I wasn't able to focus.

I was actively trying to focus, and I just couldn't. Adrianna's face was just painfully engraved into my mind all morning.

She looked so...sad. Honestly, for the first time, it was as if she was so exhausted from keeping her facade up that her walls were down and she just looked defeated.

And for some reason, it made me furious. Like, I wanted to take whatever made her so sad and just crush it.

And it made me even more pissed to see her cut and bleeding. Every time she comes back to my house, she's hurt in some way. And if some sick motherfucker put their hands on her, I'm going to lose it.

"Mr. Le Noir?"

I glance at my secretary, Jamie, as she walks cautiously over to me. "Hm?"

"Your meeting with Mr. Lashman and Damascus is about to begin. Or, well, they're already there and waiting."

"They can keep waiting, Jamie." My voice was much harsher than I intended. "I'll be on my way when I'm ready."

Jamie just let go of a breath and walked away. I mean, she didn't deserve the brunt of my anger. But I'm also the boss and I can arrive at whatever meeting I want at whatever fucking time I want.

Not like I had the patience to just sit around and listen to them pitch their terrible ideas about investments and stock values.

Which, to be clear, I did not. I spent the entire meeting staring out of the window, wondering what Adrianna was up to. If she was okay. I know it's supposed to be strictly business between us, despite this indescribable pull towards her. But that doesn't mean I can't check up on her and make sure she's okay.

I mean, that's what a good boss would do, right?

Yeah, cause you've done that for Jamie, or anyone else in this office.

I wave my hand at my thoughts, causing the two men to look at me. I just clear my throat and stand up, fixing my suit jacket. "Sorry, gentlemen. I have to cut this meeting short. I have an emergency to take care of."

"Of course," Jim was the first to stand. "Shall we pick this up tomorrow?"

I inwardly roll my eyes. "Perhaps, talk with Jamie about my schedule. Good day."

I pick up my leather binder and take it to my office. I open the wood door, shut the blinds to the windows and grab my phone. I walk, towards the elevator, quickly texting Bruce I needed a ride early. Lucky for me, he was already close by.

Always is.

I take the elevator down, slipping my phone into my pocket, striding through the lobby once the doors opened. I stand on the sidewalk, waiting for Bruce.

It only took a couple minutes before he finally pulled up. I didn't bother waiting for him to get out and open the door. Hell, I've told him a thousand times he didn't even have to do that. All I needed was for him to drive, we're capable of opening our own doors.

"Where to?"

I sigh. I know it wasn't gonna make sense to him. So I didn't explain. I first told him to go through Dunkin, so I could get some donuts, and then back home. And he did as he was asked, no questions. It's what I appreciated most about Bruce.

When we finally got to the house, I thanked Bruce before getting out and walking to the front door. I unlocked it and stepped inside, eyes searching for Adrianna. I kind of hoped she'd just be wandering about the place, but she wasn't.

I walked towards the kitchen, the door to her room open. No lights were on, but I couldn't really expect there to be on during the day. So I walked towards the door, only to stop short when I heard her sniffling.

"Come on, Anna. Don't cry. He's so not worth it." Came a voice from her room.

"I can't believe he'd do that to you. Especially with Raina." Came another voice.

"What a bitch," said the first voice.

"It's whatever," I hear the sadness in Adrianna's voice. "Like I said, I'm over it. I'm just so fucking mad," she exclaims. "I don't understand why he had to go and put his fucking mediocre sized dick into one of my friends. Like I'm worthless."

I stifled a laugh. I've never heard someone describe anyone's cock like that before.

"Hey hey hey," I heard. "You did nothing wrong, Anna. You weren't the cheater. You aren't worthless, he is. And Raina too, for willingly throwing herself into bed with your boyfriend. Little hoe."

"What Iris said," came the other voice. "Jesse is a lowlife scum who doesn't deserve you. And Raina doesn't deserve your friendship."

"Fuck Raina. And most certainly fuck Jesse." I couldn't help the chuckle come out of my mouth. There was a short pause before she said: "I just wanted to let you guys know what happened. And that I'm safe. I'll catch you guys up in class or something tomorrow."

At that, they collectively hung up, hearing the FaceTime disconnect sound. I quickly made my way to the fridge to act like I'd been rummaging inside of it and not listening to her conversation.

"Mr. Le Noir," Adrianna breathed. "I didn't expect you to be home."

I peeked around the fridge door at her. Her hair was thrown into a sloppy bun, but loose hairs framed her face. She had changed, now in a seriously oversized grey sweatshirt that swallowed her whole, falling down above her knees. Her long legs were on display and I had to tear my eyes away from them and bring them back to her eyes.

"I could say the same for you, Ms. Lee."

Her cheeks flushed pink and it was the cutest thing. She looked down, playing with the ends of her sleeves. "I decided to skip classes today. I'll make it up."

I hummed in acknowledgement, shutting the door of the fridge. I held the donuts in my palms, walking closer.

But the fuck was I even gonna say?

"Uh," I clear my throat. "These were left in the office after a meeting today. And I thought, maybe, you'd feel a little better having some."

Her eyes were wide with wonder, cheeks flushing that shade of pink again. She pushed her hand through her hair, which caused the stray hairs to stand up and wild. But somehow, she still looked beautiful.

"Thank you," she blinked up at me. "Which kind are they, if I may ask? If they're anything to do with lemon, I can't. Highly allergic."

"To lemon?"

Her face flushed again. And for some reason, it felt really good knowing I did that. "I'm not sure why. I think it's something with the citrus, or whatever is in it. But lemon and me just don't mix. Throat swells and face puffs up and it's just not a pretty picture."

