139 — JULIAN ADAMS (POV)

“Kristen.” Her name brings a bitter taste to my mouth. “It’s been a few years since we last saw each other.”
She gives a cocky smile and approaches me, leaning on the counter and giving me a view of her breasts. The way her gaze lingers on my body makes me uncomfortable and brings back not-so-pleasant memories.
“How’s Mike?” Her soft voice hides her true intentions very well. Kristen has always been one to put on masks to disguise what she really wants to say... no wonder Michael’s parents wanted her in the family.
“He’s fine.”
“I hear business is doing great.” She runs her open hand across the counter glass, looking at the jewels displayed under her palm. “So well that even Mr. O’Neil can’t keep ignoring it.”
I frown, and her smile widens even more, now satisfied.
“They’re still hoping that Mike will regret the stupid decision he made.” She tosses her brown hair behind her shoulders. “But he’s doing surprisingly well without his family’s support... And so are you. Are you still fighting with yours? It’s silly to turn your back on the Adams because you’ve taken your best friend’s pains.”
I sigh angrily, loosening my tie a little more.
“My affairs with my family are none of your business.”
“Don’t be so cold, we used to be friends, didn’t we?” She touches my arm gently, her fingers sliding over my shirt...
But I quickly disentangle it, moving my whole body to the side, adding distance between us while my hands go into my pants pockets.
“Friends? I don’t think that’s an appropriate definition, Kristen. You were my best friend’s fiancée, but apart from that, we’ve always been strangers.”
“Don’t say that...” Her long eyelashes flutter slowly, and she runs her tongue over her lips, moistening them slowly… a move that isn’t slightly seductive… after all, Kristen is the last woman I’d ever lie with. “You know I’ve always had a soft spot for you.”
I can’t help my look of disdain; my eyes wander to the shelves full of elegant necklaces with all kinds of stones.
“You’re as delusional as ever, and it seems that time hasn’t cleared your head.”
“Really, what a cold man.” She says with a laugh, then steps towards me, shortening the distance again, sliding her hand across the counter. She leans in, making her breasts pop slightly out of her cleavage, trying to get my attention, but I don’t feel any interest or desire for this woman.
Even before, my body never reacted to her. Kristen has always acted suggestively and
tried to seduce me many times, even though she’s been engaged to my best friend for years. She was never shy about making her interest obvious, perhaps because Mike didn’t care about her at all.
Their engagement was something imposed by his family; Mike never really loved her. And to be honest, the only effort I saw him make was to postpone the wedding as long as possible. I think he always knew that it would be in vain to try to love Kristen since they didn’t suit each other at all. They’re two opposite souls with different personalities, different tastes, and different ambitions.
Still, hitting on your fiancé’s best friend is extremely disrespectful.
“You, on the other hand, have changed a lot... Have you been working out more? Your body looks stronger. The years have done you good; you’ve become a very attractive man... more than the last time we met.”
Seriously, this is starting to annoy me.
Can’t she just shut up?
“I’m even surprised that the famous Julian Adams is here. Your looks weren’t enough to win someone’s heart?”
I ignore her, clenching my fists inside my pockets.
“Well, I think a body like this and a necklace with a few carats are the perfect combo... what woman could resist?”
“I’m not here to buy a necklace,” I say simply, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. “I’m buying an engagement ring.”
Her reaction is the same as the attendant’s; her eyebrows go up, and her mouth opens in a genuine expression of surprise.
“What? To whom?” Kristen asks, processing this information as if it were a tragedy foretold. “You? You’re getting married?”
“I hope so.” I give a nervous smile with a chill in my stomach. The thought of Angelee not agreeing to marry me hadn’t crossed my mind, but now it makes me insecure, which is surprising; being insecure about myself isn’t something I’m used to. I always have my way with what I want and get what I put my mind to, but this isn’t something that depends just on me, let alone something I could force.
What if Angelee doesn’t accept?
I shudder at the possibility, knowing it’s an unnecessary worry. If Angelee is pregnant, if she loves me and wants to start a family with me, there’s no reason to refuse... right?
“I can’t believe it... Julian Adams is getting married...” She covers her mouth, and her words sound sarcastic and full of envy. She snorts and adds, “Who would have thought something like this would happen? Is it an arranged marriage?”
“No, it’s not an arranged marriage. And I’ll say it one more time: we’re not close enough for you to take such an interest in my life.” I retort, visibly annoyed that this woman has put an unnecessary doubt in my head.
“Oh, Julian, don’t be angry... I’m just trying to understand.” She leans even closer, her hand reaching for my chest. “I can’t believe the biggest playboy in New York City got hooked.”
