Chapter 12: Complicated Relationship

Chapter 12 - Complicated Relationship "Ad..." "Hmm?" Adrian hummed without glancing at Zak, his eyes focused on the traffic light ahead that was now turning yellow. "Don't you think Rafael was acting kinda weird today?" Zak rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes, thinking hard. "Weird? Weird how?" Adrian shot back, playing dumb. "You know... just off. Like someone going through a breakup or something. But come on, it's Raf we're talking about. What could he possibly be stressed about? A girl? Work? As far as I know, there's nothing in his life worth spiraling over." Zak paused, then added, "I just feel like he's hiding something from us, Ad..." Adrian glanced at his friend briefly, then hit the gas as the light turned green. "Maybe it's about his engagement to Miranda," Adrian deflected casually. "Miranda?" Zak nodded, as if Adrian's guess made some sort of sense. The truth was, Adrian had his reasons for saying that. They both knew Rafael only ever saw Miranda as a close friend. Not too long ago, Rafael had even told them he didn't want to marry her. That he was planning to call the whole thing off. But so far, Adrian hadn't heard anything new about the cancellation. No follow up. Nothing. From what Adrian had observed at the club, Rafael's decision to break off the engagement likely had something or rather, someone behind it. A woman. And Adrian was almost sure the woman in question was the one Rafael kept calling nonstop while they were at the club. Adrian was dying to meet her. He wanted to see for himself what kind of woman could reduce the untouchable Rafael Whitmore to an anxious, distracted mess. Suddenly, Zak, who had gone quiet for a minute, spoke again, clearly not done venting about Rafael. "I just don't get it. What's wrong with Miranda? She's gorgeous, smart, kind, everything. I don't get how Rafel could possibly not want her. If I got matched with Miranda, I wouldn't waste a second. I'd marry her on the spot." Zak chuckled, though there was a hint of something more behind it. Honestly? Zak wasn't wrong. Miranda was practically the textbook definition of "wife material." Even Adrian, who wasn't the type to easily praise women, considered her an ideal partner. But still... that was his opinion, not Rafael's. People had different preferences. Just because someone seemed perfect for marriage, didn't mean they were perfect for you. "Then go for her if you like her so much," Adrian said, half joking, half serious. "I want to. But you know how it is. Miranda's hopelessly in love with Rafael. I wouldn't stand a chance." Zak sighed deeply, resigning himself to the fact that his feelings weren't reciprocated. "You call yourself a man? You haven't even tried and you're already giving up?" Adrian teased, but there was encouragement hidden beneath the sarcasm. Zak had been into Miranda from the very first time he saw her. Unfortunately, her eyes and her heart were fixed on Rafael Whitmore alone. "Try? You think I haven't wanted to? You know how I feel about Miranda, Ad. And you also know Raf knows too. That guy literally gave me his blessing to go after his own fiancée. He's insane. If I only cared about my own feelings and ignored hers, I would've made my move a long time ago. But I know how this ends. I already know how this story plays out. And I'd rather walk away than get my heart shattered," Zak confessed, his voice a mix of frustration and pain. Adrian glanced at him from the corner of his eye, then exhaled a long breath. Ahhh. What a damn mess. "You know, Adrian... they say love doesn't always mean you have to end up together. Sometimes just being there for the person you love, that's enough. Even if it hurts. As long as they're happy, somehow... you're happy too," Zak said with a wistful smile. "Pfft... Where'd you get that quote from?" Adrian teased with a small smile. Love? Adrian scoffed inwardly. Yeah right, Zak. I stopped believing in love a long time ago. *** It was already nine o'clock when Adrian arrived at the office. He finished off the last sip of his Starbucks Americano and, with a flick of his wrist, tossed the empty cup into the trash bin. "Good morning, sir," came the raspy voice of a woman as he was about to step into his office. Adrian frowned when he saw who had spoken. "What's wrong with your eyes?" "Oh, this? Allergy, sir," Bianca lied smoothly. "Allergy?" Adrian narrowed his eyes, staring at her more closely. "Yes, sir," Bianca answered again, offering no further explanation. Allergy, huh? You think I'm stupid? Sweetheart, I know those red, puffy eyes are from crying. But what made her cry? Adrian silently questioned. He started making his own assumptions. Don't tell me she's crying because she's regretting her decision to marry me. Oh, no. That would be bad. Really bad. "Sir... Mr. Adrian..." Bianca's voice snapped him out of his spiral. "Huh? What is it?" he asked, blinking rapidly. "Are you okay?" "What do you mean? What's wrong with me?" Adrian asked, confused by her question. "It's just... I've been calling you for a while, but you weren't responding," Bianca explained gently. Adrian looked at her again, trying to read her face, searching for any sign, any shift in expression that could give her away. She looked... normal. Adrian exhaled in relief. Thank God, he thought. He had been half-convinced she might change her mind about the whole deal. Maybe her swollen eyes really were from an allergy? But still... ah, whatever. The important thing was that Bianca hadn't backed out. He turned on his heel and walked toward his office. But just as suddenly, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "Come to my office. There's something I want to discuss," he said. Bianca immediately followed behind him. Once inside, Adrian gestured for her to sit down. Without wasting any more time, he got straight to the point. "I want us to get married as soon as possible," he said, his tone calm but firm. "What exactly do you mean by as soon as possible, sir?" Bianca blinked, thrown off. "I want us to get married next month." ***