Chapter 120: Free-load in Peace

Emerald’s POV

Michael opened the door, and we stepped into the condo.

The smell of breakfast was very strong inside. I could see the dishes he had prepared arranged across the kitchen counter, with enough food for three people.

I shifted my gaze to him. "You really did all of this before I arrived."

"I told you I would have breakfast ready," he said to me.

"I know, but I thought I would at least help," I said, shrugging. That was why I left my dorm on time in the first place.

He gave me a brief smile. "You came early enough. I simply started earlier."

I glanced at the breakfast again. He had prepared almost the same kind of spread the last time I stayed at his condo, so it was not my first time seeing him cook this much food.

Still, there was something satisfying about walking into a home and finding breakfast already waiting. It was a beautiful feeling.

Michael carried the grocery bags toward the kitchen. "Come and wash your hands. I will serve the food."

I followed him.

While I washed my hands, I could not help thinking about how determined I had been to arrive on time so I could help him. Apparently, my plan had been unnecessary from the beginning.

When I returned to the kitchen, Michael was already arranging the plates.

"You’re making me feel useless," I couldn’t help saying.

He lifted his gaze to me. "You are my guest."

Immediately, I decided to tease him. "Your girlfriend."

His mouth curved into a small smile. "That too."

I took my seat.

Michael served the food, then sat across from me. I glanced toward the hallway. "I don’t see your friend. Is he still asleep?"

"Yes. He is in the guestroom," he said, nodding towards the direction. "He insisted on going to the club, so I took him. He drank a lot."

I laughed softly. "So that is what happened."

"What did you think happened?"

"When you texted me yesterday and said you had picked him up and were taking him home, I assumed you went straight back here."

"We didn’t."

I looked at him. "You never mentioned the club."

"You didn’t ask."

I shook my head, amused. "You could have told me."

"I could have."

His calm response made me laugh again. "So he arrived in Boston and immediately dragged you to a club," I said.

"He did." He nodded. "He was pretty determined."

I tilted my head to the side, narrowing my eyes slightly. "That sounds like an excuse." Then I picked up my fork. "Did you at least enjoy yourself?"

"I survived."

I laughed. "That bad?"

"He spent most of the night drinking and talking."

Michael sounded like he was rendering complaints to me. I found it funny. "Then I understand why he is still sleeping."

He nodded. "He went to bed very late."

I took a bite of my food, then remembered something else. "Actually, that reminds me of something.

He looked at me. "What?"

"My friend, Laura."

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

I kept eating while pulling up the memory. "I suddenly remembered when we first saw Adrian at Vera’s wedding."

"I remember."

"Laura recognised him immediately."

Michael nodded.

"She told Claire and me about his entertainment businesses. His agencies, production company, cinemas and everything else. She was already considering switching to his agency when her contract expired."

"Yes."

I looked at him. "Then she decided to introduce herself."

Michael listened without interrupting.

I remembered Laura walking over to Adrian, the two of them speaking for a while, and then him giving her his card.

She had returned to our table looking so pleased with herself that Claire and I had barely given her time to sit down before asking what happened.

"She told us she was going to call him the next day," I said. "And I completely forgot to ask whether she actually did."

"You never asked her?"

"No." I smiled at my own forgetfulness. "And with everything that happened afterwards, it simply slipped my mind."

I had been dealing with school, Mercer Technologies, my grandfather’s condition, the lawsuit, my arrangement with Michael, and then the chaos surrounding Vera’s death.

There had been too many other things demanding my attention. But now that I had remembered it, I was curious.

"Do you think she called him?" he inquired.

"She seemed interested in working with him," I replied. "So, maybe she probably did."

"Maybe."

I took another bite. "I should ask her."

Michael nodded. "Ask her."

I looked down at my plate, then smiled. "She was so excited after that conversation. She thought it could be a good opportunity for her."

Michael continued eating. "If she wants to work with Adrian’s agency, she should contact him."

"She already had his card, which makes things a lot easier," I reminded.

"Then she had everything she needed."

I agreed.

I was halfway through my meal when I heard movement from somewhere down the hallway.

I looked up. Michael did the same.

A few seconds later, footsteps approached, followed by the appearance of a man I had only seen a handful of times before.

Adrian Blake walked into the kitchen looking considerably less energetic.

His hair was slightly dishevelled, and there was a tiredness in his expression that made it obvious he had not had enough sleep.

He stopped when he saw me. Then he smiled. "Good morning."

I returned the greeting. "Good morning, Mr. Blake."

"Adrian, please," he corrected, then moved his gaze briefly toward Michael. "You didn’t tell me we had company."

Michael gave him a look. "You knew Emerald was coming this morning."

Adrian’s expression changed. "I forgot."

I almost laughed.

Michael shook his head. "You forgot because you were drinking until the early hours of the morning."

Adrian pulled out a chair. "I was enjoying myself."

I smiled into my glass. Michael noticed and said, "Don’t encourage him."

"I didn’t say anything." I played the innocent card.

He narrowed his eyes. "You didn’t have to. Your actions were loud enough."

Adrian looked between us with an amused expression. "So this is how things are now?"

Michael ignored the comment and stood. "You want coffee?"

"Yes, please."

Michael walked toward the coffee machine. Then I watched Adrian settle into the chair across from me.