章節 5: CHAPTER 5
When Garret returns to his office, the first thing he did is knock on the bedroom door. It is already seven in the morning and he hasn't slept yet. He already dismissed Jake and told him to take a rest first and to clock in later in the afternoon. Although there are times when Garret wants to kick his assistant because of his irritating personality, he cannot still deny that Jake is very efficient and responsible with his work.
And these days, it is hard for Garret to hire another assistant who is flexible to do his biddings. Because of it, Garret has no choice but to keep Jake on his side. If he just wants a high salary, then Garret is not lacking in money. As long as his assistant can do his work, then Garret is willing to keep him in his company.
When Garret knocks on the door again, he heard Adrianna's voice from the inside. Then he can hear several noises inside such as her footsteps, her ringtone, and the sound of a chair being moved to the side. Garret tries to twist the doorknob but he discovered it was locked.
When Adrianna opens the door, Garret cannot help but stare at her small but pretty face. She is not wearing any make-up. Her hair is also a bit damp indicating that she took a shower a while ago. Adrianna also changed her clothes and used one of the dresses he put inside the cabinet for her to use.
"Garret?" Adrianna calls him and wakes him up from being dazed. "Are you okay?"
"...I'm fine." He automatically replies.
Seeing that Garret wants to enter the room, Adrianna moves sideward and watches him open the cabinet and pulls a dry towel from it. Then he walks toward her and gently puts the towel on her head. With his careful movements, Garret starts drying Adrianna's hair and squeezing the water droplets at the tip of her hair.
"The air conditioning inside the office is too cold. Why didn't you use your hair dryer? What if you get sick?" Garret asked with a frown.
"Why? Are you worried about me?" Adrianna playfully asked.
"Don't ask me a question that you already know the answer to."
"Oh. I think I broke my hair dryer after dropping it on the floor."
"I will ask someone to buy another hair dryer to be put inside the room later."
"Hmm, okay."
Seeing that Adrianna is already wearing her high heel shoes, Garret leads her to sit on the sofa. Adrianna did not refuse and obediently follows him. Garret finds the remote and lowers the air conditioning inside the office before he returns to Adrianna's side and starts drying her hair again.
This woman loves to be pampered ever since she was a kid. Adrianna is not overly spoiled but knows how to act like one if she wants to. Being a princess for a long time, it is rare for Adrianna to do any hard work whether it is for her own good or the sake of others. And if she really starts doing an effort to move for someone, it only means that person is very important to her.
And Garret is one of the most fortunate people who always received Adrianna's special attention.
"Where are you going?" Garret asked after he finished drying her hair.
"I'm going to meet Alex today before I show up in front of my dad." Adrianna said while running her fingers through her soft and wavy hair.
Garret stops his hand from folding the towel and looks at Adrianna.
"Alex?"
"Alexandrite. My classmate in college. Remember the petite girl with short black hair?"
"Ah."
So Adrianna is going to meet up with a girl.
"...You don't remember her, do you?"
Garret did not deny it. He really cannot remember her classmate's face. Aside from Adrianna and the people he always meets at work, Garret is not willing to pay attention to other people. He doesn't need to do it anyway.
"Alex and I haven't seen each other for a while. We decided to catch up and have breakfast together in her cafe."
"Do you want me to send you there?"
Adrianna laughs when she heard that.
"Garret, you haven't slept yet." she reminded him.
"I'm not saying I will drive the car. I can ask someone to drive the car for us." Garret explained.
He is not stupid to put this woman in any possible danger.
"I think it's really great to become friends with Mr. Dawson." Adrianna said with a sigh. "But it's alright. I can just drive—Oh, right! My car!"
Adrianna finally remembers the car she left in the restaurant. In order to escape from her date last night, Adrianna hailed a taxi in a panic instead of driving her own car. Who told her to leave her car at the restaurant anyway?"
"Just give me your car keys. I will order someone to fetch it for you."
"Oh."
Adrianna is too lazy to go back to that restaurant. So she opens her bag and gives her car keys to Garret. Since it was him who offered his help, then Adrianna will not refuse it.
"Then do you want to consider my offer to send you to your friend's cafe?" Garret asked.
