Chapter 51 I will shout that we are married
Chapter 51 I will shout that we are married
Adrian’s POV
He didn’t know when it had started but kept on thinking about Zara, that is. She was fragile, unpredictable, she was like a whole new person to him !
The sun was barely up when he stepped out of his tent, the air still carrying the chill of dawn. He hadn’t planned to go to her tent, but somehow, his feet led him there.
Zara was still asleep, her brow creased like she was trapped in a bad dream. Without thinking, he crouched beside her and brushed his fingers lightly across her forehead. Her frown eased instantly, and she let out a soft, sleepy smile that made his chest tighten in the most unfamiliar way.
“You’re such a big baby,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a faint smirk.
For a second, she stilled, and when that little smile faded, he pulled his hand back as though burned. His gaze lingered on her nose, her lips, the way her hair framed her face and for the first time, he really saw her.
“Get a grip, Adrian,” he whispered to himself before getting up. But when he stepped outside, he found Rosey leaning on a nearby tree, arms crossed, watching him with a smirk.
“Do they know each other in any way?” she murmured to herself. “Why is he being kind to her and not me?”
Adrian pretended not to notice and walked off, though he could practically feel the heat of Rosey’s glare at his back.
When Zara woke, the faint scent of his cologne still lingered in the air but she brushed it off as her imagination. Her leg was better now; she could walk. She was freshening up when Claire poked her head inside the tent.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” Claire asked softly.
“Oh better now,” Zara said, limping a little as she smiled.
“I was worried, you know. You’re lucky Mr. Adrian helped you. He lifted you like you weighed nothing!” Claire teased.
Zara’s stomach twisted at that. “Oh uh, yeah. I barely remember,” she said, trying to sound casual.
“Do you know him… better than we do?” Claire pressed, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
Zara’s voice came out too fast. “No! I mean
no, not at all.”
Claire grinned. “Relax, I was joking.”
Later that morning, everyone gathered for the rope-climbing activity. Zara sat on the sidelines, her leg still tender, watching as the rest geared up.
And then she saw him.
Adrian tall, confident, wearing sleek sunglasses that made him look like he’d stepped out of a movie. He caught her gaze briefly, and for a moment, it felt like time hiccuped. She quickly looked away.
Rosey, ever the attention-seeker, made sure to partner with him. When she nearly slipped, Adrian caught her with one strong arm. Her delighted laughter echoed across the field.
Zara watched, expression unreadable not jealous, not happy either, just… oddly quiet inside.
By lunchtime, everyone was exhausted and hungry. Zara found a spot at the dining area, alone since Claire was still getting ready. The whispers started as soon as she walked in.
“She’s the one Adrian helped…”
“They look kind of close, don’t they?”
“Ugh, lucky.”
Zara ignored them all, focusing on her plate.
Moments later, Adrian walked in and the entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Rosey sat with a dazzling smile, having saved him a seat right beside her. “Sir, over here!” she called out sweetly.
But to everyone’s surprise including Zara’s Adrian walked straight past her and sat right across from Zara. The clang of his tray on the table drew a few gasps.
Zara froze mid-bite. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
“The last time I checked, I’m your boss,” he replied coolly. “I can sit wherever I want.”
She glared at him, stabbing her fork into a piece of food a little too violently. “Then eat quietly, boss.”
He ignored the jab, leaning forward slightly. “How’s your leg?”
“It’s fine,” she muttered, refusing to look up.
“Good. Maybe now you’ll stop tripping over air and be more careful with your life decisions “clumsyhead.”
Zara’s grip on her fork tightened. Slowly, she lifted it and pointed it straight at his face. “Say that again, and I swear I’ll ”
But she lowered the fork when she learnt that everyone was staring at them !
Adrian stared at the fork an inch from his nose, then lifted one eyebrow, his lips curving into a slow, wicked grin.
“You dare point a fork at your boss?” he murmured. “Careful, Zara. If you don’t put that down, I’ll shout that we’re married.”
Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t ”
He leaned in closer. “Try me.”
Zara sighed and focused on her food .
Satisfied, Adrian rose from his seat, his smirk widening.
He left the hall, and the whispers exploded.
Rosey sat frozen in disbelief.
And Zara… sat there fuming, stabbing her mashed potatoes as if they were his smug face.