Chapter 133
A few days later, my phone buzzed with a message from Ryan. He and my mother had finally taken the fly to Boston.
I had booked them a hotel room and sent Ryan the confirmation. But they hadn't gone to the hotel I paid for.
I didn't care. I cancelled the booking. It saved me money anyway.
I turned back to my project. I was setting up the sunroom in the new townhouse. I had ordered some ceramic pots and wrought-iron shelves online, and the room was finally starting to look like a garden.
"Drink some water."
Adam walked in, holding a stainless steel tumbler. He unscrewed the lid and held it out to me.
I pulled off my gardening gloves and took the cup.
"Thanks."
Adam took the cup back and recapped it. He looked around the sun-drenched room. "It looks good. Very bright."
"It’s still a bit empty," I said, wiping my hands on my jeans. "I was thinking about going to the flower market later. I need to pick out some actual plants."
"Do you want to go now?" Adam asked. "I’ll drive you."
I thought for a moment. "Sure. Why not?"
We went downstairs. Mrs. Sterling was in the living room, watching a talk show. She looked up as we passed.
"Going out?" she asked.
"Just to the flower market," I said.
Mrs. Sterling’s eyes lit up. She stood up immediately. "I’ll come with you."
I opened my mouth to say okay, but Adam grabbed my hand.
"Actually, Grandma, you should stay here," he said smoothly, pulling me toward the door. "Amy might wake up soon. She’ll need you."
"But—"
"Bye, Grandma!"
Before Mrs. Sterling could argue, Adam hurried me out the door and into the car. As we pulled out of the driveway, I saw Mrs. Sterling standing in the doorway, stomping her foot in frustration.
I looked at Adam, who was driving with a relaxed expression. "That was mean. If she wanted to come, why didn't you let her?"
"I didn't want to bring her," Adam said simply. "I wanted to be alone with you."
My face felt hot. "She’s definitely angry now."
"We’ll just give her a great-grandson soon," Adam said, glancing at me. "Then she won't be angry anymore."
I looked out the window to hide my blush. "Keep dreaming. Who said I’m having a baby with you?"
"Who else would you have one with?"
"None of your business."
"It is my business," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Maya, you already agreed to be with me. I’m not letting go this time. You are going to spend your life with me. You will be my wife, and we will have children."
He paused, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Of course, if you don't want more, we won't. Amy is enough. But... you don't get to run away again."
I scoffed internally. He was so domineering. But even in my loneliest moments over the last five years, I had never wanted anyone else.
I turned to look at his profile. "I hear a lot of women like you. In five years, you really didn't have any interest in anyone else?"
"My heart is stuck on you," he said immediately.
I smirked. "I heard the Hayes family wants to marry their daughter, Tiffany, to you."
The car jerked slightly. "How do you know that?"
"I overheard it. The Hayes heiress is interested. She wants to lock you down."
"I know her father, Arthur Hayes. I don't know the daughter. I can't even remember what she looks like." Adam sounded defensive. "Arthur mentioned it once, but I told him I had a girlfriend."
I reached over and pinched his cheek. "Why are you so nervous?"
He grabbed my hand and held it tight. "I’m afraid you’ll misunderstand."
I laughed and pulled my hand back. "Just drive."
Adam didn't seem reassured. He suddenly pulled the car over to the curb and put it in park. He turned to me, cupping my face in his hands.
"Maya, believe me. I..."
I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his, cutting off his panic.
He froze for a second, then his hand moved to the back of my head, deepening the kiss.
When we finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine. "Are you angry?"
"Did I say I was angry?"
"I was scared you’d think I was lying and leave me."
"Relax," I said, patting his chest. "I’m still interested in you. I won't leave."
"I want to marry you right now," he muttered. "Let everyone know you’re my wife. Then you can't run."
"People get divorced, Adam."
"Don't say that!" He frowned. "You are mine. We belong to each other."
"You won't even let me speak? Are you trying to mute me?"
He kissed me again, briefly. "Let's go get your flowers."
When we got back to the townhouse, I tried to carry a heavy pot, but Adam pushed me aside. "I’ve got it."
I checked the time. "I’ll go make dinner."
By the time Adam finished moving everything to the sunroom and showered, dinner was ready. Mrs. Sterling was still sulking about being left behind. She ignored Adam completely during the meal.
Adam didn't seem to care. He just served me soup and kept his leg pressed against mine under the table.
The next morning, the house was quiet.
I walked downstairs and didn't see Mrs. Sterling or Amy. Adam was sitting on the sofa with his laptop and a coffee.
When he saw me, he set his work aside and walked over. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Hungry? Go eat."
"Where are Amy and Grandma?" I asked as he led me to the dining room.
"They went to the Estate," he said.
I didn't ask any more questions. I trusted Mrs. Sterling with Amy.
After breakfast, I went to the sunroom to organize the new plants. Adam worked in his study. He came up a few times to bring me fruit and water.
Since I ate breakfast so late, we skipped lunch. By four o'clock, Adam was already dragging me out the door.
"We’re going out for dinner," he announced.
We went to a high-end restaurant in the Seaport District. As we were walking to our table, Tiffany blocked our path.
"Adam! Adam Sterling!"
Adam looked at her with cold eyes. "Who are you?"
Tiffany’s smile faltered. "I’m Tiffany. Tiffany Hayes. We met at the gala?"
Hearing the name, Adam’s face went dark. He grabbed my hand and tried to walk around her.
Tiffany stepped in front of him again. "Adam, I’m talking to you! Why are you walking away? That’s so rude."
Adam stopped. "I don't want to talk to you."
Tiffany’s face turned red. She bit her lip and looked at me with disdain before turning back to Adam.
"You're so hurtful! How can you treat a lady like this?
"I’ve already insulted you, yet you’re still standing here. Do you have no self-respect?"
Tiffany gasped. She wiped her eyes and ran off, humiliated.