REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight

Chapter 190: I know you hate me.

Elara quickly pulled her hand out of Adrian’s grasp. Almost at the same time, Adrian also withdrew his own hand and slipped it casually into his pocket as though nothing had happened.

Mrs Vale had already turned her attention to Zia. A fond smile spread across her face as she gently pinched the little girl’s cheek. "Little girl, where are you from?"

"Crelou. Scary Suit Uncle likes me. You should like me too." Zia said while giggling excitedly.

"Scary Suit Uncle?" Mrs Vale repeated, giving a small chuckle of amusement.

At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the atmosphere. Elara turned her head and spotted Harris walking through the clearing while looking around.

The moment he noticed them, his pace quickened. When he reached them, his eyes immediately landed on the unconscious man lying on the ground. Then he stopped in front of Mrs Vale, breathing heavily. His face was full of concern.

"Aunty, I’m so sorry I arrived late. I hope..." His gaze flickered toward the unconscious man. "...I hope there was at least something left for us to help with."

Adrian snorted quietly and immediately pressed his lips together again.

"I’m fine, Harris." Mrs Vale said, flashing him a small appreciative smile.

"Talky Assistant! Talky Assistant!" Zia called excitedly but Harris ignored her completely and turned to Adrian instead.

"Boss, the meeting has been handled." He paused for a small second. "Do you want me to deal with the rest?"

Adrian remained silent for a long time before giving a small nod. "Yes." Then he gestured casually toward Mrs Vale. "And take her home."

Harris nodded immediately. "Let’s go, Aunty."

Elara stood quietly where she was, watching Adrian whose gaze remained turned away from her. Then a thought suddenly crossed her mind and she looked toward Harris. "Harris please. Can you help me take Zia to my apartment?"

Adrian’s eyes lifted to her instantly but Elara pretended not to notice. Harris’s expression stiffened. Slowly, he looked down at Zia who was now staring back at him with a strange face.

"Yes," Mrs Vale said before Harris could refuse. She smiled warmly. "They probably need to handle the situation here."

Harris shot Zia another glance from the corner of his eye, then he sighed and shook his head. "Okay."

His voice was quiet, but there was a hint of horror on his face as though he had just been assigned the most dangerous mission of his life.

Not wasting any more time, Mrs Vale took Zia’s hand and began walking away while Harris followed behind them. Then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, she stopped and turned back.

"And Adrian." She said while Adrian looked up at her slowly. "My car is still at E & E. Ask someone to bring it back for me."

Adrian gave a brief nod.

Only then did Mrs Vale continue walking away. After they disappeared into the distance, Elara barely had time to speak before several men dressed in Vale security uniforms arrived.

They approached Adrian and spoke to him quietly. Elara couldn’t hear what they were saying.

After a short conversation, they lifted the unconscious man and left with him, leaving only Adrian and Elara behind in the clearing. Elara stared at his back realizing that since Mrs Vale had left, he hadn’t even glanced at her once.

"Didn’t realize you plan on making yourself a permanent fixture." Adrian suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. The words sounded mocking, but somehow they also sounded completely serious.

Elara’s expression fell for a small moment. Just as quickly, however, her face returned to normal. She bit the inside of her cheek and took a few steps toward him. When she reached his side, she took a deep breath and stared ahead.

She didn’t know how to start or what to say, nor how the words slipped out on their own. "Are you alright?"

Adrian raised a brow and turned his head toward her. His gaze lingered on her face as if he was studying her. Then, after a long second, he looked away again and shook his head gently.

"Why wouldn’t I be?" He muttered.

"Because of everything they’re saying." Elara replied, pressing her lips together tightly.

Adrian went quiet. He lowered his gaze and nudged a small stone with the tip of his shoe. The stone rolled across the ground and disappeared into the grass. Then a short scoff left his lips. "What exactly are they saying?"

Elara stared at him puzzled, she then opened her mouth. "You know what they’re saying."

Her voice came out firmer than she expected, making her wonder where she had even found the courage to discuss something like this with him.

Adrian turned fully toward her. He pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket and started to remove one. Halfway through the motion, he seemed to pause. Then, as if changing his mind, he slid it back into the pack and returned it to his pocket.

The next moment, he reached out. His fingers caught her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her face upward. "That I’m a murderer?" he asked calmly, his gaze remained fixed on hers. "Or that I’m a bastard?"

Elara fell silent at the sudden action. Yet she didn’t move away.

"They’re becoming repetitive," Adrian added simply as if he were discussing nothing more serious than the weather.

"It doesn’t bother you?" she asked in a straight tone.

"Should it?" he asked back. His fingers slipped away from her chin and moved backward until they found the hair at the nape of her neck.

"Anyone would be bothered," Elara replied, doing her best to remain calm and unaffected by his touch.

Adrian gave a mocking snort and finally let go. "You seem very concerned."

Elara immediately shook her head. "I’m just asking."

Adrian stared at her face for a long moment, then he looked away. "I don’t care what people think," he said quietly. "If I cared, I’d spend the rest of my life explaining myself."

Elara simply looked at him. There was no way she could believe he truly felt nothing about everything that was happening.

If she had been in his position during her past life, she would surely have thrown herself off a cliff on the very first day. And especially for someone like Adrian... He was simply too arrogant to admit certain things, even to himself.

"You, on the other hand," Adrian suddenly said, cutting through her thoughts. His eyes returned to hers. "I know you hate me."

The words were spoken calmly, without anger or accusation. But it still managed to make Elara clench her jaw tight.

"As far as you’re concerned, I’m probably the last person you’d willingly stand beside." A mocking scoff escaped him. "Yet you’re still here."

His gaze lingered on her face, then he lowered his voice. "So tell me. After everything..." The corner of his mouth twitched– not quite a smile though. "What exactly do you think of me now?"