Word count: 3553

Unedited

Adrian's POV

*

Diego didn't come home last night and I got to know that Amos didn't live here, he only came once in a while whenever Diego needed him to run some errands. I slept alone last night but the car keys I spotted on the kitchen table when I woke up was a telltale that Diego came back sometime in the middle of the night or early this morning.

My things arrived last night, because Diego got my address and had some people move my things over before he went out.

He didn't speak a single word to me as he picked his key few minutes ago and strode out.

I spent the day arranging my things and hoping I would be lucky enough to prolong my stay here long enough to rekindled our love once more.

Then I worked on two designs, sending them to my editor.

The grumbling of my stomach reminded me that I hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday afternoon. I got up and looked around.

The room on my left was bare except for a freezer that hadn't even been used at all judging from the wraps all over it.

I stepped out of it and walked into the next room. The kitchen. My lips parted in appreciation at what greeted my eyes.

The kitchen was beautifully decorated and properly equipped with so many kitchen equipments. I walked around in awe, eyeing the machine blender which was similar to the one we were using back in New York. But everything looked untouched, as if they'd never been used since he moved here.

The counter was dusty, and so were the plate racks, stew plate where he kept spoons and the knife stand.

Sighing, I looked around for rubber gloves and was glad when I came across one. Then I spent the next thirty minutes cleaning and rewashing the plates that'd probably never been used judging from the dust that settled on them.

My stomach grumbled again.

"I just remembered why I came in here." I chuckled and wiped my hands on a new napkin. Then I opened the fridge but frowned.

It was empty, except for the half empty bottle of chilled water inside.

There was nothing. No fruits or snacks.

I sighed in defeat and left the kitchen to change my clothes, knowing I'd have to make a quick trip to the market and also get some snacks. Then I'd order pizza when I got back, because I'd probably get hungry at midnight.

Since Amos wasn't at home and Diego would probably not pick my calls, I had no one to leave a message with except the security guard.

I got some fruits, snacks and foodstuff. Then I since I was in the mood, I decided that it wouldn't be such a bad idea to stop at the clothing store and get a garter and some matching underwear sets. Not like I'd be using the garter soon, but Diego always wanted to see me in one so I could at least buy it in memory of the sweet time we spent together.

However, if he ever caught me trying it on, I wouldn't beat myself up for it and neither could I beg not to shamelessly seduce him in that moment since I secretly wished that would one day happen...

Snapping out of my daydream, I drove back to his place. Just as I parked at the front of his condo, Amos rushed out with wide eyes and hurried over to my car, opening the door in a hurry.

"Ms Houston, are you alright?" He asked frantically.

With furrowed brows, I nodded and alighted. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be? What's wrong?"

"Where did you go?" He asked me and eyed me as if searching for something.

Instead of telling him, it would be better to show him. So with that, I walked around my car, knowing he was following me and opened the boot.

I stole a glance at him and noted his slightly flushed appearance but didn't dwell much on it. "To get some foodstuff and some other stuff. Help me with the bag of fruits and vegetables please."

He nodded and picked the bags while I picked the other two bags of snacks and my underwear.

"I'll give you my number Ms-".

"Call me Adrian." I mumbled.

"Uh...why don't I call you big sis like I call uhm him big bro?" He asked and I caught the redness at the tips of his ears. Wait, he was willing to call me big sis but not willing to call me my actual name?

I rolled my eyes but smiled a little at his cuteness as we walked into the kitchen.

"Do that."

"Okay. Please remind me to give you my number when we're settled with the things you bought." He told me.

"Will do."

Dropping the bag in my hand, I headed to my room since he was already sitting out the things I got.

Then I suddenly remembered something and that had me turning around. "Wait, why did you ask me if I was alright outside?"

"Oh, well big bro was very ma-"

"You should leave a message if you're going out, or call to inform me." Diego's cold voice stated behind me, the sharpness cutting Amos off as he pressed his lips together and focused on arranging the fruits in a bowl.

