Chapter 189.

The restaurant was quiet enough for a conversation.

There were people seated at several of the tables, waiters moving between them with practiced ease, the occasional clink of cutlery against porcelain, and the low murmur of conversations blending into the soft music playing overhead.

But it wasn’t loud. It didn’t feel rushed.

It was the kind of place where people could sit for two hours over a meal without anyone looking impatiently at the clock.

Adrian liked that.

Mrs. Hayes probably would too.

At least, Emilia had said she would.

"They have the best Turkish food," Emilia had told him earlier.

Adrian had glanced at her. "Best?"

"Yes." She had responded.

"According to?"

"My mother." She smiled. "And they have her favorite dishes."

That was how Adrian ended up sitting across from Mrs. Hayes that evening alone, and without Emilia.

Which was exactly what Mrs. Hayes had requested.

Adrian had arrived ten minutes early.

He sat at the table closest to the back of the restaurant, where they had enough privacy without being completely isolated from everyone else.

His phone rested beside his hand.

He hadn’t touched it since sitting down.

Two of his men were outside.

Another was seated several tables away, dressed like an ordinary customer.

Mrs. Hayes didn’t know that yet.

He had no intention of pretending he was something he wasn’t. He had learned a long time ago that people could forgive many things.

Lies were rarely one of them.

Especially mothers.

He looked toward the entrance, and then he saw her.

Mrs. Hayes walked in wearing a simple dark green dress beneath a brown coat. She wasn’t dressed extravagantly, or trying to impress him.

Her handbag rested against her side, one hand holding the strap.

She looked around the restaurant.

A hostess approached her. "Mrs. Hayes?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Ashford is waiting for you."

She nodded.

The hostess led her toward the table.

Adrian stood.

Mrs. Hayes stopped when she reached him.

Adrian extended his hand. "Mrs. Hayes."

She looked at his hand, then at his face. She shook it. "Adrian."

His grip was firm but gentle.

He pulled out the chair for her.

Mrs. Hayes noticed. She didn’t comment. She simply said, "Thank you."

Adrian gave her a slight nod.

She sat.

Adrian returned to his seat.

For several seconds, they simply looked at each other.

Mrs. Hayes was the first to speak. "You’re very different from what I imagined after you visited for the first time."

Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is that good or bad?"

She gave him a small smile. "I haven’t decided."

He nodded.

A waitress approached with two menus. "Good evening. Can I get you started with something to drink?"

Mrs. Hayes looked at Adrian. "Water for me."

Adrian nodded. "Same."

The waitress smiled. "Still or sparkling?"

"Still," Mrs. Hayes said.

"Still." Adrjan agreed.

The waitress walked away.

Mrs. Hayes looked around the restaurant, then back at him. "Emilia said this was your idea."

"It was." His expression softened. "She said you wanted to speak with me."

"I did."

Adrian didn’t answer immediately. Not because he didn’t know. He just wanted to choose the right words.

"You deserved the opportunity to ask me whatever you wanted."

Mrs. Hayes studied him. "Whatever I want?"

"Yes."

"And you’ll answer?"

"If I can."

She nodded slowly. Her lips twitched. "At least you’re honest."

"I try to be."

"Do you?"

"Yes." Adrian answered without hesitation.

Mrs. Hayes leaned back slightly. Her eyes sharpened slightly. "Then let’s start there."

Adrian waited patiently.

"Are you in love with my daughter?"

The question came without warning.

Adrian didn’t move. He held her gaze certainly. "Yes. I do."

Mrs. Hayes watched his face.

There was no hesitation, no performance, and no smile. Just certainty.

She nodded once. "Does she know?"

"Yes."

"She loves you?"

"Yes."

Mrs. Hayes looked down at the menu. Then back up. "That’s not what I asked." she warned.

Adrian’s expression changed slightly. "She has told me she loves me."

Mrs. Hayes watched him. "And you believe her?" She raised a brow at him.

"I don’t have a reason not to."

A small silence followed.

Then the waitress returned with their water and menus. She placed them carefully on the table.

"Are you ready to order or would you like a few minutes?"

Mrs. Hayes looked back at Adrian. "A few minutes."

The waitress nodded and left.

Mrs. Hayes opened the menu. She let out a soft breath of relief. "I haven’t eaten Turkish food in years."

Adrian looked at his own menu. The corner of his lips lifted into a small smile. "Emilia said it was your favorite."

Mrs. Hayes looked up. "She told you that?"

"She told me several things about you."

"Several?"

"She talks about you often."

Mrs. Hayes’s expression softened. "Does she?" She smiled.

"Yes."

"What does she say?" She asked curiously, with light in her eyes.

Adrian almost smiled. "That depends on the day."

She wore a fake offended look. "She complains about me?"

Adriam chuckled. "Sometimes."

Mrs. Hayes laughed softly. "I knew it."

"She also speaks very highly of you."

Mrs. Hayes smile faded into something warmer. "For the best and worst years of our lives, we only had each other. And then, Kylie."

Mrs. Hayes looked down at the menu. "My daughter doesn’t always say what she feels. Then you know why I’m here."

The waitress returned.

Mrs. Hayes closed the menu. "I’ll have the lamb shish."

The waitress nodded.

"And the ezme." She added.

"Of course." The waitress smiled politely at her.

"And the hummus."

"Would you like bread?" The waitress suggested softly.

"Yes."

The waitress turned toward Adrian. "And for you, sir?"

"Chicken shish."

Mrs. Hayes looked at him. "That’s it?"

Adriam thought for a moment. "And the mixed grill."

The waitress smiled. "Very good."

"And the baklava."

Mrs. Hayes raised an eyebrow. "You have a sweet tooth?"

"No."

She stared at him suspiciously. She might know why he ordered it, but she needed to hear him say it. "Then?"

"Emilia likes it."