40. A Strange Feeling

At a restaurant surrounded by large windows facing a flower garden, Grace and Adro decided to fill their stomachs and rest their tired legs after hours of walking and playing in the theme park.

"This place is truly fantastic," Adro said.

"It's nothing compared to the many larger ones in bigger cities and other countries," Grace replied.

"It's been an exhilarating day. I feel like I've never been this happy in my life. It's a new feeling," Adro continued with a slight mumble, his gaze falling to the table.

Giggled a little, Grace responded, "Don't exaggerate it. I'm sure it's because this is something new for you."

Pausing for a moment, Adro nodded slightly and mumbled again, "Perhaps you're right."

Although Adro said so, an uncomfortable doubt filled his mind. Throughout his life, he had ventured to various lands, crossing seas, valleys, and mountains. However, the feeling he was currently experiencing was different. Did observing marine life and the amazing place they had just visited have such significance as to make him feel like this?

Then Grace pulled her chair closer to the round table between them. "What do you think? Do you like this restaurant? Sarah brought us here once. It's a bit expensive, but the view is great."

Snapping out of his reverie, Adro nodded. "This place is nice; it looks somewhat similar to the greenhouse in my palace."

"You have a greenhouse as beautiful as this?" Grace's eyes widened.

"I have several, and some are larger than this restaurant," Adro replied. Then he smiled faintly. "I hope I can show them to you because you seem to like places like this."

"Oh... I don't-" 

"Excuse me. May I take your order?"

Grace's sentence was cut off by a waiter suddenly approaching their table. "Oh, right, I'd like to order..."

On the other side of the table, Adro sat silently, observing Grace talking to the waiter. The place wasn't dazzling anymore as the sun was no longer harsh; however, he found the warm yet dazzling light that seemed to surround that girl, making her movements seem to slow down, and all the surrounding sounds faded.

'Is there something wrong with my mind? Or is it because of... her?' Adro wondered.

Throughout his life, Adro had indeed gone on many adventures and encountered amazing things. However, he always traveled alone or with his male subordinates. Did it feel different this time because Grace was a woman? Despite being exciting, the usual adventures he undertook felt cold, while this time he was accompanied by her warm and kind presence.

"Adro?"

"Yes?" Adro blinked.

"What would you like to order? Do you need any explanations?" Grace asked before glancing at the other menu booklet under Adro's hand.

"Oh, yes. I'd like to order the same as you. It sounds tasty." Adro replied in a hurry.

"All right…" Grace then turned to the waiter. "Make it two, please."

"Sure. We'll get it to you shortly. Thank you," The waiter said before leaving their table.

"Are you okay, Adro?" Grace asked, staring at Adro with a little lilted head. "I called you several times, but you seemed lost in thought. Are you feeling uncomfortable or unwell?"

Adro pulled a stiff smile. "No, I'm fine. But you're right that I was daydreaming. I was thinking of borrowing your camera and trying to take pictures of you because I realized that you've been the one taking pictures of me since morning."

"Oh, God," Grace giggled, then shook both of her hands in front of her body. "That's not necessary. I'm not used to taking pictures of myself or posing to be photographed by others, especially up close like this. My face doesn't look good in photos either, and my poses always seem awkward."

"It doesn't matter. Besides, we'll keep the photos for ourselves, not display them in the middle of the city, right?" Adro reached out his long arm to grab the camera lying in front of Grace. "Come on… I just want to try taking pictures of you."

"Oh... I really lack confidence. I'm embarrassed to pose in front of you and in public places like this," Grace rubbed her arms.

Adro chuckled. "That's so you—a beautiful girl with no confidence. With you openly saying it, I'm more excited to take your pictures so that you get used to it and learn to be confident."

"That's coercion, you know?" Grace snorted.

"Smile, Grace," Adro ordered, ignoring her protests.

Grace looked around briefly, feeling as if everyone in the room was judging her with their stares. However, when Adro called her name again, she realized that it was all in her mind. In reality, no one paid attention to them.

Why should she feel unconfident here when people didn't even place their attention on her? The university people, who were like hammers ready to strike her every time she stood out even a little or even just looked happy, weren't there. But even if they were, wouldn't Adro protect her?

"Smile, Grace. You don't know how pretty you are," Adro said gently, noticing the hesitation on her face.

Adro's words made Grace cast away all her fears. The confidence pulled both corners of her lips to slowly curve into a smile.

"Good. Smile wider!" Adro smiled while looking at the camera screen in his hands.

The shy smile widened, and it was also visible in Grace's eyes. The hesitation on her face turned into a tender beam, and no tension was seen in her neck. Again, the scene seemed to twinkle in Adro's eyes, making him instinctively smile even wider when pressing the shutter button on his camera.

"My sweet girl,"

***

"Good job today, Adro," Mr. Willis cheered. However, Adro, who was wiping the counter table, didn't respond.

"Adro?" He patted him on the shoulder.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Willis?" Adro turned around.

Mr. Willis chuckled. "Were you musing while wiping tables again? It's been an exhausting week, hasn't it? I've seen you doing it for the past two days, I guess."

Adro smiled, then shook his head. "I was indeed thinking about something, but it has nothing to do with the work. Do you need something?"

"I hope it's not something serious. I just wanted to let you know that we can close a bit earlier today because the extra person who joined this afternoon was helpful. I'll wait for you in my office for your weekly salary."

Adro nodded. "All right. I'll go there after helping the others clean up the tables. There are still a few customers there."

"You're working hard. Thank you," Mr. Willis patted Adro's back before heading to his office.

Placing the dirty cloth in the laundry basket, Adro sighed deeply. It was true that lately he often drowned in his own thoughts when the work was somewhat leisurely, like now. Since spending a day off with Grace, for some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about her.

'Why does her smiling face always keep appearing in my mind? Why can't I stop thinking about how to bring out that same smile more often?'

Adro didn't understand why he had to feel like this. He realized that he cared for Grace. He wanted to protect her like he had always protected all his subordinates and family. However, what was the meaning of this inexplicable, uneasy feeling? Where did this sensation come from? Was it because Grace saved him? Was this gratitude or dependence?

"Excuse me, are you done? We're about to close soon," Adro said as he approached the last-occupied table.

"Oh, yes," replied the bald, bespectacled man sitting alone at the table. "I'm sorry, but can I talk to you for a moment?"

Adro frowned. "About what?"

"I'll explain it quickly so as not to waste your time. Can you sit just for a minute, please?" The man asked and continued. "I deliberately waited here to talk to you."

Glancing around briefly, Adro sat facing the man, then asked without removing the furrow from his forehead. "All right. What can I help you with?"

The bald man smiled as he reached out his hand. "Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Johan Tryvon, director of the Sky Talent Agency."

"I'm Adro Groendez," Adro said, shaking the man's hand. "What do you want to talk about, Mr. Tryvon?"

"I've had my eye on you for the past few days, and now I'm sure that you're the right person to become an exclusive model for some of our clients. I'm offering you a contract to work as our model."