When the door closed behind Adrian, silence filled the room.
Not the heavy silence of her mother's house, full of pressure, shouting, and tension.
It was a silence that felt… light.
Comforting.
Almost surreal.
Lina stood up and began exploring the room, still trying to believe that this place — with its soft lighting, plush mattress, and elegant décor — was temporarily hers.
"Is this real?"
She touched the sheets.
The armchair.
The thin fabric of the curtains.
Everything felt so different from anything she had ever lived that her heart tightened — not with fear… but with relief.
In the bathroom, there were neatly folded towels, new soaps, and a bathrobe so soft it looked like it could hug her. Lina turned on the warm shower and stayed there for long minutes, letting the tension of the day melt down the drain.
She didn't cry — not from sadness.
But when she released a long sigh, she felt something unfamiliar:
freedom.
It was almost frightening to feel it for the first time.
After her shower, wearing only a towel and with her hair dripping, Lina noticed something on the bed: a set of clean, comfortable clothes, exactly her size.
She looked around, confused.
"W–when…?"
She hadn't heard a sound at the door.
Adrian must have asked someone to leave them there without her noticing.
And of course, even the casual clothes looked luxurious.
She dressed and went to the door, opening just a sliver to peek into the dark hallway. She heard soft footsteps going the opposite way. Adrian.
He was still awake.
Lina stepped out quietly, walking on silent feet, and found Adrian standing before the huge windows of the main room. He had taken off his suit jacket and was now wearing only a white dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms.
His hair was slightly tousled.
His face more relaxed.
His posture less rigid.
He looked… human.
The city glowed below like a sea of lights.
For a moment, Lina couldn't move.
Adrian sensed her presence and turned slowly.
"Can't sleep?" he asked.
"I… I'm still trying to understand that this is actually happening," she admitted.
Adrian nodded, as if he understood more than he said.
"That's normal. Your life changed in a few hours. It takes time."
Lina moved a little closer.
"And you? Do you always stay up this late?"
"Most nights. It's when I think best."
She swallowed.
"What do you… think about?"
He glanced back toward the city.
"My business. My responsibilities. The risks."
Lina hesitated.
"And… about us?"
He turned his face toward her.
"About you… since yesterday, yes."
She almost stumbled.
"Adrian…"
"I'm not saying this to pressure you," he added calmly. "I'm saying it because it's true. You've shifted my routine, my priorities. It's… unexpected."
Lina touched her own wrist, nervous.
"I don't know if I can… match that."
"You don't have to match anything," he said, stepping just close enough for her to feel his warmth. "You just need to be yourself. That's why I chose you."
She stared at him, unable to fully understand.
"But… you barely know me."
Adrian answered with something that took her breath away:
"And yet, you're the only person beside me tonight.
And the only one I want beside me."
Lina felt her cheeks burn.
"Adrian…"
He stepped closer — but left enough space so she wouldn't feel cornered.
"Are you afraid of being here?" he asked.
She thought.
Really thought.
And finally shook her head.
"No.
I'm afraid of… not being enough."
Adrian moved a bit closer, though still respecting her space — just enough for his gaze to wrap around her.
"Lina, I grew up surrounded by people who pretended to know me.
Who wanted something from me.
Who were fake, opportunistic, manipulative."
He exhaled slowly.
"You're the first person in a long time who looks at me… without expecting anything in return. That's rare. And it's enough."
Lina's heart trembled.
"I don't know what to say…"
"You don't need to say anything," Adrian murmured. "Just… stay. For today, that's enough."
Lina breathed deeply, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Then… I'll stay."
He closed his eyes for a second —
as if those words eased something inside him.
"Good night, Lina."
"Good night, Adrian."
She walked back to her room with light steps, her chest too warm to even think about sleeping.
And as she closed the door, she heard his voice, soft, almost inaudible:
"I'm glad you came into my life."
Lina leaned her forehead against the door, breathless.
And for the first time… she felt their future wouldn't just be a contract.
It would be… something more.
Something big.
Something dangerous.
Something impossible to avoid.