The Pretty Girl

Focus

It wasn't known to the public but to the privacy of her closest companions, Dantia and Kai...Adeline Carter Jones was off the market. Taken. She was a woman in a relationship. And she was very very happy about it. She was honestly surprised she was so happy being in one. Relationships were purely transactional most of her life. She only got into the ones she could get something out of.

It was how she was raised.

Never be with someone who can't elevate you. Never be with someone who can't afford you. Love can develop in time, but security and luxury are rare so grab on.

And for 30 years of her life she followed that mantra. It did her well she supposed. She got to high places and met a lot of people. She has a lavish life she earned. And she was supposed to find a partner who could fulfill it. But instead she found Kai. Whose salary was probably painfully low. Who could be the sweetest but also grumpiest person you'd meet. Who drove her insane. And who had probably helped her learn more about herself than anyone else.

But Adeline found out that it was fun to be normal and have feelings that were real. She wondered how different her life would be if she met Kai earlier. When she was younger. But it didn't matter now. She was finally getting the full experience. Well mostly full.

She and Kai kept their professional lives separate for the most part and then reconnected on their free time to spend as much time together as they could. Sneaking around behind her mother's back. Kai didn't explicitly tell his coworkers they were dating but Kai leaving on time or even early every few days left a lot of clues and they were impressed and intrigued. Kai was always only at this shop. He worked ungodly hours and stayed over time most of the time usually. So these abrupt changes and plans he was busy with must be with someone.

And who else could it be besides Adeline Carter Jones. The woman they witnessed him making out with at work. Something he vowed he would never ever do.

But he seemed to be making a lot of exceptions lately.

Their dates have ranged from drive thrus, to ice cream again getting Adeline to try new flavors. They even went to a drive in together. It was more isolating than a theater. So they got to cuddle and be in each others company. Kai showed her so many new things and was so patient with her.

The days of dating him seemed to blur together. It was hard remembering what she was like and what her life was like before this. She was truly a miserable woman. But now she had to admit she was having a good time discovering that there is so much more to herself than she thought.

But she still had her own personal obstacles. Interfering from her truly getting to know herself.

Such as now.

She currently sat across from her mother who chirped and chirped with excitement about Adeline and her successes and how she was a perfect choice for a bride. As if she was being auctioned. And she listened to Darian drone on and on in agreeement. Neither one of them actually talking to her. Just about her.

When she first arrived Adeline smiled shaking Darians hand but he pulled her in for a gentle kiss on the cheek. Amelie was nearly beaming with pride. Adeline was internally shriveling with disgust.

The bright whiteness of the brunch place nearly blinding her especially because the guests herself included all wore white. It was just a custom here. Brunch with billionaires she supposed. They made small talk and Darian complimented her looks over and over again. Amelie was charmed but Adeline was not. She was tired of the same compliments she's been hearing from him for the past year.