Chapter 17: The Trap Begins
Morning came slowly.
The rain had stopped, but the sky remained cloudy, casting a calm grey light into the room.
Lina stirred slightly.
She felt warmth again.
Strong arms wrapped around her.
Her cheek rested against a firm chest.
Her fingers lightly gripped his shirt.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Adrian.
Her heart skipped instantly.
She realized they were closer than last night.
Very close.
His arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, as if afraid she would disappear.
Her face flushed.
She carefully tried to move.
But Adrian's grip tightened unconsciously.
"Don't go…"
His voice was low and sleepy.
Lina froze.
Her heart raced.
He was still asleep.
But he was holding her tighter.
She stayed still.
Her cheeks burned.
Moments later—
Adrian slowly opened his eyes.
He froze.
They were too close.
Too intimate.
But instead of pulling away immediately—
He looked at her quietly.
"Morning…"
Lina whispered softly.
"Morning."
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
Then Adrian slowly loosened his arm.
Lina sat up quickly.
"I'll make breakfast."
She hurried out of bed.
Adrian watched her leave.
His chest felt strangely empty again.
He frowned slightly.
Why…
Did he not want to let her go?
—
Downstairs…
Lina prepared breakfast quietly.
Her face still felt warm.
She kept remembering Adrian's words.
Don't go…
Her heart beat faster.
She shook her head.
She shouldn't think too much.
But her smile refused to fade.
—
Adrian came downstairs.
Mrs. Blake was already seated.
"Good morning," she said warmly.
"Morning."
Lina placed breakfast on the table.
They sat quietly.
Mrs. Blake glanced between them.
She noticed something.
Both looked slightly awkward.
She smiled knowingly.
"Did you sleep well?"
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian nodded as well.
"Yes."
Mrs. Blake smiled wider.
She understood.
—
Suddenly—
The doorbell rang.
Lina stood up.
"I'll get it."
She opened the door.
A delivery man stood outside.
"Miss Lina?"
"Yes."
"A package for you."
Lina looked confused.
"For me?"
She signed and took the box.
It wasn't big.
But it looked elegant.
She brought it inside.
"Who sent it?" Mrs. Blake asked.
"I don't know."
Lina opened it slowly.
Inside—
A beautiful necklace.
Silver.
Simple.
Elegant.
But Lina frowned.
"I didn't order this."
There was a card.
She picked it up.
Her expression changed.
"Who is it from?" Adrian asked.
Lina hesitated.
Then she read quietly.
"To Lina…
I hope this makes you smile.
— Ethan"
Adrian's expression instantly darkened.
Mrs. Blake looked surprised.
"That's thoughtful."
Lina felt awkward.
"I should return it."
Adrian spoke calmly.
"Yes."
His voice sounded colder than usual.
Lina nodded.
"I'll call him."
But before she could—
Her phone rang.
Ethan.
She answered.
"Hello?"
Ethan's voice sounded cheerful.
"Did you receive it?"
"Yes… but you shouldn't have."
"I just wanted to."
Lina hesitated.
"I can't accept it."
Ethan sounded disappointed.
"Why?"
Lina glanced at Adrian.
"I… it's not appropriate."
Ethan paused.
"I understand."
He sounded slightly sad.
"Then I'll take you to lunch instead."
Lina froze.
"I—"
Before she could answer—
Adrian spoke calmly.
"She's busy."
Lina blinked.
Ethan heard.
"Adrian?"
"Yes."
The air became tense.
Ethan spoke slowly.
"I was asking Lina."
Adrian replied calmly.
"I know."
Lina felt nervous.
"Ethan… maybe another day."
Ethan sighed.
"Okay."
He ended the call.
Lina looked at Adrian.
"You didn't have to—"
Adrian interrupted.
"You shouldn't meet him often."
Lina paused.
"Why?"
Adrian hesitated.
Then spoke quietly.
"I don't like it."
Her heart skipped again.
She nodded softly.
"Okay."
—
Upstairs…
Sophia stood quietly near the stairs.
She had heard everything.
Her lips slowly curved.
Perfect.
This was exactly what she wanted.
Jealousy.
Possession.
Emotion.
All growing inside Adrian.
She pulled out her phone.
She sent a message.
"Start today."
Her eyes turned cold.
Because soon—
Lina's peaceful life would end.
—
Afternoon…
Lina went out to buy groceries.
Adrian wanted to go with her.
But he received a call from work.
"I'll go alone," Lina said gently.
Adrian hesitated.
"Be careful."
She smiled.
"I will."
She left.
Adrian stood near the window.
Watching her leave.
His chest felt uneasy.
He didn't know why.
But something felt wrong.
—
On the road…
Lina walked toward the store.
Suddenly—
A car stopped beside her.
She frowned slightly.
Then—
Two men stepped out.
"Miss Lina?"
She looked confused.
"Yes?"
"Please come with us."
She stepped back.
"Who are you?"
One man grabbed her wrist suddenly.
"Come quietly."
Lina panicked.
"Let me go!"
She struggled.
But they dragged her toward the car.
Her heart pounded.
"Help—!"
Suddenly—
A voice shouted.
"Let her go!"
The men froze.
Ethan ran toward them.
He punched one man.
Lina broke free.
The other man pushed Ethan.
They quickly jumped into the car and drove away.
Lina's hands trembled.
Ethan rushed to her.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded shakily.
"Y-yes…"
Her heart still raced.
"What was that?"
Lina shook her head.
"I don't know…"
Ethan frowned.
"This isn't normal."
Lina looked frightened.
"Should we tell Adrian?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yes."
—
Meanwhile…
Adrian's chest tightened suddenly.
He frowned.
Something felt wrong.
He picked up his phone.
Just then—
It rang.
Lina.
He answered immediately.
"Lina?"
Her voice trembled.
"Adrian…"
His heart dropped.
"What happened?"
She whispered—
"Someone tried to kidnap me…"
Adrian's expression darkened instantly.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"Where are you?"
He stood up immediately.
His eyes turned sharp.
Because someone…
Had just crossed the line.
And Adrian Blake…
Was about to show exactly—
How dangerous he could be…