Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 84: Chapter 84

He had no idea how long he'd keep supporting her. After all, they'd barely just started, and how could he possibly predict the end? If things worked out, he was fine with it lasting as long as it needed to—even if that meant forever.
"Just try it and see," he said. Anyway, he would never shortchange her.
Elara's phone rang again. She glanced at the screen, irritation flashing across her face, and hit decline once more.
Adrian advised with feigned concern, "Why don't you answer? It might be an emergency."
Elara was just about to speak when a message from Alex popped up: [Why aren't you here?] Without hesitation, she locked her phone and returned to sipping coffee.
"Aren't you going to have one last talk with Alex?" Adrian asked.
Elara saw through Adrian's feigned concern and grinned, "So, Mr. Hartley, you want me to talk to him?"
Of course Adrian didn't want that, but what he said was, "It's entirely up to you."
Elara smirked, "Well, since you insist, I suppose I'll go then."
Adrian's playful expression darkened instantly, but Elara had already grabbed her phone and stepped outside. He watched as she leaned against the railing, engrossed in conversation, and suddenly, the aromatic coffee before him lost all its appeal.
In fact, Elara had just called her mother, who'd texted earlier wanting to check up on her. They talked for about fifteen minutes, and by the time Elara came back, Adrian had already told the crew to bring the boat into the dock.
Elara deliberately kept silent, trailing behind Adrian. He picked up the pace, and she followed closer and closer.
The short-legged tour guide couldn't keep up and called out, "Hey, you two lovebirds, wait up for your poor guide."
She scurried after them, adding, "Don't go any further. The forecast says it'll rain in about an hour. I suggest you just choose one more place to see."
"What attractions are still available? Could you recommend a few?" Elara asked.
The guide replied, "Down in Hachester, there's Luminara Church—it's known for granting love wishes and is supposedly the best spot in the state. But since you two are already together, you might want to skip it. Wanna check out Vyrthos Spire instead?"
Elara's eyes lit up. "To Luminara Church."
"What's so fun about a church anyway?" Adrian scoffed.
Elara frowned. "You've got a fiancée, but what about me? Can't I at least make a wish for myself?"
The guide fell silent. 'Wait, you two aren't a couple?'
Adrian watched as Elara's bright smile twisted into a frown. With a resigned sigh, he reluctantly gave in to her wishes.
Elara's eyes immediately crinkled with delight as she got her way. Cheerfully, she followed the guide, asking about Hachester's local specialties she planned to bring back for Ruby and Julian.
Adrian trailed a few steps behind, his entire focus riveted on Elara.
Besides Luminara Church stood Moonveil Bridge. After murmuring a prayer for destined love, Elara noticed the queue for lock vendors and joined it.
"You know those locks are for engraving names," Adrian said, his mood darkening further. "Who do you intend to etch on yours?"
'Alex is practically engaged, and here Elara is, not only hoping their relationship holds but even planning to hang a lock with their names intertwined?' he fumed, his blood simmering with rage.
When Elara got to the front, she bought two pairs of locks and held out one set to Adrian. "Why not give it a try? Write your name and Josie's on it. It might save you from waiting until you're thirty to get married. You could even have two kids in three years."
"As if that rubbish works." Adrian let out a laugh, half annoyed. Still, he took the blank locks.
Elara smiled, picked up a metal engraving pen, and carefully etched Ruby and Victor's names onto her locks.
After finishing, she stifled a giggle behind her hand as she thought, 'If Ruby makes it big, all I have to do is ride her coattails for the rest of my life.'
Adrian's mood darkened further as he watched Elara's giddy delight. 'Seriously? Does she think this bridge is going to help her steal a groom tonight?' he thought.
Then they hung their locks on the railings, and barely had the keys clattered into the river below when a fine drizzle began to fall. Not lingering, they quickly hailed a cab back to the hotel.
Adrian had booked the presidential suite with his exclusive black card, which came with two bedrooms. They walked in together but quickly split up to change out of their wet clothes.
When Elara came out, she saw Adrian standing by the window, silently watching the intensifying rain. She could tell he was still sulking. After all, he hadn't uttered a single word since they'd returned.
"Are you angry?" Elara asked quietly while brewing his favorite coffee on the suite's coffee maker.
Adrian fell silent.
Elara had to set the coffee down on the side table. Then, turning to Adrian with a playful grin, she said, "Guess whose names I wrote on the locks?"
Adrian scoffed, "You and Alex. Not exactly hard to guess."
Elara stepped in front of him, blocking his view of the window. "Nope," she said with a slight frown. "Try again."
Adrian looked momentarily surprised, but a teasing smirk quickly played on his lips. "Ms. Langton, don't tell me you wrote down our names?"
Elara paused for a second. "What are you talking about? I wrote Ruby and Victor's names on the locks."
Adrian's lashes fluttered, his tone lightening. "You're quite the matchmaker, aren't you?"
"They're definitely better than us," Elara retorted.
Adrian's charming eyes narrowed further as he loomed over Elara.
Elara flinched at his icy stare, backing up until she hit the floor-to-ceiling window. "What are you doing? You're scaring me," she murmured, panic flashed across her face.
"How are they better than us?"
"Are you kidding? They're totally better than us. Honestly, any couple would be better than us."
Adrian let out a cold scoff. "And what makes you so sure?"
Elara was fed up with his feigned ignorance. "There's no future between us," she sighed. "I wouldn't stoop so low as to tie myself to a man who's already engaged."
Adrian changed the subject. "What were you talking about with Alex?"
"I didn't—" Elara blurted out. Then she remembered telling Adrian earlier on the boat that she was going to call Alex. A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she kept teasing Adrian, "We just talked about some old times. Why, got a problem?"
Adrian's aura turned darker. He raised his arms, caging Elara against the window with his hands on either side of her. "Oh? What 'old times'? Enlighten me," he challenged, his tone edged with jealousy.
"Just regular couple stuff—nothing worth mentioning," Elara said with a shrug.
"Regular couple stuff?" Adrian seethed, his voice dripping with venom as he fought the urge to tear her apart.
"Then tell me, how did you two date? How many times did you kiss? How many times did you sleep together?" Adrian sneered.
He paused and added, "Oh wait, you probably don't remember those details. But surely you recall how often you made out and how frequently you shared a bed, right?"
Elara gasped, taken aback by his questions. "Adrian, why are you always asking stuff like that?"
As Elara didn't answer his questions, Adrian pushed further, "What, don't tell me he never laid a finger on you all these years." He couldn't possibly believe that.
"Adrian," Elara shot back, "you know your mind games don't work on me. Trying to provoke me is useless."
Adrian sneered, "Tch. You're just afraid to bring it up, aren't you?"
Elara shrugged, not bothering to argue. "Fine, whatever you say."
Adrian's mood plummeted. He sneered, "You're this torn up about Alex getting engaged?"
Elara didn't even bother responding. She just stared at Adrian, letting him spew his jealous words.
Adrian leaned down, his lips brushing against her earlobe. In a husky voice laced with a subtle, dangerous desire, he murmured, "You know what could make you forget your sorrows?"
Elara felt her skin burn where his lips nearly brushed against her, her heart racing. Curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, "How?"
"Sleep with me."