19. The Deal
"It's not just you.... There's one more person who thinks like that but doesn't realize it."
Benjamin turned to Adrian and he could only gaped seeing Adrian smiling at Nadine.
"But Benjamin's is still the best."
Benjamin saw the change in Adrian's face that became a little annoyed. Marie chuckled at the change in Adrian's expression.
"Ehmmm Nadine... Adrian was looking around to buy this cheesecake."
Benjamin felt a cold sweat begin to appear as Adrian glared at him.
"Mmm hmm..."
Nadine didn't listen to Benjamin's explanation at all. Adrian then approached Nadine who was still enjoying her cake.
"I think it's the same as Benjamin's."
Nadine looked at Adrian and waved her hand to ask Adrian to lower his head.
"Adrian, come here let me show you something."
Nadine then cut a bit of the cake and did the unexpected thing.
"Say aaa..."
Nadine smiled mischievously when she saw Adrian doing what she said.
"Aa... Mhhm... Nadine!"
Nadine fed a small piece of cheesecake that she ate to Adrian. Benjamin mouth openly wide seeing that lovey dovey view.
"Benjamin... Shut your mouth."
Marie chuckled and warned Benjamin, who gaped again seeing that husband and wife, flirting in front of him.
"Taste it? It's different, right?"
Adrian couldn't help but eat the cake that Nadine had forcefully fed into his mouth.
"Hmm... Yes you're right."
Adrian answered briefly and seemed to admit that Nadine's opinion was right.
"But it's also delicious... Since you've taken the time to look for it."
Nadine looked at Adrian who was still standing beside her.
"Thank you Adrian."
Adrian was again surprised when Nadine thanked him with a big smile on her face.
"Could you guys not flirt in front of us.... And remember that there are two more people in this room?"
Benjamin smiled irritably at Nadine and Adrian. But Marie seemed to really enjoy the scene in front of her.
"Huh? Who?"
Adrian, who didn't feel that he was flirting, looked confused by Benjamin's statement. Meanwhile, Nadine clearly looked so embarrassed because she seemed to realize that she had unconsciously fed her husband.
"Ehem... You need to have your eyes checked, Benjamin."
Nadine answered briefly while controlling her emotion again and continuing her snack time.
"It's you guys that need to lecture to be a normal couple."
Benjamin's mutter made Adrian and Nadine turn to him.
"Huh! Say what, Benjamin?"
Simultaneously they asked Benjamin which made Marie just shake her head.
"Nah... It's okay...."
Benjamin sighed then glanced at Marie who was still smiling faintly as she watched Nadine finish her cake.
"I almost forgot."
Again everyone turned to Benjamin who was looking for something.
"Thanks for the souvenir Nadine. It's way better than a little box of chocolate from Adrian."
Nadine laughed at that especially when Benjamin pouted.
"No problem."
Nadine answered Benjamin briefly and returned to enjoying the atmosphere in the room. Adrian and Benjamin are again debating the souvenirs, while Marie tries to calm the two grown men who are fighting like children in front of her.
Although it sounded very noisy Nadine enjoyed it, she felt not alone and felt like she was in the midst of a family.
But then Nadine remembered again that she shouldn't feel comfortable in that place because it would waver her determination again.
She stood up from her desk and took her bag. Then she approached Marie and her sudden move managed to get Adrian and Benjamin to stop arguing.
"Marie.... I have to go home now. It Looks like I've been here too long. You should rest too."
Marie smiled faintly at Nadine and held her hand.
"When you're free. Come here often..."
Nadine smiled and nodded.
"You can take Anna."
Nadine then laughed when she heard Benjamin's request.
"I will try."
Benjamin looked very happy and he jumped for joy. Then she headed to the door, escorted by Benjamin and Adrian.
Even when she came out, Adrian was still following her and made Nadine feel strange.
"Adrian... You don't have to walk me out of the hospital. I already know the exit door."
Adrian was a little confused by Nadine's words. Adrian was even more confused when Nadine called Jim.
"Hello... Sorry Jim for making you wait so long. I'm done."
Nadine was about to hang up the phone but Adrian hastily asked.
"Why did you call Jim?"
This time Nadine looks really confused by Adrian's attitude.
"Adrian... I was going home so I called Jim to pick me up. I hav-..."
