Adrian patiently sat on the bed while I made sure to pack all my belongings. We were both silent until I finished. We couldn't leave straight away because we are still waiting for Ellen to bring my things. I don't even know where we are supposed to go...

"You left last night. Why did you come back?" I broke the silence, taking a seat on the floor by my luggage.

"You don't deserve this. And before you throw a fit and try to reject my help know that I won't let you. One last time I will make you do things my way, but this time it's for something good."

We got interrupted by Ellen who arrived with my bag. She gave it to me saying that she came during her break and can't stay. I told her I will call her in the morning and with that she left. Adrian and I followed soon.

I slept during the car ride as it was late at night. We arrived to his apartment where I slept in that famous cage... I assume he wants me to stay there until I get things sorted.

"There is only water in the fridge. Tomorrow I'll get you more groceries." He explained while handing me some bathroom towels which I can use.

"Okay thanks. Are you leaving now?" I asked expecting a positive answer. I want to remove my makeup and get to bed as soon as possible since I'm very tired. "Because the only way I will sleep under the same roof with you is if you sleep in that cage."

He chuckled. "I can't fit in there but don't worry I'm going. I'll leave you the keys on the table. If you need anything call me."

I nodded and thanked him, surprised to see him so helpful and kind. When he left I took a quick shower and got straight into bed.

It's the same bed which Adrian and I shared for many nights during those two months when we were together. Sometimes we were intimate and sometimes we just laid here cuddling or talking about random stuff. There is no way I believe that he ever loved me because if he did he wouldn't ditch me for someone else, but in the end he came back when I needed him. Even though I didn't think I did. If he hadn't shown up I would now be crying in my motel room after having been molested for the second time...

___

As promised, Adrian showed up with the groceries in the afternoon. He also helped me sort them out and I made some toast for both of us. Being around him somewhat feels weird.

"How long am I supposed to stay here?" After seeing all the food he got, practically for a whole month, I couldn't help but ask.

"As long as you need. Actually I thought of something this morning so I might help you get a job at a decent strip club." He announced cheerfully, bringing me some hope.

"Oh really? Which one?" I asked curiously.

"I can't tell you now, just give me a bit of time." He requested slightly confusing me with not saying which club it is.

"Umm okay." I replied. "But why are you so helpful all of a sudden?" An obvious question which constantly lingers in my mind had to be asked.

"I don't know. I wanted Julian to do this but he said he is moving on since you left him. I think it's best if the two of you talk about it." He looked down at the floor as he suggested.

"No it's better that he didn't come actually. It's best if both of us move on since our whole relationship was based on our anger for you. Besides he unreasonably expected me to trust him right away and leave my job in order to stay. Instead he should have come to visit me until we were sure of each other." Neither I nor Adrian expected that I'd tell him about my relationship with Julian. But something in his eyes shined when he heard the outcome of it.

"Well I did make you both angry... And I deserved it, but it hurt." He admitted.

"That was the point of it. I wanted you to feel exactly what I felt when you ghosted me." I returned and he nodded.

"Fair enough. We have a lot to forgive each other for." I'm not sure what he means by this but in a way it's true.

"Make sure to ask your mommy for permission first." It looks like I'm teasing him and joking, but I actually mean it.

"Haha, is that because she doesn't like you?" He chuckled not understanding what I really wanted to say.

"No, it's because you do what she tells you to." I fired straight away. He sulked a little.

"Oh well, Julian told you a lot of things... I was just always really close to her and she's controlling." He tried to excuse himself but it's not working.

"I'm in the mood for some of that vanilla ice cream you got!" I changed the topic and excitedly got up in order to get a scoop and avoid the unnecessary and tense conversation.

___

To my surprise, Adrian didn't stay long. He said he had work to do. It really seems that he is simply just trying to help and doesn't have any hidden motives which I assumed he had. A part of me suspected that he is doing all this in order to win me over again and prove Julian that he still has me or something. But instead he isn't looking at me with desire what so ever, and talks briefly. It's like he's helping me and avoiding me at the same time.

Ellen and I did a video call where she asked me to tell her about everything that happened and how I ended up here. We discussed it for a while and then she told me how upset Tom was after everything. I figured that since I have some missed calls and messages, but I will speak with him soon, I need more time.

I certainly got a reality slap when I talked with her and it got me thinking after. Most children who were brought up in a stable family have plans of creating their own and wrapping their life around someone else, like husband and children. However I've always been a loner and my only plans are to get through today. I have my savings and I can support myself with them for the time being, but if I manage not to spend them, one day I might be able to buy myself a car or even an apartment. This whole thing definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone because I cannot rely on solely on myself but I partly depend on Adrian. I need his place because it will take me some time to find an apartment, and a job too.

Everything with Julian on the side, Adrian's really got my back now.

"Did you get her back?" Julian entered my bedroom while I laid on my bed, asking about Lana. I nodded.

"Yes." I replied unbothered to explain anything else.

"So you do love her after all." He concluded but I paid more attention to my laptop than to him.

"It's not about love, it's about what we owe to her. You know very well that if it wasn't for our family her parents would still be here and they would be the ones taking care of her."

I brought up the subject that my family swore we wouldn't mention again, and Julian turned pale. This is the card I intended to play if the two of them remained together, but I didn't. Instead that whole tragedy made me do good by her this time...