“I don’t think so,” Adrian shook his head. “I have just recently come here to settle in Stratford.”“Oh, well,” her grandpa smiled at Adrian and then added, “I hope you like it around here then. If you have any issue, don’t hesitate to tell our employee relation manager. He will help you.”Adrian nodded at him, releasing the old man’s hand.From the corner of her eyes, Liz noticed Xander about to say something. She quickly threw him a stern look before sneakily shaking her head at him.Until she’d figure out what Adrian was up to, she’d have to hide Adrian’s real identity from her grandpa. The fewer people who knew about Adrian’s real identity, the better it would be for Liz. She wouldn’t have to worry about her grandpa finding the truth from a stranger.So far, only her grandma and Xander knew who Adrian was.It didn’t take long before Liz was back into her office.She needed to complete an important presentation which was due for the next morning. She would have to present their lat
“To the hospital…? Why…?” Xander frowned at her. He seemed confused. “Are you not feeling well?”“I will tell you on the way there.” Liz briskly stood up, grabbing her purse and her car keys. “Can we head out first?”Xander hesitated at first but then, shrugged in indifference. “I guess, yeah!”Liz didn’t need to be told twice. She was already making her way out of her office, her pace difficult for Xander to match with that he kept lagging behind.When they reached the underground parking slot, Liz’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She faked a short laugh when she caught Xander making a face at her. “I got it, just give me a second.”Xander shook his head in exasperation before snatching the car keys from her shaky hands. “I don’t think you can drive in this state and I won’t even allow you to drive. Let me drive it,” he didn’t wait for Liz’s response and got into the driver’s seat.When Liz kept standing right in the spot he’d left her, he snapped his fingers to get her out of her froz
Liz Walters explained everything she’d been experiencing lately ever since she’d found out she was pregnant, all the pregnancy symptoms and cravings.The female doctor, Dr. Kelly, smiled once Liz was done explaining everything. “Those are pretty normal. There’s nothing worrying about that.” She said reassuringly.“But I’m unable to eat nowadays. Won’t that affect the child?” Liz pressed a hand over the small swell of her stomach.“That’s why I’ll be giving you some vitamins and supplements. Also, your next follow-up appointment will be scheduled for next week.” She gestured at the little piece of paper on which she’d prescribed some medicines for Liz. “One last thing, I need to check on your little one.”Liz frowned at her. “How…?”“I will perform a sonography. Do you see that screen over there?” Dr. Kelly pointed at the small machine which looked like those old televisions from the 19th century.Liz turned to look back at her before nodding.“You will be able to see your child on tha
Adrian Moore stood inside Liz’s house waiting for her to make it pass the doorway. Shame burned up the back of his neck. He’d never let anyone fight his battles for him, and he wasn’t about to start now. He’d deal with her scolding one more time like he had for the past few weeks.He’d been so determined that he hadn’t stopped pestering her and he would do it until she would agree to give him a second chance. He’d even moved-in to his new apartment from the extended-stay hotel where he’d been living when he’d finally found one closest to Liz’s house.He didn’t care what people or what their neighbours would say when they would see him constantly waiting outside her house.One day, Liz was so fed up with his persistent visits that she gave him a spare key to her house so that their nosy neighbours who seemed more interested to know what was going on between them than worry about their own houses.And unlike the way she’d been treating him before, her attitude toward him was slowly gett
Adrian Moore’s answer was silent but unmistakable.Grabbing Liz around the waist, he spun and set her on the island, parking himself between her legs. He tugged her ass forward so she hovered on the counter’s edge. She’d have to choose to trust him not to let her fall, and he wanted that trust – needed it bad.Her legs wrapped around his waist and she arched her back, leaning toward him. The wanton movement slid her core over the ridge of his erection.Adrian thrust forward. Her leggings stretched and pulled against the strain of his arousal and created an erotic temptation he couldn’t ignore.The lush curves of her hips fit his hands as if she’d been made for him and him alone.He pulled her forward, encouraging her through heated kisses and wordless instruction to ride the hard ridge of his erection until every caress dragged a small sound of hunger from his throat or a purr of approval from her chest.Liz leaned back, whipped her blouse over her head and unhooked her bra. Nipples b
When Adrian didn’t respond, Liz placed her hands on his waist, his chiseled abs tightening at her touch. “Ticklish?”“You’ll never get me to admit it.” He stated, sounding so confident of himself.Biting her lower lip, she dug her fingers into his sides.He shouted and danced out of her way, the towel slipping as low as it could around his hips without falling off. “You’re not playing nice, Liz. I’ll retaliate.”Palms out, she held out her hands in the universal sign for stop. “Okay! I have to go at the office and get a few things down tomorrow afternoon, and then I also have a little employee gathering afterwards. But after that, I will be free.”He ran a hand around the back of his neck and pulled hard enough that his muscles shook under the strain. Taking in a deep breath, he looked at her. “Employee gathering, huh…? Must be a big deal, afternoon tea break with the staffs…why am I not invited to this gathering?”She considered him, taking in the tight lines around his eyes and the
