ADRIAN
The moment Adrian stepped inside, the air shifted. Laughter, music, and the scent of warm pastries wrapped around him. Hand-painted banners brightened the walls, some a little messy, but full of love. Volunteers hurried about—setting tables, adjusting decorations, making sure every guest felt welcome.
A tiny figure stormed toward him, her arms crossed.
"You're late!"
Adrian barely had time to react before Rosie jabbed a tiny finger at him.
"Three minutes late," she added, her serious expression ruined by the mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You're keeping track now?" he teased, ruffling her hair.
"Of course! You promised to help me with my art booth today. Come on, we have work to do!"
Before he could protest, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward a small table covered in blank canvases and colored markers. A group of kids gathered around—some in wheelchairs, others with crutches or prosthetics—all waiting expectantly.
"Alright, what's the plan, boss?" Adrian asked.
Rosie grinned. "You're gonna paint!"
He blinked. "Me? Rosie, I don't think you understand—I can't even draw a straight line."
Laughter erupted around the table, and Rosie rolled her eyes. "You don't have to be good at it. You just have to try. That's what this place is about, right?"
Something about her words settled in his chest, grounding him.
"Rosie, don't tease the poor boy!"
A woman in her early forties approached, a warm smile softening her tone.
Rosie just grinned and dashed off.
Adrian chuckled. "She never backs down, does she?"
"Not even for a second," the woman replied, shaking her head.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Kuston," Adrian greeted.
She gave him a pointed look. "Just Lena, Adrian."
He smirked. "Okay, Lena."
"That's better," she said with a nod.
Adrian glanced around at the half-finished setup. "Time is flying by. Let's hurry and finish up—our guests will be here soon."
Lena clapped her hands together. "Alright, let's get moving!"
From across the room, Rosie called out, "Lena, should I go greet the guests?"
"Yes, go ahead!"
As Adrian turned back to his task, he caught Rosie sticking her tongue out playfully before dashing off again.
Ms Kuston everything is set for t...…
"Adrian, how many times have I told you to call me Lena?"
She sighed dramatically. "You make me feel old."
"But you are," a deep voice cut in from behind, smooth and confident, laced with amusement.
Adrian stiffened.
Lena whirled around, huffing. "Oh, God, why did I give birth to you? Show some respect!"
Her voice faded into the background as Adrian turned—
And met the gaze of a Greek god.
Piercing eyes—green and gold, intense enough to make his breath catch. A smirk, subtle yet knowing, like he was always two steps ahead. Dark, perfectly styled hair added to his effortless air of confidence. And his posture—relaxed yet commanding, as if he owned every space he walked into.
Time slowed. The chatter in the room faded. For a moment, there was only him.
Something inside Adrian shifted, a deep, unfamiliar sensation. Time slowed, the room's chatter receding into the background as he held Maxen's gaze."
"Adrian. Adrian. Adrian—"
"Adrian!"
He snapped back to reality.
"Yes, Ms.—I mean, Lena?"
She gave him a knowing look. "Where is your mind?"
Caught staring.
He cleared his throat. "I'm fine."
"This is Maxen, my son," Lena introduced. "Xen, this is—"
"Adrian," Maxen finished, voice effortlessly smooth.
Lena frowned. "How do you know?"
Maxen smirked. "Mom, for the last three weeks, I've heard this name at least a hundred times. Besides, people talk about him. He's kind of popular here."
The way Maxen said his name—like he owned it—made Adrian's pulse stutter.
Lena waved a hand. "Anyway, I need to give the welcoming speech—"
Adrian barely registered her words.
"Okay, Mom," Maxen said casually.
Then, just like that, he turned and walked away, utterly at ease.
Adrian's fingers twitched. His hand lifted slightly before he even realized it—reaching, just to confirm Maxen was real.
Maxen turned, catching the movement.
"Nice to meet you, Rian," he said.
Rian?
Adrian barely managed to whisper, "What did you say?"
Maxen tilted his head. "Hmm?"
"I—I—"
I don't stammer.
But nothing came out.
Maxen just smirked, like he knew something Adrian didn't. Then, with the kind of confidence that said I know my worth, he walked away, leaving Adrian standing there—dazed, breathless.
The entire room seemed to exhale, but Adrian… he was stuck in that moment.
He shook himself out of it and went back to work, pretending his world hadn't just tilted on its axis.
Later That Evening
As the event wound down, golden light bathed the venue. The laughter of children still echoed, even as guests trickled out.
Adrian handed a juice box to a little girl in a wheelchair.
"Adrian, you're always here!" she grinned. "You're like a superhero!"
He chuckled. "A superhero? I don't even have a cape."
"You don't need one! Superheroes help people, and you do that!"
Her words settled deep in his heart. Maybe… just maybe, she was right.
As he finished cleaning up, Rosie approached. "Adrian, are you okay? You seemed distracted today."
He patted her head lightly. "I'm fine."
She squinted at him. "Okay…if you say so. My mom's here, so I'm heading home."
"Alright, see you next week."
As he stepped outside, the city stretched before him, bathed in the glow of sunset.
He found himself glancing back, half-hoping—
But Maxen was nowhere in sight.
He exhaled.
The night air was crisp, cooling the warmth still lingering on his skin.
Time to go back to his world.
To Elio.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he walked toward his car.
And then—
"Leaving so soon?"
Adrian froze.
That voice.
Smooth. Confident. Unreadable.
He turned—
Maxen.
Leaning against a sleek motorcycle, arms crossed, watching him with amusement.
Adrian swallowed, his heart doing an inconvenient little flip. "Uh… yeah. It's been a long day."
Maxen tilted his head slightly, studying him. "You looked distracted in there."
Adrian raised a brow. "You were watching me?"
Maxen smirked, pushing off the bike. "You're hard to miss."
Adrian let out a breathy laugh. "Is that a compliment or an observation?"
Maxen shrugged. "Both."
Silence stretched, thick with something unspoken.
"You coming next week?" Maxen finally asked.
Adrian nodded. "Yeah. Always."
Maxen's smirk softened slightly. "Good. See you then, Rian."
Adrian's lungs seemed to forget how to expand, his chest tightening as he watched Maxen get on his motorbike and rode away.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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