All Novel JR
Chapter 111
No sooner had the echo of his words faded, than the sound of rain intensified, heralding a deluge that made their umbrella quiver above them.
Rainwater traced a path down Matilda’s drenched forehead, dripping off her delicate nose, With a pale face, she gazed at the man who had just appeared before her.
Sensing the escalating storm, he tilted the umbrella more over her, letting the rain assault him instead. NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
As the rain beat down on him, she glanced once more at the figure before her, drenched by the downpour, resembling a fleeting apparition from a surreal dream.
Adrian had been holding the umbrella for a while, now thoroughly soaked on one side. He stared at Matilda for a moment before breaking into a grin, his striking eyes gleaming with beauty, almost deserving the label ‘exquisite.”
He asked, “What are you doing out here in the rain? Looking for misery? Acting as if someone would actually miss you if you were gone.”
It seemed that pain had a limit, and this kind of taunt didn’t even register anymore. Matilda managed a wry smile in response. “Yeah, as if anyone would care.”
Adrian clicked his tongue and then, with a hand on her shoulder, nudged her forward, while using his other hand to push open the door of a café.
The light from inside shone through like a hole scorched in the night, casting a warm, yellow glow across Matilda’s face. It was only then that she realized he had led her into the café.
The place was empty, which made sense–few people would venture out for coffee in such weather.
Adrian stood by the door, closing his umbrella to stow it in a stand, then hung up his coat and casually picked up a remote control to turn on the heating.
It dawned on Matilda as she watched his movements. “You’re this coffee shop’s”
“Owner.” Adrian filled in the missing word, then rolled up his shirt sleeves before approaching Matilda. His gaze briefly flickered over her, noting her drenched clothes that clung to her body, accentuating her curves.
Without a word, Adrian fetched a men’s shirt from the back and laid it on the counter. “There’s a restroom straight ahead and to the left.”
Implying that was where she could change.
Matilda glanced at the shirt and murmured a thank you. She took the shirt and stepped into the
restroom.
___ __fa ha lot hir 370 fall away
chuckling with a hint of intrigue.
When Matilda emerged, her face still ashen, Adrian skillfully prepared a mocha, creating a design on top. “Here, on the house.”
“Thank you,” Matilda said again, her voice soft. The warmth of the coffee started to revive her spirits slightly. She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by the situation- rushing out in the middle of the night and finding herself in a stranger’s café were mortifying.
“No need for thanks,” Adrian replied with a roguish smile. “But if you’re offering yourself in exchange, I wouldn’t mind.”
He smirked at her. “Funny coincidence, no one was scheduled for the night shift, so I came to check on the place. What brought you out in this mess?”
Matilda looked at Adrian’s refined face, murmuring softly. “You run this place all by yourself?”
What was the heir of the Simpson family doing opening a quaint, anonymous coffee shop?
“Just bored, I guess.” Adrian brought out a box of pudding, then sat down across from Matilda. Despite the raging storm outside, the café exuded a cozy atmosphere.
The hum of the air conditioner filled the space with warmth, and as Matilda sipped her coffee. her mood began to settle. Reflecting on her earlier suicidal thoughts, she couldn’t help but let out a self– deprecating chuckle.