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Adrian’s footsteps were heavy, each one echoing with an unsettling finality as he moved closer. Eva instinctively pulled back slightly, her body stiffening in response to his approach. She had been caught in an uncomfortable moment—one that she knew would only serve to fuel the tension between them.
Michael’s smile deepened, his voice laced with amusement as he spoke softly into Eva’s ear. “It seems like our dear Adrian has arrived.” His hand remained firmly on her waist, though it wasn’t an embrace. It was more of a deliberate hold, as though he was marking his territory, testing Eva’s resolve.
Eva, her breath caught in her throat, wanted to push him away. She felt trapped, not only by Michael’s presence but by the suddenness of Adrian’s appearance. As much as she wanted to explain, to clarify everything, she knew that any attempt to do so right now would only make matters worse.
Adrian’s cold gaze locked onto Michael, and Eva could feel the storm brewing in the air. It was clear that Adrian had already sized up the situation, and the anger that flared in his eyes was unmistakable. He didn’t bother to acknowledge Michael at first; instead, his attention was solely on Eva.
“Eva,” Adrian called out, his tone firm, but there was a sharpness to it that made Eva’s heart sink. “Come here.” His command was straightforward, but it carried a weight of authority that made her feel small in comparison.
Michael’s grip on her waist tightened momentarily, and he leaned in, his voice dropping lower, almost teasing. “What will you do, little girl? Go to him? Or stay with me?” His tone, though playful, held a deeper challenge—one that pushed at the limits of both Eva’s patience and her relationship with Adrian.
Before Eva could respond, Adrian had crossed the room with an intensity that sent a chill through the air. The force with which he moved seemed to speak volumes—he wasn’t waiting for answers, not from her, not from anyone. In the next instant, his hand was on her arm, pulling her gently but firmly toward him.
Michael stepped back slightly, still wearing that amused smile, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. It wasn’t fear, but perhaps a recognition that Adrian was no longer the young man he once knew. Adrian had changed—become someone who could not only protect Eva but command respect in a way that Michael didn’t anticipate.
Eva stood still for a moment, unsure of how to react. She knew the way Adrian was looking at her now, the sharpness in his gaze, wasn’t just concern or anger—it was something more. The kind of possessive, controlling look she had seen only once before, when their friendship had become strained. It was the kind of gaze that said, this is mine, and in that moment, Eva wasn’t sure if she wanted to be his.
Adrian finally spoke, his voice low and unyielding. “What is this, Eva?” He wasn’t addressing Michael, but her. His eyes bore into hers, searching for an explanation, but she could tell that the words she might offer wouldn’t ease the tension between them.
“I… I was just—” Eva started, but Adrian cut her off, his voice sharper now, his hand gripping her wrist with more force than she was accustomed to.
“Stop,” he said coldly. “Don’t explain it. I’m not interested in hearing your excuses.” His tone was unlike any she had ever heard from him. It felt as though everything they had built, all the years of friendship, was crumbling in this one moment.
Eva felt the sting of his words, but it didn’t stop the conflicted emotions from swirling inside her. She hadn’t been expecting Michael, and she certainly hadn’t expected Adrian to show up like this. She had wanted to handle it herself, but now everything felt out of control.
Michael, sensing the shift in power, finally backed away with a grin. “Well, I’ll leave you two to it. It’s been fun, little girl.” His voice had lost its playful edge, but there was a glimmer of something darker in his eyes as he turned to walk away.
Adrian’s focus remained entirely on Eva as he turned her to face him, his grip still firm on her wrist. “You have some explaining to do,” he said, his voice quieter now, though the anger hadn’t dissipated. “Why were you with him? And why didn’t you call me when you were in trouble?”
Eva wanted to argue, to tell him that she didn’t need his protection, that she wasn’t some helpless girl. But the way he was looking at her made her hesitate. This wasn’t about Michael or anyone else. This was about the distance that had grown between them over the past few weeks.
“I… I didn’t want to bother you,” she said softly, her voice laced with a frustration she hadn’t realized was building up inside her. “You’ve been so cold lately, Adrian. I didn’t know what to expect from you.”
Adrian’s expression softened for a brief moment, but the frustration in his eyes remained. “I’m not cold, Eva. I’m worried. I always worry about you. But when you push me away, when you don’t let me help, it drives me crazy.”
Eva shook her head, feeling tears prick at the corner of her eyes. “I never asked for you to help, Adrian. I never asked for any of this. But I’ve had enough of being pushed around.”
The silence between them was heavy, and for a long moment, neither spoke. Adrian finally let go of her wrist, but his hand lingered on her arm, as though he wasn’t quite ready to let go of the tension between them.
“I never meant to push you away,” he said quietly. “But I’m not sure where we’re going anymore, Eva.”
Eva’s heart ached at his words. “Neither am I,” she whispered.
And just like that, everything between them felt even more fragile.
