FORTIFIED

Chapter Twenty Two.

This chapter is dedicated to delouxeon. Because you are amazing.❤️

Adriel woke up the next day with a smile on her face. The bed was warm beneath her and she didn't want to get up.

Eventually, though, she sat up and yawned.

A blush crept up her cheeks when she realized that she was still in Alex's room— and she was sleeping in his bed.

She looked around for him but he was gone. She heard a knock on the door.

She told the person to come in.

It was Mercy.

"You're awake." Mercy said beaming at her.

There was a sly smile on Mercy's face when she saw Adriel sitted on Alex's bed.

Blushing wildly, Adriel quickly stood.

"It's not what you think. I have no idea when I slept off." She explained.

Mercy raised a hand up calming her— the teasing smile ever-present.

"Relax. I know you guys didn't do anything. I would know, I was in the other room." Mercy teased some more.

Adriel had turned red, and yes it was deep enough to see, even with her complexion.

Mercy laughed heartily. She sat on the chair next to Alex's desk.

"You should have seen Alex's face when I teased him too this morning. He was about ready to die of embarrassment."

Adriel smiled at the mental picture of Alex blushing. He must have looked like a tremendously ripe tomato.

"Where did he go?" Adriel asked.

"I don't know, but he left you a message." Mercy nodded at something behind her.

Adriel looked behind her.

It was a small note placed carefully under her pillow.

She pulled it out and read it.

Good morning Adriel, I hope you slept well.

I hadn't wanted to wake you, so I let you sleep. You still look so beautiful sleeping as always...

Adriel blushed deeply. She'd sometimes fallen asleep while he drove.

I'd slept on the couch partly because I didn't want to wake you and partly because I feared the slap I knew I'd sustain if you'd woken up and found me on the bed with you.

Adriel chuckled. She didn't doubt it.

I've gone back home, I need to see my Dad. He said something came up. It was urgent.

I'll be back tomorrow. I'll miss you every second I'm not with you.

-Alex

P.S. You giggle in your sleep but I find it adorable ;)

By the time she was done reading the note, she was grinning from ear to ear.

And Mercy's sly smiles weren't helping, at all.

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Mercy finally left the apartment later that morning. Adriel was so grateful she had people who cared so much in her life and Alex's.

Adriel debated about it for a while before finally deciding—she was going home.

It's been ages since she last saw her Mother and Father.