BRIANNA

After breakfast with Mr. Adrian, we headed towards the row of cars parked outside. I was taken aback by how many cars he owned—he could probably start a car dealership with the number of luxury vehicles he had. He picked one of them, and I couldn’t help but admire how sleek and expensive it looked. Honestly, all his cars had that look. Maybe one day, I’ll have cars and mansions to call my own.

“Mr. Adrian, will I be the one driving you?” I asked, noticing his driver standing nearby.

I hadn’t even realized he was there until he spoke.

“No, I’ll be driving,” Mr. Adrian answered. He unlocked the door and slid into the driver’s seat. I reached for the back seat, but his voice stopped me.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, his tone sharp.

“I want to sit,” I replied, a little confused.

“Why would you sit in the back like I’m a cab driver?” he snapped. “Come to the front.”

I slammed the door behind me, frustrated.

“Hey! Be careful with that! This car could buy your entire family, you know?” he scolded, clearly annoyed.

I sighed. I didn’t have the energy for an argument this morning, so I just opened the passenger door and got in, trying to control my temper.

Mr. Adrian started the car, and we drove out of the mansion. As we passed the beautifully landscaped area surrounding the property, I was momentarily lost in the colors of the flowers and the neatly trimmed shrubs. I was so caught up in the view that I didn’t even realize we were on a busy street until Mr. Adrian spoke.

“I asked where you’re living,” he said, his voice tinged with impatience.

“If I give you the address, you won’t know where it is. It’s better I give you the directions,” I answered, trying to make things easier.

He nodded. “Give me the directions, then.”

Under his breath, I heard him mutter, “I don’t even know why I offered to drive you. I should’ve just let Brandon drive you instead.”

I shook my head, ignoring his remark. I started giving him directions, and before long, we arrived at the junction near my house. I told him to stop.

“Stop the car here,” I said.

He slowed down but didn’t stop. “This where you live?” he asked, eyeing the surroundings. “Surely, you can’t be living by the side of the road.”

“No, but just stop here,” I insisted.

“I’m not stopping here. I’m dropping you off at your house. I’ll make sure you’re safe,” he replied with a stubborn edge.

Sighing for the hundredth time today, I guided him the rest of the way. When we arrived at the front of my house, he looked around with a scrunched-up nose, clearly unimpressed.

“This is where you live?” he asked, disgust clear on his face.

“Yes, this is where I live,” I snapped. “And you need to wipe that look off your face. My house isn’t even that bad. There are worse places.”

I got out of the car, but he stopped me again. Rolling my eyes, I turned to face him.

“What now?” I asked.

He stood beside the car. “I just wanted to let you know that you have the rest of the day off, since it’s almost over anyway.”

I stared at him, confused. “You’re giving me the day off? Why?”

“I told you, the day’s almost over, and I’m not working today either.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.

“And you’re not going to deduct it from my salary?” I asked, still unsure if I should trust him.

“Why would I deduct from your salary? I told you to take the day off! Seriously, Brianna, you have trust issues,” he said, exasperated.

“You’re unpredictable! I’m just making sure you’re not going to pull something on me,” I replied, defensive.

“Well, you can always go to the office if you like. That’s your problem,” he said before getting back into the car and driving off.

I shook my head, sighing as I walked towards my house. I opened the door, and the familiar scent of our air freshener filled the air. It felt comforting to be home, even if it had only been one night.

As I walked into the sitting room, I spotted my mom looking out the window. Crap! She must have seen me with Mr. Adrian. I hoped she wasn’t jumping to conclusions. When she noticed me walking in, she turned her head and smiled.

“Good afternoon, Mom,” I greeted her, trying to act casual.

“Where have you been, Brianna? We were so worried! We tried calling, but your phone was off,” she said, not even acknowledging my greeting.

“I’m sorry, Mom. We got off work late, and the elevator stopped working. I had to wait until it got fixed. Then, when it did, I was waiting for a cab, and it started raining…” I explained, leaving out only the unimportant details.

She sighed in relief, her shoulders sagging. “I’m just glad that’s all that happened. Marie was really worried about you.”

“Well, I’m fine now, so don’t worry. Have you taken your medication?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Yeah, I’ve taken it, but I’m running low on them,” she said, looking a bit regretful for mentioning it.

“Oh, okay. I’ll get the money for the refill as soon as I can,” I muttered, a knot forming in my stomach.

“So, who was that handsome guy who dropped you off?” she asked teasingly.

“He’s no one,” I replied quickly.

“I don’t think he’s no one. The way you two were arguing, it was like you were married,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Ugh, Mom!” I groaned.

“Then tell me, who is he?” she asked again.

“I already told you, Mom. He’s no one,” I said, exasperated.

“Is he your boyfriend?” she pressed, her teasing tone making me cringe.

“Over my dead body! I could never have a guy as arrogant as him as my boyfriend. Besides, I’m not planning on having a boyfriend anytime soon,” I replied firmly.

“If he’s not your boyfriend, then who is he?” she asked again.

“He’s my boss. The one I stayed with last night,” I answered, and she smiled knowingly.

“Oh, really? He seems like a nice young man,” she said, her voice full of approval.

“Mom, please! He’s not nice at all,” I insisted.

“Really? I think he’s a gentleman. You’re the one who’s not nice,” she said, teasing me.

“Seriously, Mom, you’ll only understand his behavior once you get to know him better,” I said, my patience wearing thin.

“Okay, fine. Whatever you say,” she said, her teasing smile never faltering.

“I’m going upstairs to my room for a while. I’m a little tired,” I said, trying to escape the conversation.

“You’re not going to work?” she asked, a little surprised.

“He gave me the day off,” I replied.

“A day off, huh? I told you he’s nice,” she said, smirking.

“You know what, Mom? You’re impossible,” I said with a faint smile before heading upstairs to my room, the sound of her laughter echoing behind me.