"I will take your offer. But you will stay in your room and sleep."
Garret frowns when he heard that. If Adrianna is stubborn, then this guy is more stubborn than her. Adrianna gently cups his face and traces the faint lines under his eyes using the pad of her thumbs.
"Garret, you need to take care of yourself. And losing your sleep is not a healthy habit."
"Hmm."
Garret closes his eyes and leans his head a little on her hands. Her hand is a little cold but he doesn't mind it at all. Instead, Garret let out a sigh and enjoys the feeling of her hands on his cheeks.
"What's your schedule today?" Adrianna asked.
"Aside from the documents I need to check, I also have a dinner meeting with one of our newest business partners later."
"Since your schedule is open this morning until the afternoon, take that time to rest. I already fixed the beddings. You can sleep first then eat something nutritious later."
"Hmm."
"And avoid drinking your coffee in the meantime. I checked your mini-fridge and it's full of energy drinks and beer. It's not a healthy habit to drink it all the time." Adrianna lightly scolded him.
Garret chuckles when he sees her serious expression.
"Says the one who eats her chocolate as if her life is depended on it."
"Hey! It's different. Chocolate can boost my mood all the time. It can also help me become active and energetic."
"Alright. If you say so."
Garret gently removes Adrianna's hand on his face before pulling her in his arms. She did not try to refute so he rest his forehead on her shoulder for a moment. Maybe because Adrianna feels cool in his arms, Garret is starting to feel drowsy.
"Garret, you should go to sleep now."
"Adrianna."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Garret falls into silence for a moment. He's considering what to say right now. But in the end, Garret swallows the words he wants to say and just rubs his forehead on her shoulder which makes Adrianna feel ticklish.
"Hey. Stop it." Adrianna said with a chuckle. "You are really reminding me of Captain Pluff."
Captain Pluff is Adrianna's pet. It is a ragdoll cat who always likes to stick close to her. Captain Pluff has a habit of rubbing its head on Adrianna's neck and shoulder just like what Garret is doing right now.
"You're comparing me with your chubby pet now?"
Adrianna gives Garret a light slap on his back.
"Take it back. Captain Pluff is not chubby. He is just naturally furry and big."
"Sure. If that will help you sleep better at night."
Adrianna gives him another slap on his back and Garret just responds to it with a laugh.
"I have to go now." Adrianna said. "You should go inside your room now and take a good rest. Okay?"
"Hmm."
Although reluctant, Garret still pulls away from Adrianna. He stares at her clean face for a moment. Then Garret tears his gaze off her. If he stares at her for another minute, then Garret might lose control and kiss her all of a sudden.
After exchanging a few more words, it is now time for Adrianna to leave. Garret calls someone and informs her that the car that will send her is already waiting in front of the building. Adrianna happily gives her thanks and smiles at him.
"Are you going to visit me again?" Garret asked.
"Of course." Adrianna replied. "Why? Am I no longer welcome here?"
"That's one of the absurd things you said today."
"Oh."
Garret wants to go down with her but Adrianna stops him. She wants him to take a rest. Since Adrianna is so persistent, then he can only send her in front of the elevator.
"Then see you later, Garret. Please tell Jake that I'll visit again later to play."
"Why do I need to do that?"
"Oh, come on. Jake is still our friend. Although I noticed he becomes a little irritated lately. Maybe because he's stressed at work."
"That one is trying to charge me for the stress he's having while working as my assistant."
Adrianna laughs when she heard that. The dynamics of these two are really unique. They can really become friends and enemies at the same time.
"Remember my words, okay? Take a rest and avoid any caffeine for now. Then eat a lot of healthy foods and stay hydrated."
"Alright, alright. I will listen to you."
"Good."
When the elevator door opens, Adrianna enters it before looking at Garret with a smile. While the elevator door is closing, Garret sees Adrianna waving her hands at him and mouths the words 'See you later.' at him.
When Adrianna is no longer in his office, Garret let out a long sigh. He should not complain about their setup. After all, he is the one who comes up with this idea. For now, Garret will be satisfied with the status of their relationship.
-- 收到的禮物