A Debt to the Prince

11. Bargaining with the door

*edited*

It was soon dark outside and I sat in his study, watching him as he grumbled, scratching a few words off the sheets and correcting them.

"I could help."

He wasn't pleased with my offer, I could tell. He continued working and I sat there idly. "I said I could help" I repeated.

"No. "

What no? Why was he being such an arse? What on earth was his problem?!

I was trying my best not to think about the consequences, if Sophia were to know I was here with Adrian.

And he, having made me a sign a contract and threaten me, I have no choice. What should I do? Maybe I'll just chuck all this and go on a vacation.

"I am going home."

To be honest I was very disappointed when he didn't care to stop me. He just let me walk out.

I groaned inwardly when the security stopped me. I tried going around him but he clearly did his job well.

I want Adrian to stop me and he doesn't, this security does.

"I am not a prisoner here and I am most certainly not trying to run away."

He wasn't convinced. Hence, he calls up, listens for a few minutes before placing the receiver down.

If you ask me why I didn't run away when I had the chance to, I never was the type to run or do something behind people's backs.

I waited till he gladly shooed me out of the place. The taxi guy was sweet enough to cheer me up as he drove. Though he didn't know why I was upset, he tried.

I didn't know I looked upset until he had mentioned it. I thanked him as I got down. I turned back to him and he smiled.

"Do you mind waiting for a few minutes. I promise I'll be quick."

He nodded.

I couldn't stay here after the conversation with Dylan. It would seem like I am a loser and a person who couldn't keep up her words.

"Liz" Tori smiled widely as she descended the stairs. "Dylan" she called out, hugging me.

He popped his head out of the kitchen, a can of soda in his hand. "Lizzy" his smile was enough to make me run into his arms.

"I missed you" I mumbled.

"Couldn't stay without me I see" he chuckled.

"I am here to get my books. I will have to go back."

"Of course you do."

The excitement in his voice went six feet under.

My smile faltered too. I gathered my books and loaded them in the car. They were quite a number.

"See you soon" I waved. "Bye" called Tori and Dylan was nowhere to be seen.

"He'll come around" she chuckled and I nodded, smiling.

Once in the taxi, I rested my head on the seat as I closed my eyes. I couldn't say I was emotionally drained but I was disturbed.

My phone vibrated in my hand and I didn't have neither the energy nor the wish to see what the message was.

I half know it is from the creepy guy but trust me I don't know why I am so calm about it. It does bother me, but I am not as worried as I should be.

After trying the same pattern a good four times, I finally was able to unlock my phone.

Oh shoot! I had to submit my assignment today. I still have half an hour left. I'm sure I can manage. I drastically started typing away my two thousand word essay.

"We are here" I heard the driver speak and I nodded, motioning him to wait. Finish and submit!

Yes! I looked up at him, smiling. "Thank you" I called as I balanced the books one on top of another.

It so happens that the security man whose name I recently learned, Bryce, isn't a bad guy after all.

Must be moody is all, but can be very helpful at times. Without me asking, he took my books and carried it inside the house.

But not before adding, "Stay here and don't let anyone in. Anyone."

"Thank you very much sir" I smiled as he returned. His eyes went wide as he processed my words. I think he deserved everything I said. And most importantly respect.

"Off you go."

He can't cover up too well. I smiled as I watched him trying to hide the smile. Maybe we had met under the wrong circumstances or just wrong timing.

"Good evening" I smiled at Phoebe, I found her very friendly.

"Your books are in your room" she smiled, handing me a chocolate.

That is it. That is what I ever wanted!

"You are the best" I all but squealed as I tore open the chocolate wrapper like a .. let's settle with not lady like.

I skipped up to the room happily and dropped the chocolate as I saw Adarin, under the covers on the bed. My books were nearly kept in the racks and I turned back to him.

He was sleeping. Rather peacefully. I picked up the bar of chocolate and blew the imaginary dust off of it. Just as I was about to eat it, his eyes fluttered open.

I froze.

He motioned me to come over to the bed and this time I did, without fear. He grabbed me by my hands and a huge portion of the chocolate was gone.

Disappeared into his mouth. Whole lot of chocolate.

"Hey!" I whined, hitting him as hard as I could. "That was mine!" I placed the rest of the chocolate behind me as I pounced on him.

