Chapter 49 Pinnochio
Chapter 49 Pinnochio
Adrian's POV
I closed the door to Liam’s room as quietly as I could, making sure the latch clicked almost silently. I stood there for a moment, listening, but only the gentle hum of the house met my ears. He was finally asleep. I let out a slow breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Kids.
Downstairs, the living room glowed softly from the television. I found Liana sprawled across the sofa, an arm hanging limply, her phone balanced precariously on her chest. A TikTok video of someone dancing played on a loop, the tinny music almost inaudible. She was fast asleep.
“Liana?” I murmured, nudging her shoulder gently.
She stirred, a soft, incoherent sound escaping her lips. “Mmmph…”
“Liana, wake up,” I said a little louder, shaking her shoulder again. “You can’t sleep here.”
Her eyes fluttered open, then squeezed shut again. “Five more minutes, Mom…” she mumbled, pulling away from my touch.
I sighed. This was typical. If she slept like this, she’d wake up with a crick in her neck, complaining bitterly. And then she’d blame the sofa. And probably me for not moving her. I knelt beside the couch. “Liana, come on. Bedtime.”
She just snuggled deeper into the cushions, her phone now resting precariously on the floor. I watched the repeating video for another second, then made up my mind. I carefully slid an arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her gently. She felt deceptively light, a warm weight in my arms. Her head lolled against my shoulder, and she let out a soft snore.
I carried her upstairs, careful with each step. Her room was faintly lit by the moonlight filtering through the curtains. I lay her down on the bed, pulling the duvet over her. After a moment’s hesitation, I even took off her shoes. Her breathing was deep and even. I tucked the duvet firmly around her, then paused at the door, just watching her for a moment. Be more careful, I'd told her earlier. It seemed that applied to falling asleep on the couch too.
Back in my study, the world felt blessedly quiet again. I turned on the desk lamp, the soft glow illuminating the stacks of papers and my laptop. The new hospital project was moving faster than I’d anticipated. I pulled up the extensive list of drugs we’d need to inventory, then scrolled through the profiles of potential surgeons from across the country. My eyes scanned names, qualifications, specialties, but my mind kept drifting.
Liana. Her birthday was in two days. A surprise. I smiled faintly. She deserved something special after everything she’d been through. I picked up my phone. Lily first.
The call connected quickly. “Lily? Adrian here.”
“Adrian! To what do I owe this distinct pleasure?” Her voice was bright, teasing.
“I need a favor,” I said, getting straight to it. “Liana’s birthday is in two days. I want to throw her a surprise party.”
“Oh my God, Adrian! That’s amazing!” she practically shrieked. “Are you finally admitting you like her?”
I winced, knowing full well she’d say something like that. “No, no, it’s just… she’s a friend. And she just started with us. I thought it would be a nice gesture.”
Lily snorted. “A ‘nice gesture’ for the woman you carried to bed an hour ago? Don’t try to fool me, Adrian.”
“How did you even… nevermind,” I said, rubbing a hand through my hair. “Can you and Felicia fly in? I’ll send a private jet for both of you. It would really make her day to see you.”
“You know we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Lily said, her tone softening. “Especially if you’re asking. This is huge! You even talk to another woman, let alone fly us in for a party. Yes, we’ll be there. But you have to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Keep it a secret. From Liana, obviously. This means my mouth is sealed. I won’t tell her anything. You have my word. But,” Lily continued, “have you gotten her a gift yet?”
“That’s… part of why I called you,” I admitted. “I had her pick out a dress and some jewelry a few weeks ago, but I don’t know her well enough to pick something truly special. You two are her best friends. I was hoping you’d have an idea of what she’d really want.”
There was a pause on her end, then a slow, deliberate sigh. “Adrian, Adrian, Adrian…” Lily’s voice was dripping with playful exasperation. “You really want me to tell you what Liana wants for her birthday?”
“Well, yes. That’s why I’m calling.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” she said, and I could practically hear her shaking her head. “Absolutely not. I’m not playing Cupid, and I’m definitely not giving you the cheat sheet on Liana. If you’re ‘interested in her’ – and we both know you are, despite your denials – then you need to put in the work, my friend. You need to figure that out on your own.”
“I told you, I’m not ‘interested’ like that,” I insisted, feeling my cheeks warm. “It’s purely professional. And friendly. We’re friends. And I’m Liam’s doctor, her son’s doctor. That's all. I’m just trying to be a good host for my friend’s birthday.”
Lily burst out laughing. “Oh, Adrian. You’re such a Pinocchio. Your nose must be growing by the second right now! ‘Purely professional.’ Right. The man who nearly had a heart attack when she grazed her hand earlier, then stayed by her side like a protective hawk? That Adrian? Mmm-hmm.”
I shook my head, already regretting this call. “Just tell me if you can come or not.”
“Of course we’ll come,” she said, her laughter subsiding into a knowing chuckle. “But no gift ideas from me. You go figure out what she likes. It’s part of the charming billionaire romantic hero journey, isn’t it? The one who has everything but has to learn to listen to the woman he’s falling for.”
“I’m not a romantic hero, and I’m definitely not falling for anyone,” I grumbled, already picturing myself trekking through stores trying to decipher Liana’s preferences. This was going to be harder than I thought. “Just… tell Felicia. I’ll make the arrangements for the jet. Text me your travel details.”
“Will do, Pinocchio,” Lily replied, still chuckling. “See you soon, Adrian. And good luck figuring out that gift.”
I ended the call, feeling a mixture of annoyance and… something else. Hope? Maybe. Lily’s words echoed in my head: You need to put in the work.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I did. I leaned back in my chair, looking at the ceiling. What did Liana really want? I knew her favorite coffee, her favorite book genre, the way she liked her steak. But a gift? Something that would truly surprise her. My gaze fell on an unopened dossier. The hospital launch was imminent. I had actual work to do. But Liana’s birthday now felt like a much more pressing matter. I had two days. Two days to prove to myself – and maybe to Lily, and perhaps even to Liana – that I could figure her out. Without any cheat sheets. This was going to be interesting.