Chapter 5

Her grandmother’s hand squeezed hers gently, cutting her off. “You two look good together,” she murmured before closing her eyes briefly to rest.

Adrian stood awkwardly at the foot of the bed, unsure of what to say. Grace turned to him, her face flushed. “She’s mistaken,” she said quickly.

“It’s okay,” Adrian said, holding up a hand. “This isn’t the time to worry about misunderstandings.”

The doctor entered the room, his expression grim. “Miss Grace, we’ve stabilized her for now, but her condition is critical. She’ll need an extended treatment plan, and unfortunately, the costs”

He hesitated, clearly uncomfortable delivering the news.

“How much?” Grace asked her voice firm despite the fear in her eyes.

The doctor handed her a sheet of paper with the breakdown of the expenses. Grace’s eyes widened as she read it. The amount was astronomical far beyond what her overtime shifts at the café could cover.

She sank into the chair beside her grandmother’s bed, her hands trembling. “I don’t know how I’m going to manage this,” she whispered.

Adrian stepped closer, his brow furrowed. He glanced at the paper in her hands, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him. He didn’t have the means to help, not anymore. But he couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

“We’ll figure it out,” Adrian said, his voice steady.

Grace looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “How? I don’t have anyone to turn to, and I can’t lose her, Adrian. She’s all I have.”

Adrian knelt beside her, his expression earnest. “You’ve been there for me when no one else was. Let me help you now.”

The two sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Then, Grace wiped her eyes and squared her shoulders.

“I’ll pick up more shifts,” she said, her voice resolute. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Adrian shook his head. “That’s not enough. "We need something faster, something bigger,” Adrian said.

Grace was still lost in thoughts wondering how her life would turn out if things didn't work out.

He thought back to his own skills, the knowledge he had gained from years in the business world. He might not have money, but he had ideas and connections, even if most of them had turned their backs on him.

“What if we started a fundraiser?” Adrian suggested. “We could reach out to people in the community, explain the situation, and ask for support.”

Grace looked skeptical. “Do you really think that will work?”

“It’s worth a try,” Adrian said. “We could use social media, local businesses and anything available to get the word out.”

Grace hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it. But we’ll have to move fast.”

Adrian gave her a reassuring smile. “Fast is my specialty.”

That night, back at Grace’s apartment, they began their plan. Grace shared her grandmother’s story, and Adrian helped craft a compelling message to share online.

As they worked side by side, Grace couldn’t help but notice the determination in Adrian’s eyes. He was a man used to winning, and even in the face of his own struggles, he was putting his all into helping her.

For the first time in days, Grace felt a glimmer of hope.

And for Adrian, it was the first time in his life that he felt like he was fighting for something that truly mattered.

Adrian needed more skills and Grace taught him what she was mostly used to, that's baking.

Adrian sat in the tiny kitchen of Grace's apartment, staring at the tray of freshly baked cookies cooling on the counter. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his hands were dusted with flour. He leaned back in his chair, exhaustion etched on his face but also a faint glimmer of pride.

Grace stood beside him, tying her apron as she inspected his work. “Not bad,” she said with a small smile. “For someone who didn’t even know how to crack an egg a week ago.”

Adrian chuckled softly. “I had good guidance. Plus, I guess I’m not completely useless.”

Grace shook her head, her expression softening. “Don’t say that. Everyone stumbles. What matters is getting back up.”

Grace had been teaching Adrian how to bake in her limited free time. It wasn’t a long-term solution, but it was a start. With her modest salary already stretched thin, selling homemade snacks was one of the few ways they could earn a little extra money.

For Adrian, it was a humbling experience. He’d gone from living in luxury to kneading dough and piping frosting. Yet, oddly enough, he didn’t mind. There was something grounding about creating something with his hands and seeing people enjoy it.

Grace, meanwhile, found herself growing increasingly impressed with Adrian’s determination. Despite his clumsiness in the kitchen, he never gave up. He worked late into the night, practicing until his cookies and cakes were passable.

One evening, as they packed the day’s batch into small plastic bags for Grace to sell at the café, Adrian paused and looked at Grace.

“Why did you drop out of school?” he asked gently.