Nadine wanted to continue her words but then she seemed to know why Adrian followed her out.
"Oh... You want to come home with me?"
Adrian innocently nodded and it made Nadine chuckle.
"Ha ha... You're so kind today Adrian...."
Adrian still didn't understand. Nadine then calls Jim again and asks him not to pick her up because she will go home with Adrian.
"You know... You buy me a cake, take me home. Aren't you afraid I'll obsess over you?"
Adrian was a little surprised and tried to calmly answer Nadine's question.
"I just wanted to thank you for helping me pick out the souvenirs. And for buying a souvenir for aunty and Benjamin as well."
Nadine smiled with a hint of disappointment on her face.
"I know that... I was just kidding... Let's go home, I'm tired."
Nadine walked ahead of Adrian as if she didn't want to hear his explanation anymore.
***
"I thought you weren't in the office today."
Adrian's sudden question made Nadine a little surprised because of the quiet atmosphere in the car.
"Oh... I have to take care of something."
This question also reminded her of Henry's request.
"Adrian... I met my father earlier."
Adrian did not immediately respond to Nadine.
"He's looking for a new assistant for next month. Because his old assistant is retiring."
Adrian still doesn't know where the conversation is going and is still silent.
"He wanted to know if you'd be willing to be father's new assistant."
Adrian suddenly stopped the car then pulled it over to talk to Nadine.
"Nadine..."
Adrian, who was still shocked, immediately turned to Nadine. She was clearly nervous to hear Adrian's answer.
"Wait..... I didn't actually ask for this. Father offered it himself. And I couldn't refuse."
Of course Nadine was lying, she could have refused it but she wanted that access. And his father would only give it if Adrian wanted to work with him.
Adrian took a deep breath and thought for a moment.
"Haaah... You know I've only been my father's assistant while at the resort. I don't have a high profile for Mr. Henry to choose as his assistant. Are you sure your father asked himself?"
Nadine nodded quickly.
"You can ask him by yourself if you want."
Without giving detail, Nadine convinces Adrian to accept her father's offer.
"Actually aunty also asked me about my plans."
Nadine seriously listened to his words because Adrian was willing to open up to him.
"My focus is to find work or investors for the resort. I want to open the resort again soon."
Seeing Adrian who was confused while holding the steering wheel tightly, Nadine smiled faintly.
"You can do both. Accept father's offer, make as many relationships with father's business partners and show off your skills. If you perform well I'm sure they will put their trust in you."
Nadine paused for a moment and patted Adrian on the shoulder gently.
"Yeah... That's just if you want it, Adrian. Think it's a good opportunity. I'll be waiting for your answer for a month."
Adrian looked a little calm and he smirked a little.
"You have absolute confidence in my abilities."
Nadine just replied with a smile.
"Of course I know my husband's abilities."
Adrian chuckled, hearing Nadine's confidence. Of course she knows Adrian's abilities because in her previous life she made Adrian her representative in the company. Even though her father strongly opposed her decision.
Nadine did that to tie Adrian to stay close to her. Her jealousy and possessiveness ruined her work rhythm. Many projects were delayed and canceled because she preferred to focus on following or spying on Adrian's movement.
And in the end, it was Adrian who finished the delayed project with the help of Anna.
"I know you have the capability for it. Believe in yourself."
Adrian smirked again, still not believing Nadine's words.
"Please think about it."
Seeing Nadine's sincerity in persuading him, Adrian smiled.
"Okay, okay..... I'll think about it. I'll give you an answer in 2 or 3 days. I'll talk to aunty first."
Nadine's eyes immediately lit up and joy began to appear on her face.
"Thank you... I'll tell my father."
Adrian chuckled seeing Nadine's excitement.
"Shouldn't I, the one that is happy? Why are you the one who seems so happy."
Nadine immediately looked at Adrian and was confused about what to answer.
"Maybe because I was able to complete my father's task to persuade you."
Adrian just shook his head and started his car back to their house.
***
"Hello?"
Nadine, who was getting ready to sleep, was seen calling someone.
"Ah, sorry for calling you so late."
Nadine couldn't wait to tell her father about her success.
"You didn't call to tell me that you've failed to convince him right?"
Nadine smirked at her father's question.
"Father, I think I managed to persuade him. You should prepare the documents that I need. I don't think it will take long for him to get a big project."