(Adrian’s POV)
The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. I could feel her discomfort, the way her shoulders tensed and her fingers twisted the edge of the blanket. She wasn’t looking at me anymore, and that bothered me more than it should have. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself.
“Elena,” I started, my voice softer this time, “I didn’t mean to dismiss your question like that.”
She didn’t respond, still staring at the floor. Her silence was like a punch to my chest. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, trying to figure out how to fix this. “The call… it wasn’t what you think,” I continued. “It was someone from my past. Someone who doesn’t matter anymore.”
She finally looked up, her eyes searching mine. “Then why did it feel like it did?”
Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant, but it cut through me like a blade. How could I explain this to her? That the person on the other end of the line meant nothing, but the timing of the call couldn’t have been worse?
I leaned back in my chair, letting out a slow breath. “It’s complicated,” I admitted. “But I promise you, it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and I could see the conflict in her eyes. She didn’t believe me-not entirely. And I couldn’t blame her. The walls I’d built around myself were thick, almost impenetrable. I wasn’t used to letting people in, not like this.
“Elena,” I said, my tone firmer now, “you have every right to feel how you’re feeling. But please, trust me when I say that the only thing I care about right now is you.”
Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease. But then she shook her head, her expression clouding over again. “Why?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you care so much? You don’t even know everything about me.”
Her question caught me off guard. Why did I care so much? It wasn’t something I’d let myself think about too deeply. But as I looked at her, sitting there so fragile yet so strong, I realized I didn’t have an easy answer.
“Because I see you,” I said finally, my voice low but steady. “I see the weight you’re carrying, even when you try to hide it. I see how hard you’re trying, even when it feels like the world is against you. And I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
She blinked, and I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away, but not before one slipped down her cheek. “I don’t know what to say,” she murmured.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I replied. “Just… don’t shut me out. Let me help you.”
Her gaze dropped again, and for a moment, I thought she was going to retreat back into herself. But then she looked up, and there was a flicker of something in her eyes hope, maybe. “I don’t know how to let people in,” she admitted. “I’ve been on my own for so long. It’s just… easier that way.”
I nodded, understanding more than I cared to admit. “I get it,” I said. “But easier doesn’t mean better. You don’t have to do this alone, Elena. Not anymore.”
The room fell silent again, but this time it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a moment of understanding, of connection. For the first time, I felt like we were on the same page, like she was finally starting to trust me.
I was about to say something else when my phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen, and my stomach tightened. It was the same number as before. The last thing I wanted was to deal with this now, not when I was finally making progress with Elena.
“You can’t solve everything for me professor ?” she asked, her voice neutral but with a hint of something I couldn’t quite place.
“No,” I said firmly, silencing the call. “It can wait.”
She didn’t press the issue, but I could see the question lingering in her eyes. I made a mental note to deal with the caller later preferably in a way that ensured they wouldn’t bother me again.
“Elena,” I said, shifting the conversation back to her, “there’s something else I need to say.”
She tilted her head slightly, waiting.
“I’m not perfect,” I admitted. “I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, and I’ve got my own baggage to deal with. But I’m here for you, no matter what. And I’m not going anywhere, even if you push me away.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she just looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite point out.
“Why are you so stubborn?” she finally asked, a small, shaky smile tugging at her lips.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Guess it’s just who I am,” I said. “But if it means making sure you’re okay, I’ll gladly be as stubborn as I need to be.”
She shook her head, but there was a softness in her expression now that hadn’t been there before. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“For caring,” she said, her voice barely audible.
I reached out, my hand brushing against hers. “Always,” I said simply.
We sat there in silence for a while, the weight of the night slowly lifting. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Whatever she was dealing with, whatever secrets she was keeping, I knew they weren’t going to stay buried for long.
And when they did come to light, I would be there. No matter what.