The harshness in his voice was also what had me turning around stiffly as I raked my eyes over his form, taking note of his damp hair which signified he'd had a bath.

He'd changed from his office clothes into a plain blue tee and black slacks. His expression was just like yesterday's, cold and detached.

"I did leave a message. I told the security guard where I was going." I explained.

"Well maybe you should go out and chat a little bit more with my security guard since you can talk so conveniently with him but can't leave a simple message at the door or on my messenger. Or even making a simple phone call."

"Oh. I thought you'd be busy." I mumbled.

"Of course you did. You're good at assuming things without asking for clarification." He goaded.

Ouch.

I stared at him, noticing the anger in his eyes. I wouldn't let him get to me, I couldn't.

Instead of flaring up, I gave him a sweet, apologetic smile and walked to Amos who had sorted out the foodstuff and fruits.

"Thanks. You can help me store these inside the fridge, at the least cold part of the fridge." I told Amos, placing my palm on the bag of snacks.

"Okay." Amos followed my instruction with the bag in his hand as he walked to the left corner of the kitchen where the fridge was.

Diego was still staring at me, which unnerved me a little because I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I knew he was angry, but dwelling on it would be a very bad idea so I had to occupy my mind with preparing dinner.

I decided to prepare potato porridge and some soup while telling Amos I would call him if I needed anything so he could leave us for a bit.

"I'm making potato porridge and a bowl of soup. Are you interested?" I asked Diego with a small smile when we were finally alone." 

"No."

"Oh," my smile faltered a little. "Are you-"

"I have a dinner date, I'll be sure to eat as much as I can with my date." He answered coldly and turned around, leaving me alone with the harsh reality of this whole situation.

My hand which had been about to grab the pink bowl dropped a little in shock, making the bowl roll off the counter as I absentmindedly tipped it with the tips of my fingers and the plastic bowl hit the ground with a clank sound while I stood rooted on a spot in shock.

I sucked in a deep breath as his words rang in my ears.

He was going on a date?

With who?

It couldn't be Cindy, since she said she was pregnant and wouldn't meddle in our lives anymore.

Did he get together with a new girl at work?

My breath hitched when I remembered he was no longer a junior staff at Stephano's company. He was now actively involved in his father's company and would even be taking over soon. He would be the CEO to Matthews corporation.

I snapped out of my shock induced state when my stomach clenched though I wasn't sure if it was from either hunger or panic. Picking the bowl, I placed it on the counter and gently picked each potato to place them in the bowl.

With slightly trembling fingers, I began to peel the potatoes but a great part of the excitement I usually felt whenever I was about to start cooking had long evaporated into thin air.

But I had to eat, so that was what I did immediately the food was done.

Amos was probably still in his room, reading so I decided to wait a little before calling him out to have dinner. It would still take a while before he'd be on his way home. 

The porridge was spicy and delicious. I'd added diced meat and shredded chicken into it with some scented leaves to give it a nice aroma and I should be happy I was eating one of my favorite meals but I found out I couldn't eat much,

Still, I tried to eat as much as I could while my mind wandered back to the cold man that was accommodating me in this condo.

Diego.

What was he doing right now? Was he already having dinner with the lady? It would definitely be a lady because had it been a man, he'd have called it a business meeting and not a date. 

Was he smiling at her and holding her hand with a soft expression on his handsome but cold face?

Would he kiss her?

Was this their first date?

My lips wobbled as my strength slowly left me. I pushed the plate of food farther from me and rested my head on the table, feeling lost and downcast.

"I can do this, I can do this. It'll be worth it in the end." I muttered repeatedly to myself, feeling panic swell inside me.

"Big sis?" Amos's soft voice called me and I blinked, discretely wiping the lone tear that had escaped me in my moment of weakness.

I looked up at him, mustering my strength to give him a smile. "Hey. I made dinner."

"I noticed." He put his hands to his back while watching me.

"Well would you like to have some? I prepared extra in case you wanted."

