Fraying Edges

As the music slowed and "Hunger" by Ross Copperman began to play, Adrian paused, captivated by Hannah's grace. Her laughter filled the room, and the way she danced with such abandon made his heart swell. It felt as though time had stopped, leaving only the two of them in that magical moment.

Adrian gently took Hannah's hand, pulling her closer. His arm wrapped securely around her waist, and their bodies swayed together in a slow, intimate dance. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the soft melody and the quiet rhythm of their hearts.

Adrian leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. "I never imagined someone like you would be with someone like me."

Hannah met his gaze, her eyes warm and tender. "Adrian, don't you get it? I'm with you because of who you are, not where you came from. I wouldn't change a thing."

He lifted her effortlessly, twirling her gently before lowering her back down. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they were made to dance together. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, nothing else seemed to matter.

In the shadows, a figure watched them. A waiter stood hidden from view, his face obscured. It was Michael, disguised and lurking, his gaze locked on Adrian and Hannah with cold intent.

Unaware of the danger lurking nearby, Adrian and Hannah continued their dance. Adrian lifted her once more, and as he set her down, their faces drew closer. The tension between them was undeniable. He leaned in, ready to kiss her, but just as their lips were about to touch, Adrian's body suddenly sagged.

He slurred softly, "I love you, Hannah," before collapsing into her arms.

"Adrian!" Hannah gasped, struggling to hold him up. She hooked his arm over her shoulder and guided him toward their room, her heart pounding with worry.

Adrian mumbled incoherently as they walked. "Hannah... I'm so happy... So happy..."

"I know," Hannah murmured, trying to stay calm as she helped him inside. They entered the room, and once in the bathroom, she turned on the shower, letting the cold water run over him to sober him up. Adrian blinked in confusion as the icy water hit him.

"Hannah," he said, laughing weakly, "it's raining!"

"No, Adrian, it's not raining," she replied, shaking her head with a soft smile. "It's just the shower. Stand still."

Adrian tried to playfully splash water at her, but she kept him under control. "Why do I have to stand still?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

"Because I said so," Hannah replied firmly, though her voice was laced with a touch of concern. "Do you have any idea what you're doing, Adrian? This is an important event for you, and here you are, drunk and behaving like this."

Adrian looked at her, a lazy smile stretching across his face. "I'm just... happy, Hannah. Can't a guy be happy?"

Hannah's eyes softened, but her frustration was evident. "There's a time and place for everything. And right now, you need to take this seriously."

As the water cascaded over him, Adrian's voice softened, his usual playful tone replaced with raw emotion. "Hannah... I've loved you for 15 years. All this time... it's been one-sided, but I don't care. Loving you is enough for me."

Hannah's breath caught as she listened. The sincerity in his words pierced through her, even in his drunken state. "Adrian, I..."

"You supported me, Hannah... You came to the party like I asked, wore the dress I gave you... You stood by my side tonight," he said, his voice cracking. "You have no idea how happy that made me."

Tears welled in Hannah's eyes as she watched him. Adrian, with all his strength and vulnerability laid bare, was leaning on her more than ever before. She helped him out of the shower and guided him back to the room, sitting him down on the bed. As she carefully removed his soaked blazer, tie, and shoes, Adrian suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Hannah, I love you, I love you," he repeated, his voice muffled against her shoulder before he passed out.

Hannah thought to herself, I don't know about love, but you've been my best friend from childhood to now.

"You are my best friend, Adrian," she whispered, her voice breaking as she held him close. "My best friend."

Adrian murmured something incoherent in his sleep, and his grip relaxed. Hannah gently untangled her necklace from his shirt button. For a moment, their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling as they remained caught in the moment. Hannah's heart raced, but she carefully stepped back, needing space to gather her thoughts.

Just as she turned, the door creaked open.

Hannah froze. Standing in the doorway, his face shadowed but unmistakable, was Michael. He had entered silently, and now, he was watching them with cold, calculating eyes.

