Calm Conversation

Adrianne hugged herself under the blanket. It was cozy and warm, giving her the feeling of being protected. After that traumatic situation she went through, this felt comforting.

It was impossible to get used to such violence no matter how much exposed she had been to it.

Her thoughts went back to the silver eyed adonis. He probably did it out of responsibility. Even so, he kept her well and didn't let her see the murderous site.

It made her heart flutter and almost caused her to forget the fact that he wielded a gun as well, being more brutal than the opposing party.

He didn't even receive a scratch.

Adrianne knew he did it out of self-defense, but for him to be that proficient, it was easy for her to assume what he engaged in regularly.

And all she wanted was a safe life without any turbulences.

Her phone rang up then, distracting her from the thoughts, and she reached out.

Seeing that it was her editor, she hissed and received the call.

"Ms. Adrianne, did you grow wings and fly off from the face of the Earth? Why have I been unable to contact you? Do have any sense of responsibility? Are you aware of the repercussions—"

Before her editor was able to continue shouting at her, she stated, "Alice, Alice, Alice, I get you. It's not like I wanted to disappear from the world. I have been forced to. I am in a pitiful situation."

Adrianne sounded as though she was about to cry. Even she didn't know whether or not she was faking her emotions.

"Do you think any excuses you pull out is going to impress me?" Alice questioned in a dull tone. Adrianne could almost picture her rolling her eyes.

"I have been forced back by my dad," she said after a sigh.

Alice furrowed her eyebrows and solemnly pointed out, "I am not in the mood for jokes."

Despondency crossed her hazel eyes, and she gloomily said, "How I wish that was the case."

"What happened?" Alice worriedly questioned.

Other than being the editor Adrianne tried her best to avoid during deadline periods, Alice was also her best friend she poured out her heart to about her grievances. The woman always appeared to have a way out of troubles for her.

"My dad, he forced me back here and is asking— actually, he isn't even considering my opinion— me to marry this dude for the sake of my protection apparently. Who knows how much honesty is present in his words?" Adrianne mockingly stated.

Adrianne's trust issues when it came to her dad weren't unreasonable. She had been tricked and lied to by him too many times, and they left behind permanent marks.

"Are you in danger?" Alice asked.

"Does being attacked twice count? I don't even know if the second time was directed at me," Adrianne answered casually as though she hadn't been shaken up by it earlier.

"Two times!? Are you alright?" Alice sounded panicked.

"Yeah, yeah, I am fine. Not even a scratch. Don't worry. But now I am thinking if getting shot by a gun would be better. At least I wouldn't be able to get married then."

Alice chided, "Don't say that! Adrianne, maybe your dad has a point."

Hearing this made Adrianne sit up immediately. The blanket slid off of her body, letting the cold breeze hit her being.

Adrianne was provoked and retorted, "What do you mean my dad has a point? Why do I have to get married to a man to be protected? This feels like an conspiracy. There is definitely a bigger story behind it. My senses are tingling. It's definitely not about me."

Alice fell silent.

After a while, Alice questioned, "How is your prospective husband?"

She noticed the teasing tone, and this made her agitated.

"Don't word it like that. There is no chance of us getting married!"

"Alright. Alright. Have you seen the man?"

Adrianne cleared her throat, and heat flushed her cheeks red. She lowered her voice and softly expressed, "If I had to get shallow, he is definitely a catch. He is too hot to be real, and his voice is to die for. He is simply a male lead from a romance novel."

"Oh? Is my little Addy having a little crush?" Alice playfully asked.

Adrianne could feel the other woman grinning wide with that twinkle in her eyes. This made her scrunch up her nose.

"Well, am I shallow? So, no. His character is absolutely bland and unbearable. He is the guy you absolutely wouldn't want to deal with!"

Just the thought of how their conversation went made her aggravated.

"Do you know him enough to judge his character?"

Adrianne pursed her lips into a thin line at that.

"What I would suggest is to sit down and have a calm conversation with your dad. You are too hot-headed and can't win in a fight against your dad," Alice stated, "anyways, I have to get going now. It will go fun. Love you. Bye!"

Before Adrianne was able to say a word, the call had been cut off.

"Love you too," she stated softly.

A calm conversation.

That was easier said that done.

How was she supposed to do that when she couldn't control her temper in her dad's presence?

And why was it always her who had to bow her head and listen to what the other party had to say?

The lack of power she had bothered her.

The knocks that sounded on the door got her to stretch out her word and reply, "Yes."

"Dinner has been served."

"Right. I am coming down," she responded.

She stretched out her leg from the bed and stood up.

Everything aside, one thing for sure was that the food here tasted absolutely delicious.

After the constant instant noodles and takeouts she had for years, this food simply proved to be a luxury to her.