ve got the song!” I squealed surprisingly. I never thought he listened to this one.
“Which song?” Hadrian asked in panic, because of my sudden excitement.
“Beautiful Soul!” I said happily.
I pressed on the song, and the first notes sounded perfectly through the stereo.
“Oh, that one,” Hadrian said and shook his head. “I don't like it.”
“How can you not like it? It's Jesse McCartney with his best hit,” I chirped.
“Best,” Hadrian scoffed.
“Excuse you,” I said. “He is a great man with catchy songs.”
“Just scroll further, I have better music. That one is a big mistake. I accidentally added it.”
I rolled my eyes at his words. “Absolutely. Everyone adds new music to their playlist mistakenly.”
Hadrian didn’t respond to my remark, so I kept scrolling through the list.
“I like this.”
“What is it?” Hadrian inquired.
“You've got Brother by Mighty Oaks. If I listen to this song, it reminds me of the days I went camping. I remember everything so vividly,” I explained and noticed that I had shared a personal aspect of my life with Hadrian.
“You and camping?” Hadrian asked me bafflingly. “You were a camping girl?”
“Yes, I was!” I proclaimed and slapped Hadrian weakly. “I always went camping with my parents. We drove by the most stunning locations, and we never had a plan. We would crash the night somewhere and enjoy it altogether. After a while, we stopped with traveling around.”
“Why did you stop?”
“I got older. School and friends were playing a major role in my life. My parents went every summer break without me, so I stayed home. I went clubbing with friends from Texas, and that is what I did for a long time. And now I am here, and the music plainly reminds me just of those days.”
“Would you ever go camping again?” he asked with interest.
“I would, if I could,” I said.
“You can just go, right?”
“Just go?” I laughed at Hadrian's words; little did he know how hard it was to disappear for me. “Things aren't like they were before. I need to work to pay my bills. If I am lucky enough, I might be able to shop new clothes during the afternoon once a month. I don't own millions of dollars like you do, Hadrian. It is more complicated than you actually think it is.”
“So how long do you think it will take to ever go camping again?”
“Surely a few years,” I confessed.
“A few years?!” Hadrian said in surprise. “That is insane,” He muttered.
“It is what it is.” I shrugged. “Do you go on holidays?”
“I mostly go a few times a year,” Hadrian said shamelessly. “I prefer to go to New York, because it is so alive. It is a sweet escape in my own country.”
“New York sounds beautiful. A friend of mine from Texas had been there, and she told me how wicked all performances were. The way they have thought about every little detail was surely worth it.”
“You don't want to know how many times I have gone to shows in New York City,” Hadrian stated with a faint chuckle.
“I never thought you were a type to
watch them; the shows.”
“I'm the boss of the Empire. I definitely need to be interested in shows. Otherwise, I will be bored for the rest of my life. My father was never interested in the concept, and I think that if he ever had owned the club, he would never put so much effort in it as I do.”
“You really like the club, don't you?”
“It's my entire life,” Hadrian said while he stared at me.
I gave him a sweet smile before I spoke the same words he said to me yesterday, “Eyes on the road, Hadrian.”
***
As we arrived at the café, I was overwhelmed by how fancy it looked. Hadrian had definitely made sure it was luxurious. The drinks and apple pie they served were phenomenally tasty. During the time we sat here, we continued talking about our family and holidays. He had seen so many parts of the world while I hadn’t left the states.
After I finished my tea, I noticed a man appearing next to our table.
“Hadrian, mate,” he greeted Hadrian happily.
Hadrian choked for a second due to him.
“William, what a surprise,” Hadrian spoke uncomfortably.
I scanned the man who was wearing a suit. His black hair was pushed back with a lot of gel, and he placed his sunglasses off his head. It was evident to me that he also did own a huge amount of money.
“You wouldn’t mind if I take a seat, would you?” William, how he apparently was named, questioned Hadrian confidently.
“No problem. Take a seat.”
He claimed a chair from the empty table beside us, and he shoved it towards us. He sat down and asked the waitress for a cappuccino. As she assured him she’d return as soon as she could, he winked at her. He opened his suit jacket, as I shot a glare at Hadrian. But he didn't look at me, so I didn't know how he felt about William sitting here suddenly.
“I am sorry that I haven't introduced myself earlier. I’m William Purdy.” He shook my hand politely. “But you can call me Will.” He added with a cheeky wink at the end.
“Vicky West.” I introduced myself. “Nice to meet you.”
The waitress placed the cappuccino in front of William, and he gave her a big tip. I didn't know this man, but it was obvious that William Purdy was intrigued by the waitress. He was already throwing with money when he just arrived here. Maybe he was a businessman himself, too.
