30

“You don’t have to look so scared,” Adam commented, his face twisting into a peculiar expression. It was one Alice recognized—a mixture of a pout and a frown that somehow managed to be endearing. She’d noticed he made this face often, usually when he thought she was being ridiculous.

Alice allowed herself a small smile as she studied him. His face wasn’t what most people would call traditionally “cute.” His deep-set eyes and heavy brow lent him a slightly rugged, intense look. Yet, there was something undeniably attractive about him. His blonde curls softened his features, framing his face in a way that almost gave him an angelic air, though his personality was anything but. And that button nose? It was adorable in a way that clashed amusingly with his sharp wit and mischievous smirk.

Her stomach fluttered unexpectedly. A thought struck her like lightning:

Oh, God. I’m falling for him.

Panic set in. Her mind raced through a cascade of questions and concerns.

How is this ever going to work? What would people think? What would my brother think?

And most importantly: Did Adam even feel the same way?

The last question gnawed at her. Adam wasn’t the kind of guy to wear his emotions on his sleeve. If he felt anything deeper, he hid it well. And yet, there were moments—small, fleeting moments—when she caught a glimpse of something softer beneath his bravado.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Adam tugged off his hoodie and shirt in one smooth motion, revealing the toned body underneath. The sight made her cheeks burn, and her train of thought completely derailed. He caught her staring and squinted at her, a sly grin forming.

“Are you perving on me?” he teased.

Alice tried to recover her composure, shooting back a playful smirk of her own. “Maybe,” she said, aiming for sultry but suspecting she landed somewhere closer to deranged.

Adam rolled his eyes with mock exasperation, shaking his head as he stepped out of his trousers. Left standing in nothing but boxers, he looked completely at ease—like he belonged in the pages of a fitness magazine. Alice could suddenly see why her brother had mentioned that awkward shower incident. Adam’s physique wasn’t just impressive; it was intimidatingly perfect.

Taking the hint, Alice began stripping down to her own underwear. She made a mental note to thank her past self for choosing a matching set—simple, but cute. She glanced up to find Adam appraising her, his expression approving.

“Did you run out of Minnie Mouse pants?” he asked, smirking.

“Sadly,” she quipped, choosing not to admit that she’d deliberately swapped out her usual comfy options for something more coordinated.

Adam leaned back slightly, taking another lingering look. Then, without warning, he stood and took both her hands in his own. His touch was warm and firm as he stretched his arms to pull her closer, their bodies nearly touching. Alice’s heart raced. She thought he might kiss her, but instead, he tugged her toward the bed.

“Come on,” he said casually, lifting the duvet for her.

Alice slid in beside him, laughing softly. “Double bed? Lucky you. My mum refuses to let me get one.”

Adam shrugged as he settled in beside her. “Well, my brother’s supposed to be in charge of me, but he doesn’t exactly tell me what to do. And if we ever fight about anything, I always win.”

“You do?” Alice asked, raising a brow.

“Yeah. Have you seen him?” Adam said, his tone playful. “He’s tiny. Fighting him’s no different from wrestling one of the kids at school. Actually, some of them are tougher.”

Alice giggled, but curiosity got the better of her. “So… how come people are scared of him, then?”

Adam frowned, seeming genuinely puzzled by the question. “They are?” he asked, like the thought had never occurred to him.

Alice hesitated. She didn’t want to touch on a sensitive topic, but her curiosity pushed her forward. “There are rumors, you know. About him… beating someone nearly to death. And burning someone else.”

Adam’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes gleamed with amusement. “That wasn’t him. That was me.”

Alice blinked, startled. “Wait… what?”

“Yeah,” Adam said, chuckling. “It’s always me. For some reason, though, my brother gets the blame. I guess because it’s his enemies that usually end up hurt. Can’t really blame them for not wanting to admit some high school kid kicked their ass.”

He laughed again, like the memory was a private joke. Alice, however, was struggling to process what she’d just heard.

“You… poured boiling water on someone?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

“Yup,” Adam said, utterly unfazed. “They deserved it.”

Alice wasn’t sure what to say. Joseph’s warnings about Adam suddenly loomed large in her mind. She replayed the stories she’d heard, the warnings she’d ignored. Was Adam really as dangerous as everyone made him out to be? And if so… why wasn’t she scared?

Because, deep down, she wasn’t. Whatever Adam had done, however brutal it sounded, it didn’t change how she felt about him. Her logic was simple: as long as he was good to her, the rest didn’t matter.

Song lyrics drifted through her thoughts like a mantra:

“People always talk about, reputation

I don’t care what you do to them

Just be good to me.”

She glanced over at Adam, who was lying on his back now, staring at the ceiling with a contented smirk. He caught her looking and turned his head, one brow raised.

“What?” he asked.

Alice shook her head, smiling softly. “Nothing.”

And as she settled against him, feeling his warmth beside her, she realized she wasn’t scared of him at all. Not even a little.