Chapter 103: Didn’t You Say You Weren’t Coming?
She suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and quietly finished dinner with him.
"A new suspense-comedy just came out. Want to see it together in a bit?" Adrian Grant asked suddenly.
’Suspense and comedy? Can that even work?’
Despite her doubts, that wasn’t what Caroline Whitman subconsciously asked. Instead, she posed a different question:
"At your place?"
Adrian Grant smiled. "No, the movie theater."
’The movie theater?’
One of the scenarios for how to take his hand flashed through Caroline Whitman’s mind—
The movie theater.
If yesterday’s excuse was "I’ve been drinking and need someone to steady me," then today, they were both completely sober.
’Yikes... the difficulty level just went up.’
But while they were sober, it was a perfect opportunity to probe Adrian Grant’s feelings for her.
"I don’t have anything going on tonight." Caroline Whitman didn’t answer directly, nor did she refuse.
Adrian Grant raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. "Okay, I’ve already booked tickets for a little after nine."
The time was now exactly eight o’clock.
They had an hour.
Caroline Whitman was always extra sensitive whenever she and Adrian Grant discussed things unrelated to work these days.
"Already booked?"
"Already?"
Caroline Whitman slowly mulled over that one word in her mind.
’Could it be that Adrian Grant planned this whole evening out in advance?’
He hadn’t booked a private screening.
It was probably because it was a Friday, so it was quite crowded.
At least their theater was full.
Only after the movie started did she realize the female lead was Luna Lynn, in the last film she shot before leaving the entertainment industry.
As a result, many people rushed to see Luna Lynn’s final on-screen performance out of curiosity.
No wonder the theater was full of young people.
Adrian Grant wasn’t wrong about it being a suspense-comedy; the subtle humor complemented the plot, making it quite interesting.
At least this time, she didn’t fall asleep.
Or perhaps it was the environment; surrounded by people, she couldn’t possibly fall asleep peacefully.
But while watching the movie, Caroline Whitman would still sneak glances at Adrian Grant from time to time.
She discovered that he was just as focused at the movie theater as he was when watching movies at home, showing no signs of being distracted.
It wasn’t until the post-credits scene appeared and everyone began to leave that the two of them started to get up.
Back when the post-credits scene started, Caroline Whitman had already steeled herself. Adrian got up first and moved into the aisle to head down the stairs. Taking advantage of the crowd, Caroline pretended to be shoved. As the backs of their hands brushed, she smoothly took hold of his hand.
Her face didn’t flush, but her heart pounded violently as she waited for Adrian’s reaction.
Although they had been walking side-by-side, after taking his hand, Caroline Whitman slowed her pace, falling a hand’s width behind him.
She discreetly observed his side profile.
But she could only see his profile, and from that alone, she couldn’t make out his expression.
However, before her mind could wander for too long, the hand she was holding slowly squeezed back.
Her rollercoaster-like heartbeat suddenly hit its second peak.
Yet again, Caroline Whitman fell for one of life’s three great delusions.
’He must have feelings for me, right?’ Caroline Whitman secretly wondered.
It was no wonder she would think that.
If yesterday she had a reason and an excuse, today she had none, while he had countless ways to pull his hand away.
But Adrian Grant didn’t ask a thing.
And Caroline Whitman said nothing either.
After he squeezed her hand back, Adrian Grant held it all the way to their parking spot.
He opened the car door for her, only then letting go before walking around the back of the car to the driver’s side.
Caroline Whitman got in the car and fastened her seatbelt. As the car started to move slowly, neither of them spoke a word in the quiet car.
Not until the car was parked downstairs from her apartment, just as she was unbuckling her seatbelt, did Adrian Grant suddenly say:
"Chase Ford is getting engaged tomorrow, did you know?"
Caroline Whitman’s hand had just touched the door handle. Hearing him say that, she was no longer in a hurry to get out.
"I know. I received an invitation." After a pause, she asked, knowing the answer, "Did you get one too?"
"Yes, the engagement party is tomorrow night."
"Are you going?" Caroline Whitman asked.
Adrian Grant replied leisurely, "No, I have to stay home and look after my son."
"..."
"Are you going?" Adrian Grant asked.
Caroline Whitman nodded. "I was invited."
"Oh, right," she paused, having suddenly thought of something, "do you still have any of that medicine? Can you give me one to keep as a spare?"
Adrian Grant didn’t immediately understand. "What medicine?"
"You know, the... the antidote..."
"..."
The air was silent for a moment. Then, Caroline Whitman laughed awkwardly and explained, "Just in case."
The incident with Wanda Sutton and Chase Ford had been too shocking for her.
She no longer trusted the safety of these high-society parties.
Adrian Grant reached out, opened the glove compartment, and took out a small white bottle.
"This is it."
Caroline Whitman was shocked. "You keep this stuff in your car all the time?"
Adrian Grant didn’t seem to think it was strange. "Like you said, just in case."
Carrying it around wasn’t very convenient, so keeping it in the car was perfect.
"Haha, you really are cautious." Caroline Whitman was genuinely impressed, her praise completely free of sarcasm.
’No wonder no one has started any rumors about him to this day.’
Adrian Grant smiled. "Right back at you."
"..."
Caroline Whitman took the bottle. "Thanks, anyway. Just let me know when you plan on having your son come over."
But Adrian Grant said, "Mm, I’ll ask him. No one’s been watching over him these past two days, and he’s been having a blast on his own. He probably doesn’t want to join us so soon."
"..."
Now that he mentioned it, she realized that Ryan Grant really hadn’t video-called them tonight.
’That’s not like him at all.’
But since Adrian Grant had said so, Caroline Whitman could only nod. "Okay."
When she opened the car door, Adrian Grant didn’t say anything else this time.
She got out of the car without a hitch.
「The next day.」
At eight in the evening, she arrived at Wanda Sutton and Chase Ford’s engagement party.
Everyone she knew and didn’t know was at this party.
Basically, all the families with businesses from their St. Hector’s High School days that hadn’t gone under were also there.
She even saw many of her old classmates from her year.
’It’s quite a grand affair.’
’I thought the two of them would keep a low profile because of that incident.’
’Looking at it now, it seems like they want the whole world to know about their families’ union.’
The most surprising thing was that she saw Adrian Grant at the party.
"Didn’t you say you weren’t coming?"
After Adrian Grant finished talking with some people and was alone, Caroline Whitman found a chance to walk up and ask curiously in a low voice.
"What about your son? Aren’t you looking after him?"
Adrian Grant explained, "My parents are looking after him. They couldn’t come, so they sent me as their representative."
"..."
Now that he mentioned it, Caroline Whitman glanced around and realized that Jonathan Grant was indeed nowhere to be seen.
She did, however, see Franklin Whitman talking with Chase Ford’s father, Kenneth Ford.
"Haha, Mr. Ford, you can finally relax. Your son is finally engaged, fulfilling one of your greatest wishes."
Just then, Vincent Fuller, who was standing nearby, smiled leisurely. He raised his wine glass toward Chase Ford, who was next to him, and gestured.
"Congratulations. You’ve finally won the fair lady’s hand."