Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 65: Chapter 65
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Elara was utterly shocked by Ruby's guess and flatly denied it. She said, "No way! Just yesterday, I drank myself into a stupor over Alex. Are you saying I'm two-timing?"
Ruby shook her head and said, "You and Alex never even held hands. You call that love? What you feel for Adrian, that's the real deal. Think about it. Would you be this down just because you lost a secretary job?
"Would you bend over backward to win Adrian back? You know your temper. Face it, you're unconsciously in love with him."
Elara froze for a few seconds before shaking her head. She said, "Honestly, I'm just pissed about being fired out of the blue. Haven't thought beyond that."
Ruby asked, "Didn't seeing Zoe today piss you off? And when Adrian was being all nice to her, didn't that just get under your skin?"
Elara started the car and said, "Doesn't running into a fake like Zoe just piss you off?"
Ruby said, "Seriously, Adrian's only being so nice to Zoe to get a reaction out of you. He's trying to make you jealous. Can't you tell?"
Elara shook her head and said, "Whatever he's thinking or how I feel, all I care about right now is getting back to work as soon as possible.
"Losing my job isn't a big deal, but I took on Susan's role. I can't just let her lose her job after she gives birth, can I? Besides, with Dylan's case still pending, it would be unwise to make an enemy of Adrian."
Ruby asked, "Is that all there is to it?"
Elara said, "Whether it's genuine or not, there's no way things between Adrian and me will go any further. There's just no future for us."
Ruby said, "Alright then, so all you want is to win Adrian back, right? Fine, from now on, you follow my lead."
Elara asked, "Alright, what's the plan?"
Ruby suggested, "Just give him the cold shoulder for a week."
Elara frowned and asked, "Are you sure? Zoe is by his side every day. I'm afraid the chance will be gone before you know it."
Exasperated, Ruby sighed, "You threw yourself at Alex for three damn years. Did you ever get with him? And now you're glued to Adrian, has he even given you the time of day?
"Girl, guys are all the same. The more you chase them, the colder they act. But the second you play hard to get, they'll come crawling back."
Elara stopped at the red light. She said, "I'm just talking about getting my secretary job back. What does that have anything to do with me chasing after Alex? Besides, that chapter is closed, so just drop it."
For the next few days, Elara took the advice and stopped hovering around Adrian. She explained the situation to Susan, and to her surprise, even Susan agreed with Ruby's suggestion.
But Elara didn't just sit around that week. She visited the largest traditional medicine clinic in Veritasiton, where Jenna worked. She went there to learn more about massage and to see if there were any suitable therapists available.
When she heard that Frank, the most renowned therapist, was accepting his final disciple, she impulsively signed up.
Honestly, Elara had always been a bit of a certification junkie. She thought adding a massage therapist license to her collection was no big deal.
The week flew by without a single glimpse of Adrian. Elara used to run into him so easily, but now, it was as if he had vanished from her world. She felt a bit puzzled and also a bit uncomfortable.
Since Elara didn't have Adrian on WhatsApp, she asked Ruby to check with Victor about what Adrian had been up to lately. Unexpectedly, Adrian had blocked Victor.
With no other options, Elara had to message Justin. She asked: [How's Adrian been lately? What's he been up to?]
Justin was at Marisiton Airport, about to board his flight. When Elara's message popped up, he was surprised. He replied: [Haven't seen you around this past week. I figured you'd given up on him.]
Elara typed: [Nope, just following everyone's advice to play hard to get. In your expert opinion, is it time for me to make my grand reappearance?]
Justin said: [We just wrapped up a big case in Marisiton and we're all beat. We are flying back to Veritasiton tonight. The flight should land at the airport around 11.
[Maybe it is a good time to give it a shot. Even if Adrian wants to pick a fight, he probably won't have the energy for it.]
Elara replied: [OK! I'll pick you up tonight.]
Adrian had asked Victor to pick him up, but Elara beat him to it. At 11:20 p.m., Elara saw Adrian and his group emerge from the arrivals gate.
Adrian wore a black suit with subtle patterns and a black wool overcoat. Though he looked tired, his tall frame and regal bearing made him impossible to miss. Even in the vast airport, Elara found him instantly.
Elara waved at them and called out, "Adrian! Justin!"
