Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 83: Chapter 83

The restaurant was located in Hachester's most exclusive area, on the top floor of a mall overlooking Mirror Lake. From the window seats, diners could enjoy an unobstructed, panoramic view of the entire lake.
Adrian placed his order as usual and then glanced at Elara, who sat silent across from him.
A tense silence stretched between them for over ten minutes, neither willing to speak first.
Finally, Adrian spoke up. "Let's not spoil this rare outing with sulking, okay?"
Elara flashed a smile. "No sulking at all, Mr. Hartley. Any issues with my work?"
"Are you that hung up on me and Josie?" Adrian asked. He knew why she was putting on this act——she was jealous. She'd already admitted it last time, and he figured her jealousy was through the roof now.
"I'm just a lowly assistant. How dare I mind your private affairs?" Elara retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
For the first time, Adrian dropped his pride, coaxing her with uncharacteristic softness. "If you're really that curious, just spend a pleasant day with me around Mirror Lake, and tonight I'll tell you everything."
Elara sipped her lemonade, thinking, 'If I can have a good time today and get him to be honest with me afterward, that's not a bad deal.'
Still, she played hard to get, saying, "Don't wanna know."
"Don't wanna know? You're basically drowning the room in jealousy," Adrian teased.
"Hardly."
"This place has a three-month waiting list. After we eat, I'll take you on a private cruise around Mirror Lake."
Boat riding was totally new for Elara—her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really?"
"Do I look like the type to go back on my word?" Adrian replied.
Elara weighed her options. "After we hang out today, you'll tell me everything tonight, right?"
"I'll hold nothing back."
Elara finally let go of her little fit and started digging into the freshly served dishes.
Elara relished the sweet notes of Southern cooking, while Adrian visibly struggled with the taste.
By the time they wrapped up lunch, it was already past two. Adrian had rented out the whole boat—just a barista brewing coffee, and the two of them on board.
The majestic vessel slowly glided across the center of Mirror Lake. Gentle ripples danced on the water, their soothing rhythm and soft murmur seeming to wash away all worldly anxieties from the hearts of those aboard.
Elara leaned against the boat's railing, watching the water ripple, feeling relaxed. "I thought you came to Hachester for business. So what's with the boat tour?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Who said I came here for business?"
"You said it."
Last night in Marisiton, Elara had said she was heading back to Veritasiton. To keep her from leaving, Adrian'd brought up coming to Hachester—he had zero actual business here.
Adrian leaned back against the railing, the autumn breeze ruffling his short hair. Dressed casually instead of in his usual business attire, he looked years younger.
With a relaxed smile, he said, "I only said I had business in Marisiton. I never mentioned having work to do here in Hachester."
"You're just ditching the stuff in Marisiton?"
"Yeah," Adrian replied. To him, Elara was a far more complex matter to navigate.
He watched her hair dancing in the autumn wind—a few strands landing on his hand resting on the railing. The soft touch sent a tiny spark of excitement through him.
After a pause, he turned to face Mirror Lake, pointing to a spire-topped tower ahead. "Recognize that?"
Elara shook her head.
"Ever heard the tale of The Lunar Serpent?"
Elara nodded. "Saw the latest retelling."
"That's Vyrthos Spire."
"This is where the hierophant trapped the serpent maiden?"
"Mm-hm."
Elara, struck by the surreal sight of the story's iconic tower materializing before her, lingered on it a moment longer, eyes fixed on its weathered stone walls.
The peaceful moment was shattered by an untimely phone ring. Elara fished her phone from her pocket.
Adrian caught sight of the name "Alex" on the screen, and his relaxed expression faded slightly. To his relief, Elara declined the call immediately.
Elara's good mood from earlier fizzled out. She let the cool autumn breeze brush past her, staring silently toward Vyrthos Spire.
Adrian suddenly asked, "Feeling down?"
Elara's speech last night was incredibly moving, largely because of the touching story she shared about Alex. Adrian could sense just how important Alex was to her—the boy next door she grew up with, who stood by her through her most uncertain times.
"What's there to be sad about?" Elara said, her tone flat.
Adrian said quietly, "Alex is engaged."
Elara did feel low and admitted quietly, "It hurts."
What really hurt wasn't that Alex hadn't chosen her, but seeing someone as amazing as him forced to settle for someone like Nancy because of life's harsh realities.
Elara knew Nancy was not the right match for Alex, but she could do nothing about it. Sooner or later, all his talent and kindness would be consumed by Nancy, and he'd be nothing but a shell of his former self.
Elara was consumed by a deep, bitter pain that she wasn't strong enough. Alex had protected her for years, but now she couldn't do anything to protect him.
'If only I were the daughter of a billionaire,' she thought desperately, 'I'd save Dylan without hesitation.'
Somehow, Adrian felt a pang of irritation. "You sure are loyal, huh?"
"Isn't loyalty a good thing?" Elara asked back, her clear eyes locked onto his. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and a few strands of hair, ruffled by the autumn breeze, stuck to her delicate face.
It was only then that Adrian realized his heart had been stirred by her long ago. The heart he'd always thought was as cold as ice had, without him even noticing, come alive. "Yeah, it's good," he admitted quietly.
The boat drifted across Mirror Lake for over an hour before the two returned to the cabin, where a professional coffee master served them freshly brewed Blue Mountain coffee.
Though Adrian always arranged his own work hours, it had been ages since he last enjoyed such a leisurely moment—sipping coffee while admiring the lake view.
Ever since meeting Elara, his chronic insomnia had eased. He felt way more relaxed overall, like he'd finally come alive again.
"Your place is pretty far from Veritasiton Hills. How about I find you an apartment closer to mine?" Adrian suggested. Elara was making multiple trips back and forth every day, and it was becoming a real hassle.
Elara was startled by Adrian's sudden offer. "Are you serious, Mr. Hartley? Are you really offering me a place?"
The last time, she'd pretended to be his girlfriend just to help him win a bet with Yann. Back then, Adrian had promised she could choose a place in Veritasiton. She had figured it was just part of the act—nothing to take seriously.
Adrian looked at her. "What else?"
Elara probed, "Will you put it in my name?"
"Of course," Adrian said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Elara didn't really want the apartment; she just wanted to see how far Adrian would go. She knew accepting it would mean becoming his secret mistress.
'No need to rush,' she thought.'It all depends on whether Dylan can get out safely tonight. If he does, I'll just cover Susan's shifts for a few months. I don't have to let things with Adrian get complicated. After all, he's already engaged.'
"Thanks, Mr. Hartley. I'll think about it," Elara said, her mind already calculating, 'It all depends on what happens with Dylan tonight.'
"If that one doesn't suit you, I have another place in Veritasiton Hills. It's yours if you want, just..." Adrian hesitated. The annual HOA fees for that one were quite substantial, and he didn't want to burden Elara.
'Forget it. I might as well just cover the HOA fees for the next ten years,' he thought. Then he said, "If you like it, I'll take you to transfer the deed when we get back."
Elara propped her chin on her hand, studying him. "Mr. Hartley, why are you offering me an apartment?"
Adrian was momentarily stunned. He didn't know the answer himself; it just felt right somehow.
Elara raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to keep me?"
Adrian paused with his coffee cup halfway to his lips. A low, soft chuckle escaped him as he said, "If you're willing, I can most certainly afford to keep you."
Elara fell quiet for a moment. "May I ask, how long is this arrangement supposed to last? Until you turn thirty and get married, or just until you grow tired of me?"