When Elle returned the food was being served. She watched them place dish after dish on the table; Ehe had no idea how they were going to possibly finish it all.Adam saw the doubt in her eyes and said softly, "Don"t force yourself. Just eat what you like."
They both ate slowly, enjoying the meal. At first Elle"s actions were awkward. After all she was acutely aware of how strange it was that she was having dinner with Adam Hayes. Although she suspected he had said it as a joke Adam was right, she couldn"t afford to offend him.
But the conversation grew gradually. Adam pushed it along, asking her questions about small things like her work or the friend she had met up with. As time pa.s.sed Elle began to feel more comfortable and began conversing with him naturally. Adam even reached over occasionally to put food on her plate, telling her to eat more.
By the end of the night Elle was wondering how the person she had dinner with could possibly have a reputation as a cold and unforgiving man.
Almost two hours pa.s.sed when the two had finally finished eating. The bill arrived and Adam immediately took it, pa.s.sing his credit card to the waitress naturally.
"You should at least let me pay for half." Elle said awkwardly.
"It"s fine. I asked you here as a favour so it"s only fair that I pay for it. Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion that I make more money than you." He said with a smirk.
Elle laughed. "Fine, but in the future you should let me treat you to something. I feel too indebted to you."
"Where should I drop you off?" Adam asked as they entered his car.
"You can drop me off at Tae"s headquarters."
"Are you sure?" He asked with a frown. "It"s late, let me drop you off at home."
"That"s fine. My car is still at Tae; I need to go get it. If you drop me off there I can drive home myself." Elle explained.
"In that case you should give me your number."
Elle stared at him. "Huh?"
"So I can make sure you get home safely." He explained.
Elle saw no fault with that, so she agreed. Adam pa.s.sed his phone over to her and she put in her number.
As they drove back Elle looked up at the night sky. It was a clear night without a single cloud in the sky. The stars were bright and the moon was full. She couldn"t help think it was a beautiful night.
As requested Adam dropped her off at Tae where they parted. Elle got into her car and drove back home herself.
She entered the house with a smile on her face and was quietly returning to her room when she heard her father"s voice call out to her.
"How"s your life?" he asked sarcastically.
"Excuse me?" She asked, stunned.
"Well you don"t seem to inform me of anything these days. I thought it was best to ask." He said. "You"ve been acting out of line recently. I put up with it at first, but now you"re taking time off work and staying out late without so much as word to me. I was told you left early today without notifying anyone. I can put up with your little tantrum at home, but from now on watch how you behave in public. Especially at the company."
His tone was harsh, and Elle felt tears begin to form in her eyes. "Okay." She said softly, walking off to her room before her father could notice.
This was what she had been waiting for right? All those times she was rude to him, or gave him the cold shoulder, she was just testing him to see how long he would continue to care about her. She was expecting this outcome so why did it hurt so much?
Elle couldn"t help herself, by the time she got to her room and shut the door behind her the tears were flowing soundlessly down her face. Her lip trembled as she tried her best to not make a noise.
Falling to the bed, Elle closed her eyes to the world, willing her body to feel numb. She could bare feeling nothing at all, so long as she didn"t have to endure this pain.
As she prepared herself for another lonely night she heard her phone ping beside her. She looked over and saw the screen light up. She had received a text message from Adam.
"Did you get home yet?" He asked.
"I did." She replied.
"Good. Sleep well."
Elle"s eyes were red, and her face was messy and wet, but she felt the corner of her lips pull up. Although her heart still hurt her terribly, she somehow managed to fall asleep with a smile.