Lovestruck Puppy

Inside Eve's room, the dim glow of the bedside lamp stretched long, lazy shadows across the room. The warmth of the blanket wrapped around her like a cocoon, but rest was a distant dream. Her body may have been drained, but her mind was like in a battlefield of unspoken thoughts.

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

"Eve."

His voice was deep, smooth, but tinged with something unspoken. Concern? Exasperation? If it had been the old her, she would have struggled to decipher the undercurrents of his emotions. But now, she understood them all too well.

She hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and there he stood; Adrian, tall and composed, his presence commanding the entire room without a single effort. His sharp gaze latched onto hers like a hunter locking onto its prey.

He exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. "You drowned?"

Not a question. An accusation.

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

His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "So, you decided drowning was the better alternative?"

She shot him a flat look, unwilling to dignify his sarcasm with a response.

But instead of his usual teasing, his smirk faded. He studied her; really studied her. The silence between them thickened, stretched taut like the string of a bow ready to snap.

Normally, she would have snapped back at him, thrown his arrogance right back in his face. But tonight… tonight she was quiet.

Adrian's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he shifted. "Have dinner with me."

She met his gaze, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Okay."

Sitting across from Adrian at the dining table felt… surreal. Like a dream she hadn't realized she wanted until now. The soft glow of the chandelier bathed the room in golden hues, casting flickering light over his sharp features.

She couldn't help it. She stole glance after glance at him, her gaze lingering, tracing the hard angles of his face, the way his fingers moved with effortless grace as he handled his utensils.

She was so caught up in her daze that she didn't even realize she was staring; until he spoke.

"Did the water also get into your head?"

Eve blinked, caught off guard.

He was watching her with one raised brow, his lips curved into an amused smirk.

She let out a small, embarrassed cough. "Maybe."

Adrian chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up his glass. "You're hopeless."

She continued staring at him, still trying to wrap her head around this moment; this utterly bizarre yet wonderful moment where she was sitting across from Adrian, having dinner as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Then, he spoke again.

"Why are you looking at me like a lovestruck puppy? You're giving me the creeps. Stop looking."

Eve's lips twitched. Oh, he had no idea.

She leaned forward slightly, tilting her head, a slow grin playing on her lips. "I think you're thoroughly enjoying my staring, Mr. Adrian."

His fingers paused midair, gripping his fork. He exhaled dramatically, rubbing his temple as though she were a particularly exhausting puzzle he had no patience for.

"Yes, why not?" He sighed, shaking his head.

Eve let out a soft giggle. This was fun.

Adrian, however, went back to eating as if their little exchange hadn't just happened. "Eat well," he muttered, not meeting her eyes. "The doctor said you need rest, so skip office tomorrow and rest."

Eve raised an eyebrow. "Are you giving me orders now?"

His gaze flickered up, unimpressed. "As if you ever listen to me."

She grinned. "You're right. I don't."

He scoffed but said nothing, continuing his meal in silence.

But she saw it. The slight twitch of his lips, the faintest shadow of a smirk he was trying, failing to suppress.

And just like that, the night felt a little lighter.

After dinner, she walked him to the door, standing there as he adjusted his coat.

She watched as he stepped outside, his retreating figure blending into the darkened night.

And for the first time in two lifetimes, she saw it.

How blind was I?

The realization crashed into her like a tidal wave.

How had she never noticed it before? The care in his voice, the way he always hovered on the edge of her life, close but never close enough.

Memories from her past life flitted through her mind like scattered puzzle pieces. And then; 

A particular memory struck her like lightning.

Adrian had once told her "I fell in love with you early on. I just didn't realize it was love. Not until I saw you with Lucas."

Eve's breath hitched.

That meant…this present Adrian standing before her now had no clue about his feelings for her.

Oh.

A slow smile curled onto her lips.

So that was how it was.

Well then, she thought, eyes twinkling mischievously. If he doesn't realize it yet… I guess I'll just have to make him.

And with that thought, she stepped back inside, shutting the door behind her with a newfound sense of purpose. 

By the time Adrian reached his front door, the line of servants was already waiting for him like a well-rehearsed ensemble cast awaiting their lead actor. Without acknowledging them, he moved swiftly to his room, loosening his tie and discarding his jacket in one fluid motion.

Something wasn't right.

It wasn't just the evening's events. It wasn't just Eve's exhaustion or the ridiculous near-drowning incident. It was her.

She had been staring at him during dinner. Long, thoughtful looks that made his stomach twist in ways he didn't particularly like.

Or maybe he did like it, which was the problem.

With a frustrated sigh, he ran a hand through his hair. Just as he sat down at the dining table, his phone buzzed.

"Sir," came Charles' ever-dry, ever-knowing voice. 

Adrian exhaled slowly. "Charles."

"Ah, there hasn't been much change in Miss Eve's life these days. Unless you count her nearly drowning, which, might I add, was quite the dramatic touch."

Adrian pressed his fingers to his temple. "Charles."

"Right, right, Six months ago, Miss Eve met Miss Rose Wornerholf from the Wornerholf family. They've been in touch quite a bit since then. Shopping, tea, discussing the latest tragedies of the ultra-rich. Nothing too thrilling."

Adrian frowned slightly. Rose Wornerholf. Vaguely familiar, but entirely unremarkable.

"Last month," Charles continued, "Miss Rose introduced Miss Eve to her dear old acquaintance, Mr. Lucas Thornton from the Thornton Family. Since then, Mr. Lucas has miraculously 'bumped into' Miss Eve more than once. Completely coincidental, of course. Because fate and romance novels totally exist in real life."

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

Charles let out a mock gasp. "Sir, please! You think I would actually report 'coincidences' to you? No, no, these were 'strategically arranged, subtly orchestrated, and oh-so-coincidentally convenient' encounters. The kind where people just happen to be at the same place at the same time. Like magic."

Adrian's fingers tapped against the table.

Lucas Thornton.

The third son. Not the eldest, not the heir, not even particularly ambitious and moreover the illegitimate son. A shadow of his more accomplished siblings. And yet..

"Look into it," Adrian ordered.

Charles sighed dramatically. "Ah, yes. Because when it comes to Miss Eve, your natural response is always 'investigate first, think later.' Truly, a modern romance for the ages."

Adrian ignored him.

But Charles wasn't done. "Sir, if I may ask; are you sure about this? I mean, sure, you have zero right to meddle in her life, but why let that stop you?"

Was he sure?

No.

Not about any of it.

Eve had been in his life for as long as he could remember. Taking care of her had never been a choice; it was simply what he did. She had always been under his watch, always within reach, like an extension of his existence.

So was it love? Or was it simply habit?

He didn't know.

And frankly, he didn't want to know.

Because knowing would mean accepting something he wasn't ready to deal with.

Adrian exhaled sharply. "Are you finished?"

Charles chuckled. "Oh, I'll stop; for now. I'll go dig up some dirt on Mr. Thornton, since that's clearly our priority over, I don't know, self-awareness."

Adrian didn't respond.

His mind had already drifted elsewhere.

Lucas Thornton.

Something about that name didn't sit right with him.

And until he had answers, he wasn't letting it go.