Page 54 of Care: Part 1

"Are you still going to go out with Johnathan?" Adrik questioned.

"Yes, but it's only as friends. He's still the founder of HomeCare, which means I still have to report to him, especially since our three-month contract is up in two weeks," she lied.

Avelina hated lying, but she needed the truth from Johnathan, and she was afraid that Adrik would do everything in his power to keep that from happening.

Although she felt better knowing that Adrik didn't have any bad intentions with her, it only seemed to create more confusion on what exactly Johnathan was getting at.

"Okay.”

His grip around her waist managed to tighten. She wasn't even sure that he noticed how much tighter he was holding her. It was almost as if he were too scared to let her go because she may just slip away and never return.

"Hey, it's okay, Adrik," she whispered, her eyes staring into his own.

She leaned up and captured his lips. He immediately responded by kissing her back and letting one of his hands drop down to cup her bottom. Slowly, she pulled away with a smile on her face. "I've been wanting to tell you that ever since you started playing your piano, but you didn't want to be bothered."

"Okay.”

Avelina placed her head onto Adrik's chest and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. She still felt terrible for how she treated him earlier and wished she could take it all back. Guilt about lying to Adrik regarding Jonathan also crept into her mind.

"Goodnight, Adrik," she whispered before leaning over and turning off the light.

When she shifted back in their cuddling position, her finger moved to trace over his abs.

She knew he loved to work out only between on weekends. He talked about it benefiting his brain for the days to come by 'triggering endorphins that help prioritize the brain’s functions.’ He then went on to tell her that she should work out with him because, in his words, 'she needed to benefit her poor brain as much as possible.’ Even though it was insulting, she grew not to be so affected by his words. Instead, she shrugged her shoulders and began to join him with two hours of workouts every weekend.

A smile made its way onto her face at the memory. Adrik was quite humorous even though he doesn’t try to be.

"You are smiling," he pointed out.

"I am."

"Why?"

"You. You make me happy," Avelina whispered happily.