Chapter 39

“Mariah, I want you to meet someone,” Adam never thought there would be a day like this. He was happy, but there was still sadness in his eyes. Mariah noticed the sadness behind his smile, she told him that she’d get ready. Adam wore a formal dress as well.

“Where are we going?” Mariah asked as Adam drove the car and headed outside the mansion.

“Just a place very close to my heart. We’ll be there soon,” Adam replied and Mariah had no idea where he was taking her or was she going to meet.

The buildings started to disappear and Mariah could now see the spread of green fields everywhere. The sky was clear and it was less chilly today. They were now far away from the city, the breezes ruffled through Mariah’s hair made her feel free.

Adam stopped the car in front of a gate, two guards opened the gates and it looked like they were already anticipating their arrival.

As Adam drove inside, Mariah realized that it was a huge farmhouse but the thing she didn’t understand was why Adam brought her here.

Adam opened Mariah’s door and extended his hand towards her which she gladly took.

“Let’s go,” Adam took Mariah’s hand and wrapped it around his arm as they walked around the farmhouse and towards the backside.

There was a garden in the middle, they kept walking towards it. It was beautiful, they were surrounded by all types of flowers. Mariah noticed the only tree there, she was in awe. Its purple petals covered the whole tree, her gaze slowly shifted from the petals to the trunk and then downwards on the two tombstones.

Mariah couldn’t believe her eyes; she never imagined that Adam would bring her here. She knew how hard it was for him, Mason had told her that every weekend Adam pays a visit to her sister and mother but none of them have ever seen their resting place. Adam never lets anyone come along with him, he goes there alone. Spends hours there, and comes back at night.

Mariah turns her head towards Adam. He smiles and slightly nods his head, to assure her that he’s fine.

They both stand in front of two graves; Adam intertwines his hands with Mariah.

“Mom! Ella! Meet Mariah. The one I told you about every weekend,” Adam looks at Mariah, and their eyes lock for a moment. Mariah subtly blinks to reassure Adam to keep going.

“The one I love, the one who made me want to live again,” Adam completes and tears dwell up inside Mariah’s eyes.

Mariah broadly smiles and bows her head a little.

“Hello, I’m Mariah.”

“She’s pretty, right? I told you I have a good taste,” Adam says and Mariah couldn’t help but smile. She has never seen him talk like this, so softly and carefree without worrying about anything.

The wind gently rustled the tree, causing a cascade of the purple petals to dance through the air, creating a whimsical and enchanting scene. Adam had never felt so free, he changed a lot since Mariah came into his life.

“I hope you approve me for Adam, I am head over heals for him,” Mariah bows her head again gently and Adam knew she was the one for him.

She didn’t pity him nor did she make him uncomfortable. Adam fell in love with her all over again.

“How can they not, in fact Ella would have hugged you so tightly if she-,” Adam abruptly fell silent.

Mariah squeezed Adam’s hand to comfort him.

“Don’t worry Ella, I’ll take care of him,” Mariah continues, “ He isn’t going to get rid of me easily.”

Adam lets out a chuckle and Mariah was glad to see the light in his eyes again, that he had lost somewhere.

“Mom! I’m going to take her on a date now, to the place where you first met dad,” Adam winked at Mariah.

Adam and Mariah both paid their respect and then made their way towards the car again, it was already getting darker.

“This is where my parents first met,” they stood outside a café that was far from the bustling city.

It was still open and Mariah told Adam that they should have something before heading back. The café didn’t have many customers since it was far away from the city.

The girls there kept gazing at Adam who looked ethereal in his formal suit.

“They’re all looking at you,” Mariah pouts and Adam smirks, he knew she was jealous but he was loving it. He wanted to see more of it.

“What? Who’s looking?” Adam pretends to be clueless.

“Look around, every woman’s eyeing you right now,” Mariah folds her arms around her chest.

“Are you jealous right now?” Adam grins, amused by her jealousy.

“No, I’m not. Why would I? They don’t know you yet,” Mariah replies and Adam’s expressions fade away.

Adam takes her hand, and kisses it in front of everyone. All eyes on them, Adam made it very clear that he’s taken.

“Everyone’s watching,” Mariah felt embarrassed, her ears turned all red from blushing too hard.

“Let them. I only have eyes for you Mariah. I only want to see you, hear you, touch you. I don’t want anybody else, you’re the one for me,” Adam assures Mariah that he’s serious about her, that he loves her.

“You really know how to make me blush,” Mariah tries to avoid eye contact with Adam.

“I’m a changed man, Mariah. I know I’ve hurt you a lot in the past, I was stupid to put you through so much pain. I would never hurt you again or let anything happen to you, I’ll protect you with my life.”

Their eyes lock and both of them couldn’t look away. Mariah truly believed that Adam had changed but she was still worried.

“Sir! What would you like to order?” the waiter interrupted and they quickly shifted their gaze.

Adam cleared his throat and asked Mariah what he would like. Adam ordered and after a few minutes the owner of the came to them, she was an elderly lady.

“You’re Alston’s son right?” she stuttered.

“Yes, how did you know?” Adam asked and the lady patted his shoulder.

“I can never forget him, at first I was just imagining since it’s been years but you’re the resemblance is uncanny. You’re the exact spitting image of your father, young and handsome,” she chuckled.

“Your father was a great man, and your mother was the kindest soul,” she replied, “ if it weren’t for them, I would have closed this place decades ago and look now you’re here with the one you love, the destiny has it’s own way to bring people together,” the lady gave Mariah and Adam her blessings and told them that everything was on the café tonight and everyone cheered which left both of them blushing.

“Let’s walk for a while, I don’t want to go back right now,” Mariah said and Adam agreed.

Adam took off his coat and placed it on Mariah’s shoulder as the night was getting cold.

“Adam!” Mariah said in a low voice.

“Yes, my love!”

“Thank you for trusting me with your feelings, thank you for introducing me to your mother and sister. I… I-,” Mariah hadn’t said it directly to Adam before and Adam never forced her as well but today she felt like screaming her feelings.

“I love you, I can’t imagine my life without you,” Mariah finally said what Adam had been waiting to hear.

Adam grabbed Mariah’s waist, his other hand on her chin. He leaned in and kissed her passionately under the moonlight and the cold night but their bodies felt warm.

Mariah kissed Adam back, their kiss becoming more heated and passionate.

A car passed by them and they broke their kiss. Mariah and Adam couldn’t help but blush.