Chapter 96

As the sleek black sedan rolled to a slow stop in front of the administrative building, Ashleigh shifted uneasily in her seat. Her fingers clutched her bag a little tighter as she caught sight of students bustling past. She wasn't sure which made her more uncomfortable: the imposing car she'd arrived in or the man beside her who had refused to leave her side since the other night. Adrian sat calm and collected, his expression unreadable as he reviewed documents with Mr. Turner seated in front. The two men discussed what seemed to be logistics campus security for her as if it were just another business transaction. Ashleigh gave him a sidelong glance, her jaw tightening. Although she had some reservations, everything about this moment still felt surreal to her. She wasn't just coming to college like she stormed out the mansion two months ago, she was returning with Adrian by her side, and under his protection…. no matter how overwhelming it was at the moment. She turned her face toward the window again, trying to ignore the rapid thud in her chest. Just as she was about to retreat further into her thoughts, a sudden tug on her arm yanked her sideways, and she found herself landing right against Adrian's chest. 'Adrian!" she hissed, her palm pressing against her heart to still its erratic beats. 'What are you doing?" He didn't answer right away. Instead, his arms remained around her lightly, his breath warm against her temple. When she finally looked up, their eyes met, and she froze. It was the same look…. That same smoldering intensity from the two days before when they kissed, when everything between them shifted. His voice dropped to a whisper, laced with teasing. 'Why so startled, hmm? Weren't you just sulking a minute ago because I wasn't paying attention to you?" His fingers brushed against her cheek with a touch too tender to be dismissed, and a small, knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. 'I'm finished now. So you don't have to feel lonely anymore." The boldness in his voice sparked something in her; a flush formed on her cheeks as she glared at him and she pushed herself off him swiftly, adjusting her clothes with an indignant flick of her wrist. 'Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Cagliari," she said with exaggerated calm. 'I wasn't lonely. I was annoyed." She turned to face the front, rolling her eyes for emphasis. 'You're far too involved in my business. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself, you know." Adrian's smirk faltered as he adjusted his cuffs, his voice suddenly sharper. 'This isn't about capability, Ashleigh. This is about safety. And whether you like it or not, it's not up for discussion anymore." 'Besides, with your track record, it's best I don't take any chances with you." Her mouth parted in protest. 'Dragging me around like this won't stop the gossip." Adrian leaned closer, voice calm but certain. 'Let them talk. Soon, they'll move on." He gently turned her face to him. 'You just need to wait for me outside while I handle a quick meeting. She wanted to argue, but the seriousness in his gaze rooted her to silence. A storm brewed behind his calm facade and it wasn't one she was ready to step into. The driver opened the door, breaking the tension. Mr. Turner exited first, followed by Adrian who turned to offer his hand. Ashleigh hesitated… then took it. ******************* Outside, the afternoon sun greeted them with a warm brilliance, and the sounds of cars with students chattering surrounded her as Ashleigh and Adrian stepped out of the building. The meeting seemed to go on forever. When he came out he walked swiftly, pulling her along and ignoring the calls of the people who rushed out of the room. One thing was sure, the meeting did not go well. Ashleigh opened her mouth to ask, but her gaze caught two figures by the car, and she froze. 'No way," she breathed. Dressed corporately were Tristan and Jake, her former colleagues from work. They looked much more serious than they usually did whilst at work, in excitement she rushed up to them 'Wait, what? You two….what are you doing here?" Ashleigh asked, mouth agape but they shared uneasy glances. 'Fiona and James said you guys resigned suddenly then went off the radar, no one knew why you left." she kept on rambling, but they looked past her to Adrian who stood behind her. 'We're reporting for duty, Mr. Cagliari." It was only then it hit her like a ton of bricks, that the conversation Adrian was having about her security was actually them. She turned slowly to Adrian who stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her, then back to them. 'Y-you guys are my bodyguards?" she stuttered slightly, gasping as they nodded calmly, avoiding her eyes. She walked up to Adrian. 'You fired them from the company to become my bodyguards?." Adrian, moved closer to her with a faint smile, 'No, they were your bodyguards when they joined the company…. you were not there anymore, so there's no reason for them to continue there as well." Ashleigh blinked, unsure whether strangling him would work. 'So these were the people following me all this time?" Adrian nodded. 'Yes… but now they will not follow you in secret, but openly." Ashleigh groaned and rubbed her face. 'This is insane. Having my former coworkers tail me is already awkward. But in public? Really?" 'I'm afraid I can't compromise on this," Adrian said, stepping forward. 'Come on. I'll explain." With an exasperated huff, she allowed herself to be guided back to the car. Tristan and Jake opened the doors with formal bows, and Ashleigh gave them a sheepish, awkward nod before climbing in. ****************** By the time they got to the hostel, Ashleigh fully understood what went down in the meeting earlier, and she now understood the reason for Adrian's insistence. The meeting earlier had been a disaster. Despite Adrian providing the school board with a detailed list of suspects related to her case, the administrative staff and committee refused to act claiming it could damage certain relationships which had been maintained for years. Even their former promise of providing justice and posting it on the website didn't matter now. Worse, one of the suspects had sent a lawyer to threaten her with a defamation lawsuit unless she settled the matter amicably. Ashleigh's blood boiled at the thought of those people still being on campus, protected by the College. Did these people matter more than her reputation which was damaged? Adrian's jaw was tense, his silence razor-sharp…. She knew he won't be backing down anytime soon, but she needed to soften him so he could agree with her request. 'I get it, Adrian," she said gently. 'You're doing what you think is best." She stepped in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. 'But this might do more harm than good." He didn't respond, so she pressed on. 'Think about it. Classes, labs… these guys following me around will only draw more attention. People will think I'm fragile. That I can't handle myself." She gave a soft sigh. 'And… they're guys. Are they going to follow me into the ladies' room too?" His brow twitched. She hid a smile. 'Do you want them to see me in that condition?" He remained still for a moment, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. 'Besides," she added, 'I'm not weak, Adrian. And if I act like I'm scared, that's how they'll treat me." Finally, Adrian turned to her. 'You're trying to change my mind," he said quietly. 'And you almost did." Ashleigh blinked. 'Almost?" 'I won't agree, unless you meet one condition." Her brows lifted. 'What condition?" He moved forward, arms circling her waist. His eyes traced her features slowly, causing her heart rate to pick up once again. His eyes dropped to her lips, and his fingers traced them slightly, stained by the tint of the lip gloss on her lips. 'You know how I like to be appeased."