Grace stiffened slightly but then shrugged. “Money,” she said simply. “I was studying software engineering, but when my grandmother got sick, I had to choose. School wasn’t as important as taking care of her.”

Adrian nodded, understanding the sacrifice. “Do you ever think about going back?”

“All the time,” Grace admitted. “But right now, it’s not realistic. There’s too much going on, and my grandmother needs me.”

Adrian fell silent for a moment, then said, “One day, when things are better, you’ll go back. You’re smart and determined. I can see it.”

Grace glanced at him, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Thanks,” she murmured.

The next day, Adrian decided to take things into his own hands. While Grace was at work, he experimented with a new recipe she’d shown him. His goal was to create a signature snack that could stand out. After several failed attempts and a lot of burnt cookies he finally managed to produce a batch of small, buttery pastries filled with a simple chocolate center.

When Grace returned that evening, she found Adrian proudly holding up a tray of the pastries. “Taste these,” he said, grinning.

Grace took one, biting into it hesitantly. Her eyes widened. “Adrian, this is really good! haven't tasted something like this before".

“Really?” Adrian asked, his grin growing wider.

Grace nodded. “If we can sell these, we might actually make enough to help with the bills.”

The next morning, Grace brought the pastries to the café, offering them alongside the usual baked goods. To her delight, customers loved them. Word spread quickly, and soon people were coming in just to buy “Adrian’s pastries.”

Despite the small success, Adrian knew this was only a temporary solution. They needed something more sustainable, something that could truly turn their situation around.

Adrian sat at the small table in the kitchen of Grace's apartment, wiping flour from his hands onto a towel. The scent of freshly baked goods lingered in the air, and although he was still adjusting to his new reality, a small part of him had begun to appreciate the simple pleasures that came with it.

He had gotten used to the hum of the oven and the sound of the mixer whirring in the background. For once, the world outside seemed quieter, more manageable. But it wasn't long before the familiar chime of his phone echoed in the small room, snapping him out of his thoughts.

A new email.

Adrian rarely checked his inbox these days. Since being disowned by his father and the collapse of his family’s business empire, business emails had stopped coming. His life had spiraled into uncertainty, and the last thing he expected was for a new job offer to land in his inbox. He hadn’t been actively seeking work, he didn’t think anyone would want to hire someone like him after everything that had happened.

Still, curiosity got the best of him. He opened the email, half-expecting it to be spam. But when he saw the sender, his heart skipped a beat.

The email was from a reputable brand management agency that had recently risen to prominence. It wasn’t just any job offer, it was a serious opportunity. The email detailed a potential role for him as a brand strategist, leveraging his previous experience in corporate management, something that had been stripped from him when his father cut him off. It mentioned a competitive salary, benefits, and most importantly, the chance to rebuild his career.

Adrian stared at the screen for a long moment, disbelief swirling in his chest. Could this really be happening? Was it possible that someone was willing to take a chance on him after everything?

He quickly read through the details again, his mind racing. The agency was offering him an interview tomorrow. The position was part-time to start, with the potential for full-time based on performance. It was a step back from the corporate world he once dominated, but it was a start.

That evening, after Grace returned from work, Greg hesitated for a moment before telling her about the email.

“Grace,” he said, his voice more tentative than he wanted it to be. “I got an email today.”

Grace looked up, setting down her bag. “What about?”

“It’s a job offer,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Brand management. A company wants to interview me tomorrow.”

Grace’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s amazing, Adrian!” she exclaimed. “Are you going to go?”

He nodded, still processing the weight of the situation. “Yeah, I think I am. I mean, I don’t know if they’ll even give me a chance. But it’s the first real opportunity I’ve had since well, since everything fell apart.”

Grace smiled warmly, walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. “You have a lot to offer. You just need to believe in yourself again.”

Adrian’s heart swelled at her words. He hadn’t expected anyone to say something like that to him, not after everything. But Grace had always been there for him no matter what.

“I’ll try,” he said quietly.

The next day, Adrian dressed carefully in his only suit hoping it would give him the confidence he needed. He had barely used the suit in recent years, and it felt stiff and unfamiliar, like a piece of his past life that no longer fit him. But today, he had to hold onto that past for just a moment, to believe that he could step back into the world of business.

