The Animal Inside

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Perfect Crime

I spent the next day planning every tiny detail. I just hoped that nothing went wrong. Paper covered the dining room table. I didn't notice time passing, until the door opened and Adrian walked in carrying a steaming plate of food.

"What's all this?" he asked, walking up to the table and looking at all the paper.

"Planning," I muttered.

"For what? Robbing a bank?"

"Close enough."

Adrian looked at me oddly.

"Are you planning your-?"

"Debut? Yeah."

"And what exactly are you planning to do?" Adrian asked.

"I'm planning to steal the Gallagher Diamond," I said, as if it were no big deal.

"Care to talk about the details?" Adrian said, offering his plate to me. It was a large steak and mashed potatoes, big enough for the two of us to share. I started to clear off some of the paper, piling it up on one end of the table. Adrian sat in the seat opposite me, his plate between us.

"Don't be silly. I'll get Ambrosia to make me another one."

"But I brought an extra set of cutlery," Adrian said, sounding slightly offended. I slowly slid into my seat as Adrian held out a knife and fork.

"And how did you know I was here?" I asked.

"I heard you talking to yourself. When I went down to the kitchen Ambrosia said you hadn't eaten all day. Now, eat."

Adrian slid the plate towards me. I took the knife and fork from Adrian and cut into the steak. It was medium rare- perfect. During the meal I avoided looking at Adrian, which was difficult to do since he was right in front of me. I kept my eyes on the plate.

"Why won't you look at me?" Adrian asked.

My gaze drifting up to Adrian's face. His eyes lacked their usual glint, and he had deep bags under his eyes.

"Sorry. Just got a lot on my mind," I said, my eyes darting down to the plate again.

"Care to share?" His voice was gentle.

"Promise you won't hate me?"

"I could never hate you."

"That's what I'm talking about. You started off so... distant from me. Wouldn't talk; I didn't even see you. After the date, and the... kiss, you've gone back to being that way. I thought that you'd want to spend time with me, but..."

"I've been working. I took that job with Mr Brice."

"I know," I said. Adrian looked at me, confused, so I continued. "I overheard your conversation with Kody the other day. Anyway, Kody has a job, but he still manages to spend an hour or so with me. Even if it's just breakfast he makes an effort."

"Kody has a job?"

"That fact that you didn't know that shows how much time you've been spending alone. It's like you don't even want to talk to me."

"Isn't that what I'm doing now?"

"But I see Kody almost every day. This is the first I've seen you in weeks."

"I'm sorry Kefira. I really am." Adrian looked sorry, and I was tempted to forgive him, but I just shook my head.

"An apology? That's all I get?"

Adrian looked confused.

"What did you expect?"

"Well, if I'm being perfectly honest, I kinda thought you'd get down on your knees and beg for my forgiveness, offering me a large bouquet of roses."