I sigh, getting really annoyed by the proximity, the delay, and myself for having slept with so many women that no one believes I could have fallen in love. No wonder Angelee had a hard time believing me too...
All the more reason to get down on my knees and ask her to be my wife — I want to belong to her forever… I don’t want anyone else.
“Are you really planning to get married?”
My answer is unnecessary... my lowered eyebrows and harsh gaze say all they need to.
“But that’s a waste of time, don’t you know? Look how many years I’ve been engaged to Michael, and he’s just thrown me and chosen that girl over me… The partner who’s been by his side for years traded our entire relationship for someone he didn’t even know!” Her words sound bitter, and they hit me straight in the chest. I can feel the disdain with which she refers to my girl. “I was humiliated because of a girl who came from the countryside and barely knew how to walk in New York! Are you sure you want this for yourself?”
I grit my teeth, my breathing getting heavier.
“Look, you can put a ring on someone’s finger, but I doubt it, Julian... I doubt that you’ll be satisfied... that she’ll be able to give you enough. You’ll always wonder what you missed out. Look at me; I shouldn’t have held myself back so much… and neither should you.”
“What the hell are you saying-”
“What do you think? One night, before you make the biggest mistake of your life. One goodbye, one chance to open your eyes! I can ride you, suck your cock so good and swallow all your cum like we’ve always dreamed of... If you want-”
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” My voice sounds harsh, and I can’t hide my disdain, my disgust. I remove her hand from me abruptly, adding a big distance as I move away from the counter. “What the hell are you talking about? Do you think I’m a cheater piece of shit? Do you think I’m going to fall for this dirty talk? Do you really think you turn me on? You?”
“Julian...”
“I’m not a low man! I’m not a liar or a cheater! I don’t need that, and I never did. I would never betray the woman I love… I would never let the love of my life go because of just any woman.”
“Any woman?” Kristen retorts, offended, walking away as if I’d thrown her cold water. “You’re offending me.”
“You offended yourself,” I say loudly, even more harshly, and the security guard behind her assumes a careful posture; his eyes grow more intense and sharp on me. “Don’t you dare confuse me with those rats you’re used to... I love my fiancée; she’s the most precious thing to me, and I would never let her down! If Mike has never looked at you, perhaps it’s nobody’s fault but your own! And believe me, even before, I‘ve always been disgusted by you.”
The woman is about to say something when the young attendant comes out with a set of jewelry that captures my eyes instantly. A huge diamond necklace, probably crafted from the same material as the ring, so elegant that even I can feel the value of the piece. The earrings are shiny and clearly heavy, so incredible that I’m truly amazed.
The attendant seems about to give me all the technical information about the diamonds, their cut, and carats, but I’m quicker to interrupt, returning to the counter and handing the black card to the attendant, oblivious to Kristen’s gaze on me... “I’ll take it.”
“I’m trying to warn you that you’re making a mistake, Julian!” Kristen says simply, her voice becoming harsher. “People like us aren’t made to fit into something like engagement...”
“Don’t put me on the same level as you.” I retort between my teeth, glaring at Kristen as the attendant takes the card and walks away again. “I would happily cut off pieces of myself to fit into my woman’s life... because I love her — my life has no meaning without her anymore.”
Kristen looks genuinely surprised, so much so that her lips are open, even though no words escape between them.
I turn away, tapping my fingers on the counter impatiently, when Kristen says again, “You’re wrong.”
I close my eyes, exhausted from listening to that voice... I just wanted to find the perfect ring! Now, I’m faced with this ghost from the past, a torment that hangs over our shadows.
“I can prove you wrong.”
“Look, Kristen...” I sigh, turning my body towards her, my shoulders tense and my muscles stiff. “I don’t give a shit about what you think. Like I said, we’re nothing but strangers... And I’d like us to keep it that way.”
She grits her teeth. I can tell by the way her jaw tenses, but without saying a single word, she turns abruptly and retreats with heavy steps. Looking at her like that, she doesn’t even look four years older than me... she just looks like a spoiled brat who doesn’t like to lose.
I press the top of my nose with a sudden headache from dealing with her. If I’m tired of dealing with Kristen for no more than ten minutes, imagine Mike, who has spent years at her side, trying to please her.
“Here you are, Mister.” The attendant hands me the card and the small bags, waking me from my thoughts and this strange feeling of bad omen.
“Thank you,” I say at last, taking everything, with the small bag almost disappearing in my hands.
With a deep sigh, I gather my courage for the next step, the most challenging of them all. Now, it’s time to face Mike — to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.