Grace wished him luck as he left the apartment, offering a small but heartfelt smile. “You’ve got this.”

Adrian wasn’t sure if he believed her, but he appreciated the sentiment. As he made his way to the agency’s office, he tried to push aside his doubts. This was his chance, and he wasn’t going to let it slip by.

Greg stepped into the office, feeling a tinge of hope in his chest. He'd been through a whirlwind of emotions in the past few days, but today, this job interview felt like it could be his chance to start over. As he walked into the conference room, he was greeted by a man sitting at the head of a polished wooden table.

"Adrian Williams, I presume?" the man said, standing up to shake his hand.

"Yes, that's me," Adrian replied, trying to muster some confidence despite the nerves swirling inside.

"Please, take a seat," the man gestured, and Adrian settled into the chair across from him. The room was sleek and modern, the kind of setting Greg had once been accustomed to. But now, it felt almost foreign like a place he no longer belonged.

The man introduced himself as Richard Morgan, the CEO of the agency. He was sharp-looking, with neatly combed hair and an expression that held both authority and curiosity. There was something almost intimidating about him, but Adrian held his composure as he sat across from him.

"So, Adrian," Richard began, flipping open the file in front of him. "I’ve been reading through your resume and your background. I’ll be honest with you, we don't normally take people with a reputation as tangled as yours. The business world moves fast, and people forget quickly, but in your case, the damage has been widespread."

Adrian felt his stomach tighten. He had heard those words before, “Your reputation is ruined” But hearing it again, especially from someone in a position like Richard’s, made it hit harder.

“I understand,” Adrian said quietly, trying not to let his frustration show. “But I’m here because I believe I can still contribute. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m ready to work hard to rebuild, no matter what it takes.”

Richard leaned back in his chair, watching Adrian carefully. There was a long pause before he spoke again, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

“I’m not concerned with what you’ve done in the past, Adrian,” Richard said. “In fact, I know everything about it, how you were disowned by your family, how your business empire crumbled. Your name has become synonymous with scandal. But I also know that you’re capable. You have skills that could be useful.”

Adrian blinked, caught off guard. “You know all that?”

Richard nodded. “I know more than you think. And that's why I’m offering you a different kind of opportunity."

Adrian’s mind raced. Was this the twist he’d been waiting for? Was there any way he could prove himself?

“I’m listening,” Adrian said, trying to steady his breath.

Richard’s gaze sharpened. “I’m offering you a job. But it’s not going to be what you expect.”

Adrian furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Richard continued, “I have a son, let’s just say he's not quite ready for the kind of responsibility that comes with managing a company or even doing real work. He's got the name, the connections, but none of the skill or work ethic to back it up. That's where you come in.”

Adrian felt a knot form in his chest. Was this some kind of setup? Was Richard offering him a chance to work only as a shadow, to work behind the scenes without ever getting the credit? It sounded like something he might expect from someone trying to keep their hands clean.

"I don't understand," Adrian said, trying to wrap his mind around the offer.

Richard leaned forward, his voice cold and direct. "You’ll do the work, Adrian. All of it. But the credit will go to my son. We can’t afford the scandal of bringing in someone with your name. But we also can't afford to ignore your talent. You will work as his assistant, his shadow, and he will take all the credit for your contributions. The pay will be better than most people would offer you but the catch is clear, no one will know it’s your work. Your name will remain in the shadows."

Adrian’s heart pounded. He’d never thought he would be put in a position like this, but the reality was clear. It was either this or continue to struggle, alone and forgotten by the world.

"And if I don’t accept?" Adrian asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Richard’s eyes were hard as steel. "You’ll be out of a job, and any chance of rebuilding your career will vanish. No one will take you seriously after everything that’s happened. But if you take this job, you can start fresh. Slowly, quietly. You’ll have time to redeem yourself without the pressures of the public eye or your family’s legacy hanging over you."

Adrian sat back in his chair, his mind spinning. He had hoped for a second chance, but this wasn’t what he had imagined. Was he really willing to work behind the scenes, to build someone else’s future while his own remained in the shadows?