After he left, Lucy stood there for a while.
Watching the shadows stretch across the ground.
Her arms folded slowly.
"…Will he listen to me?" she whispered to herself.
The night breeze brushed past her, but she barely felt it.
After a moment, she turned and walked back inside.
Her father looked up immediately.
"Lucy," he called gently,
"what's wrong?"
Lucy forced a small smile.
"Nothing, Dad."
Ruben narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Hope that guy didn't say anything stupid to you," he said.
"Or I swear, I'll deal with him myself."
Lucy couldn't help it.
She laughed.
"Ruben, please."
Her mother smiled, shaking her head.
"To be honest," she said, walking closer to Lucy,
"I can see he's taking care of you."
She gently touched Lucy's cheek.
"Look at how chubby you've become."
Her father chuckled.
"It's true."
Lucy sighed, embarrassed.
"Mom…"
Ruben folded his arms.
"So you don't work anymore, right?" he asked.
"Or even lift a finger to do anything?"
Lucy hesitated, then nodded.
"He doesn't let me do anything," she said.
"No house chores… nothing."
They all looked at her.
"He even stopped me from going to work," she added quietly.
"He said if I need anything, I should tell him."
Her mother nodded slowly.
"That's good," she said,
"but you can't just stay at home doing nothing."
Lucy looked at her.
"You can tell him you want to work," her mother continued.
"Maybe even be his personal assistant."
Ruben immediately reacted.
"Mom, that's impossible," he said.
"How do you expect a wife to be her husband's personal assistant?"
They all turned to look at him.
"What?" he added.
"He won't focus."
Lucy blinked.
"…I'm not married to anyone yet, Ruben."
Ruben looked straight at her.
"I know," he said quietly.
"But look into his eyes, Lucy."
The room went still.
"That guy is not letting you go," he continued.
"Not now. Not ever."
Lucy's heart skipped.
"When he said he would marry you…" Ruben added,
"I looked into his eyes. He meant it."
Lucy didn't say anything.
She just stared at him.
Her father clapped his hands softly.
"Alright, enough," he said.
"Let's not ruin this moment."
A small smile returned to the room.
"Let's just enjoy today."
And they did.
For a while, it felt normal again.
But time passed.
Slowly.
Later that night, Lucy sat by the window in her room.
Looking outside.
Thinking.
"…Is he coming back?" she whispered.
Her fingers rested lightly on the window frame.
"What if he's out there…" she paused,
"…hurting someone again?"
Her chest tightened.
"I should be happy he's not here," she murmured.
"But… why don't I feel happy?"
Something felt off.
Her heart didn't like the silence.
A soft knock came.
Her mother opened the door slightly.
"Lucy," she said gently,
"go to bed."
Lucy turned to her.
"I don't think he's coming tonight," her mother added.
"Maybe he got busy."
Lucy nodded slowly.
"Okay, Mom."
Her mother smiled softly and closed the door.
Lucy lay down on the bed.
She closed her eyes.
Tried to sleep.
Then—
A car horn.
Her eyes opened immediately.
She sat up quickly and rushed to the window.
And there he was.
Standing beside his car.
Lucy smiled instantly.
Something inside her lifted.
She didn't think.
She ran.
Out of her room.
Down the stairs.
She opened the door and rushed straight to him—
And hugged him.
Adrian froze for a second.
Then slowly wrapped his arms around her.
"So," he said softly,
"you missed me that much?"
Lucy's eyes widened slightly.
She realized what she had just done.
She pulled back quickly.
"I… I thought you wouldn't come back," she said, looking down.
Adrian watched her.
"I always keep my promises to you, baby."
Lucy looked up at him.
"…Did you… hurt anyone?" she asked carefully.
Adrian smiled slightly.
"No."
Lucy let out a small breath.
"Good."
Then she looked back at the house.
"I'll go say goodbye."
He nodded.
A few minutes later, she returned.
They got into the car.
The drive was quiet.
Lucy looked out the window, watching the city lights pass by.
Adrian didn't disturb her.
When they got home, the staff greeted them and stepped away.
Lucy turned toward the stairs.
"I'm going to my room," she said.
Before she could take another step—
Adrian pulled her back gently.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.
Lucy looked at him.
"My room."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So you break promises now?"
Lucy frowned.
"…What?"
Then it hit her.
Her breath caught.
Before she could react—
He lifted her.
"Adrian!" she gasped.
"Put me down!"
But he didn't listen.
He carried her straight to his room.
Opened the door.
And walked in.
"Adrian—" she started.
But he placed her on the bed.
And before she could say anything else—
He kissed her.
Lucy froze.
Her eyes widened.
Then slowly…
She closed them.
It was soft.
At first.
Careful.
Like he was giving her time.
Her fingers gripped the sheets slightly.
Then she responded.
Shy.
Slow.
Adrian's hand moved gently to her neck.
Pulling her closer.
The kiss deepened slightly.
Lucy felt something she had never felt before.
Warm.
Soft.
Overwhelming.
"…So this is what it feels like…" she thought.
It was her first kiss.
And she didn't want it to end.
Adrian kissed her like he had been holding back.
Not rough.
But not distant either.
When he pulled back, their faces stayed close.
He looked at her.
"…Your first?" he asked softly.
Lucy nodded shyly.
Adrian smiled slightly.
Lucy tried to sit up.
"I should go to my room—"
He pulled her back immediately.
"And where do you think you're going?" he asked.
Lucy looked at him.
"My room, Mr Adrian."
He shook his head slowly.
"No, you're not."
Lucy blinked.
"You're sleeping here tonight."
Her heart skipped.
"Not just tonight," he added quietly.
"This is your room now."
He looked at her deeply.
"Our room… Mrs Adrian."
Lucy didn't speak.
She just looked at him.
Then slowly…
A shy smile appeared on her lips.
Adrian pulled her closer.
This time, she didn't resist.
She rested her head on his chest.
His hand moved to her waist.
Holding her gently.
The room grew quiet.
Their breathing slowed.
And without another word—
They both fell asleep.
Together.