Chapter 4
POV: Adam
My fingers only leave the cellphone aside when I pass by the huge glass windows that faced the office, where Isaac, my right-hand man, was probably at. He and Amy were the only ones who knew about the acquisition of this inn twenty years ago, when we were still happy, when I still felt complete.
After that same year, Isaac started traveling periodically to take care of the inn, while I was very focused on my work.
I enter without knocking, but it's empty and just the way I left it when I was last here. The few photos are still scattered around the room, and one of them shows my wedding with Madison. I touch it, I thought it would be more distressing when I had to face it again.
"Adam! Heard you arrived earlier." Isaac's voice echoes through the room.
"Why didn't you throw away all the photos of her?" I don't look at him, feeling only the emptiness in my chest.
"Amy will be surprised to see how you looked at Madison, when she learns the truth about her mother."
"My daughter will never know that her mother is alive!" I scream.
"You can't hide it from her for the rest of her life." The voice is still calm, as every time when I lost control when we touched on this subject.
"I want you to get rid of all these pictures!" I throw the frame into the trash can and only then turn to him.
Isaac is a short and few good years older man, so he knows me well enough. Your eyes watch me tenderly, as if you're trying to show that you understand me, but you're far from it. He could never imagine that I would do anything to protect Amy from the pain of rejection, from spending nights questioning why Madison didn't want to stay with us, or at least with her.
"You did a good job taking care of the construction and choosing the best possible owner to finally have a branch here at the inn, but despite how much I like you, I can still fire you at any time, Isaac." I say, giving the final word, walking past him and slamming the door behind me.
My mood is disturbed now. I definitely hated the fact that I had become attached to Isaac over time. The private hallway leading to the courtyard outside had no one, but the sound of footsteps became more insistent every second as I approached my personal library. As I near the door, it's slightly ajar, and I want to enter and yell for whoever is inside to leave. But through the gap, I see a thin and unmistakable silhouette, as well as the brown hair that is facing away from the door.
When she turns around, her eyes are bright, and I watch for a long time as Mia's hands analyze the pages of my copy of Pride and Prejudice, another novel, much like the one she was reading in the morning. It's probably her favorite genre.
I don't mind when she sits in my armchair near the window or when she scans each line, making some faces. On the contrary, I smile and feel my clenched fists involuntarily loosen.
Soon my thoughts drift to the moment when Mia fell asleep on my shoulder, the moment when I swore I heard her moan my name. My member hardens at the thought that I might leave her weak, just like that whisper was. Damn, I would do anything to find out what that girl was thinking.
My gaze is still on her when my phone, in my pocket, beeps. It's brief, but enough for her to realize someone is here and she closes the book, apprehensive. I turn the handle beside me and enter the room filled with stacked boxes until she is far enough away.
------♡------
As soon as the sun sets, I knock three times on the wood where Mia is. My body is tense when Mia opens the door, looking a bit awkward with my presence.
"Can I come in?" I ask.
"Yes..." She steps aside.
"You forgot this." I hand her the book she took from the shelf before walking away from me.
I realize she's apprehensive about what's to come, but she doesn't refuse the object and her fingers touch mine, causing a jolt of electricity. I don't want her to be afraid to go there, I don't want her to be afraid of me.
"How long were you there?" She asks.
"A few minutes."
"Watching me, Adam?" Her expression changes to curiosity.
"It seems like you finally decided not to call me sir."
"Wasn't that what you wanted?" Yes, it definitely was what I wanted. "No lectures?"
"You can go there anytime you want, Mia." She smiles, her eyes shining again. "The book is yours, they say it's a good book."
"I'm sure it is. Thanks, really."
"That's not all." I meet her gaze, noticing the nervousness take over the small body in front of me.
"Amy told me she wouldn't be going to the launch dinner. Mia, I would like you to be my companion tonight."
"What?! I'd rather stay here, plus I don't have a good enough piece for that."
"Your clothes seem perfect to me."
"Adam, I... I'm not good with these things."
"What you said to Amy, about not being good at socializing..." I run my fingers through my messy hair.
"I really don't want you to talk to anyone else and I don't want you to spend tonight alone, I just want you to say yes, Mia."
"Okay, I'll do it." She responds after a few long seconds, and I let a smile escape.
"Be ready, I'll be here at seven o'clock." I fixate on her eye for the last time, still feeling the tingling of her skin on mine.