Her Return, His Regret

Bianca froze when she heard the familiar voice, her heart skipping a beat.

She turned and saw Adan standing a few steps away, his eyes glaring at the hand that was holding onto hers. "Adan? What are you doing here?" Bianca asked, confusion flitting through her.

Adan ignored her and locked his eyes on Atlas. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Didn't you hear me? Hands off."

Atlas frowned. He hesitated before letting go of Bianca's hand reluctantly. He didn't want to but his family wasn't as powerful as the Nicholson family. For now, he had to step back so as not to offend Adan. However, he looked at him and remarked, "Adan, no offence but you don't even love her, why do you want to marry her?"

The air around them turned cold, the dim lighting in the hallway intensifying the tension in the atmosphere.

Adan's lips curled into a menacing smirk. He sneered, "Whether I love her or not is none of your business. The fact is that she belongs to me... she's my future wife." Bianca rolled her eyes. She glanced at Atlas and said, "I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said."

"Bee-"

"Atlas, don't do this," Bianca cut him off, shaking her head. "I only see you as a friend and wouldn't want to ruin our friendship."

"You heard her, she's not interested. Now stop embarrassing yourself and run along," Adan remarked, a smug smile on his lips.

Hurt flickered through Atlas' eyes. He glanced at Bianca and saw the look in her eyes, a lump forming in his throat when he saw that she meant her words.

What was he thinking?

Of course, Bianca only saw him as a friend. If she saw him as something more she would have dropped hints. He had no choice but to give up.

Atlas glared at Adan, but Bianca's pointed look silenced him. With a shake of his head, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

After Atlas left, Adan arched an eyebrow and said, "That was something... I think I need to add another clause in the contract. You're not allowed to be close with other men."

Bianca turned to look at Adan, her eyebrows furrowing. "What are you doing here? Did you follow me?"

Adan shrugged and replied, "You invited me for a drink, not so?"

"Yeah, I did. But you said no," Bianca remarked. "Do you often change your mind after making a decision?"

Adan licked his lower lip and responded, "Well, you looked like you wanted me to come, so..."

He left the words hanging.

The truth was, he had come over earlier and was watching Bianca chat with her friends. It was only when Atlas followed her to the restroom that he decided to show himself. Adan didn't know why he did that. He just knew he had noticed the longing look in Atlas' eyes when he looked at Bianca and he didn't like it.

"I just didn't know I would find you with other men," Adan added.

Bianca folded her arms across her chest. She arched an eyebrow and uttered, "What I do is none of your business."

Adan shoved his hands into his pockets and said, "I think you're forgetting something. We have a contract and as much as you want me to stay away from other women, I expect you to do the same."

Bianca narrowed her eyes and shook her head. She walked past Adan and went back to the club.

She found Caleb alone at their table.

Frowning, she looked around and asked, "Where's Atlas?"

Caleb glanced at her and replied, "He said something came up."

Bianca pursed her lips into a thin line. It's not like she hadn't seen the way Atlas looked at her in the past. However, she never saw him that way. To her, Caleb and Atlas were like the brothers she never had. "Can I join you guys?" Adan's voice grabbed Caleb and Bianca's attention.

"No."

"Sure."

Caleb and Bianca answered at the same time.

Bianca frowned and looked at Adan, asking, "Don't you have friends or something?"

"No, I don't," Adan replied and shamelessly sat next to Bianca. He looked at Caleb and said, "You must be MY FIANCEE'S friend."

Bianca rolled her eyes. She still couldn't fathom where Adan's possessiveness was coming from.noveldrama

Caleb looked between Adan and Bianca. He smiled and said, "Yes, I'm just Bianca's friend. Don't worry, I only see her as a sister. Congratulations on your engagement!"

"Really?" Bianca rolled her eyes. Wasn't he laughing at her situation a few minutes ago? Now he's acting like the arranged marriage is the best thing to ever happen.

"What? I like him," Adan remarked, raising his hand for a waiter.

The waiter came over and asked, "What can I get you, Sir?"

"Get me a sealed bottle of bourbon, and get another glass of what my lady is drinking," Adan requested.

"Yes, Sir," the waiter left and Bianca arched an eyebrow at Adan.

"I can get my own drink, you know," she remarked.

"I know but what kind of man will I be if I let my woman buy her own drink?" Adan asked with a smirk.

Soon, the waiter brought the drinks and Adan poured Caleb a drink. He said, "Thank you for wishing us well."

Caleb accepted the drink and replied, "Bianca may look like she's tough but she's a very sweet and kind woman. Please take care of her."

Bianca rolled her eyes and downed her drink before getting the glass that was brought for her, finishing it in one go.

As Adan and Caleb continued to chat about this and that, Bianca suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom again. She excused herself and went to the restroom, however, she felt a little dizzy. 'How am I suddenly so drunk?' She asked herself as she relieved herself.

She felt like the room was spinning.

Bianca walked to the sinks and splashed some water on her face, hoping to sober up. But when she raised her head, she suddenly saw someone behind her.

Her eyes widened. "What are you-"

A sharp pain ripped through the back of her neck and before she could tell what was happening, she was plunged into darkness.