As soon as Adrian spotted Elara, something seemed to click in his mind. Without missing a beat, he pulled out his phone and called Victor. He asked, "Where are you?"
Victor said, "Ruby and I are catching a movie tonight, so I had Elara pick you up instead. Don't call me later—I've got plans."
Adrian shook his head, brushed past the smiling Elara, and headed straight for the taxi stand outside.
Zoe trailed behind Adrian, quietly wheeling her suitcase.
Justin shrugged and said, "Adrian doesn't have any ride apps on his phone, and Zoe's is dead. You catch my drift?"
Elara caught the hint and hurried after Adrian. She said, "Mr. Hartley, it's impossible to get a cab at the airport right now, and those unlicensed rides out there aren't exactly safe. Dressed like you are, you might just attract the wrong kind of attention.
"Don't even think about staying at a hotel nearby. The courthouse is over two hours away from here. If you hit morning traffic, you won't get there until lunchtime. Besides, you'll need to change your clothes for the hearing anyway."
In the end, Zoe, Justin, and Adrian settled into the Maybach business sedan that Elara had borrowed from Victor. The spacious interior accommodated them easily.
Zoe took the front passenger seat, while Justin and Adrian settled in the back.
Zoe shot Elara a sidelong glance.
Elara wore a delicate white knit dress beneath a long black cardigan, her long hair elegantly pinned up with a claw clip. The ensemble gave her a gentle, graceful presence with an understated elegance.
The form-fitting white dress perfectly accentuated Elara's enviable curves, stirring a wave of jealousy in Zoe.
Elara glanced at Zoe and asked, "Zoe, where do you live? Let me drop you off first."
Zoe replied, "No need. Just take Mr. Hartley home first."
Elara replied, "I'd love to drop Mr. Hartley off first, too, but this is Victor's car, and it needs to be returned to Mr. Hartley's garage later."
With no other option, Zoe finally gave her address.
Finally, only Adrian and Elara were left in the car.
"Are you tired, Mr. Hartley?" Elara asked, just looking for something to say.
Adrian stayed silent.
Seeing Adrian leaning back in the seat, eyes closed and resting, Elara decided not to disturb him further.
Upon arriving at Veritasiton Hills, Elara parked the car in the underground garage and retrieved Adrian's suitcase from the trunk, playing the part of the perfect secretary to perfection.
As Adrian stepped out of the car, Elara wheeled the suitcase over and asked tentatively, "Mr. Hartley, are you hungry? I could whip up something for you upstairs."
Adrian took the suitcase from her hands, turned, and stepped into the elevator.
Elara almost followed him in, but then recalled all the dating tips she'd picked up from Ruby lately. She thought, 'No, I should play it cool. All I need to do this time is show my face and let him know I'm still around.'
Over the next few days, Elara slipped back into her routine. She started learning café management and created a secondary social media account to share her experiences. As she gained a small following, she felt a real sense of accomplishment.
She spent the rest of her time taking massage therapy classes. Her days felt pretty fulfilling.
Another week flew by. Elara messaged Justin again: [Hey there, my little spy! How's Adrian been lately?]
Justin replied: [Adrian hasn't been around the past couple of days.]
Elara asked: [What? Did he go abroad for work again?]
Justin said: [Seems like his old shoulder injury is acting up again, so he's just staying home to rest.]
Elara asked: [Did he see a doctor about it?]
Justin replied: [Not sure. Oh, by the way, Zoe hasn't been around lately either. My guess is she's taking care of Adrian.]
Elara had been keeping her cool, but the moment she knew Zoe was taking care of Adrian, her patience flew out the window.
Unable to sit still any longer, Elara dashed to her kitchen and grabbed some premium imported steaks and fresh ingredients that had just arrived. Then, she immediately drove to Veritasiton Hills and entered the gate smoothly.
When Elara first started working for Adrian, her facial and fingerprint data were registered in the security system for his residence, granting her access as a resident.
Luckily, Adrian hadn't removed her facial recognition and fingerprint access yet.
Carrying the groceries, Elara took the elevator to the 16th floor. Though she knew the passcode, she rang the doorbell out of courtesy.
The door swung open, revealing Zoe standing in the doorway. Seeing Elara, Zoe was shocked. She asked, "Elara, what are you doing here?"
