Coincidences

The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier in the evening. Inside Eve's villa, the dim light from the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room. She lay beneath the covers, her body still weak from exhaustion, but her mind was restless but she knew she had to rest or else she won't have the energy to face the starting tomorrow.

A knock at the door broke her thoughts. She knew who it was before he even spoke.

"Eve."

His voice was deep and commanding, carrying a subtle hue of concern. If it had been the old her, she would have a hard time to decipher the unspoken emotions behind his words. 

She hesitated before responding. "Come in."

The door opened, and Adrian stepped inside, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the room. His gaze immediately found hers, sharp and assessing. She could see the storm brewing in his eyes.

He walked over to her bedside, arms crossed. "You drowned?" His tone was accusing, not concerned.

Eve sighed, rubbing her temple. "I had leg cramps. I got exhausted trying to stay afloat."

Adrian let out a scoff, his lips curling into a smirk. "So, you decided drowning was a better option?"

She met his gaze but didn't respond. She was used to his sarcasm, his sharp words meant to push people away.

When she didn't react, his smirk faded. His jaw tightened as he studied her, really looked at her. Something was off. She was too quiet, too composed. Normally, she would snap back at him, meet his arrogance with her own, but tonight…

Why wasn't she fighting back?

The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension.

Adrian shifted, his gaze not leaving hers. "Have dinner with me."

Eve swallowed. The offer, as casual as it sounded, wasn't something he did often. She wanted to say yes. But she couldn't; wouldn't.

She shook her head. "I need to rest."

Adrian exhaled sharply, stepping back. His frustration was evident, but he didn't press.

"You need to take better care of yourself," he muttered, his voice quieter now. "You're reckless."

She didn't respond, only watching as he turned and walked to the door.

He hesitated for a brief second before leaving.

As soon as the door shut, Eve felt the weight of the moment crash down on her. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as she clutched the blanket to her chest.

She wanted to run after him, to hold onto him like she used to but she knew better. She couldn't scare him away. Not again.

This time, she had to be careful. She had to make things right.

The walk back to his house was short, but Adrian barely registered the distance. His mind was still back in that room, back with Eve and her guarded expression.

By the time he reached his front door, the line of servants was already waiting for him. Without acknowledging them, he moved swiftly to his room, loosening his tie and discarding his jacket.

Something wasn't right.

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Just as he sat down at the dining table, his phone buzzed.

"Sir," Charles greeted. "There hasn't been much change in Miss Eve's life these days. However, six months ago, she met Miss Rose Wornerholf from the Wornerholf family. They've met several times since then."

Adrian frowned. He vaguely remembered Rose as she left no significant impression on him.

Charles continued. "Last month, Miss Rose introduced Miss Eve to her old acquaintance, Mr. Lucas Thornton from the Thornton Family. Since then, Mr. Lucas has met Miss Eve twice both under what appears to be coincidental circumstances."

Adrian's grip on his glass tightened. "Coincidences?"

"They were private meetings," Charles clarified. "Miss Eve had business engagements, and Mr. Lucas happened to be at the same locations. As for who arranged those meetings, we'd need to dig deeper."

Adrian's fingers tapped against the table. He knew Lucas Thornton; not as a businessman or a socialite but as the third son of the Thornton Family among five brothers. Lucas wasn't really involved in business or high society, unlike his elder brother, Neil Thornton, the heir to the family Business.

So why was Lucas meeting Eve?

Or these are just mere coincidences as Charles mentioned.

"Look into it," Adrian ordered.

Charles hesitated. "Sir, if I may ask… are you certain about doing this?"

Adrian remained silent.

Was he sure?

A part of him knew he shouldn't be meddling in Eve's life. She wasn't his responsibility anymore. He had no right to interfere and She will not like him interfering once she figured out this.

But then, his thoughts halted at one name.

Lucas Thornton.

Something about it didn't sit right with him.

And until he had answers, he wasn't going to let it go.