Page 56 of Care: Part 1

Adrik's brows pulled together as he watched her pace up and down the room.

"I do not understand," he told her.

She finally stopped her pacing and turned to look at Adrik.

Avelina walked up to him and plopped down on top of his piano. "I could lose my license, Adrik. My job is important to me. You're important to me, too. I just- ugh! This is all so confusing.”

Adrik only watched her as he tried to grasp an understanding of her. "You will not lose your license because Anton would never tell anyone anything unless I tell him to. He is a very trustworthy and loyal man. I know because he has been a brother-figure in my life for as long as I have known him.”

Her shoulders dropped as she registered his words. He was right. Anton didn't seem like the kind of guy to go gossiping about the latest drama. He kept to himself.

"Okay, I trust you,” she whispered before continuing, “Sadly, I have to go, but I want to hear you play Für Elise when I get back.”

He nodded his head in response and braced for the kiss she left at the corner of his lips. "Bye, Adrik."

Before he could respond, she walked out of the piano room and exited the house.

Anton was waiting for her right beside the passenger side door. She gave him an awkward smile as he opened the door for Avelina to get in.

Anton then walked around the car and got into the driver’s side before racing off down the road. Avelina was quick to notice the cars that followed behind them--probably the others hired to guard her.

"How many people are guarding me tonight?" She asked him to fill the awkward silence.

His eyes remained on the road as the sound of the engine purring vibrated from underneath them.

"You will have two men and two women in the restaurant with you posing as couples. Each of them will be seated two tables away from your own, so smile at them if you need immediate assistance. Then, you will have me and three others guarding the front and back entrances at all times. Last but not least, there will be two more who will watch Johnathan's every move. Mr. Zolotov made it noticeably clear for me to make sure that we protect you, Miss Santos."

Avelina found comfort in his words. It also made her happy to know how much Adrik would do to make sure she was okay. "Thank you, Anton, for everything. I truly appreciate all that you've done for not only me but Adrik as well.”

He glanced over at her, a bright smile on his face before turning back to the road. "It is my pleasure. Mr. Zolotov has done a lot for my family and me. I owe him my life.”

She looked down at her lap as she thought about how great of a person Adrik was. He was kinder than people made him out to be.

Avelina could remember the first day she got the job to be Adrik's caregiver. Johnathan made him out to be some sort of monster when, in reality, he was far from that. He talked about how people on the spectrum were so emotionless, but he lied. Adrik was full of emotions. He probably cared more than anyone in the world. It just goes to show how misinformation could damage an image.

Avelina was so lost in the depth of her thoughts that she didn't even notice when they pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

The moment he switched the car off, Anton smiled at her in reassurance. Avelina had to make it seem like she came to the restaurant in a taxicab.

From the moment she walked into the restaurant, she was met with classical music, which immediately reminded her of Adrik. Everyone was dressed elegantly, and the restaurant screamed out 'wealthy.’

A man who stood at the podium smiled at Avelina.

"Avelina Santos, the beautiful lady joining Mr. Miller tonight?"

Avelina didn't even get a word in before he walked around the podium and led her to the restaurant’s back area. The farther they were away from the gathering of others, the more Avelina's heart seemed to drop in a pit of nervousness.

Then, she saw the back of Johnathan's head. The second he heard them walking towards him, he stood up from his seat and pulled back Avelina's chair for her to sit. She vocalized her appreciation of his courtesy before she sat down.

When they were both seated, the waiter sent a kind smile their way. "I will be back to take your orders."

"Okay, so tell me," Avelina said the second that the waiter was gone. Johnathan smiled at her gracefully. She watched him as he picked up the wine glass perched in the middle of the table. He went on to pour her a full glass of wine, but not after doing the same for himself.

"You are so quick to just dive right into it. Let's enjoy our time together for a moment," Johnathan chuckled.

Anger overwhelmed Avelina's soul.

"No. The deal was that if I decided to show up to this restaurant, you would tell me everything I needed to know.”