Chapter 117: Can I Leave My Things Here Too?
This was Adrian Grant’s third time coming to Caroline Whitman’s place.
The first time, he had brought their son over.
The second was when he brought her home after she got drunk.
And the third time was now.
While waiting for Caroline Whitman to pack her luggage, he finally had a moment to look around her apartment.
He glanced briefly at the brand-new child’s room as he passed by, then looked away.
"Ryan’s things are still here. Does that mean I can put my things here too?"
"..."
Caroline Whitman was busy picking things up in the walk-in closet. Without looking up, she said, "If you want to leave anything here, you can bring it yourself."
A moment later, once she was finished, she snapped back to reality and gave him a strange look.
"You’re not thinking of moving in, are you?"
"That won’t work," she answered her own question before he could reply. "My parents drop by for surprise visits sometimes."
Even though Franklin Whitman fully supported her pursuit of Adrian Grant, catching them living together before marriage was another matter entirely.
Adrian Grant just smiled, not dwelling on the topic. He simply asked, "When do you plan on telling them about our son?"
Caroline Whitman replied, "I’ll find some time in the next few days. I’ll go to the family home and tell them."
Adrian Grant gave a slight nod and took the suitcase from her. "If you need me there, just ask."
"With the tips you gave me before, it should be fine." Caroline Whitman didn’t think it would be too difficult.
She had held off on telling them not only because she was worried their son might suddenly disappear, but also because of her and Adrian Grant’s ambiguous relationship.
She’d already received advice on the first issue, and now that her relationship with Adrian was sorted out, Ryan Grant no longer had to be just her "godson."
’Still, before the big reveal, maybe I should break the news to my parents at a hospital entrance, just in case.’
’My parents are getting older; they might not take it well.’
Back at Golden Crest Manor, Caroline Whitman watched the man standing in the foyer, feeling a sense of unreality.
Before tonight, they were merely partners living under the same roof, connected only by their child.
From tonight onward, they would be living in this house as boyfriend and girlfriend.
After changing his shoes, Adrian Grant casually carried her suitcase into the master bedroom where she normally slept.
Caroline Whitman trailed slowly behind him. Watching his tall, upright figure disappear into the room, she subconsciously touched the tip of her nose.
A very practical question quietly surfaced in her mind.
’Tonight, will he be sleeping in the master bedroom or the guest room?’
’After all, their relationship was different now.’
’And they were both adults.’
’What would happen next went without saying.’
As her thoughts reached this point, Caroline’s mind logically drifted to another important question.
’I don’t think I’ve bought any condoms yet.’
"..."
The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable Caroline Whitman felt about being under the same roof with him.
She shook her head.
’How strange. Why do I feel even more awkward around him now than before?’
Having gone to the hospital earlier, Caroline Whitman had to take another shower after getting back.
When she came out of the bathroom, Caroline Whitman didn’t see anyone in the master bedroom.
She got into bed and lay there for a long time, but Adrian Grant still hadn’t come in.
Realizing what she was waiting for, she blushed. ’Why does it feel like I’m the impatient one?’
She decided to just close her eyes and go to sleep.
She slept soundly until morning.
The first thing Caroline Whitman did when she woke up was feel the space beside her pillow.
Empty.
She checked the time. She hadn’t stayed up late last night, so she had gone to bed early and woken up early.
It was only six in the morning.
Unexpectedly, nothing had happened last night.
’Looks like I was judging a gentleman by my own petty standards. Adrian Grant must not be that kind of impatient lecher.’
Caroline Whitman turned off her phone and lay in bed for a while longer. Unable to fall back asleep, she decided to get up.
As she left her room, she saw that the door to the guest room where Adrian Grant had slept was closed.
After leisurely washing up, she went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and scanned its contents. After a moment of thought, she poured some milk to heat in the microwave and put a few eggs in a pot to boil.
The timer went off.
Just as she turned to carry the milk and eggs from the kitchen to the dining table, the front door suddenly made a noise.
Alarm bells went off in Caroline Whitman’s head as she stared at the entrance.
The next second, Adrian Grant walked in, dressed in workout clothes. His hair was slightly damp, and his face was flushed and healthy.
They locked eyes, both surprised, and spoke in unison:
"You went for a run?"
"Why are you up so early today?"
One was amazed that the other actually had a habit of working out in the morning; she had never seen him do it in all these days. But on second thought, considering how well Adrian Grant maintained his physique, he must have put in the work.
The other was amazed that Caroline Whitman was up at 6 AM on a weekend when she had neither an outing nor overtime scheduled; it was as miraculous as the sun rising in the west.
Caroline Whitman replied instinctively, "I went to bed too early last night, so I woke up early. I figured I might as well get up and have some breakfast."
Adrian Grant smiled. "Perfect. Wait for me."
Caroline Whitman looked at the egg and milk in her hands and pondered for a moment. ’This will be gone in two bites. Do I really need to wait for him?’
By the time she had slowly finished her breakfast, Adrian Grant was just coming out of the bathroom.
He walked over, exuding a fresh, clean scent.
Caroline Whitman was about to head back to her room. "Here, I left the rest for you. I’m done eating."
"..."
Just as she lay back on her bed, hoping to get a bit more sleep, the bedroom door was pushed open.
Caroline Whitman knew who it was and figured he was just coming in to grab something, so she paid him no mind.
A moment later, a large, warm hand came to rest gently on her head, and a soft kiss landed on her forehead.
Caroline Whitman’s eyes flew open, just as his lips descended, pressing firmly against hers.
However, this time it didn’t last long.
Adrian Grant leaned over her, his finger tracing the line of her brow. "I have to go into the office for a bit. If you need anything, you can come find me or just give me a call."
Hearing this, Caroline Whitman let out an unexpected sigh of relief.
’She had just been wondering what the two of them were going to do at home all weekend.’
She blinked. "Are you working both days?"
"Not tomorrow."
"Oh."
"You sound a little disappointed. Were you hoping I’d work both days?" Adrian Grant asked, raising an eyebrow, having keenly picked up on her tone.
"..."
’How the heck did you figure that out?’
Caroline Whitman took the initiative to plant a kiss on his cheek and tried to say something sweet. "You’re overthinking it. I wish you could stay home and keep me company. I get so bored all by myself."
"Then should I switch to working online?"
"..."
Although he said it in a perfectly serious, business-like tone, Caroline Whitman could tell he was teasing her.
She pushed him away. "This is the time in your life for hard work. You shouldn’t let a small thing like this stop you from making money."
’She hadn’t forgotten that Adrian Grant and Vincent Fuller still had a business war to fight in the future.’
At this thought, Caroline Whitman suddenly shuddered.
’One is a cannon fodder sidekick, and the other is a villain who fights the protagonist to a draw in the business world. If we get together, does that mean -1 + 1 = 0?’
’Oh, crap.’
Caroline Whitman quickly sat up in bed. "Hurry up and go to work."
Adrian Grant: "..."