Hacking The Relationship Code

Chapter 29: Adrian and Red Wine

"I have done some thinking myself that I wanted to share with you."

"Go ahead."

"The reason I was behaving weird on the day of the fair was because I had scored poorly on the mock test a day before. You don't know Ginna but a lot is at stake for me and I can't afford to suck at university. My entire future is based on this and not just career wise.

I was annoyed at myself for sucking at the test and blamed you for my carelessness which I soon realized wasn't your fault at all. It was my first time in a relationship and I got too consumed by it but I will keep myself in check henceforth."

"Thank you for owing upto me. A lot of arguments could have been avoided if we had told each other how we felt beforehand. If you had told me about the test and if I had told you about my feelings before they started getting piled up, we wouldn't have landed at crossheads. I was the one preaching you about communication and I only screwed up bad."

"It's okay. All that's water under the bridge. Let's start afresh by promising to never hide stuff from each other, especially about how we feel. We should address issues in time rather than letting them pile up and explode in the end."

"Speaking of never hiding stuff from each other, I want to tell you something but promise me you won't freak out."

"I will try my best not to", he said after giving it a second's thought.

"Okay so you know we had a New Year's party on Kylie's terrace, right?"

"Yeah. I am aware of that party. I hope you didn't get drunk and stupid and now you are apologizing for it."

"No. that's not it. I promised you I wouldn't be a part of all that anymore."

"Good. So now tell me what you were talking about."

"So apart from my group we had invited a couple of other people from school."

"Who all?"

"Just a few Mia, Ashton, Lucy, Anna and Nick."

"You partied with Nick?", he raised an odd eyebrow at me.

"Yeah and he tried to make a move at me after we hugged following the New Year countdown.", I said as lowly as possible.

"What did he do?", he asked in a neutral tone. "Weren't there other people at the party to wish you right after the countdown?" His expression hardened and his eyes bore in mine.

"He was standing next to me during the countdown so it only made sense to wish him first."

"How did that result into him making a move at you?", he asked.

"He tried to kiss me after we pulled back. But I pushed him away and told him I had a boyfriend so nothing happened."

I gave him some time to let the information sink in. He didn't say anything for a while but I knew he wasn't happy about it. He took a sip from his glass and lifted his brows at me.

"I swear I didn't invite him. That was my first and last encounter with him and he was sorry about it after I told him I had a boyfriend.", I reasoned.

"He should be. Aren't you guys in touch? Isn't he following you on social media?"

"We aren't in touch that often except for a few formal greetings and I guess he isn't that active on social media."

"Did you feel anything at the time?"

"No Adrian. I didn't. I am with you now and he isn't a part of my life anymore. It's you. Only you. Trust me", I assured him.

"That's all I wanted to hear. I am good as long as this doesn't happen ever again. I know you're beautiful but I want everyone to respect that you are taken."

I left a relieved sigh that Adrian hadn't reacted explosively and perfectly understood the situation I was under.

"Yes boss. I am sure everyone knows that I am your territory."

***

We paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant holding hands.

"What do you want to do now?", he asked.

"Let's walk home?"

"Kind of chilly to do that but might help us digest everything."

We walked down the pavement at night. There weren't many people on the streets and the mere gesture of holding hands felt very intimate.

"Adrian, if you don't mind can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything Ginna."

"Why did you say that your grades impact much more than just your career?" He wasn't expecting that question which is why he took his time to answer.

"Ginna, you already know that I had to run away from home to escape my father. All that was only possible with the help of my neighbor, Mr. Finns. He sponsors my education and living. I not only have to pay back every penny but I also need to join him at his firm to serve his interests after graduation. That's the deal we made. I work for him directly after graduation and that's only possible if I deliver my best performance."

"So you have secured a job right out of college?", I was curious to know about his arrangement.

"Yeah. But it isn't as easy as it sounds. I would owe everything to him, at least professionally."

"You mean your career is in his hands?"

"Yeah. I assume at least till I deliver some good returns for him.", he answered.

"This is so messed up. But at least way better than being stuck at Rosemount where there wasn't any guarantee for your future."

"Yeah. Everything turned out for the best."

"I guess so. Is your dad aware about all this? Didn't he try and get you back?", I knew I was digging deeper and treading on eggshells now.

"Yeah, he did. But let's not talk about it today. Let's enjoy the evening."

**

He dropped me off at my apartment before leaving for his. We kissed for a long time under the moonlight. God, I had missed those lips and the feel of his hands on my hips. It was a long, deep and sensual kiss which had us longing for more.

"Clear your Sunday this weekend from the morning. I want to take you somewhere.", he told me while clipping my hair behind my ear.

"Where?", I asked.

"It's a surprise. Don't ask much."

"Okay handsome, I will free up my Sunday", I agreed. I was already excited for the weekend.

"I love you Ginna.", he kissed my forehead before finally saying his parting words which warmed my heart to the core. I know he was waiting to hear them back and I know that day was going to come really soon.

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Not dedicating this chapter to anyone since I haven't been able to regularly update and the engagement hasn't been like it used to.