How dare he eat my chocolate!

"Want it back?" he mumbled. I could see it. It was right between his lips. I could take it. I reached out to it and he turned away.

Oh I know what he is trying to do. And truly, I don't mind. The chocolate is mine and I was going to take it back come what may!

I leaned in, clutching the chocolate between my teeth as I pulled back. His smirk arrived just in time, to wave for the audience.

I hopped down from the bed, taking my chocolate with me. He watched silently as I ate it.

"Mine" I smirked and walked to the shelf, pulling out the big fat book. I had to learn the formulae by heart. I insist on deriving a few I know but the lecturer tells me it is a waste of time.

Well of course for the exam I would learn it by heart, but why now? I sighed as I sat on the comfortable chair across the bed, cross legged.

There was a piece of chocolate in my mouth as I flipped the pages. Yep! This derivation was there right before the problems. Almost there.

I know the list has to be here somewhere. I shrieked as the chocolate slipped out of my mouth. Hang on a minute!

It didn't slip, it was grabbed!

"Adrian!" I yelled as I ran behind him and out of the room. His laughter was melody but I'm concentrating on getting back my chocolate.

I could only manage to climb two steps at a time with my tiny feet while the robber managed three or even four steps at a time.

I groaned as I finally caught up with him. He was standing in all his glory, smiling at me. I returned the smile. I caught my breath in a minute and sprinted after him when he dashed ahead.

His sweatpants hung dangerously low. No no no! Keep your eyes on the chocolate.

"Kiss and tell" he smirked.

I knew this. We used to do it most of the time before. Before I walked away from him.

I giggled. Bah! That sounded like a love struck teenager. I cleared my throat as I walked to him.

His hand leaned on the railing, my chocolate at the tip of his fingers. It would easily fall and I would have to mourn over it's death.

I narrowed my eyes. "It is melting" I shrieked.

He shrugged. Like it didn't matter at all.

"I will do anything you want" I mumbled.

He shook his head.

"I will do everything you want" I said louder.

I placed my lips against his cheek hurriedly and rejoiced as the chocolate made its way into my hands.

HATING THE DOOR (next chapter)

*edited*

"Sleeping arrangements?" I asked sweetly as I plopped down on the chair that we'll call comfy from now on.

He smirked.

"Makes me wonder what is going on in that little head of yours."

"Keep wondering then" I chuckled. I whined softly as I walked about the room, trying my best to remember about twenty hundred thousand formulae.

"Holy!" I shrieked as I felt his breath on my neck, I clutched my book to my chest.

He effortlessly pulled the book from me and smiled. Oh of course! He was the math genius, wasn't he?

And then started the session with professor Adrian.

"I have one year and then I graduate" I smiled, when we were both sitting on the bed, proud that I managed to ace through the years.

"I have to go back to the university in a month. Classes resume then."

He stiffened. He nodded shortly. "Let's try and solve this, shall we?"

"No! I hate these ones really" I buried my face in my hands and he chuckled.

"My assignment is the questions in the last but one page."

He nodded, as he read through them. His eyes trained on the questions and mine on his. He looked extremely handsome when he tucked his lip under his teeth as he scribbled down things.

I laid down on my stomach, watching him as he solved. And the last thing I remember is him calling me, offering to teach me.

The pleasant sound of birds chirping had me wake up. This was not my house! Holy mother of god!

I clutched my phone to me as I grabbed the nearest thing that I could hit with. A book?

My book.

I blinked a few times and it all became very clear. Adrian, with his reading glasses on, had his cheek pressed to the book and his eyes were shut.

Handsome! He is mine. My guy! I gently removed the glasses though I didn't want to, it gave him an intense look. Sexy!

He drew in a deep breath as I managed to make him sleep with his back on the mattress. I took the pen from his hand and placed it in my book.

Woah!

Solved? All the questions? When did this happen?

I fell. And I fell in love with him. Again. All over again.

I smiled widely as I saw his name at the bottom of the page under which, was the time quarter to four, written.

He stayed up all night. To finish my assignment. For me.

FOR ME.

Are the two words I love when it concerns Adrian Miller. The twenty four year old billionaire, finishing my assignment at quarter to four.

How wonderful.

I couldn't resist placing a kiss on his forehead. He looked so adorable I just couldn't help it.

