Chapter 63 Chapter 63
"Marry me, Cynthia. And this time... for real."
His words hung in the air and a heavy silence preceded them. I felt a sudden rush of vertigo, as if the floor beneath my feet had turned into water. My mind, which had been in chaos, suddenly turned blank.
I inhaled a deep breath when the silence became too suffocating.
"Say something, Cynthia" Adrian grabbed my palms tightly. His eyes were full of hope.
He has confessed his love before but it is for the first time that he has asked for marriage.
I could see in his eyes that he just wanted to hear 'yes' this time. Of course, no one wants rejection.
"I don't know, Adrian." I shook my head "A lot of things are going on in my head. I don't think I am in a position to make any big decisions right now"
I thought Adrian would take a step back, but instead, he stepped forward, reducing the small gap between us.
"You don't have the luxury of time, Cynthia. Once Lucien settles down, he will chase you again and you cannot fight Lucien alone."
He sighed.
"And once Alister decides that Aurora is a Vaughn property and you are just an obstacle, you will not be able to stop them and even I can't help you without any relation between us. Marrying at least gives me some rights over Aurora to fight in the court for her."
I stayed silent as my heart hammered in my chest. He is not wrong though, I cannot fight Lucien's father alone. He is in the Mafia but that doesn't mean I marry Adrian.
"But with all the messy passes that I have with Lucien..." I looked up at him as my voice cracked
"I don't want to drag you into this. I don't want to..."
"I am ready," Adrian cut me off, in a firm voice, holding my hands even tighter "I am ready to accept you with your past and your present. All of it. Just marry me, and I promise you, I will not let even his shadow reach you again if you don't want to."
"Adrian... I ... I have slept with ..."
"I know" he cut me off
I licked my lips as my eyes flicked between his.
"You know who he is, Adrian. His background... his father’s reach... the way they crush people who get in their way."
"I know everything," Adrian said, his eyes darkening "I know even more than you know about him. I know where the cracks are, Cynthia. But I can't protect you as a friend. You would have to marry me if you want Aurora by your side all your life."
Still, I can't make an instant decision. Marriage is not a joke for me. Adrian could clearly see the hesitation on my face but still, he was not ready to step back.
"I know this is not an easy decision for you" he added "but answer me a few questions."
I blinked, waiting for him to continue.
"You’ve known me for five years, Cynthia. Just tell me... in all that time, have I ever made you feel uncomfortable?"
I looked into his green eyes and slowly shook my head.
No.
Never.
Even when I was at my worst, he had been the calm in the storm.
There has not been even a single moment when he has made me feel uncomfortable even when we were alone in the same room. His presence has always brought calm to my chaotic mind.
"Have I ever made you feel unsafe?"
I shook my head again.
He had been the one to hold the umbrella when it rained. I don't know what I would have done after my father's death if he had not been on my side.
"Have I ever made you feel like running?"
A small, sad smile touched my lips as I shook my head for the third time. I had spent the past few years of my life running to him, not away from him.
Even today, when all doors closed, his remained open.
"Then, what's making you think so much?" He asked.
My heart!
I don't know why but my heart is not ready to accept his proposal.
Adrian can be a perfect husband and a father. He is, in fact, ready to accept me with my dark past and worst vulnerabilities, yet I am not able to say that 'yes'
I am feeling that heavy weight on my chest even by the thought of it.
"Cynthia" he called me softly as one of his hands moved up to stroke my shoulder "You already know that I love you"
His thumb grazed my knuckles slowly.
"I didn't wake up from that coma for the money or the house. I woke up because I heard you crying in that hospital room. I don't have anyone else but you and Aurora. You two are my life and now I want to call you my family, legally."
I swallowed hard as my throat turned dry.
"You guys are already mine. It's just a court stamp that's needed"
But I have never seen Adrian as more than a good friend.
I know he has helped me a lot but... Marriage? Will it be the right decision when I don't know a lot about him, especially his past?
"Okay fine!"
He sighed heavily.
"You want time?"
I remained silent.
"Take it" he smiled softly "but don't get too late"
He tapped on my shoulder.
I was about to turn around when my eyes caught sight of a file that froze me in my tracks. My eyes widened for a second and my lips parted after I read what was written over it.
'Vale Corp.'
His head turned around to see where I was looking.
"I was going through the file that ruined your father's business. If we expose the real culprit, it will help you in reviving your business"
My eyebrows knitted together. He was in a coma, how did he know about my business?
"Now, can I get a cup of coffee? I am starting to feel that headache"
"Now, go and make a cup of coffee for me" Adrian added softly, trying to grab my attention
"I... yeah. Coffee," I managed to choke out
"...and Aurora must be waiting for her pancakes. Don't forget you have promised her to play together"
He quickly turned around, took the file, and placed it in a drawer.
My heart started hammering in my chest.
I am sure Adrian is hiding something big from me.