"Oh," his eyes lighted up as he eyed my plate but he suddenly frowned as if he remembered something and then shook his head. "Thanks, but I'd have to decline. I should be on my way home

"Oh no you don't. I insist. It's my way of repaying you for being amazing with the things I instructed you to help me sort out in the kitchen."

"Don't worry sis, that's my job. Big bro pays me for it."

"Does he pay you with a homemade meal?"

Amos opened his mouth, ready to give a response then he shut it and shook his head with a frown. He had no answer to that.

"Good. So eat." I told him. "Let me know when you're leaving after you're done eating. You can help yourself in the kitchen. I'll be in my room."

"Alright. I'll hang around for a bit then." I smiled and left him there. Shutting my room door, I wondered who Amos was to Diego.

I took a quick shower and changed into my pajamas while wondering what Diego's life had been like since the past few months.

He was so closed off now, it made my heart clench.

But who was Amos to him? Was he a distant relative? Did Kara know who Amos was?

How did Diego meet Amos?

I couldn't ask Amos how he met Diego or why he was sometimes around and why he worked as an errand boy, or could I? That would be inappropriate, because I didn't know the story behind it.

Also, he could tell Diego if I did. The thought of Diego knowing I was snooping around made alarm bells ring inside my head and I shook my head.

The last thing I wanted was for that brooding man to scold me again.

A melancholic feeling spread through my heart and I curled into my bed, pulling the duvet over me as I succumbed into the tiredness that overtook.

*

I woke up to hear the door shutting and quickly said my morning prayer before brushing my teeth.

Did Diego come back home last night?

I put on my slippers and walked to the kitchen where the aroma of my porridge smelled stronger than last night.

Feeling the surface of the pot, it was hot, meaning it had just been warmed. I opened the lid with a napkin and saw that a large portion of the porridge had also been taken from the pot.

I guess Amos sure had his fill last night. But did he sleep over?

If not him, then who warmed the meal?

Obviously it couldn't be Diego. I sighed in sadness at this thought that we'd probably never sit together to enjoy a meal him or I made and turned around when I heard someone walking into the kitchen.

Diego. I checked him out in his blue dress shirt and black suit pants.

He looked quite refreshed compared to how he'd appeared yesterday but there was a cut on his lower lip.

"Good morning." I greeted.

"Morning." He walked over and filled the kettle with water, then turned on the burner.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked him, noting the cut on his lip was either from a rough night or a punch.

"I had an eventful night, thank you for asking." He told me with a smirk and crossed his arms over his chest with a striking pose. I licked my lower lip while shamelessly checking him out, noticing the slight bulge of his muscles as he flexed his arm.

Hell, he was so fucking hot that it took my breath away. That too this early on the morning when I could do with some cuddling...

I poured myself a cup of water while thinking about his words.

He had an eventful night. Did he spend the night with his date? Did they already start having sex?

I sucked in a deep breath at the thought of him making love to another lady but choked in the process, making me realize I was still drinking water.

He patted my back and warmth instinctively spread through me at the contact.

I tensed, coughing for extra measure so he wouldn't take off his hand but after three light, almost nonexistent pats, he did.

The overwhelming feeling of defeat had me clearing my throat loudly. My eyes were watery and probably red from the coughing when he wordlessly picked the cup from my hand and dropped it into the zinc.

I shivered at the brief contact his fingers had with mine.

"Thanks," I muttered when I could finally speak properly. "Has Amos been here today?"

"Why d'you ask?"

"I want to know how much he enjoyed my meal." I shrugged, wishing he had eaten my food instead of Amos.

"You prepared it for him, I see." He noted. I shook my head but he didn't give me a chance to speak as he picked the kettle to pour the water and prepare his coffee. "For how long will you be staying here?"

"Just a bit more. A few weeks tops. I once again apologize for the inconvenience-"

"There's no need, I do these kinds of things for people so its no big deal."