Ruby shook her head and said, "You and Alex never even held hands. You call that love? What you feel for Adrian, that's the real deal. Think about it. Would you be this down just because you lost a secretary job?
"Would you bend over backward to win Adrian back? You know your temper. Face it, you're unconsciously in love with him."
Elara froze for a few seconds before shaking her head. She said, "Honestly, I'm just pissed about being fired out of the blue. Haven't thought beyond that."
Ruby asked, "Didn't seeing Zoe today piss you off? And when Adrian was being all nice to her, didn't that just get under your skin?"
Elara started the car and said, "Doesn't running into a fake like Zoe just piss you off?"
Ruby said, "Seriously, Adrian's only being so nice to Zoe to get a reaction out of you. He's trying to make you jealous. Can't you tell?"
Elara shook her head and said, "Whatever he's thinking or how I feel, all I care about right now is getting back to work as soon as possible.
"Losing my job isn't a big deal, but I took on Susan's role. I can't just let her lose her job after she gives birth, can I? Besides, with Dylan's case still pending, it would be unwise to make an enemy of Adrian."
Ruby asked, "Is that all there is to it?"
Elara said, "Whether it's genuine or not, there's no way things between Adrian and me will go any further. There's just no future for us."
Ruby said, "Alright then, so all you want is to win Adrian back, right? Fine, from now on, you follow my lead."
Elara asked, "Alright, what's the plan?"
Ruby suggested, "Just give him the cold shoulder for a week."
Elara frowned and asked, "Are you sure? Zoe is by his side every day. I'm afraid the chance will be gone before you know it."
Exasperated, Ruby sighed, "You threw yourself at Alex for three damn years. Did you ever get with him? And now you're glued to Adrian, has he even given you the time of day?
"Girl, guys are all the same. The more you chase them, the colder they act. But the second you play hard to get, they'll come crawling back."
Elara stopped at the red light. She said, "I'm just talking about getting my secretary job back. What does that have anything to do with me chasing after Alex? Besides, that chapter is closed, so just drop it."
For the next few days, Elara took the advice and stopped hovering around Adrian. She explained the situation to Susan, and to her surprise, even Susan agreed with Ruby's suggestion.
But Elara didn't just sit around that week. She visited the largest traditional medicine clinic in Veritasiton, where Jenna worked. She went there to learn more about massage and to see if there were any suitable therapists available.
When she heard that Frank, the most renowned therapist, was accepting his final disciple, she impulsively signed up.
Honestly, Elara had always been a bit of a certification junkie. She thought adding a massage therapist license to her collection was no big deal.
The week flew by without a single glimpse of Adrian. Elara used to run into him so easily, but now, it was as if he had vanished from her world. She felt a bit puzzled and also a bit uncomfortable.
Since Elara didn't have Adrian on WhatsApp, she asked Ruby to check with Victor about what Adrian had been up to lately. Unexpectedly, Adrian had blocked Victor.
With no other options, Elara had to message Justin. She asked: [How's Adrian been lately? What's he been up to?]
Justin was at Marisiton Airport, about to board his flight. When Elara's message popped up, he was surprised. He replied: [Haven't seen you around this past week. I figured you'd given up on him.]
Elara typed: [Nope, just following everyone's advice to play hard to get. In your expert opinion, is it time for me to make my grand reappearance?]
Justin said: [We just wrapped up a big case in Marisiton and we're all beat. We are flying back to Veritasiton tonight. The flight should land at the airport around 11.
[Maybe it is a good time to give it a shot. Even if Adrian wants to pick a fight, he probably won't have the energy for it.]
Elara replied: [OK! I'll pick you up tonight.]
Adrian had asked Victor to pick him up, but Elara beat him to it. At 11:20 p.m., Elara saw Adrian and his group emerge from the arrivals gate.
Adrian wore a black suit with subtle patterns and a black wool overcoat. Though he looked tired, his tall frame and regal bearing made him impossible to miss. Even in the vast airport, Elara found him instantly.
Elara waved at them and called out, "Adrian! Justin!"
As soon as Adrian spotted Elara, something seemed to click in his mind. Without missing a beat, he pulled out his phone and called Victor. He asked, "Where are you?"
