Chapter 13: First Meeting
Chapter 13: First Meeting
"Your mother is doing better, Miss Allen. We need to work on her muscles, including her heart. She hasn't been using her body due to the coma, and she has lost a lot of strength."
"It was fortunate that she had medical help immediately after experiencing a heart attack. It did not cause any damage to her brain."
"It's important to get her moving. We will start with simple occupational therapy."
"Next week, we can move your mother to a private room. Mister King had already requested two caregivers to attend to your mother twenty-four hours a day."
Riley stood by Renee's hospital bed, listening to three doctors.
Over the past few days, three specialists have visited Riley's mother. The doctors were the best in their field, and Riley couldn't be more thankful to Adrian for bringing them in.
Both Riley and Renee were cared for at The King's Medical Center. Everywhere Riley went, the staff always smiled at her or asked if she needed anything. Whenever nurses or doctors checked on Renee, they were overly polite. Of course, Zia was her regular visitor in the ICU.
"Do you have any questions for us, Miss Allen?" Doctor Nakamura asked.
"No, no." Riley smiled. "You've done wonderful to help my mother. Thank you."
"It is our pleasure to help," Doctor Mandara said.
When all the doctors left, Riley talked to Renee. She eagerly said, "Mom, did you hear that? You are going to get better. When you can walk. We can travel the world!"
"I want - talk - Brian," Renee insisted.
Riley shook her head. She answered, "No, he and his lover are like a deadly disease. It's best to stay away from them. There is nothing more to talk about. I have already signed the divorce papers."
In her effort to introduce Adrian, she said, "Soon, I'll meet someone better."
'I hope he is better,' Riley mused, thinking about Adrian.
Renee's brown eyes stared at Riley woefully. They were brimming with tears. Her voice was soft as she asked, "You sure?"
Riley embraced her mother and said, "I'm certain, Mom. You are all I need. I love you. So, let's not talk about Brian anymore, please."
With a sigh of surrender, Renee responded weakly, "Okay. I'm sorry. Love you."
"I love you too, Mom," Riley responded.
In the evening, Adrian came to fetch her. He no longer entered the ICU, but that was fine. Riley has yet to inform her mother about Adrian and their marriage plans. Moreover, Renee was fast asleep.
Soon, Riley was inside Adrian's car. Like always, Clint was driving, and they were in the backseat. Riley smiled at Adrian and asked, "Which restaurant are we going to?"
She had gotten used to having late-night dinners with Adrian in the past few nights. She assumed it was all the same that day.
"Home," Adrian responded, surprising Riley.
"Home?" Riley raised a brow, questioning him.
Adrian's gray eyes stared at her intently, and he said in his deep voice, "Today is the day that you are going to live with me, Remember? We will get your luggage first, and then we can have dinner at my house."
"Oh." Riley's lips rounded. She turned to Clint and remembered how it was a Sunday!
"Are your bags ready?" Adrian asked.
"Yes!" Riley made a face and admitted, "Well, not entirely, but it won't take long."
At the thought of living with Adrian, Riley's heart skipped a beat. She asked silently, 'Am I really ready for this?'
However, looking at Adrian, there was no malice in his eyes. Riley threw away those doubts and immediately scolded herself, 'Adrian has good intentions. He has been helping you, Riley!'
Riley took an hour to finish packing. With an additional travel time on the road, they arrived at Adrian's villa at eleven.
When Riley exited the car, her mouth fell to the ground. The villa was huge and modernly designed. Sadly, she did not have time to appreciate its exterior because a maid came rushing to them and greeted, Good evening, Miss. Mister King. Dinner is ready."
While Clint left for his place, Adrian and Riley entered the spacious villa and the dining room, where they had a late dinner. As they enjoyed the
savory dishes, Adrian discusseset
name
business. He said, "Think of a good name for the jewelry company that we start together. Consider making new designs while you accompany your mother in the hospital."
"I have left some sketchbooks for you in your room," Adrian added.
"You are really going to do that?" Riley asked. "Make a jewelry company?"
Adrian nodded and said, "Yes, remember, this is part of my plan. You will impress my grandfather with your designs."This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.
"Okay." Riley smiled and responded, "Thank you, Adrian."
"I'll think of a name," Riley assured him. She happily ate the chicken on her plate before she suggested, "How about Adriley? Or Adley."
Riley chuckled and explained, "It's a combination of our names. I mean, we will technically be business partners, right?"
It was truly a miracle to see Adrian King form a smile, no matter how faint, and yet Riley witnessed it from across the table. Adrian said, "I like Adley." "Adley, it is. Adley and Co.," Riley confirmed. They ate in silence next, but their smiles were evident.
Soon, Riley recounted, "You know, I remember how we met. You were -" She paused and bit her lip before saying, "You were a snob towards me." Adrian cleared his throat. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and answered, "I had bad experiences with women. It was my defense mechanism." "How?" Riley asked while chuckling. "Explain, please."
"The girls in college were coquettish and self-absorbed," Adrian responded. "You, on the other hand, were defiant."
At the way Adrian described her, Riley burst into laughter. It was her first time to laugh heartily after many months.
Her eyes watered due to amusement, and she answered, "Because you were being unreasonable, so I retorted by putting you in your proper place!" ### FLASHBACK ###
Seven years ago at Halliport University.
"Riley Allen and Adrian King, the two of you will work on a marketing plan for a jewelry company," the teacher said before moving on to the next pair of students.
Riley was always looking forward to
meeting new people. She didn't belong to the wealthy, so she didn't know Adrian King. Having been paired with him in a marketing class, she casually approached him and extended her hand, saying, "Hi, I'm Riley Allen! I look forward to working with you."
Sadly for Riley, Adrian narrowed his eyes at her and declared, "Like all the others. Sorry, but I work alone. I don't like people capitalizing on my ideas."
Adrian walked past Riley, bumping into her shoulder.
Riley was shocked by his response. She stood still for a moment before mumbling, "Really? You think you are so great? Watch me!"
She let Adrian be, but the following week, she blew everyone away with her presentation. Riley walked in like a goddess and greeted the class, "Welcome to Riley Allen's Jewelry, and I dare you to dazzle differently!"