Aurora glared on and Adrian did the same. Aurora saw his gaze, this was Adrian's usual frosty gaze that she used to know. His present looks remind her of him back then.
Seeing that he was angry, not blinking an eye,she softened her gaze and wanted to walk away but Adrian outsmarted her and stepped back into the bedroom.
He got back to the sitting room and said “Jessica, I would appreciate it if you let me check you into a hotel. I promise to come around often” he requested.
She stood up “Alright. I'll get my things” she agreed. She doesn't want to be the reason why the two ex couples wouldn't be happy. She'll rather leave than stay back to cause a misunderstanding.
Jessica was going to pass when she saw Aurora coming over and pausing just in front of her. She glared at her with this “Adrian is mine” kind of gaze.
Jessica smiled and went to the guest room, getting her things to return to the sitting room. But now,she saw the couple and someone else, a man she had seen with Aurora Blake in X-city.
“I can't remember sending an invitation,” Adrian frowned. Is Patrick stalling them? How did he know they're in New Jersey already?
“I invited him,” Aurora replied from behind Adrian. She stood,her hands crossed around her chest and leaning with her side against the door frame.
Adrian turned himself carefully to face her. His eyes contain questions that he was capable of blurting out in rage any moment if he cannot control his tempers at the moment.
She'd just come to his penthouse for the first time and Patrick has already been invited? Oh, she was going to leave him and take Elsie along with her to Patrick's?
Aurora swallowed hard. She knew Adrian was far from being happy with her. Seeing Patrick was one thing, but having a quarrel with him threatening him with his daughter was another thing.
“I invited him to discuss how he'll also be on a look out to protect himself and me as well. Who knows what Ray Grimard has up his sleeve?” Aurora stuttered.
She sighed softly. She hopes she'd not flopped. What has her coming to hide in New Jersey in any way related to Ray Grimard and his plots?
But then, she needed to give a random reason to why she invited Patrick. She stared at Adrian Lester but he didn't look like he was convinced with her explanation.
“Hello bro, I missed you” Patrick forced a hug on the rigid standing Adrian from his side. It's been a while since he held his brother so close. What's going on between him and his girlfriend?
Adrian didn't respond but shrugged Patrick off. He turned his gaze on Jessica and said “Let's go”. He would leave and find a way to calm his raised temper.
“Adrian, I'm sorry that Aurora invited me without your consent. I thought you'd know that I'm being invited…” Patrick apologised.
“She'd always found you a better substitute to me, wether back then,now and I'm sure, always” Adrian complained. For every single thing that happens between them, Patrick is always there to intervene in his own way.
They just had a misunderstanding and the next minute, Patrick walked in. Fine, she could leave with him. Hadn't she always preferred Patrick,a perfect substitute for him?
“You're talking nonsense, Adrian. There can never be a substitute for you. You're unique, you're perfect, if it's not Adrian Lester, that substitute is a counterfeit” Patrick coaxed.
This shouldn't be happening to them. Besides, there's another woman and there's Elsie. They should talk about it at bedtime, not now. He glanced at Aurora and pouted his lips.
“I'll be on my way, Adrian. You shouldn't bother about me, I'll be fine” Jessica chipped in, pulling her suitcase after her. She doesn't need to be told that she's the reason for the tension between the lovers.
“I'll drop you off please” Adrian insisted, taking the suitcase from her. He would check her into a hotel before leaving.
“I think I would gladly do it. How about I drop her off to wherever she wants to go, right Adrian?” Patrick demanded. Anything to make him step out, he doesn't want to get tangled up with the lovers' fight.
Few minutes later, Patrick was driving Jessica to the hotel. But before they arrived, Patrick asked “If you wouldn't mind, can you put up with us, I mean my mom and I? It's a small house but I promise that you'll be comfortable” he suggested.
Jessica shook her head in disapproval. She doesn't want to compound issues. Adrian was already facing an issue with his ex-wife, she doesn't want another issue with this man.
Patrick drove her to the hotel, got her in and was going to leave when Jessica asked “If I want to leave, can I call you rather than Adrian?”
“Yeah sure” Patrick replied before adding “I'm sorry that things went this way between you and him. He still loves her and I think getting back together will be perfect for them and their daughter”
He saw how quiet Jessica was the entire way. She didn't throw tantrums but she definitely might have been hurt. He guessed she was Adrian's girlfriend before he got back with Aurora.
“It's nothing,” Jessica shrugged, forcing a smile. That's one of those things in life. One doesn't always get what she wants, it's a known fact and now she accepts the reality.
Patrick smiled and appreciated her “if you need answers to any inquiries or help, don't hesitate to call me” he added, dropping his card before stepping out.
As soon as Patrick left, Jessica shut the door and placed her back against it. A lone tear rolled down her cheek. She sniffled, and swallowed hard, trying her best not to cry.
“He's got back with her” she mumbled and sniffled. It only means, there's nothing to be optimistic about in Adrian. She would let him be happy with his ex-wife.
But he once told her that no matter what happens, they can't be together again. That was when she thought he might fall in love with her.
He would notice her affection towards him and give her a chance. But he went back on his words,he got back to her and she now appears like a fool.
It's no use staying in New Jersey anymore. She would return back to her mother and forget about her fantasies, chasing a dream that has disappeared like a mirage.
Then her phone chirped,she glanced at it. It's Adrian Lester calling her. She silenced the phone and turned it off. There's no need to answer his calls anymore, the table is turned and his compass only faces a direction.
And that is, Aurora Blake.