Chapter 6 Her Plans

Astrid

"Get her things from her home," Adrian said to the chauffeur once we'd arrived at his house. It was obvious Adrian was doing quite well, a huge contrast to the man I'd known five years ago.

His house was massive, the kind that felt too big for one person. Knowing Adrian, though, he probably lived alone.

"Should I be surprised you know where I live?" I asked, crossing my arms. My tone was dry, but I was genuinely curious. His brown eyes narrowed on me.

"No, you shouldn't," he replied curtly, turning away and heading up the wide front steps. The driver pulled out of the garage, leaving me alone to follow.

I took in the sight of the house as I trailed after him. Well, if I'd be staying here for a couple of months, I might as well start familiarizing myself with the place.

Adrian walked ahead, his strides confident and unhurried. My gaze drifted to his frame. His shoulders were broader than I remembered, his legs stronger. And his biceps? Hard to say, considering he was always in a suit. Still, his posture carried a certain strength now, one I hadn't noticed before.

"I can feel your eyes on me, Sunshine," he muttered without sparing me a glance.

I gritted my teeth. He knew exactly how much I hated that nickname. Just like calling him "Mr. Voss" irked him to no end.

Well, the name used to be flattering back then but now? It was annoying.

"Don't flatter yourself. There's nothing worth looking at," I shot back casually, turning my attention to the sitting room we were now passing. The random-colored sofas against the white walls struck me as an odd choice. Cold, expensive, and impersonal-just like him.

He nodded slightly, almost amused. "I see."

I looked away. I wasn't here to trade jabs with Adrian. This was strictly business. No matter how much he annoyed me, I had to stay focused.

I stopped, crossing my arms again. "What's the plan, Voss?" I asked, keeping my tone as professional as I could manage. "I'm not here to play house with you, so cut to the chase."

He turned to face me, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. Standing there, with his sharp jawline and piercing gaze, he looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. Not that I'd ever tell him that. He already knew.

A muscle ticked in his jaw as he finally answered. "We're leaving for New York tomorrow. Won't return for a few days."

I raised a brow, letting my arms drop to my sides. "We're leaving for New York? And when exactly were you planning to tell me this? Or were you going to wait until I found out at the airport?"

His lack of communication had always been a sore spot for me, and clearly, nothing had changed.

He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "Don't speak to me like that, Ms. Blythe."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then stop treating me like I'm just here to follow orders. This is a deal, Adrian. It goes both ways. Since I'm in, you let me in. And don't try springing surprises on me."

He stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, the corner of his mouth twitched. "Impressive," he muttered before turning and continuing down the hall.

I rolled my eyes but followed him. He led me upstairs and stopped in front of a door. "This is where you'll sleep during your stay," he said, gesturing to the door before glancing back at me.

I studied the hallway, noting the other two doors nearby. "And which one's yours?" I asked.

He ignored the question completely. "Three months and we get a divorce," he said flatly.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my frustration in check. Typical Adrian.

He turned to leave. "Garrett will bring your things. Prepare for the trip. You won't see me around much."

As he walked away, he glanced back once more. "And Ms. Blythe," he added, his tone clipped, "keep your hands off my things."

With that, he disappeared down the hall, leaving me fuming.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the room he'd pointed out. It was large, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an almost blinding amount of light. The bed was enormous, far too big for one person, and there were two doors. One likely led to the closet, the other to the bathroom.

The room was undeniably luxurious, but it felt cold and empty. It didn't look or smell like mine.

I sighed. Three months. That's how long I'd be stuck here. I could at least try to make the space feel a little more like home.

At least Adrian wouldn't be around much. That was the first decent thing he'd said to me all day. Without him hovering, I could focus on my plans.

I wandered deeper into the room, glancing at the corners and ceiling. If I knew Adrian, I wouldn't put it past him to install hidden cameras. The man had already proven he'd been keeping tabs on me. Knowing that he'd tracked where I lived? I wasn't sure whether to feel excited or... something else.

Adrian had always made things complicated. But that would change soon enough. Because when this was over, I'd be the one in control. And Adrian Voss wouldn't see it coming.