Chapter 60 Friends
Chapter 60 Friends
Back in his room, Adrian was overwhelmed with emotions. He remembered Zara’s words, and his heart broke even more.
How can she be so kind after everything I’ve done to her?
He reached for his father’s picture and whispered, “Dad, I think it’s time I let go of this grudge. Living with so much hate… it’s draining me. I know this is what you always wanted for me.”
A soft knock came at the door. “Come in,” he said.
It was Isabella. She froze for a moment when she saw him holding their father’s photo. She walked closer and sat beside him.
“Adrian… What's wrong? Do you miss Dad?”
He smiled faintly. “Of course I do. But today… I think I missed him more .”
she said softly. “But I know he’s proud of you.”
Adrian forced a small smile, trying to hide the ache in his chest.
“Anyway,” Isabella said with a grin, “I wanted you to take me out for ice cream. Like you used to do. I miss my old brother the one who wasn’t always buried in work.”
Adrian chuckled lightly. “Alright, I’ll take you.”
They headed downstairs, but just as they were about to leave, Isabella’s phone rang after the phone call she said “Oh no,” she muttered. “Adrian, I’m so sorry I can’t make it. Seriously? After so long of trying to hang out together!”
“It’s okay,” he said calmly.
That surprised her. “You’re… not mad?”
He smiled faintly. “No, I’m not.”
“Well,” she said, still a little shocked, “you can still go and have that ice cream. You haven’t had any in ages.”
“I could,” he said, “but I don’t think I can go alone.”
“Who said you’re going alone?” Isabella smirked. “You’re going with her.”
Zara was coming down the stairs just then. Adrian’s heart skipped a beat. Was it because of their heart-to-heart talk earlier? He couldn’t tell.
“You’re going to keep him company in my place,” Isabella told Zara.
“Wait, what?” Zara blinked, confused.
“Do you have a problem with that?” Isabella teased Adrian.
“If she wants, she can come along,” he said casually.
“Then it’s settled! Zara, please go with him,” Isabella pleaded, putting on her best puppy eyes.
Zara sighed. “Alright. I won’t say no to you.”
“That’s why I love you!” Isabella said, pecking her cheek before running off.
Outside, in the parking lot, Adrian handed Zara a helmet. “We’re using the bike,” he said.
Zara hesitated for a moment, but Adrian didn’t rush her; he simply waited.
“I might be a little fast, so hold on tight,” he warned.
She didn’t reply, only placed her hands gently around his waist. His heart betrayed him again. Why did he start feeling this way around her?
They drove through the cool evening air until they reached a small, old-fashioned ice cream shop.
“Oh, Adrian!” the woman behind the counter exclaimed. “It’s been ages!”
He smiled warmly. “Good to see you, too.”
“Ever since your father passed, you and your sister stopped coming by. I missed you.”
He gave a polite smile.
She glanced at Zara. “And she must be special you’ve never brought anyone else here before.”
“This is my wife, Zara,” Adrian said.
Zara froze. He’d called her that before, but this time… it didn’t sound ironic.
“Lovely to meet you,” the woman said cheerfully.
Zara bowed slightly. “Nice to meet you too.”
They sat opposite each other at a small table.
“Why did you tell her I’m your wife?” Zara asked quietly. “I thought we were supposed to keep it a secret.”
“We’re not at work,” he said “And besides aren’t you my wife?”
Those words sent a strange warmth through her. Before she could reply, the woman returned with their ice cream.
“Here you go, lovebirds,” she said with a wink. “You two look good together.”
Both of them glanced away shyly and focused on their ice cream.
After a while, Adrian asked softly, “When are you going to file for the divorce?”
Zara looked up. “Are you in a hurry to get rid of me?”
“No, no,” he said quickly. “I just thought… maybe you’d want to move on with your life . I don’t want to hold you captive.”
“Well, I’m not in a rush.”
“I really don’t want chaos,” she said. “Let’s leave things as they are for now. Maybe later, we’ll know what to do. Besides, I said I hold nothing against you, Adrian.”
He looked at her closely. “Why are you like this, Zara? Why do you take everything so lightly?”
“Because,” she said softly, “there are things we can’t control. Even if I hate you, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re married.”
Adrian admired her her strength, her calmness, and how she could still show kindness despite everything.
“So,” he said suddenly, “since you hold nothing against me, can we… be friends?”
Zara blinked.
He extended his hand with a smile. “I’m Adrian Voss.”
She smiled faintly and looked away. Ofcos I know you, “Zara Alaric.” She shook his hand.what is he up to? Zara muttered to herself .
They continued eating quietly until Zara grinned. “So, dear friend you call me clumsy, but is this how you eat ice cream?”
“Where?” he asked, wiping the wrong side of his face.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she muttered, grabbing a tissue and wiping his cheek herself.
He watched her closely, smiling. “You call me clumsy but you can’t eat like a normal person," Zara said teasingly but I wouldn’t mind eating like this… if you were the one cleaning me up.”
Zara froze, blushing furiously. “You’re clean now,” she said quickly, avoiding his gaze.
He chuckled softly.
As they left the shop, a few women passing by giggled. “He’s so handsome!” one of them whispered.
Zara rolled her eyes. “As if you are,” she muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?” Adrian asked.
“I said… you’re not that attractive,” she replied coolly.
He smirked. “That’s not what you said the night you were drugged.”
Zara froze. “What did I say?”
He leaned closer. “You said I was very attractive. Forgetting your own words, Mrs. Alaric Zara ?”
She had no comeback just a deep blush and silence.