Chapter 9 — Same Car, Same Chaos
The crowd thinned behind her.Noise faded into distance.But the tension?Still there.Still sitting on her shoulders like it refused to leave.Ruz didn't slow down. Not after that. Not after him. Not after the way Rifat looked at her like he was trying to figure something out he didn't understand.She hated that look.So she walked faster.One step. Two.
Then,A car horn.Short. Sharp.Annoying.
She stopped.Closed her eyes for half a second.
"…Of course," she muttered.
Parked right outside the gate, slightly away from the crowd Black. Clean.
Expensive. And leaning against it like he owned not just the car, but the road, the gate, and possibly the entire city,
Adrian.
Arms crossed. Watching her.Waiting.
Ruz sighed.
"Great. Round two."
She walked toward him anyway.
Because ignoring him?Never worked.
"Get in."
No greeting.No expression.Just that.
Ruz stopped in front of him.
"…Try again."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Get in,please."
"Better."
"Still not moving."
"I didn't say I would."
A pause.Then,
"You walked into a fight again," he said casually.
"I didn't walk into it," she replied. "It came to me."
"That seems to happen a lot around you."
"Because people are annoying."
"You're people."
She stared at him.
"…Say that again."
He smirked slightly. "Get in the car."
"No."
"Ruz."
"No."
"Ruz."
"No."
"…Ruz."
"Adrian."
Silence.They stared at each other for three full seconds.
Then,He opened the passenger door.
"Get. In."
She rolled her eyes.
But got in.The door shut.The world outside dimmed.Quiet.For about two seconds.Then,
"You embarrassed me again."
Ruz leaned back in her seat. "You're welcome."
Adrian walked around and got into the driver's seat.Started the engine.
"Pouring drinks on me?"
"You deserved it."
"It was my new shirt"
"It works."
He glanced at her.
"…You're unbelievable."
"You're dramatic."
"I'm realistic."
She smirked slightly.
"Liam says that too."
"Liam is not a reliable source of intelligence."
"He's funnier than you."
"I'm not trying to be funny."
"That's the problem."
The car moved.Smooth.Controlled.
Just like him.Unlike her. A few seconds passed in silence.
Then,
"…You fought with Rifat."
Not a question.A statement.Ruz looked out the window. "You watching me now?"
"I don't need to watch. News spreads fast when chaos is involved."
"Then you already know."
"I want to hear it from you."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's boring."
"You shoved him."
"He flicked my forehead."
"…That's your justification?"
"Yes."
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"…You're going to get yourself into serious trouble one day."
Ruz turned her head slightly.
"Then you'll fix it."
"No, I won't."
"You always do."
"I shouldn't."
"But you will."
A pause. He didn't answer.Which Was answer enough.The road stretched ahead. Late afternoon light slipping through the windshield.Comfortable silence. Almost.
"…You're quiet," Ruz said.
"I'm driving."
"You talk while driving all the time."
"Not when I'm thinking."
"That's new."
"…It's not."
She tilted her head slightly, watching him now.
"…You were serious earlier."
"At the hallway?"
"Yes."
"Good observation."
"You said be careful."
"I meant it."
"That's not like you."
"I know."
"Why?"
Another pause. Longer this time.
"…Because you don't understand what you're stepping into."
Ruz frowned slightly.
"Explain."
"No."
"Adrian."
"No."
"Adrian."
"No."
"Adrian—"
"Ruz."
"…You're annoying."
"You started it."
"I always start it."
"Yes. That's the problem."
She leaned back again.
Crossed her arms.
"…You interfered."
"You were about to hit someone."
"They deserved it."
"That's not the point."
"That is the point."
"It's not your job to fight everyone."
"It's not your job to save me."
Silence.That one,Landed.Adrian's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
Barely noticeable.But there.
"…I didn't save you."
"You did."
"I stopped something unnecessary."
"You helped me."
"I prevented inconvenience."
She looked at him again.
"…Liar."
He didn't respond. A few seconds later
"You're breaking your own rules again."
"I don't have rules."
"You literally told me not to get involved."
"I told you not to."
"That includes you."
"No, it doesn't."
"…Hypocrite."
"Smart."
She smirked.
"…You missed me."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
"You definitely did."
She leaned slightly toward him.
"…Stop saying that."
"Adopted?"
Her expression dropped instantly.
"Adrian."
"What?"
"…Stop."
He glanced at her. Saw it.That small shift.
That one line she didn't like crossing.
A beat.
Then
"…Fine."
He looked back at the road. Didn't say it again.The car slowed as they turned into a familiar street. Big gate. Bigger house.
Home. As soon as the car stopped
"You're late."
A voice from the front.
Kuya.
Standing at the entrance, arms crossed.
Still wearing his office clothes. Still looking like he just walked out of a business meeting, which he probably did. His left arm,Still healing.Still a reminder. Ruz stepped out first.
"…You're early."
"I live here."
"That's not the point."
"It is."
Adrian got out of the car, locking it.
"You're both late," Kuya added.
"You're both annoying," Ruz replied.
"You're both in trouble."
"I'm always in trouble."
"That's not something to be proud of."
"I'm not proud. I'm experienced."
Kuya sighed.Then looked at Adrian.
"You let her fight again."
"I didn't let her."
"You didn't stop her."
"I tried."
"You failed."
"She doesn't listen."
"That's your fault."
"That's her fault."
They both looked at Ruz.
She raised her hands slightly.
"…I support both arguments."
"…You're working with me tonight."
Ruz blinked.
"…Again?"
"Again."
"That's unfair."
"You caused a scene."
"He started it."
"You continued it."
"He deserved it."
"You're impossible."
"You love me."
"…That's not relevant."
"It is."
A pause.Then,
"…Go inside."
She walked past him.
Smirking slightly.
"…Worth it."
Behind her, Adrian shook his head.
"…She's getting worse."
Kuya sighed.
"…She's getting comfortable."
"That's dangerous."
"That means she feels safe."
A pause.Adrian didn't reply.Inside...
Noise.Warmth.
Voices.
Tita calling from the kitchen.
Tito asking something from the living room.
Home.
Ruz dropped her bag on the couch.
Exhaled.
"…Finally."
Then a voice behind her.
"…Don't get used to it."
She turned. Adrian.Leaning against the wall now. Watching her again.But quieter this time.
"…Too late," she said.
He crossed his arms.
"…Be careful."
She held his gaze.
Just for a second.
"…You too."
Silence.Short.But real.Then.
"You still owe me for the car ride."
"I didn't ask for it."
"I still gave it."
"I didn't thank you."
"I noticed."
"Good."
"…You're unbelievable."
"You already said that."
"I'll say it again."
"Get new lines."
"Get better behavior."
"Not happening."
"Figures."
From the kitchen—
"DINNER!"
Tita's voice echoed.
Ruz walked past him.
"…Try not to embarrass me again tomorrow."
Adrian smirked slightly.
"…No promises."
And just like that,Chaos paused.Not ended.Just…Waiting for tomorrow.