A Secret

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onstellation, refracting light in a thousand different ways. The pleasant

h a gentle hand on my back. His confidence was so e

een listening and nodding along at the appropriate times.

tightened around my waist, his words

ly, but my words

was the last thing I saw be

int sound of voices. The air smelled like leather and cleanliness, and as m

tative voice said

piercing and commanding. "Is

was an elderly guy with a comforting manner and kind eyes. Yo

n't know." Adrian was by my side in an

o face me. In order to rule out anything dangerou

my stomach turn. "W

a kind grin. "Well done, Mrs. Bl

rushed out

me and withdrew his hand

?" It was little m

regnant. Everything seems to be in good healt

ontradictory ideas, none of which

ou two may have some solitude from me. Ki

sh as he walked out, shu

ken first

long?" He spoke in a

d, "I didn't," whil

uth. Elena, the agreement was unamb

, "I didn't plan this." "Do you bel

a cage, running a hand through his h

determination solidified. "I under

as his head swung

n, this wasn't included in the agreement. I won't br

face inscrutable. Then, to my surpri

y leave?" His voice had a

nd said, "I don'

enly becoming softer. But nothing will be resolved by f

l honesty, I had no idea how I would handle it. He had tethered

I'll figure it out," but m

ething like to vulnerability for the first

is wasn't the icy, shrewd businessman I had co

as fast as it had arrived. His gaze sti

some time," he r

s the t

olve

rom me and threw himself into his job with a passion I had nev

of water with blank eyes. I had no solutions to the

le

his sleeves pulled up and his tie undone, Adr

r and said, "W

put down the glass.

ce. You will have whatever you need, including mo

"And if

e met mine. "After that, we fi

te his shortcomings, Adrian was not the kind

agreement?" Q

sigh. "Ellen, forget about the fucking co

that things would be different and that

however,

y leafing through a book at the l

Blac

turned around. He had graying hair, was

es

terrupting, but I felt you needed to be aware. Regarding th

. "What are yo

rried about being heard. "Arrangements ar

like a kick to th

he replied, "I felt y

crossed my mind was more terrifying than the one befo

le

oming from the hallway. The man's visa

ing here?" He

se thumping, I glanc

k to me, and he remained silent fo

cealing had the powe