Chapter 8: Same Band, Same Song

Chapter 8 - Same Band, Same Song "Grandpa. I'm here again," Adrian said as he stepped into the hospital room where Sean was resting. "Bianca came too?" Sean's face instantly lit up when he spotted Bianca walking in behind Adrian. Of course. Sean clearly had a soft spot for her. Out of all Adrian's staff, Bianca was the one he liked the most. She wasn't just professional, there was something genuinely kind about her that even a sharp eyed man like Sean could sense. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner, sir," Bianca said politely, dipping her head a little. She wasn't even sure why, but being around Adrian's grandpa made her feel like she had to be on her best behavior. "There's no need to apologize, Bianca," Sean said warmly. He smiled, then looked at her like he already knew the answer to the question he was about to ask. "Has my grandson been treating you right?" Bianca gave a small smile. "Mr. Williams treats me well. He's respectful and fair with everyone on the team." Adrian glanced sideways at her. That's it? That's my whole review? Respectful and fair? Wow, glowing. Sean nodded, satisfied. Meanwhile, Adrian tried not to look too surprised by how well his grandpa knew Bianca or how much he clearly liked her. He quickly shifted gears and started talking about work. New projects, upcoming deals, minor business moves, he went into full CEO mode, and Sean followed along effortlessly. Bianca answered when needed, offering quiet support without trying to insert herself. She sat back and watched the two of them. No wonder he's doing all this, she thought. This isn't about power. He genuinely wants to make his Grandpa happy. It was sweet, in a way she hadn't expected. And it made something stir in her chest. God, she sighed inwardly. I miss Grandma and Grandpa back in Asheville. It had been too long. She could almost picture them now, sitting on the porch, a mug of herbal tea in each hand, probably wrapped in old knitted shawls, gossiping about neighbors with birds chirping in the background. Yeah. That life felt far away from this chaotic fake engagement mess. After a while, Adrian stood and said goodbye. Sean looked like he wanted them to stay longer, but he nodded in understanding. Not once did Adrian mention the whole engaged situation. Not even a hint. Apparently, he was saving that reveal for later. Great. Of course he is. Drama king much? Bianca muttered silently in her head. Now it was just the two of them in the car. Adrian was driving her home, one hand on the wheel, the other casually adjusting the A/C. She didn't say anything, neither did he. But the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It was... oddly peaceful. She glanced at him once. And if her heart did a stupid little flutter when she saw how relaxed he looked, well... she blamed it on the hospital vibes. Definitely not feelings. "I didn't know you were that close with Grandpa," Adrian finally broke the silence. "Mr. Sean is a kind man," Bianca replied, still looking out the window. "Every time he came by to visit you, he always made time to talk to me, even if it was just for a few minutes. You're lucky to have a grandpa like him." "Yeah... I am lucky," Adrian muttered, his voice lower this time. There was a heaviness in the way he said it, like the weight of everything going on had finally caught up with him. "That's why I don't want to disappoint him." Bianca glanced at him briefly. For a moment, Adrian looked... tired. Not in the physical sense, but emotionally. Okay. Maybe he really cares more than I thought. "So... what did you two talk about when I stepped out?" Adrian asked, trying to sound casual, but she caught the curiosity in his voice. "Nothing serious," Bianca shrugged. "Just light conversation." Earlier, when he stepped out to take a call, his grandpa and Bianca looked perfectly fine, calm, even. But the moment he came back into the room, Grandpa's eyes were red and watery, like he'd just cried. That alone made Adrian suspicious.He didn't press her about it, though. At least, not yet. Chris Martin's voice from Coldplay started playing again. Adrian flicked a glance at Bianca. It was the eighth time her phone rang. He counted. And just like before, she declined the call without even checking. When he'd asked earlier, she said it was a number she didn't recognize. Probably a wrong number. Not my problem, Adrian told himself. Then, right on cue that familiar, aching voice of Chris Martin started playing. This time from his pocket. Yep, same band. Same song. Yellow. Bianca glanced sideways. "Wait, you listen to this too?" Adrian didn't even look at her. "Why? Surprised I have taste?" Then, Adrian sighed and pulled out his phone, already guessing who it was. Zak Carter. Of course. "Hello?" he answered while keeping his eyes on the road. "Dude, took you long enough. Where are you?" Zak's voice was impatient as always. "Driving. What is it now?" Adrian asked, already half annoyed. "Get over here. Rafa's waiting. He's being all emo and shit. Same place. I think he's going through something." Adrian rolled his eyes. "Alright." He ended the call. But, naturally the second he set the phone down, it rang again. Zak. Adrian didn't even sigh this time. He just picked up. "What now?" "You hung up on me, man. Rude as hell," Zak whined. "I wasn't done." "You've known for years I'm rude. Especially to you," Adrian deadpanned. "You should be used to it by now." "Dick." "Drama queen." "Just get your ass over here," Zak groaned. "Before Rafa starts pouring his heart out." Tut. Tut. Tut. This time, it was Zak who ended the call first. Adrian stared at his phone like it had personally offended him. Coward. Typical Zak. Always quick to run after throwing a punch, figuratively, of course. He muttered a silent curse. Zak clearly still held a grudge. From the passenger seat, Bianca finally broke her silence. "I didn't know you could be like that." Adrian turned his head, raising a brow. "Be like what?" "The way you just were. Laughing, joking around with your friend. It was... kind of surprising." She blinked, looking genuinely caught off guard. Adrian frowned slightly, confused. "Surprising how?" Bianca tilted her head thoughtfully. "I guess... I've just never seen you act like an actual person before." That made Adrian chuckle. "You thought I was what? A robot? A statue?" "No! I mean.. kind of, maybe?" she admitted sheepishly. "It's just... at the office, you always come off so stiff and... intense. Like, no one even breathes too loud around you." Adrian smirked. "So I'm a dictator now?" "Not exactly," she said quickly. "Just.. intimidating. Like, very do not disturb energy." Seriously? Adrian fought the urge to laugh again. Do I really come off that cold? "Hmm. I thought I behaved pretty normally at work," he said, pretending to be hurt. "Polite. Professional. Totally approachable." "In the same way a brick wall is approachable," Bianca mumbled under her breath. Adrian's ears perked up. "What was that?" Bianca froze. Shit. She didn't mean to say that out loud. "I said... nothing," she muttered fast. "Forget it. Wasn't about you. I was talking to myself." Adrian bit his lower lip, fighting back a grin. She's panicking. Cute. "For yourself, huh?" he repeated, clearly amused. "So you're the brick wall?" "Yes," Bianca said with way too much conviction. "Exactly. I'm... ancient. A fossil, even. Old soul. Total cavewoman energy." Adrian raised a brow. "Cavewoman?" "Yes. I belong in a museum." There was a long pause before Adrian chuckled and shook his head. "Bianca." She gulped. "Yes, Mr. Williams?" "You don't have to lie. I know you were talking about me." Bianca stayed quiet, bracing herself for a lecture. "But I'm not mad," he added, almost too gently. Bianca turned, surprised. "You're not?" "Nope," Adrian said with a shrug. "Honestly, I kind of respect it. Not many people talk to me like that." She stared at him for a beat before letting out a small laugh. "Well... if you ever need someone to call you a statue again, you know where to find me." Adrian let out a short laugh. "I'll keep that in mind." ***