(Valerie POV)
After hearing from Ciel at school about Adrian locking himself away, I didn't waste a second. I left immediately, skipping classes, apologizing briefly to Alvin as I rushed out. I drove to Adrian's house, my heart pounding with urgency.
At the front door, I pressed the doorbell repeatedly. The maid opened it with surprise. Without a word, I dashed inside, tossing my bag aside. I checked Adrian's room—empty. His sister's room—also empty. Finally, I arrived at his grandparents' room. The door was locked.
I knocked frantically:
"아드리안! 열어! 나야, 발레리야! 열어!"
(Adrian! Open up! It's me, Valerie! Open up!)
No response.
"혼자 갇혀 있으면 안 돼! 밥도 먹어야 하고, 나가야 해!"
(You can't lock yourself in alone! You need to eat and come out!)
Still silence.
I went downstairs and told the maid to prepare breakfast for him and his sister. Then I ran back upstairs. Again, I knocked. Slowly, I heard the door unlock, and Adrian opened it. His hair was messy, and he was still in the same clothes from that night. He didn't speak, just went back to the edge of the bed.
"왜 이렇게 자신을 괴롭히고 있어? 혼자 이렇게 있어도 돼? 밥도 먹어야 하고, 살아야 해."
(Why are you doing this to yourself? You can't stay alone like this. You need to eat and live.)
He just looked at me silently. I sighed, grabbed his hand, and gently pulled him toward the bathroom.
Shower Scene
Inside, he hesitated, but I insisted:
"가서 샤워해. 나오고 나면 기분이 나아질 거야."
(Go take a shower. You'll feel better after.)
Moments later, I heard the water running. I used the time to clear the room and open the curtains, letting sunlight pour in. When he emerged, wrapped only in a towel, I couldn't help teasing him:
"아드리안, 그 모습… 잘생겼는데 조금 부끄럽네. 하하."
(Adrian, you look… handsome, but a little embarrassing. Haha.)
He rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips.
I handed him the clothes I picked out—a t-shirt, shorts, and boxers—and took a hairdryer. While blow-drying his damp hair, I couldn't resist making jokes to lift his mood:
"이렇게 젖은 머리로 있으면 섹션 E에서 다들 놀라겠네. 어제 밤부터 이렇게 안 씻었지?"
(If you stayed like this in Section E, everyone would've been shocked. You haven't showered since last night, huh?)
He chuckled softly, shaking his head:
"너무 놀리네…"
(You're teasing me too much…)
"그럼, 조금만 웃어. 오늘은 나랑 같이 있어야 하니까!"
(Then smile a little. Today, you'll be with me!)
Once he was ready, I brought the breakfast the maid had prepared. He still hesitated to eat. I picked up a piece of bread and shoved it into his mouth:
"자, 먹어. 조금이라도 먹어야 해."
(Come on, eat. You have to eat at least a little.)
He gave me a small, tired glare but chewed. I handed him a mug of milk after.
After he finished, I held his hand and guided him downstairs. He tried to resist, wanting to stay in the room, but I pulled him . Once in the hall, I made him sit on the couch and turned on the TV ,we didn't watch something grown up style I place it on kids cartoons (funny ones like tom amd jerry)
He laughed softly at first, then louder. My heart lifted. Finally… that's the smile I've been waiting for.
I reached over to fix his messy hair:
"이제 좀 나아보여. 잘생겼다, 내가 아는 바로 그 아드리안이야."
(You're looking better now. Handsome, just like the Adrian I know.)
He gave a small laugh, shaking his head slightly. I tapped my shoulders , feeling relief flood me.