I highly doubt that.

Her eyes widened even further. And the thought that was meant to be thought decided to spill from my lips without me even realizing. 

"Um," I clear my throat. "No lemon. Just original, and sour cream."

"Oh, my favorites." She gushed.

I fought a smile. Because they're my favorite, too. It's why I ordered them.

"All yours," I hand her the box.

She grabs it carefully, and still, our fingers brushed together. It wasn't even long, it was quick. But I still felt that fire spread through my entire body.

"Thank you." She says, a little breathless.

Her lips part as she takes a deep, heavy breath and my eyes drop to them. I've never felt this overwhelming need to kiss someone before. Her lips look so soft, so delicately pink, it was tempting. So, so tempting.

"You're welcome." My voice was gruff even to my own ears.

I grit my jaw and take a step back. Boundaries, Daniel. Step away from her.

In turn, I practically ran away from her. But I have this tension I needed to let out. So I changed into black sweats and muscle tank and made my way to the basement. Then I took out all this pent-up frustration on my punching bag.

Over and over and over.

I was beyond sweaty, over exhausting myself by the time I finally stopped. My hair was now all wet, sticking to my forehead. I push my hand through it, grabbing my water bottle. I chug half of it, trying to catch my breath for a minute. Then finished the rest of the water.

I walked up the stairs, wiping my forehead on my arm, but it helped nothing. My arm was also full of sweat. I push open the door, but my heart was not fully equipped to the sight that was before me.

Adrianna and Mary Grace were both on the floor of the living room. Mary Grace has a cup in her hand, almost looks like she's showing Adrianna what steps to do. Adrianna, who also has a cup, looks completely lost and bursts out laughing.

"This is insanely difficult." Adrianna says between giggles.

"Adi, it's simple," Mary Grace laughs with her. "Just follow my lead."

"I'm trying!"

The genuine smile on their faces made my heart swell ten times its normal size. I swear it felt like my heart was getting ready to explode, or launch itself from my body. And it was beating way too damn fast. Seeing Adrianna sitting with my daughter, genuinely having a good time together, accepting her...it's doing something to me.

Adrianna snorted before throwing her head back in laughter. And I swear, time slowed as I watched her. She's so beautiful, it hurts. I can feel my heart squeeze, like she physically has my heart in her palm.

Not even seeing Nancy with Mary Grace ever made me feel like this.

"Oh, daddy!" Mary Grace jumped up and ran towards me. "You're home early!"

Adrianna's eyes fell on me, gently taking her bottom lip between her teeth. I grabbed Mary Grace and hoisted her up on my hip, smiling at her. "Yeah, surprise."

"You're sweaty."

"I was working out." I smile at my beautiful girl.

"And smelly."

"Again, working out. I'm gonna shower up before dinner." I set her down. "What are you guys up to?"

"I was trying to teach Adrianna the Cup Song, but she's helpless."

"Hey!" Adrianna calls out.

"It's true," Mary Grace giggles.

"I'm not that helpless, Mary Grace," Adrianna stands. "I almost got it down!"

Mary Grace just gives me a knowing smile before she walks back towards the living room. "I'm getting ready to get my homework done, don't worry."

"Okay," I nod. "I'm gonna shower."

Adrianna's eyes looked like they were taking me in. And I caught her gaze low before she snapped them back up, cheeks flushing.

"Okay." Mary Grace says as she opens her backpack.

I'm quick on my feet, disappearing upstairs. The shower is a good hiding spot, in my opinion. It's where I escape to clear my head, but oddly enough, it's also where I get my best ideas.

But today, I'm going to hide.

I'm a grown ass man hiding in his own home. Because if I don't...if I don't restrain these feelings I have for Adrianna, I'm going to act on them. And I'm going to get lost in them, in her. And I just can't afford that. As much as I want to, I won't risk that for Mary Grace. I just can't.

So, yeah, I took a long ass shower. Tried to avoid as much time downstairs by ordering Chinese. Thank God that she took hers to her room by the time I made it back downstairs. I felt like I could breathe a little bit without being suffocated by her.

After I cleaned up the kitchen and counters, it was already past nine. I shut off the light and went to check on Mary Grace. When I got up the stairs and to her room, I smile. She has the same routine, and this was her self-care part of the night. After her shower, she puts on her lotion, then she takes very good care of her teeth: brush, floss, mouthwash. Then she brushes her hair multiple times.

I've never asked her exactly why she brushes her hair so much before bed, but it seems to make her happy. So I let her.

"Ready for bed?" I ask.

Her eyes were droopy with exhaustion. "Yeah."

I nod towards her bed. She sets her brush down neatly on her vanity and runs to the bed. She climbs under the covers and I tuck her in, just enough. Then I sit beside her.

"Sorry today was a bit whacky. I was...working."

"It's okay, daddy. I know how important you are."

I smile. "You're a great daughter, you know that?"

"Yep."

We both laugh lightly. But I have to ask. "Honey, do you like Adrianna?"

Her eyes light up. "She's so funny, daddy. She's also nice and is already taking good care of me."

"That's good, hon." I smile. "You know I only want the best for my princess."

She smiles at that, then yawns. "I think Adrianna is a good fit here." With that, her eyes flutter shut.

But my brows furrow. "What do you mean, MG?"

No answer. But now, I wonder, does she mean as just her nanny? Or, could she possibly mean...more?

No way. That's just my head. There's no way that's what Mary Grace meant.

Right?

A/N

I really hope you guys are enjoying this story. Because I'm having so much fun writing it!!

Thanks for reading, lovelies. Don't forget to vote, comment, etc!! <33