Chapter 406
Adrian barely crossed the threshold of Opal Galleria when the murmurs of an assembling crowd pricked his ears. Among the indistinct chatter, certain voices stood out, teasing at the corners of his memory. He turned to Ethan with a silent command in his gaze.
"Mr. Blackwood, I'll investigate the commotion," Ethan said promptly before disappearing into the sea of people.
Adrian remained motionless, his sharp eyes surveying the scene when a vision in white suddenly appeared before him. "Adrian, what a coincidence seeing you here."
His body reacted before his mind, taking an instinctive step back. The woman wore a white athleisure set, her features hidden beneath a baseball cap, surgical mask, and oversized sunglasses. Yet even through these barriers, recognition struck him instantly.
"Serena," he acknowledged stiffly, gesturing toward the gathering crowd. "Here for lunch?"
Her laugh carried a bitter undertone. "Adrian, when did we become such strangers?"
His voice softened in an attempt to diffuse the tension. "You're imagining things again, Serena. Your cardiologist warned against unnecessary stress."
Always her heart. That damned, delicate heart. Serena's fingers curled into tight fists, torn between appreciation and smoldering resentment. To Adrian, her cardiac condition seemed the only aspect of her worth noticing—never her as a person.
She inhaled deeply, deliberately injecting fragility into her tone. "Adrian, I was hoping you might do me a small favor."
The unusual request made his brow arch. "What is it?" Adrian asked, his forehead creasing reflexively.
"I've been invited to join a new variety show called Spotlight Night—" Serena abruptly cut herself off.
Her gaze swept across the bustling crowd before she motioned toward a quieter section of the mall. "It's too noisy here. There's a lovely bistro nearby with private dining rooms. Shall we continue our conversation over lunch?"
Adrian gave a curt nod and began moving in the indicated direction. Serena followed half a step behind, then deliberately reached out to lightly grasp his sleeve. Feeling the gentle tug, he slowed his pace and glanced at her hand. After a brief hesitation, he didn't shake her off, allowing her to guide him toward the restaurant's secluded booth.
Once seated, Serena eagerly picked up the menu, her voice bright as she described various dishes while making her selections. After ordering nearly a dozen items, she pushed the menu toward Adrian with a warm smile. "Adrian, would you like to add anything?"
He accepted the menu, gave it a perfunctory glance, then closed it decisively. "I'm not particularly hungry. This should suffice."
"Perfect," Serena told the waiter before turning back to Adrian with a shy smile. "I always want to sample everything, but my eyes are bigger than my stomach. You know how I despise food waste."
Adrian's response was matter-of-fact. "Aside from the two vegetarian dishes, the remainder can be boxed for later."
Her eyes sparkled with playful accusation. "Adrian, you don't even humor me anymore. You used to promise to help me finish everything."
His hand froze midway to his water glass before slowly returning it to the table. "Not in the mood for food today. Besides, when you leave for Azurevale, who will clean your plates then?"