The inside of the car was silent, cushioned, and just as luxurious as Adrian's apartment. Lina stepped in slowly, sitting with extreme caution, as if any sudden movement could shatter the tense air hanging between them.
The door closed behind her with a soft click, and then the driver returned to the wheel, pulling away with an almost unreal smoothness.
Adrian continued looking at her.
There was no rush in his eyes.
There was… determination.
"Your shift is over," he said, voice low.
"It is…" Lina replied, unsure of what to say.
"You looked tired."
"It was a strange day," she murmured.
Adrian leaned slightly forward, elbows resting on his knees, as if trying to shorten the space between them.
"Lina, I don't expect you to accept the proposal blindly. I'm a practical man, not an impulsive romantic."
She swallowed hard.
"But you asked me to marry you the day you found me drunk in a bar."
He blinked slowly.
"Extraordinary circumstances require quick decisions."
Lina opened her mouth to argue, then gave up. He truly believed that.
Adrian continued:
"I want you to understand what I can offer. Security. Stability. Protection. And, if you want it, support for your career. You want to be an actress. I have enough contacts to open doors." He paused, staring at her. "But I won't force anything. Your life will still be yours."
Lina looked down at her lap.
It was tempting.
Terrifying.
Surreal.
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
"But why me? Why not wait for another woman who doesn't trigger your allergy?"
"Because you're the only one in twenty-eight years," he answered, firm. "And I don't intend to waste that."
His gaze was so absolute, so certain, that Lina felt her heart stumble inside her chest.
"I don't want you to think of me as a purchase," she murmured.
Adrian lifted his chin.
"I don't buy people, Lina."
She looked up to meet his eyes.
The intensity hit her again — as if this man could see more than she wanted to show.
"So what do you want?" Lina asked, almost in a whisper.
He leaned closer. Close enough for his scent to wrap around her completely.
"I want you to be my wife," he said without looking away. "But I also want… companionship. Respect. Mutual growth. I'm not looking for a social ornament. I want a partner."
Lina parted her lips, surprised.
"That doesn't really sound… like you."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know me yet."
"Are you saying you have a gentle side?"
His eyes gleamed with something hard to define.
"I'm saying I have enough sides to keep my promises."
The car stopped.
Lina realized they weren't at his apartment.
Nor at the café where she worked.
Nor at any office.
They were in front of a small park, softly lit, quiet, almost empty.
She frowned.
"What… is this?"
Adrian opened the door for her.
"A neutral place. You said you needed air."
Lina blinked.
He really was trying… to adapt to her?
They walked to a bench near the artificial lake. The lights reflected on the still water, creating a surprisingly peaceful backdrop for such a surreal conversation.
Adrian sat beside her, but not too close. His posture was proper, controlled — yet every now and then he looked at her as if trying to decipher everything running through her mind.
"Lina," he said, his tone softer than before, "I'm not asking you to love me."
Her chest tightened.
"I'm only asking you to consider walking by my side. The rest… we can figure out together."
Silence settled between them.
Lina felt the cold night breeze touch her face.
A marriage could set her free.
Change her life.
Open doors.
Maybe even heal old wounds.
But it could also destroy her, if she chose wrong.
Finally, she spoke:
"And if I say yes… what happens first?"
Adrian turned slowly toward her.
"First?" he repeated. "First, I protect you. From everything."
Lina felt something warm and dangerous spread through her.
"And then?" she whispered.
Adrian held her gaze, and for a brief second, the perfect mask of the cold CEO seemed to crack — revealing something deeper, more intense.
"Then," he said, "I make sure you're never hurt again."
Lina took a deep breath.
She still hadn't given an answer — but for the first time… she was seriously considering it.
A step into the unknown.
A step toward him.