Stolen by Fate

Chapter 10: More Than I Expected

Chapter 10: More Than I Expected

A couple of days passed, and everything between Adrian and me had changed—yet somehow, it felt natural. We moved around each other like we'd been doing this for years, slipping into a rhythm that made me forget how things used to be. I wasn't sure what to call what we had, but it was more than anything I could've imagined.

But then, out of nowhere, my body decided to throw me a curveball.

I woke up that morning with a familiar ache in my stomach. My period had arrived, uninvited and right on time. Groaning, I rolled over in Adrian's bed, the sheets feeling too heavy and my body too sore. It had been such a peaceful few days, and now this.

I went to the bathroom to check, and sure enough, it was there. I rummaged through my stuff, but of course, I was out of pads. Great.

I knew I had to tell Adrian. We were in this strange place now where it felt okay to ask him for things, but still, asking him to go out and buy period supplies wasn't exactly what I had imagined our next conversation would be.

I found him in the kitchen, making coffee, looking so casual and calm. I took a deep breath. "Adrian... I need to tell you something."

He looked up, his brows knitting together in concern. "What's wrong, Ma?" His voice was soft, already on alert as if he could sense something was off.

I shuffled awkwardly on my feet, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "I, um... I got my period, and I don't have any pads left."

For a second, he just blinked, then a slow understanding dawned on his face. "Oh, okay," he said, nodding like this was no big deal at all. "No problem. I can run out and grab some for you."

I stared at him, caught off guard by how unfazed he was. "Really?"

"Of course," he said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Pads, right? Anything else you need while I'm out?"

I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Some chocolate wouldn't hurt."

Adrian grinned, walking over and brushing a gentle kiss against my forehead. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry about a thing, Ma."

While he was gone, I sank back into bed, feeling a weird mix of relief and embarrassment. I wasn't sure how Adrian had made something so awkward feel so easy, but somehow he had. I didn't expect him to be so... understanding.

A little while later, he came back, carrying a couple of bags. "Got what you needed," he said, placing the pads on the bed beside me, then pulling out a stash of snacks. "And I may have gone a little overboard on the chocolate."

I laughed, genuinely touched by how thoughtful he was. "Thank you. Really."

He smiled that warm smile of his and handed me the snacks. "You want anything else? Maybe a bath?"

I paused, surprised by how well he seemed to know what I needed. "Actually, yeah... A bath would be perfect."

Adrian didn't waste any time. He went straight to the bathroom, and soon I heard the sound of water running. I leaned back against the pillows, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. This wasn't what I expected—being cared for like this, not just physically but emotionally, too.

A few minutes later, he came back, offering his hand to help me out of bed. "Bath's ready, Ma."

When I stepped into the bathroom, I was greeted by the sight of a perfectly drawn bath, the water steaming gently, with bubbles floating on the surface. It smelled amazing—lavender and something else soothing. Adrian had even lit a candle, the soft glow adding a cozy warmth to the room.

"You didn't have to do all this," I murmured, touched.

Adrian shrugged, leaning against the doorway. "I wanted to. You deserve it."

I smiled at him, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest as I slid into the water. The warmth of the bath instantly soothed the ache in my body, and I let out a contented sigh. Adrian lingered in the doorway for a moment, watching me with that soft look in his eyes before he finally left to give me some privacy.

When I finished the bath, I slipped into the pajamas Adrian had laid out for me—his shirt and a pair of soft shorts. By the time I made it back to the living room, he was sitting on the couch, scrolling through movie options on the TV.

"Feel better?" he asked, patting the space beside him.

I nodded, settling in next to him. "Much better."

He pulled a blanket over me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we both sank into the cushions. We didn't say much for the rest of the evening, just enjoying the movie and the comfort of being close to each other. I leaned into him, the warmth of his body against mine lulling me into a peaceful state.

By the time the credits rolled, I was half-asleep, my head resting against his chest. Adrian gently nudged me awake. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

For the first time, I didn't head back to the room I'd been staying in. Instead, Adrian led me to his room, the same one where everything between us had changed. I didn't question it. I just followed him, crawling under the covers beside him.

As we lay there in the dark, I felt his arm wrap around me, pulling me close, his breath warm against my neck. "Goodnight, Ma," he whispered, his voice soft, full of care.

I closed my eyes, smiling into the pillow. "Goodnight, Adrian."

For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at peace. Wrapped in his arms, I felt safe, cared for, and, strangely enough, loved. I didn't know what this was between us, but for now, I didn't need to. I just wanted to enjoy it.