Chapter 16: A Friendly Dinner?

"Ms. Edward, are you going somewhere?" Mr. Baker asked me curious.

"Yes, I'm going out for a while for dinner. Please tell Lance I'm out with a friend when he comes back." I told him.

"Yes Ma'am. Enjoy your evening." Then he shook hands with Adam and went inside, leaving us both alone.

"Isabelle."

"Adam."

"You look beautiful tonight." He said in a low, husky voice and opened the door for me.

"You clean up well too." I smiled at him and he grinned at me, and I sat in the back seat and he came in after me.

"Let's go Carter." He told his driver and we drove off.

"Where are we going?" I asked him curiously.

"You'll see." Was all he said, and we remained quiet the rest of way.

Upon reaching, he quickly got out and held open my door for me, then gave me his arm. I hesitated a bit but then smiled and linked mine through his and walked with him inside the fancy Italian restaurant. The manager came out and greeted us and Adam nodded his head, and he led us to our table right in the middle of the restaurant, on a slight platform.

I sat down when Adam pulled my chair out for me, then he sat down in front and ordered for both of us. We drank the wine that came first and I noticed the waiter eyeing me, and so did Adam.

"A fine drink for the lovely lady." He smiled at me flirtatiously, and I saw Adam clear his throat and glare at him, causing the waiter to scurry away.

"So your'e a designer, yes?" Adam asked me suddenly and I looked up at him.

"Yes. I have my own Boutique." I answered and he nodded.

"So have you designed any clothes yet?"

"Yes, I did open my boutique two years back and it was very successful, but I had to close it due to some... personal problems. I still have to reopen it."

"How long has it been closed?"

"More than one year now." I answered him smiling slightly but he noticed the sadness in my eyes.

"Where were you this whole time?" he asked me carefully as to not upset me.

"At home."

"For one year? You didn't go out or come to the office? Why?" He asked again, surprised.

"Yes, I've been home for the past year because of some... problems... I decided to take a break... A rather long one though." I chuckled nervously and he noticed it and decided not to ask me about it further.

"So what do you do, in your free time I mean.." I asked him, hoping he would answer.

"I thought my reputation preceded me." I thought of what he meant and blushed, and saw him smirking at me.

"I play sports, work, spend time with my siblings when I can." He answered and I nodded.

"What about your parents?" I asked him.

"My dad, is uh.. retired, as you know. And my mother.. She passed away a few years back." He answered and I could see the hurt in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I'm sure she must've been a wonderful person." I smiled and he smiled back at me.

"Yeah, she was.. Kept us all together..." He answered distantly and I took the hint that he didn't want to go into details.

"So have you designed anything yet?" He suddenly asked me, changing the topic.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, the dress I'm wearing right now was designed by me last year. And I'll be designing my family's outfits for the party on Saturday. Are you invited?" I asked him curiously, waiting for his answer impatiently.

"Yes. I didn't want to go before but seems like I've changed my mind." He looked at me and smiled and I returned his smile.

He looked at my dress once again and nodded. "It's nice, your dress. You look lovely."

"Thank you."

"Is it possible for you in any way, to make time for four more outfits?" He asked with a certain light in his eyes. "I want to surprise my sister with a new dress since its her birthday on the day of her party. If you don't have a problem that is. And I'll hire you as our designer for the party." He told me and waited for my answer, and I could only smile.

"Of course, it's no problem. Just send me your sizes, color and design preferences and I'll handle the rest. You'll have them by Friday." I said confidently and he grinned at me.

"Well that's settled then." He said as soon as our food came and we talked a bit more and when we were done, we had desert. He got up and held out his hand, and I took it, walking out of the restaurant with my arm linked through his. I could smell his cologne which made me a bit dizzy so I held onto him for support.

"I hope you had a good time." He said as we were on our way home.

"I did, yes, thank you. I haven't been to a restaurant for more than a year now and was quite nervous actually, but it went surprisingly well." I smiled at him and he returned it.

Wow, his smile is too charming, I thought to myself and forced my self to look out of the window to clear my head.

On reaching home I saw my brothers cars parked in the driveway as I got out. Adam came to my side and stood next to me.

"I had a great time. I hope we can do this again someday."

"Sure", I replied, now aware of how close we were standing. We stood there smiling and looking into each others eyes when he leaned forward suddenly and I felt my breath hitch.

Here we go again.

But he kissed my cheek slightly and pulled away, looking into my eyes, when I heard the main door opening and someone coming out.

"Thorne."

"Edward."

Adam looked at Lance, who looked at him back then both of them shook hands, a silent threat passing through their eyes and Adam nodded at him, then looked at me and smiled.

"See you soon." And with that he left. I looked at the car driving away when Lance cleared his throat behind me and I looked at him, my face still red.

"Come on in, We've got lots to talk about." And I followed him inside to see a fuming Olivia walking towards me, stomping her heels on the floor, when Lance put his arm in front of me, stopping her midway.

"How dare you go to dinner with Adam Thorne himself when you clearly know I like him! Are you doing this to spite me?! I knew something was going on between you two the moment I saw you holding his hand!" She screamed and I backed away, about to lose my balance when Lance caught my arm.

"Step. Away." Was all he said and she huffed and left screaming.

"Come on, we're waiting in the study." and left.

After taking a few deep breaths and anticipating of what was to come, I went inside the study, to see Lance on his usual chair and the other two on the couch.

"Wow, you look great Bee." Tristan exclaimed and I smiled at him, to see Lance glaring at him when my smile disappeared. I sat down on one of the free chairs and waited for them to speak.

"How was your date, Isabelle?" Arthur asked me, with an unreadable expression on his face.

"It wasn't a date." I sighed and defended myself.

At least that's what Adam said, right?

"Okay. Then what the hell were you doing with Adam fuck*** Thorne, Bee?" Lance snapped at me, making me flinch.

"We just talked and had dinner, that's it, nothing more Lance." I defended myself but he didn't seem to believe me.

"How do I know your'e not lying?" He hissed and I could hear the anger in his voice.

"Because none of us lie, and we never have, never did, and never will." I answered confidently, looking him in the eyes, and he believed me then. This was one thing I was grateful for- we never lied, not even once, and it made it easier for us to trust each other. No matter how bad the truth would be, we had to spit it out. This was our rule.

"Then why didn't you mention that you met him before us that day at the cafe?" He asked me and I remembered that I forgot to mention that little detail to him.

"Arthur and Tristan both knew, but not me. Why?"

"I forgot." I whispered truthfully, and he sighed.

I knew I should've told him, and so I recalled all the events regarding Adam Thorne, and told him every single thing, including how he saved me back at the club and things we talked about today and our little meet up at the cafe with Taylor. Well everything except for my dream and the little scene at the office after breakfast. Lance just nodded at the end.

"Go to your room and rest. We have a long day tomorrow." I obliged and went to my room, letting Taylor know I was home and would call her tomorrow because I was too tired today.

I changed into my silky nightdress and didn't know when sleep enveloped me, because I woke the next morning to a blaring sound, called my alarm.

.......................................................................................................

Why doesn't Lance like Adam? How far is he willing to go to keep his sister out of the cold - hearted CEO's clutches? And will he be successful?

Keep reading to find out!

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