Liz Walters was always on time. She liked schedules. Ever since she joined the company, she did well with agendas and plans and structure.Today, though, there were so many stops and starts, usually involving tender kisses and less-than-innocent touches that it took them forever to get out of his apartment.She couldn’t have cared less. Every touch made it worth the hours it took them to get to her car and head toward the waterfront. It seemed like he was so far away from her regular world, she didn’t even think about restraining herself around him or the big presentation in just a few days.But one thing kept her from being herself completely – the anxiousness eating at her for hiding about her pregnancy from him. She feared she might blurt out something regarding it.It seemed like you are struggling to keep this truth from him, her conscience whispered as though taunting her.Frowning, she rubbed her forehead. It wasn’t that. It wasn’t…One part of her wanted to come clean with Adr
Liz Walters shook her head gently and pulled away just far enough so she could meet his stare. “You paid that guy to say that to me, didn’t you? It was all an act, and this is part of your plan to ruin me, using classic movie references to break down my defenses.”“I wish I could claim I’d done that because it would have been brilliant.” He shook his head at her as he took her hand and lifted her fingers to his lips for a quick, gentle kiss. “Unfortunately, it was a coincidence.”Impulse drove her to lean in and take his mouth in a quick kiss. “You’re a devious man, Adrian Moore.”“You have no idea.” He winked at her.A smile tugged at Liz’s lips but she hid it away from him.Side by side, they started up the stairs. Halfway up the second flight, the soft, sweet scent of cooking pastry hit her. By the time they reached the second-floor landing, the area was infused with the smells of baking and chocolate and strong coffee.A vintage door with an oval glass pane and oval brass doorknob
Liz Walters stared at him for a minute. “I believe you, I… was just mad when I learnt that you didn’t care to tell me about that solution you’d come up with,” she managed. “So you’re really here to stay?”“For good… the only travelling I intend to do is to visit my family back home and that too, with you and our babies tagging along with me.”Liz found herself smiling at his words.Adrian has a brother? The thought struck her mind. “Wait, you have a brother?”He met her eyes and then nodded. “Asher is my little brother. He just graduated college and has obtained a high level of knowledge and skill when it comes to business and finance. I believe he’d take good care of the company.”“He definitely will. After all he’s the brother of Adrian Moore.” She said with pride.Adrian slowly shook his head at her. “Don’t be so proud of me. Last time, you said I’d be back in no time after solving that issue with the investors. It took me a week to sort it out. The wait damn near killed me.”“If y
Adrian Moore shoved his hands into his pockets and bounced his shoulders up and down a little. The night was drawing in, so, it was chilly and damp. “I guess I’ll see you guys soon.”Anna smiled at her brother. “I’ll see you. Take good care of my sister-in-law.” She warned him with her eyes narrowed down into slits. “Otherwise…” She left that hanging for her brother to imagine the pretty images by himself.Adrian raised his hands up in surrender. “I get it! There’s no need for you to get so threatening.”“Yeah, I really hope I won’t have to get physical with you the next time I see you. Liz has my number so be careful!” She said with a nonchalant shrug.Adrian simply rolled his eyes at his sister.“This is what I get to deal with every day.” James quietly complained as he gave Adrian a nudge.“Did you say something?” Anna asked James with a murderous glare.James quickly shook his head from side to side. “I said nothing!”“Good! No one wants to hear your ugly voice.” Anna crossed her
Adrian Moore placed his hand on their office door, ready to push it wide open when James held his shoulder to stop him.“Wait! If we walk in like that, it would be a sign of disrespect.” James warned him.“But I want to have this problem solved as soon as possible.” Adrian turned to look at him with an impatient look on his face.“I know but,” James gave him a sympathetic look.Before they could start an argument of their own, the door was swung open from the inside and standing right in front of them, was one of the investors, Mr. Williams.“Excuse me; can I help you with something?” The old man gave him a long, cold unfriendly stare.“Is it really necessary to remind you why we’re here? Well, in case you forgot our meeting yesterday…” Adrian trailed off when James threw him a pointed look.‘What?’ Adrian pursed his lips at him.‘We’re here to solve the issue, not to aggravate the situation.’ James made sure he got his words across his moody and snappy best-friend – the same best-fri
