Chapter 5 HIS FORMIDABLE AURA

Gina gulped at the dark look the guy was giving her, and even though she didn't know what she had done wrong, her head dropped in guilt and she lowered herself on the chair which the butler had drawn out for her.

The butler served her the food, his eyes darting between his young master and the pitiful lady. And he sympathized with both of them for falling into this kind of situation. He could never understand what the patriarch was thinking. Thinking back to the boy's grandparents, he sighed.

Gina ate her food in silence, not daring to look up at the guy. Something was disturbing about the way he looked at her, it was as if his gaze could bore through her.

Her fingers tightened on the spoon to prevent them from shaking as a bad premonition built up in her chest.

Adrian had also started eating the food which had almost turned cold.

His gaze would fall now and then on the girl who had barely touched her food. He frowned when he heard her sniff.

"What is it?"

His voice was cold without any trace of warmth.

Gina's head snapped up and she quickly shook her head with widened eyes. "N... Nothing."

Lost in her thoughts, she had almost given herself away. Even if she wanted to cry, she wouldn't want to do it in his presence. Who knew what he might do?

She stood up carefully, not daring to make a sound. "I... I'm full... Thank you for the food".

"Who said you can leave." His voice stopped her and Gina gripped on her cloth, swallowed deeply, and sat back down.

The Butler, noticing the grim atmosphere in the room, quickly made an excuse and left. 'So much for a first wedding night' He shook his head, and hoped the poor girl could bear with it. Seems like he had underestimated the moods of his young Master. However, it was partly not the boy's fault.

Gina bit her lips after she had finished all the food on the plate. His attention was now on his phone as he had long finished eating.

She looked down and fiddled with her hands, hoping he could give her permission to leave. A few minutes passed by and the ringing sound of a phone sounded in the dining area.

Adrian glanced at the caller's name and answered the call.

"I'm not back."

"No, don't go there."

"You'll be lonely."

"You don't have to wait."

Gina could hear a girl's whining voice from the other end. And when she sneaked a peek at him as he was engrossed in the phone call, his expression was calm and his tone had a warmth to it.

Adrian caught her staring and she quickly looked away. He frowned, still on the phone, and stood up with his back facing her.

"Alright, take care." He hung up, shoved the phone in his pocket, and left for the stairs.

Gina stood up behind him and followed. Her footsteps were slowed, as she admired the paintings again.

She was once again hypnotized and didn't know when he stopped until she bumped into his back.

A gasp escaped her lips and she staggered back. Afraid that she might fall, Gina quickly grabbed onto something to steady herself.

It was after finding her footing, did she realize what she was holding on to and her eyes widened.

Adrian's expression turned darker and he yanked her hands off. "Regina Carlson, so eager to get everything started aren't we?

His voice had a mocking turn to it and Gina who had managed to grip the railing after being shoved away looked up at him in confusion.

" W... What do you mean?" She inquired apprehensively.

Adrian tilted his head, sizing her up again. An amused glint flashed through his eyes, and he stepped forward.

"W... What are you doing?" Gina panicked, her back hitting the wall.

"Well, playing hard to get right?" Adrian chuckled and rested his palms on the wall, caging her in between.

Gina frantically shook her head and shut her eyes tightly. "I--I don't know w... what you're talking about. Isn't this supposed to be contract marriage? Why are you doing this?" Her voice shook and all the facade she had been trying so hard to put up, instantly faded.

Gina could only bite her lips to suppress her sobs as her tears had already started falling.

Fear was not enough to describe what she was feeling. She had been trying so hard to convince herself that she could do this. All the pretense she had been putting up could not help the apprehension that kept increasing in her heart.

This guy was dangerous, she could feel it. And she wondered again why it had to be her. After experiencing a tremendous heartache in the past, when Greg had left her, she had thought that her heart was immune to any kind of pain and she could put up with this. "Let me go... Please".