I stared at him dreamily, I love him! I felt like standing on top of the world and screaming that I love Adrian Miller.

"Babe?" he murmured. He called me babe. That's what he used to always call me. I am high up in the air!!

So damn amazing.

"Brielle" he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Brielle?

Oh

Okay.

There's a Brielle.

No big deal.

Not at all.

"Adrian?" I called softly.

"I love you Bri" he whispered.

Adrian loved Brielle.

Okay, so he must have met a girl named Brielle and he is in love with her. In an instant my head was pounding, I could hear blood rushing in my ears. Yes, I was dumb enough to walk away from Adrian all those years ago, but I did dare dream of another chance with him.

My heart was racing, beating way too much faster than normal. I found it difficult to breathe. Maybe there is a problem with my lungs right now?

But I am sure I will be fine soon. Of course I'll be fine. I was perfectly fine these many years without him.

I don't like this feeling that I am going through. I don't.

My lips were quivering and I drew in another breath. Do not overreact okay? You are fine. I looked at him, I was going to wake him up.

"I miss you Bri. I really do."

He sat up in his bed as I hit his chest softly. I whipped around as I felt a tear run down my cheek. When did that happen! I quickly wiped it away. I couldn't cry!

"Liz?" he called. I took a deep breath as I managed to turn around, with a smile on my face.

"Good morning."

He nodded, looking uneasy.

"Were you expecting someone else?" I chuckled.

I couldn't hold back my tears. I didn't want to. He only frowned. I shook my head, smiling. I am pretty good at faking things you know.

"You look uncomfortable. Bad dream? Someone you miss perhaps" I prompted.

"Did I say anything?" he asked.

"No, why?"

He shook his head again. "A bad dream?" I asked again. I want him to tell me. Who the hell is Brielle?

He smiled as he stood up. He tugged me closer, resting his forehead where my neck joins my shoulder. My heart did a somersault I swear.

I found it revolting. He misses Brielle and I am the one who should comfort him? Why would I do that?

Why the hell would I do that?

Why wouldn't I do that?

As I tried to push him away, I realised I couldn't. I just couldn't. All I know is that he is in pain and I wanted to make it go away.

Okay just decide!

"Looks like you're missing someone" I forced a chuckle.

"I have the one I want" I could hear the smirk in his voice. "Right here in my arms."

I wish. I really wish I was the one. Who is Brielle. I resisted the urge to cry. I am definitely not weak. And I am not feeling like crying because he misses someone, but because I am not able to push him away even when I want to.

"Slept well?" I croaked. I hope he did not notice. Please let him not have noticed.

He pulled back slowly, frowning as he did. He held me back when I tried to walk away.

That is not done alright! You cannot hold me back like that. I need to go.

Away from you Adrian. I don't want to be with you anymore. I do, to be honest. I do want to be with you but sure as hell not when you are crying for another woman.

Who is Brielle?

My breathing became uneven and I know. I know I am going to cry a river now. I wouldn't! Not while Adrian was watching.

I struggled harder when my nose started twitching. I'm this close to losing it. I will not cry in front of him!

"Can you let me go?" I almost pleaded. I would give anything for Adrian to go away now. Anything.

"What is happening, Liz?" he asked, looking concerned.

Fake. He is definitely faking it I tell you. He misses Brielle and tells me that he has the one he wants, in his arms? That was the last thing I had expected from Adrian.

If not anything, he was always honest. Why would he do that to me?

Well I know that I walked out and all but he knows. He knows I didn't mean to. He knows in all honesty that I still love him. I can tell by the way he looks at me.

The challenge in his eyes that he would make me confess, I have seen that. I know it.

"Let me go" I hissed. I pushed him hard and he backed off. He didn't stop me. He didn't. Though he knew I loved him, he stood silent. In fact missing another woman.

Not that it is wrong or bad. It just hurts. Hurts so bad.

"Liz?" his voice was soft.

"I hate you alright? I freaking hate you. You are a horrible and a disgusting man, I can't stand you."

He stood by idly as I ran out of the room. I hate him. I truly hate him for not stopping me to ask what had truly happened.

Thinga are getting messed up. I wanted him to try harder, just to see if he would, but he didnt.

I know I didn't want him to. But he didn't even try. I let my tears fall freely as I climbed up the stairs in a rush.