The following days were filled with stolen moments and soft glances, unspoken words that lingered in the air whenever Adrien and Isabelle were together. The tension between them had shifted—no longer the hesitant back-and-forth of uncertain attraction, but a magnetic pull that neither could resist.
Adrien found himself craving her presence like never before. He would sneak away from his responsibilities whenever he could, just to spend time with Isabelle in her tiny apartment. It didn’t matter that she didn’t have a grand studio, or that her space was cluttered with unfinished paintings and art supplies—there was a warmth in her world that drew him in, a sense of authenticity that he couldn’t find anywhere else.
Isabelle, too, was falling deeper into this unexpected connection. She had always been cautious when it came to love, careful not to let her emotions get the best of her. But with Adrien, it was different. There was a vulnerability about him, hidden beneath his polished exterior, that made her want to know more. And yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there were still pieces of his life he was keeping from her.
One afternoon, as they sat together on her worn-out couch, the sunlight filtering through the windows, Adrien reached for Isabelle’s hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.
“You’ve been quiet today,” he said softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.
Isabelle looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. “I’ve just been thinking… about how different things are with you.”
“Different, how?” Adrien asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Isabelle hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. “I don’t know,” she said finally. “It’s like… when I’m with you, everything else just fades away. The worries, the stress—it all disappears. I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”
Adrien smiled at her, his heart swelling with affection. He knew exactly what she meant. Being with Isabelle made him feel like he could escape the pressures of his life, even if only for a little while. But there was a heaviness in the back of his mind, a reminder that his life wasn’t as simple as he wished it could be.
“I feel the same way,” he admitted, squeezing her hand gently. “But I need you to know that… my life isn’t easy, Isabelle. There are things I haven’t told you, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Isabelle’s heart skipped a beat. She had sensed that Adrien was holding something back, but hearing him acknowledge it made the reality of their situation hit a little harder. Still, she wasn’t ready to pull away from him—not yet.
“I’m not asking for easy,” she said quietly, her eyes searching his. “I just want you to be honest with me.”
Adrien sighed, leaning back against the couch. He knew he couldn’t keep hiding the truth from her forever, but he wasn’t ready to reveal everything just yet. There was still too much at stake—his engagement to Sophie, his family’s expectations, the life he had been carefully building. He couldn’t risk losing it all, not when things with Isabelle were still so fragile.
“I will,” he promised, his voice soft but firm. “Just… give me time.”
Isabelle nodded, though a part of her still felt uneasy. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he would open up to her when the time was right. But for now, all she could do was wait.
The silence between them stretched on for a moment before Adrien leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. It was a kiss filled with unspoken promises and unexpressed feelings, and as Isabelle melted into him, she knew that despite the uncertainties, she was falling for him—hard.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, content in the quiet comfort of their connection. But as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the apartment, Adrien’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, interrupting the moment.
Isabelle pulled back slightly, watching as Adrien glanced at the screen. His expression darkened, and without saying a word, he stood up, pacing across the room as he answered the call.
“Hello?” Adrien’s voice was tense, his back turned to Isabelle as he spoke.
She couldn’t hear the words on the other end, but she could tell from his tone that it wasn’t a casual conversation. Whoever was on the other line had triggered something in him—an anger, or perhaps frustration—that he was struggling to contain.
Isabelle sat quietly, her heart pounding in her chest as she listened to the muffled sounds of his conversation. She didn’t want to pry, but it was hard not to wonder who was on the other end of that call, and what they were saying to make Adrien react this way.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adrien ended the call and turned to face her. His expression was tight, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
“I have to go,” he said abruptly, grabbing his coat from the back of the chair.
“Is everything okay?” Isabelle asked, concern lacing her voice.
Adrien hesitated for a moment, his jaw clenched. “It’s just… something I need to take care of,” he said, not meeting her gaze. “I’ll call you later, I promise.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before rushing out the door, leaving Isabelle sitting alone in the fading light of the evening, her mind swirling with questions.
Who had called him? And what was Adrien hiding from her?
YOU ARE READING
PARISIAN HEARTS
Lãng mạnUnder the shimmering lights of Paris, Isabelle, a struggling artist, is drawn into a world she never imagined. When she meets Adrien, a powerful businessman with a guarded heart, their lives become intertwined in a dance of passion and longing. As t...