I frowned, feeling a pinch in my chest with how he worded it.

"Oh. That's nice. It's good to be rich and generous. I'll start looking for a new place tonight so I can be out of your space as soon as possible and so I'll stop being a charity case. Have a lovely day, Matthews." I spat distastefully and strode out of the kitchen, feeling his gaze burn through my back.

I didn't see Diego for the rest of the week. Until he came back home on Saturday night, drunk.

I was watching a show and trying to get my mind off how much I missed him. I was also worried because he wasn't replying his texts or returning my calls. There was no way for me to know if he was okay or not.

When he stumbled in, I had to help him to the couch where he slouched with a soft laughter at his own drunken joke, singing an Italian song I hadn't heard before.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I took in his disheveled appearance.

"Why are you doing this to yourself Diego?" I murmured and helped him take off his jacket. I took off his socks and shoes but when I tried to help him up so I could guide him to his room, he suddenly stopped singing and stared at me. Like, really stared.

"Adrian?" He asked, his brows furrowing.

"Diego." I replied with tears slowly brimming my eyes, a part of me hating myself for having become such an emotional mess since the miscarriage last year.

He hasn't called me my name since the day I called him when I was at work.

"Is it really you?" He slurred out a little. "Did you really come back?"

"Yes." I nodded. "I came back, I'm back."

"Why did you leave me Adrian?" He sounded heartbroken and the tears I'd been keeping at bay instantly started flowing down my cheeks. 

"I had so much plans for us, baby. I built our future. I was meant to be the king of my empire and you the queen. You hurt me. You left me. I cried for you but you weren't there." He told me sadly, hanging his head.

"I'm sorry. I thought I was too messed up for you."

"You always want to make the decisions," he looked back up at me and narrowed his eyes, "it's not fair. I deserve a say too, it's not only about you."

"Yes. It was all my fault. I'm to blame. I assumed things. Please can you forgive me?" I sniffed.

"I already forgave you at the hospital that day. I was to blame as well. It just hurt that you pushed me away." He hiccupped, his eyes red and probably still heavily drunk.

"You don't hate me?"

He laughed. It was rich but I couldn't tell if it was out of anger, sadness or drunkenness. "I can't."

I crouched before him, desperation reeking off me."What can I do to make it all better? I want us to be together again, even though I know I fucked up pretty badly. Anything, anything at all. I love you Diego, I can't be without you. You're my life. I was stupid to think I could take a break, I don't want to take a break. Never." I shook my head frantically. 

"You'll do anything?" He asked, his red eyes widening a little before he squinted at me.

"Yes." I nodded and gulped when Diego's eyes raked over my body, his eyes stopping at my chest.

"Make love to me, Adrian."

I gasped at the fire in his gaze. "What?"

"You heard me. Make sweet love to me. It must be so good that I'll get over all the pain imbedded inside my chest, so I can breathe properly once more."

"Diego-"

"Can you do that?" He told me with challenge in his eyes.

"I-" I hesitated but knew deep down that I couldn't take advantage of him that way. He was drunk.

Then he chuckled and hiccupped again before swaying as he tried to get up but failed. 

"Careful, I'll help you up." I mumbled and assisted him. He opened his door and I assisted him to the bed, groaning as he rested his weight on me.

I gently helped him sit but he grabbed me with him and we both fell on it.

His arms went around me and he stared deep into my eyes.

"Even though I know this is a dream, you're still so," he slurred, "so beautiful. Kiss me Adrian. Please. Please..."

I sighed. He was drunk. I shouldn't be- he pulled me impossibly closer when I tried to get off him.

Our gazes locked, out breaths mixing together as I inhaled his masculine smell mixed with the alcohol.

As we stared into each other's eyes, the world seemed to stop. I felt every inch of him, his hardened muscles and his hardening erection that made my mouth go dry.

In the next moment, he smashed his lips onto mine before I could think of pulling away again.

And as foolish as I felt, I allowed my drunk boyfriend kiss me.