CHAPTER 18

Adela's Point of View

Archer merely shrugged off my comment about Primo and continued driving. We had left the resort, so there were more vehicles on the road now. I closed the window and focused my gaze straight ahead.

As Archer drove, I couldn't help but steal a quick glance at him. My heart raced faster, and I bit my lip while leaning my head against the headrest.

"Where's Margareth? Isn't she with you?" I asked, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere inside the car, which I felt might be one-sided.

Despite my hesitation, I mustered the courage to ask.

"She's busy with work," he replied, and I nodded, taking a deep breath in preparation for my next question.

"What does she do for work?" I asked curiously, still not turning to look at him.

"She works at her restaurant. She's a head chef," he answered, causing my eyes to widen.

That's so cool! Being a chef used to be my dream because I love food, but when I got into sports, I learned about dieting. I know how to cook some home-cooked meals, thanks to someone who worked on our farm. I used to hang out at their place a lot when I had no classes, playing with their kids.

"She's a very good cook," he added, and I glanced at him, noticing the smile on his lips. I gasped and quickly looked away.

I wasn't satisfied; my heart seemed to dislike what it was witnessing.

"Do you often eat at her restaurant?"

"Yup, I like their Japanese dishes. That's my favorite."

Huh? If he eats there often, doesn't that mean he rarely eats at his own family's restaurant, which is managed by Olivia's parents? Does that mean he doesn't dine at his own restaurant much?

"How about your family's restaurant? Do you eat there?" I asked, and he cast a sidelong glance at me.

"Yes, but not as often. I eat more at Margareth's restaurant. Why do you ask?"

I shook my head in response, adding a smile to make it more convincing.

"Okay."

My eyes wandered outside again and I noticed that the path we were taking seemed familiar, I just can't remember when I passed through here.

I blinked a few times as I saw where Archer parked, in front of the university where Primo goes!

Why are we here? I hope he didn't bring Primo, right? I'm avoiding Primo, it's complicated!

"Let's go, let's pick him up," he said, about to get out of the car when I grabbed his polo sleeves.

"What?" he asked, looking straight at me.

"Can't I just stay here?" I pleaded with a desperate face, but it didn't seem to work as he only raised an eyebrow.

"No, we need Primo, Adela. I need to know how much he's learned in his studies at this university."

I let out a sigh and reluctantly followed him. Ugh, why am I even coming along? What's the point if Archer just invited Primo to come with us?

I know Primo would agree since I can feel his passion for engineering.

I managed to get ahead of Archer slightly because I know Primo's schedule. I memorized it to avoid him. It's in the room that Olivia and I visited before.

Primo only has one class now, so he'll definitely join us because if I'm not mistaken, his class is already over. I don't know if I want Primo to be with us or not anymore, but who am I to decide? This is Archer's plan!

I don't want to be with him because I'm avoiding him, but I also want to be with him because I don't want it to be just Archer and me until later. We're not that close.

When we arrived in front of the room where Primo is now, they were just coming out.

But before I could step onto the concrete floor, I accidentally lost my balance due to a metal object that I didn't notice was blocking my path.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion as I felt the surroundings slow down, as if I was about to crash onto the rocky ground. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the pain because no matter what I do, I'm going to hit it. But I was shocked when my body didn't hit the rocks.

I suddenly felt someone holding my wrist and steadying me against something that I knew was a person's body.

I could feel my heart racing and I instinctively placed my hand on my chest, stopping when I saw the person in front of me.

His gaze was unwavering, his eyes serious, and from his expression, I could tell he was clenching his jaw. As I looked at him, he spoke, the person who saved me before I fell.

"Be careful!" he said in an angry whisper, but there was concern in his tone.

My gaze lingered on Primo, who was looking at us with an unsettling gaze and slowly walking towards us.

I broke my gaze with Primo and turned to Archer, who was helping me up.

"Sorry, I didn't notice. Thanks for helping!" I said, smiling. He looked at me with a furrowed brow and dark eyes.

I avoided his gaze because I couldn't handle looking at him for too long. He's freaking attractive! If I keep staring at him, my heart might explode from its rapid beating. Damn his arrows! It keeps hitting my bullseye, which is my heart.

'Be calm, Adela. This is going to be just fine. Calm. You inhale and then just exhale,' I told myself, hoping it would work.

I was nervous because Archer and I were so close, so I slowly started to move away from him.

"Are you okay?" Archer asked, and I swallowed hard, nodding. I couldn't look at him in the eyes.

I was startled when Primo arrived beside us.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly, causing my eyes to land on him. I noticed he was shifting his gaze between me and his older brother.

"We're going to grandfather's under-construction house. They said they need to check how much you know about building a house," Archer calmly replied.

"Why is she with you?" Primo asked coldly again, pointing at me, so I turned to look at him.

I couldn't look at either of them, and I didn't know who I felt more embarrassed in front of. Was it Archer, who helped me, or Primo, whom I might have done something inappropriate with?

I don't know! All I know is that if I can avoid looking at them, I will!

"Let her go with us," Archer said, causing me to swallow hard. I didn't know why I was included. Did he know about my course?

Maybe he knew, so he brought me along? What if he didn't? Why did he bring me? Just for fun?

I looked away and tried not to think about it any further.

Primo stared at me for a while before nodding to Archer, accepting that I was indeed coming along.

We walked out of Primo's university, and as we were finally outside, I was surprised when Primo grabbed my arm, causing me to stop walking. Archer quickly turned, facing me.

"I'm taking her. She'll ride with me, Archer," Primo said, his gaze icy as he stared at his older brother down.

My jaw dropped, and I was stunned. I didn't know how to react; I was afraid to react, to be honest. What is he taking me for? This guy just decided on his own, huh?

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