22 A Peck?
Adam couldn't help but gulp looking at her lips so closely. He wanted to steal a peck from her, just a tiny peck. 'It won't do her any harm. Will it?' He thought to himself.
'But it's wrong Adam. It's so damn wrong.' He was struggling with himself internally. Their lips were mere inches apart. He could've kissed her just by leaning in a bit more.
Adam looked at her once more and retracted back his hand which was next to Stella's head on the window, supporting his weight.
He settled in the driver's seat again and took deep breaths to calm down his erratic heart.
"One day, I will be rightfully claiming you, little lady. Sooner or later." He murmured under his breath looking once again at the girl next to him.
After calming himself down, he decided to wake the little elf who was sleeping soundly.
"Stella?" He said softly but got no response from her.
"Stella?" He said again, bit louder this time tapping her shoulder lightly.
"Huh?" She woke up with a startle, looking at her surroundings.
"Wakey wakey, little elf." Adam said, giving her a wide smile.
Stella almost smacked him on the shoulder but managed to stop her hand before it landed on his shoulder.
"Who are you calling an elf?" She retorted.
"Do you see someone else in the car?" He gave her a devilish smile. "And I can't be the elf between us. Can I?"
"Yeah, yeah! Go ahead and make fun of my height." She pouted.
"Hey, relax. I won't make fun of your height, at least not for now." He said with a wink.
"By the way, I didn't know that you are one of those people who snore while sleeping. You don't look like one though." He added.
"What are you talking about? I don't snore at all." Her brows furrowed.
"How do you know?" He asked her.
"I know that I don't." She replied with assurance.
"And how do you exactly know that?" He asked her again with a smirk.
"I just know. Okay?" She replied.
Adam looked at her with his right eyebrow raised. "You sure?" He asked once again, making Stella fall deep in thoughts.
"Hey!" Adam knocked on her forehead bringing her out of her thoughts. "Why don't you try recording yourself tonight while you sleep? Isn't that a good idea?"
"Shut up."
"We'll decide whether or not you snore while sleeping, some other time. It's already late, go up and sleep." He said, his voice filled with gentleness that was reserved specially for her.
It was only then that Stella realized that they were outside her apartment's building. "Alright. You too."
Stella stepped out of the car, turned back, "Good night and thank you for dinner."
"It's no biggie. You should head upstairs now. And since it's the weekend, don't work, just relax and enjoy." Adam reminded her.
"Okay, and you too." She replied and headed upstairs.
Adam watched her disappearing back and drove down the road, heading to his house.
When Adam arrived it was already midnight. He couldn't help but stretch his body, heaving out a tired sigh. He headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower. After returning back to his room, he dropped down on his bed and drifted off to his dreamland.
Next day, Adam woke up late. He freshened up and headed downstairs.
"Good morning Uncle Rob." He greeted the old butler with a faint smile on his face.
"Good morning Young Master." The old butler replied politely.
After breakfast, Adam stood up and headed upstairs but he was stopped by the old butler.
"Young Master, I would like to have a word with you if you have some free time." He asked Adam politely.
"Sure, I always have time for you. How many times have I told you that?" Adam replied with a smile on his face. They headed to the back garden and sat down on the bench.
Uncle Rob had worked for decades for the Levinsons. He had known the child since his birth. He had seen him growing up before his eyes. He couldn't help but worry for the young man. He was already old and didn't have much time left. He was worried that after him his Young Master would be all alone in this house.
"It's time that you find yourself a lady, Young Master. I am so sorry for speaking out of my place but I am afraid that I won't be able to live long enough to always be by your side. I don't want to leave you alone here." He spoke up looking in the distance.
"What are you talking about? What place are you talking about? Other than Dad, you were the only family I have known growing up all these years. You have every right to say anything to me." Adam was angered by how he looked down at himself.
"And you will live a long life. Don't you dare say otherwise." Adam scolded him as if he was reprimanding a child making the old man smile.
"And don't you worry about my marriage. It will happen sooner or later. I will introduce you to her someday in the coming future." He added with a big grin on his face.
The old butler was shocked by his answer. "It means you have found someone?" He couldn't help but ask Adam.
"You can say that." Adam replied. "Now you can relax and don't have to bother about me anymore."
The old butler patted his head lovingly and headed inside leaving his Young Master alone.
Adam looked into the distance and smiled to himself. "I have finally found someone." He said but this time with more assurance.