Victor said, "Ruby and I are catching a movie tonight, so I had Elara pick you up instead. Don't call me later—I've got plans."
Adrian shook his head, brushed past the smiling Elara, and headed straight for the taxi stand outside.
Zoe trailed behind Adrian, quietly wheeling her suitcase.
Justin shrugged and said, "Adrian doesn't have any ride apps on his phone, and Zoe's is dead. You catch my drift?"
Elara caught the hint and hurried after Adrian. She said, "Mr. Hartley, it's impossible to get a cab at the airport right now, and those unlicensed rides out there aren't exactly safe. Dressed like you are, you might just attract the wrong kind of attention.
"Don't even think about staying at a hotel nearby. The courthouse is over two hours away from here. If you hit morning traffic, you won't get there until lunchtime. Besides, you'll need to change your clothes for the hearing anyway."
In the end, Zoe, Justin, and Adrian settled into the Maybach business sedan that Elara had borrowed from Victor. The spacious interior accommodated them easily.
Zoe took the front passenger seat, while Justin and Adrian settled in the back.
Zoe shot Elara a sidelong glance.
Elara wore a delicate white knit dress beneath a long black cardigan, her long hair elegantly pinned up with a claw clip. The ensemble gave her a gentle, graceful presence with an understated elegance.
The form-fitting white dress perfectly accentuated Elara's enviable curves, stirring a wave of jealousy in Zoe.
Elara glanced at Zoe and asked, "Zoe, where do you live? Let me drop you off first."
Zoe replied, "No need. Just take Mr. Hartley home first."
Elara replied, "I'd love to drop Mr. Hartley off first, too, but this is Victor's car, and it needs to be returned to Mr. Hartley's garage later."
With no other option, Zoe finally gave her address.
Finally, only Adrian and Elara were left in the car.
"Are you tired, Mr. Hartley?" Elara asked, just looking for something to say.
Adrian stayed silent.
Seeing Adrian leaning back in the seat, eyes closed and resting, Elara decided not to disturb him further.
Upon arriving at Veritasiton Hills, Elara parked the car in the underground garage and retrieved Adrian's suitcase from the trunk, playing the part of the perfect secretary to perfection.
As Adrian stepped out of the car, Elara wheeled the suitcase over and asked tentatively, "Mr. Hartley, are you hungry? I could whip up something for you upstairs."
Adrian took the suitcase from her hands, turned, and stepped into the elevator.
Elara almost followed him in, but then recalled all the dating tips she'd picked up from Ruby lately. She thought, 'No, I should play it cool. All I need to do this time is show my face and let him know I'm still around.'
Over the next few days, Elara slipped back into her routine. She started learning café management and created a secondary social media account to share her experiences. As she gained a small following, she felt a real sense of accomplishment.
She spent the rest of her time taking massage therapy classes. Her days felt pretty fulfilling.
Another week flew by. Elara messaged Justin again: [Hey there, my little spy! How's Adrian been lately?]
Justin replied: [Adrian hasn't been around the past couple of days.]
Elara asked: [What? Did he go abroad for work again?]
Justin said: [Seems like his old shoulder injury is acting up again, so he's just staying home to rest.]
Elara asked: [Did he see a doctor about it?]
Justin replied: [Not sure. Oh, by the way, Zoe hasn't been around lately either. My guess is she's taking care of Adrian.]
Elara had been keeping her cool, but the moment she knew Zoe was taking care of Adrian, her patience flew out the window.
Unable to sit still any longer, Elara dashed to her kitchen and grabbed some premium imported steaks and fresh ingredients that had just arrived. Then, she immediately drove to Veritasiton Hills and entered the gate smoothly.
When Elara first started working for Adrian, her facial and fingerprint data were registered in the security system for his residence, granting her access as a resident.
Luckily, Adrian hadn't removed her facial recognition and fingerprint access yet.
Carrying the groceries, Elara took the elevator to the 16th floor. Though she knew the passcode, she rang the doorbell out of courtesy.
The door swung open, revealing Zoe standing in the doorway. Seeing Elara, Zoe was shocked. She asked, "Elara, what are you doing here?"
End of Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary Chapter 65. Continue reading Chapter 66 or return to Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary book page.