Hannah froze. Standing in the doorway, his face shadowed but unmistakable, was Michael. He had entered silently, and now, he was watching them with cold, calculating eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Hannah shouted, her voice shaking with shock and anger. "Get out, Michael!"

Michael's expression didn't waver as he stepped closer, his voice low and chilling. "Hannah, listen to me. Don't trust him... He killed William. Your dearest father, he killed him."

Hannah's heart raced, her mind reeling from the accusation. "Stop! Stop, Michael! You have no right to say anything about Adrian. No right!"

Michael took another step forward, his eyes filled with intensity. "Hannah, I don't have enough proof yet, but ask him about the factory. The place where your father died. He can't answer anything."

Hannah's mind spun as she tried to process what Michael was saying. She glanced back at Adrian, unconscious and vulnerable. "Go, Michael. Get out!" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage.

At that moment, Elijah, walked past the hallway and saw Michael's suspicious movements. He paused, sensing something wasn't right. Elijah quietly checked each room, then found Michael, still dressed in his waiter disguise, confronting Hannah.

"Is everything alright here, Miss Hannah?" Elijah asked, his presence firm and protective. His eyes shifted to Michael. "And you... Why are you here? You're supposed to be a waiter. You have no business in this room."

Michael, still dressed in the waiter uniform, tried to play it off, his voice calm but laced with deceit. "I came to ask for payment for a service, that's all."

Elijah's eyes narrowed. "You're not allowed to come in like this, unannounced. Leave. Now."

Michael hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between Hannah and Elijah before finally stepping back, his mask of composure slipping slightly. As he exited the room, he shot Hannah one last look, a warning in his gaze before he disappeared into the corridor.

Once Michael was gone, Elijah turned to Hannah, concern in his voice. "What happened? Why was he here? And Adrian… he doesn't look well."

Hannah sighed, still shaken. "Adrian... he got a little drunk.

"If you need anything, call me. Anytime." He handed her his card and gave her a lingering, almost fatherly look before walking away.

"Sir," Hannah called after him, hesitating.

"Don't call me sir," Elijah smiled faintly. "Uncle, perhaps?"

"Uncle," Hannah corrected, swallowing her emotions. "I don't have Adrian's assistant's number. Could you call him for me? I need him to come."

Elijah nodded and made the call. Soon after, Adrian's assistant arrived, bringing fresh clothes for Adrian. Hannah sighed, still feeling the weight of Michael's accusations lingering in the air. "Please... just help him change," she whispered, trying to hold herself together as her emotions frayed at the edges.

As she walked away to the living room, Hannah sank onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands. What if Michael's telling the truth? she thought, her chest tightening with fear. No. Adrian could never... he couldn't do something like this. He wouldn't.

But doubt gnawed at her. She pressed her palms to her face, trying to block out the thoughts, trying to remind herself of the man she believed Adrian to be. Adrian loves me. He would never.

After a while, she realized her clothes were still damp from the rain. She forced herself to get up and change into something dry. When she returned, she found Adrian fast asleep on the bed, his breathing steady. Her heart softened as she looked at him. She gently lifted his head and placed a pillow under it, pulling the covers over him. He stirred slightly, murmuring something she couldn't understand, but he stayed asleep.

Kneeling by the bed, she stared at him, her chest tight with conflicting emotions. "You couldn't have," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "You wouldn't have…"

Meanwhile, at the party, Mia and Liam had grown closer. They danced under the dim, twinkling lights, their movements synchronized, as if no one else existed in the world but them. Mia's laughter echoed as Liam spun her in his arms, their chemistry undeniable. They slipped out of the venue for a late-night drive, the cool night breeze rushing through the car windows. Stopping by a small ice cream stand, they shared a cone, laughing and talking about nothing and everything, their connection deepening with each passing moment.

Back at the house, Hannah stood by the window, staring out into the night, her heart torn between love, loyalty, and a growing sense of dread she couldn't shake.