Liz Walters watched as her grandpa nodded his head, a knowing look on his face.She narrowed her eyes a trifle at him and nudge him with her elbow, “Grandpa?”Mr. Walters snapped out of his reverie and turned to look at Liz. “Yes…”“Is there anything you aren’t telling me?” She asked him, her frown deepening.“Actually, I’ve had a talk with Adrian about this matter.” The old man revealed after some hesitation as though he wasn’t so sure whether he should be telling her about this or not. “Grandpa, I told you not to discuss this with him –”He held his right hand up to stop her. “I know but I had to talk to him. And we came up with a solution.” He said calmly and reassuringly.“Solution…? What is it?” She asked as she folded her arms across her chest.He opened his mouth to tell her about it when he decided otherwise. “I think it would be better if Adrian tells you about it himself.”“Why won’t you tell me?” Liz was annoyed and a bit frustrated that her own grandpa was keeping stuffs
Adrian Moore walked through his office, navigating cubicles, stopping here and there to exchange a word of encouragement and sometimes a laugh, with his employees. By now, everyone at the company learnt about the mishap with the investors.Unlike his father, none of his employees blamed him for it. They believed it was entirely the investors’ fault for overreacting.His company, the same company his father had founded on dollar bills and a dream, was on the cusp of a huge deal – the same deal he’d messed up – well those investors messed up because of their weird problem with video conference calls.After securing the rights to develop the resort on Lake Washington in a battle with Dwayne Jameson, an established developer, that had, at times, been brutal, they were waiting for the approval of the environmental engineer’s plan.More importantly, they were waiting for the investors to agree to fund the plan. That was the last thing left to do. If only Adrian hadn’t found out that they wo
Liz Walters’s mood had definitely lifted once Adrian had showed her around his house. “You should be thankful that bitch left.” She mumbled under her breath.“Woah, chill out on the crude words,” Adrian held out a hand at her as though to shush her. “Our babies are listening to you.”Liz simply rolled her eyes at him.“You look exhausted.” His eyebrows furrowed as he studied her face.“Yeah,” she said, her voice low, toneless.“I found the mole at work. It’s the guy from my team who prints our documents and everything. Aaron was supposed to be the most trustworthy person in my department. I gave him the responsibility of taking care of our confidential papers but…” she trailed off, deep in thought.“But you managed to save your first project from getting sabotaged.” He pointed out. “I’ve said this to you before and I’ll say it again. You’re too good at your job to let anyone become an obstruction for you,” he said.Liz’s eyes lit up in admiration and contentment as she smiled at the m
Adrian Moore stood up in surprise. He didn’t want to ignore Liz but he was too shocked to say anything. “What are you doing in my house? How did you get inside?” He asked the woman who’d frozen in place like a deer caught in headlights.“She’s at your place? What is she doing over there, Adrian?” Liz questioned him, sounding suspicious all of a sudden and… hurt.Fuck no!He was torn in between questioning Jocelyn and answering Liz’s questions. What the fuck did he get himself caught into?“Wait a second, Liz.” Adrian held out a finger as he looked at Jocelyn, seemingly troubled.“What is she doing at your place, Adrian?” Liz demanded.“Baby, listen to me,” he turned his back on Jocelyn to have some privacy. “Do you trust me?”“Adrian –”“Liz, do you trust me?” He asked with more urgency.There was a moment of silence before Liz whispered, “Yes, I do.”“Let me handle this thing,” he said disdainfully as he threw Jocelyn a disgusted look. “– then, I’ll call you back.”“Promise…?” Liz as
Adrian Moore sensed rather than saw his father come into his office.He felt a tension, a kind of palpability, as he heard the door close quietly beside him and he just knew it was him. He didn’t turn around.He continued swirling his pen around in his fingers as he read through the file he had been reading except that he wasn’t reading it no more.He glanced over briefly to see where his father was and saw him standing right in front of his table, one hand in his pocket while the other one was fisted tightly.“Busy…?” He asked.“Yeah…” He hadn’t intended to sound so gruff, but he knew he had. It wasn’t really because of his father.It was the worrying thoughts running through his mind. He still hasn’t decided on a way to negotiate with those investors and knowing his father, he wouldn’t take long before asking him about it. He wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped straight to the point.His father looked at him, his face filled with suppressed anger. “What have you thought? I need those
Adrian Moore pulled the car right in front of Liz’s house and shut off the engine.He thought it would be best if Liz would stay at her grandparents’ house while he was away. As long as she wasn’t all by herself at their house and staying here with her grandparents, he would be less worried about her and their babies.It was already half past six and he had to catch his flight to New York at exactly eight o’clock.He didn’t think much about having to cover the two hours journey to the airport in one hour and a half. As long as he was able to spend some more time with Liz, he didn’t mind that at all.Turning to his right, he looked at Liz.She was nervously fidgeting with her fingers until he’d had her gazes locked with his. They found themselves staring at one another for a moment.Adrian wished time would stop right there just so he could stay here with her forever but…“I’ll see you soon,” one corner of his mouth fluttered up.“Don’t take too long,” she teased, leaning in to give hi