The mall corridor was still busy, but Lina felt as if she were walking inside a bubble — a bubble made of satin bows, a racing heartbeat, and Adrian's subtle scent beside her.
The new bow swayed as she walked.
And even though it was a simple accessory, Lina was sure she would never take it off.
Adrian kept glancing at her from the side, constantly, as if evaluating whether the gift was perfect.
Or whether she was comfortable.
Or… simply because he liked looking at her.
Lina pretended not to notice.
But she noticed.
A lot.
When they reached the next store — one that sold elegant dresses — Adrian opened the door for her like a personal butler.
Lina stepped inside… and froze.
Because right in front of them stood a group of three girls her age, laughing loudly.
Nothing unusual.
Except the moment they saw Adrian walk in behind her…
They froze.
Then began whispering wildly.
One of them, a redhead, stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Sorry, you're… Adrian Luce, right?" she asked, overflowing with boldness.
Lina swallowed hard.
Adrian didn't answer right away.
He simply looked at the girl.
Cold.
Indifferent.
Bored.
"I am," he said, curt.
The redhead stepped closer with a shy — or rather, seductive — smile and continued:
"I… follow your company. You're incredible. If you don't mind, I just wanted to say—"
Before she could finish, Lina saw the girl's hand reaching toward Adrian's arm.
Lina's eyes widened.
No!
But it was too late.
Her hand touched him.
And the reaction was immediate.
Adrian recoiled as if he'd touched fire, pulling his arm back in a sharp motion.
His skin turned red in seconds.
"O-oh my God, I'm so sorry!" the redhead stammered. "I didn't know—"
"Don't touch me."
His voice could have frozen the floor.
Lina rushed closer without thinking, holding his hand.
As always…
the redness began to fade.
Adrian looked at her for a brief moment.
A look that said:
Only you can do this.
Then his posture returned — rigid, cold, terrifying.
The girls stepped back instantly.
"Let's go," Adrian said, not sparing them a glance as he guided Lina deeper into the shop.
Lina followed… but couldn't hold back.
"Adrian… are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he replied, breathing deeply.
But his jaw was tight.
"I tried to warn you…" Lina murmured, biting her lip.
"It's not your fault."
"But I—"
"No.
It isn't."
He repeated it, looking at her firmly.
Lina opened her mouth to insist, but then she noticed something:
Beneath the coldness…
Adrian was irritated.
Not because of the allergy.
But because of something else.
Lina blinked.
"You… you're mad at them?"
"No," he answered immediately.
Way too fast.
Lina crossed her arms.
"Adrian."
He looked away.
"I'm not mad."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
He took a deep breath.
And finally said:
"I don't like people invading my space."
"Just that?"
Silence.
Lina stared at him with a suspicious little smile.
"Adrian… were you jealous?" she asked, voice soft but direct as an arrow.
He turned his face away instantly.
"Jealousy is a waste of time."
"But you were jealous."
"No, I wasn't."
"Yes, you were."
Adrian closed his eyes for a second, as if asking the universe for patience.
Then he turned to her, stepped closer until Lina's back brushed the row of dresses, and said quietly — just for her:
"I didn't like that woman… looking at me… as if I were available."
Lina's heart exploded.
He continued:
"Because I'm not."
"N-not?" Lina whispered.
Adrian leaned closer.
"No.
Right now, I'm taken."
Lina opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water.
"W-with me?"
"Is there anyone else?" he replied, as if it were obvious.
Lina felt her face heat so much it could light up a city.
"Adrian…!"
He gave a half-smile.
"Then don't tease me with obvious questions, Lina."
She lightly smacked his chest, scandalized.
"You're impossible!"
"And you're my fiancée," he shot back, catching her hand before she could pull away. "Just stating facts."
Lina looked away, utterly defeated by her own blush.
"We're not even a real couple yet…"
"Yet," he repeated, with that calm conviction that turned her world upside down. "But we will get there."
She nearly collapsed onto the dress rack.
And then Adrian added:
"And for the record… if anyone has the right to be jealous here… it's me."
Lina went silent.
Completely silent.
Absolutely silent.
And Adrian smiled, satisfied, before parting the hangers and saying:
"Now pick a dress.
I want to see you beautiful."
Lina blushed immediately.
"Y-you want to see me beautiful?!"
"No," he replied firmly.
She swallowed hard.
"N-no?"
Adrian stepped even closer, his gaze intensely serious.
"I want to see you stunning."
Lina's knees almost buckled.
And she realized, with absolute certainty:
He was jealous.
And he had zero intention of hiding it.