---
Chapter 29 – An Unexpected Encounter
The morning had been long for Adrian. He sat at a corner table in one of the city's upscale cafés, his sharp suit immaculate as always, but his attention divided. Manager Collins sat across from him, gesturing animatedly as he discussed Lila's progress.
"Adrian," Collins said, leaning forward, "I have to be honest with you. That girl is remarkable. She has this gift—she can capture emotions in words that others can't even express in a painting. The artists respond to her, the scripts she drafts are alive, and even Mrs. Claire Bennett herself said she sees potential in her."
Adrian sipped his coffee, his expression unreadable, though something inside him warmed with pride. Lila… always surprising me.
"She deserves this chance," Collins continued. "And I know she's new to this world, but she works like she belongs here. If she continues like this, she could become the face of an entirely new wave of storytelling."
Adrian finally looked up, his voice calm but firm. "She will. I'll make sure of it."
What Adrian didn't admit aloud was how much of his day had been consumed by thoughts of her. He had left their home earlier that morning, deliberately before she woke, not because he wanted distance, but because he was overwhelmed. The softness of her sleeping face pressed against his chest had nearly broken his resolve. She was slipping deeper into his life, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to accept what that meant.
As Collins shifted to other topics, Adrian's sharp gaze suddenly flicked toward the entrance. His breath caught.
Lila.
She stepped into the café, and for a moment the world seemed to pause. Her hair caught the golden light streaming through the tall windows, her delicate face framed by loose strands. She wasn't dressed extravagantly, yet her simple outfit made her stand out more than anyone else there. Conversations slowed, heads turned, and Adrian noticed with tightening fists how many male eyes lingered on her.
But Lila didn't notice any of it. She carried herself with the same quiet grace she always did, her eyes scanning the room until she found a table by the window. She walked toward it, unaware of the man sitting only a few feet away watching her every move.
Adrian's chest tightened. She looked ethereal, almost untouchable. And she wasn't here by accident. Someone was meeting her.
Moments later, Tristan entered.
Adrian's jaw clenched instantly. The tall, confident man moved with casual ease, heading straight toward Lila as though he belonged at her side. Without hesitation, he pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.
Collins was still speaking, but Adrian's attention was gone. He could barely hear the words over the sudden rush of blood in his ears. His grip tightened around his cup, and a strange, unexplainable anger simmered inside him.
What is she doing here with him? Why him of all people?
He forced his expression to remain neutral, masking the storm inside. He told himself he wasn't the kind of man to be shaken by such things, but watching Tristan lean slightly forward, smiling easily at Lila, something dark and possessive sparked within him.
"Adrian?" Collins asked.
Adrian tore his eyes away, setting his cup down carefully. "We're done here," he said abruptly.
Collins blinked. "Oh… yes, of course." He gathered his files quickly, confused by Adrian's sudden shift. "I'll keep you updated."
Adrian nodded curtly. The moment Collins left, Adrian turned his full attention back to the table where Lila sat.
---
Meanwhile, Lila smiled politely at Tristan.
"How are you?" he asked, his voice carrying that relaxed charm he was known for.
"I'm okay," she replied softly, folding her hands on the table.
Tristan studied her face for a moment, as if trying to read her thoughts. Then he reached for his bag. "I had this idea about the character development for the script, something that could bring depth to the next part of the story…" He opened his bag and frowned. "Oh, wait. That's strange." He rummaged through it again and sighed. "I left the notes at home. I thought I brought them with me."
Lila tilted her head. "Oh… so what should we do?"
Tristan smiled apologetically. "We can still talk about it, I guess. The notes are just for reference."
But Lila was already rising from her chair. "Then maybe next time," she said gently. "You can show me properly."
Before she could turn away, Tristan's hand shot out, gently but firmly closing over hers.
"Wait," he said, his voice lower now. "We don't need to rush. Sit, just for a while. We can talk even without the notes."
His eyes held hers with a certain intensity, one that made her uneasy. She opened her mouth to respond—
"Lila."
The deep, commanding voice cut through the air like a blade.
Both of them turned at once.
Lila's eyes widened in shock. Standing before them, tall and imposing in his dark suit, was Adrian. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—his eyes burned.
"Adrian?" she whispered, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"She's with me," Tristan said quickly, rising to his feet, his hand still on Lila's.
Adrian's gaze dropped to where their hands touched. Something primal surged inside him, and before Lila could speak, his voice came out sharp, undeniable.
"Get to the car. Now."
The café seemed to still around them. A few people looked over, sensing the tension.
Lila pulled her hand back quickly from Tristan's grasp, her heart pounding. Adrian's tone wasn't one she could easily argue with. But she hesitated, glancing between the two men.
"Adrian—" she began softly.
"Now, Lila." His voice left no room for negotiation.
Lila pressed her lips together, quietly gathering her things. She turned back to Tristan, her tone calm but firm. "It's fine. I'll go with him."
Tristan frowned. "But I was the one who asked you here. At least let me drive you home."
Lila shook her head. "No. Thank you." She gave him a small, polite smile and walked toward Adrian.
Adrian didn't speak, but the moment she was beside him, he placed a steady hand at the small of her back and guided her firmly out of the café. His silence carried more weight than words, his jaw tight with a storm of emotions.
Nathan, waiting outside, blinked in surprise when he saw them approach. He opened the car door quickly, but even he noticed the unusual tension between them. Adrian's hand never left Lila until she was safely inside.
As the car pulled away, the silence was suffocating. Lila sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, staring out the window, her heart racing.
Adrian leaned back in his seat, his eyes fixed straight ahead, every muscle in his body taut. He didn't speak, but his hand, resting on his knee, was clenched into a fist.
Nathan glanced at them through the rearview mirror, sensing the tension but wisely choosing silence.
For Lila, questions swirled in her mind. Why had Adrian appeared there, at that exact café? Why had he reacted with such anger when he saw her with Tristan? And most of all… why did his anger stir something inside her she didn't want to name?
She stole a glance at him. His profile was sharp, unreadable, yet she could feel the intensity radiating from him.
And for Adrian, the questions were even darker. Why did it feel unbearable to see her sitting with Tristan? Why did he care so much? And why, when she chose to walk away with him, did a fierce satisfaction surge inside him—as if she belonged nowhere else but by his side?
Neither spoke, the weight of unspoken emotions filling the car. But one thing was certain: everything had changed.