"Care to explain Mrs Stone?"

Emerson stared at him blankly. Her stubborn self was coming out.

Adrien too wasn't backing up.

"I know space is important sometimes, but fleeing from the country without telling anyone, specially when I wasn't in the city is wrong." He sated calmly.

Emerson slightly narrowed her eyes at him.

"It's not wrong when I messaged you that you will see me after few months. The program is important for me, having space here was just an extra advantage" She replied.

Adrien sighed and stepped near her.

He rested his head on her shoulder and rubbed her forearms, sending fire tra

"We should talk later, properly."

He whispered.

Emerson hummed.

He stepped back and let his gaze roam lazily on the cabin.

He was astonished by the decor, frames and homey feeling.

Emerson took some juice for him.

Adrien turned towards her.

"Did you decorate all of this on your own? " He asked.

Emerson nodded.

"I always wanted to do this." She smiled softly.

Adrien's eyes softened a bit.

"It looks so homey."

Emerson smiled in response and gave him the glass.

When his gaze stopped on the framed certificates and awards, his breath hitched and he was awestruck.

She has 7 times more awards and certificates than me.

He thought, dumbstruck.

"Damn Emerson, you are a prodigy." He muttered and Emerson froze, her gaze lowering, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

She never liked when people said that.

Her classmates called her that like it some time of curse or disease.

Adrien noticed the change in her demeanor and frowned in confusion.

"I will give up my company for your brain, you must be so proud." He said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Emerson was confused,

"You aren't mocking me? "

Adrien frowned.

"Why would I? It's a blessing, a big blessing." He told her in duh tone.

A soft smile grazed her lips.

"I should say I am more than proud of you." He said looking closely at each certificate and award.

'Someone will be more than proud of you Emerson, the true human. He or she will make you know how fortunate you are to be this smart.' Grandpa Peter's words rang in her ears.

Her eyes watered and she hugged Adrien from behind, catching him off gaurd but he immediately relaxed, his hands covering her.

He felt something wet on his back and he immediately turned towards her.

He saw the tears in her eyes and his eyes softened.

He cupped her cheeks, wiping her tears.

"Hey hey, I didn't mean to make you cry."

Emerson shook her head, a smile grazing her lips.

"I am not crying, having someone to be proud of you makes you more than happy. It just overwhelmed me and I couldn't stop myself." She spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrien understood her feelings. He felt the same way when she told everyone in the office she respected him and idolized him.

He smiled and pulled her in a warm embrace.

She happily snuggled closer to him.

~~~~~~~~~

Adrien changes his clothes into sweatpants and tee, as his suitcase was with him.

Meanwhile Emerson made some snacks for them.

Adrien leaned on the bedroom door and observed Emerson as she moved through the kitchen.

"It's rude to stare, makes you look —"

Adrien cut her off.

"— creepy, perverted . I have heard it enough and here I thought you forgot your superpower. " Adrien joked.

Emerson chuckled and put the plates of some fried delicacies on the island.

"Let's eat."

Adrien nodded and sat on the barstool.

They were eating silently but Adrien broke the silence.

"Are you angry? " He asked.

Emerson had a blank expression.

"At what? "

"Me. You wanted space and I didn't respect your choice. Grandma Rose told me not to disturb you." He said quietly.

Emerson shook her head.

"I wanted space, from everything, but when you popped out of nowhere, it didn't anger me. In fact I am happy to see you."

Adrien sighed in relief.

"I swear on my company I was never and would never be interested in your sister. She attacked me without my consent." Adrien finally blurted after a few silent moments.

Emerson nodded.

"I saw the whole thing Adrien, till you pushed her away, her behavior was what scarred me deeply." She confessed.

"I don't know why she did that, but when I told her I will tell you and your parents, she said that you will never believe me, a somebody else over her, your blood sister." Adrien said in a pained voice.

Emerson sighed,

"Her behavior wasn't new for me Adrien. It has happened before. The thing is our parents and my sister's behavior hurts, even if I don't show it." She said quietly.

Adrien heart clenched at her pain. A part of him was angry, knowing a lucky person she willingly had relationship with was seduced by her sister and other part of him was angry at their parents for their wierd behavior, the tension between them, their ignorance towards her wasn't unnoticed by Adrien and last part was squeezing painful at her broken sight.

Adrien got up from his seat and hugged her from behind.

"Do you want to talk about it? " He asked softly.

Emerson shook her head no.

Adrien knew her guard about this was too high, he couldn't break it, only Emerson herself could lower it.

So he just held her.

"It's ok. Let's finish the snacks." He said, pulling back from her embrace and feeling cold, Emerson having the same feeling.

"My hotels here are being renovated, and I was needed here in London and looks like destiny wants us together. I have to be here for next six months. I know Rose told me to give you space and all and you too wanted the same thing, but I am stubborn and so, you are stuck with me." He said with a mock smile at last.

Emerson chuckled.

"I think it's better to have you here. Being alone at a completely new place is not helping if my doctor is asking me on a date on our third meet." She said with her eyes widened.

Adrien nodded.

When they finished eating the snacks, Emerson spoke.

"You can't stay here, it isn't allowed." She didn't tell him about one night per week thing.

Adrien nodded.

"I have a penthouse, 30 minute drive from here. So it won't be a problem. You can live with me if you want." He suggested.

Emerson shook her head.

" No. I love it here and I already paid for it. "

Adrien wanted to say money can't be a matter but stopped himself. His words can anger her, his past actions not helping much.

So he just nodded.

Emerson did the dishes and started doing her work.

Adrien felt uncomfortable with the silence bit Emerson was fine with it. Much time was wasted earlier and she had to complete her work.

"So, tell me about this exchange program. Are you studying all the four subjects? " He asked.

"An exam was conducted to select students, I got the chance. The study is completely free, I only have to pay for accommodation. I am studying management only and I dropped Law for a semester. Finance and Coding is studied online." She told.

Adrien frowned.

"You are good in law but you don't look interested in it." He stated.

Emerson shrugged, her typing speed increasing on her laptop.

Adrien sighed at her lack of attention and sat beside her, peering in her work.

She was making a report for her management class.

Adrien saw her report was based on latest refrences and writing skill was really good. The way she explained some data simply and used big words where needed was impressive.

Each time he saw her work, wether at his office, at the presentation or now he was beyond impressed.

"Adding reviews of customer and their effect will also help." He suggested.

Emerson stopped working and turned to him.

"Don't you have work to do? " She asked flatly but as she realised how rude she sounded she apologized.

"I am sorry I didn't mean to be rude. I ready had a paper about reviews ready. And you said that you are here for some work, that's why I asked." She said politely.

Adrien at first caught off guard by her blunt statement but as soon as she apologized and explained, he realised she was right and he was probably disturbing her.

"Yeah. And I didn't mean to disturb you." He replied.

Emerson was having doubts in her mind.

The Adrien she knew would have snapped at her rudely for the way she spoke, and for moving away, he would have humiliated her badly.

His phone rang and he picked it up, walking towards the window filled with rain drops.

She shrugged and started working again.

She saw from her peripheral vision that he was tense and had an ugly scowl on his face when he hanged up.

She was a little concerned.

"What happened? " She asked him.

He sighed.

"The managing director I assigned for the work I came here met with a nasty accident, and he is suffering from temporary amnesia now. I never saw s real amnesia patient in my life, so I don't know how to react. And now I have to do his work when I already have enough on me. " He dragged his palm on his face.

Emerson not knowing what to say, just said "oh" and started with her work again, and then her phone rang.

********

Sorry for the slow updates, but I have something more to deal with. Hopefully it will be over soon.