Fake Date, Real Fate-Chapter 61: A Table For Three (ii)

The lunch ended on a high note. Laughter, a few harmless teases from Elise, and even a reluctant smile from Adrien. Elise had this way of making me forget where I was— all I could feel was belonging.

For the first time in a long time, I did not feel like I was just getting by.

Adrien stood up and pulled my chair back like a proper gentleman, offering his hand to help me up and I took his hand as I rose. His fingers brushed across mine and he lingered just a moment enough to make me glance up at him. Is he zoning out or what?

That unreadable expression was back but there was something softer beneath it. Something he didn’t say.

"We will walk you to the door," he said to his mother. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Oh! Wait!" Elise’s voice stopped us. She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. "One more thing before we leave."

Adrien groaned without hesitation. "No."

"Yes," she insisted. She laughed and her face was alive and mischievous like a teenager. "Just one picture. For me. You both look absolutely perfect."

I blinked. "A picture?" The word felt alien. Pictures were for real couples, for real families made on something more than carefully curated lies that were held together with fragile strings of agreements. My stomach turned a little.

Adrien sighed. "Mum, we talked about this. I don’t like being photographed."

"Nonsense, dear," "Elise dismissed with a wave of her hand, already playing with the camera on her phone.

"You like photos when they matter. And this matters. Look at you two. You look... radiant." She smiled warmly at me and for a second, I almost believed her. "Just stand next to each other. Right here, by the window. The light is perfect."

Before I could even finish processing, Adrien’s arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer like it was the most normal thing in the world. My heart tripped in my chest. He didn’t say anything, didn’t even look at me—he just held me there, firm and steady.

"Smile!" Elise called out.

I forced a smile the same artificial smile I had practiced in every awkward social situation before, but inside I was a tangled mess of nerves. My free hand hovered awkwardly, not too sure about its destination.

I wanted to hold the front of his shirt or perhaps lean into him but both of these options seemed too intimate. So instead, I opted to place my hand loosely on his chest and hoped it looked natural.

Elise cooed from behind her phone. "Perfect! Oh, absolutely lovely." She adjusted her angle slightly. "Now, just a little closer dear. Don’t be shy!"

Adrien’s grip tightened almost faintly, pulling me against his side. My head was just below his shoulder and I could smell the faint, clean scent of his cologne.

Click.

The camera flash popped, momentarily blinding me.

I tried. God, I really really tried not to look awkward. Adrien’s warmth pressed against my side, and for a second, I could almost believe this was real.

Elise let out a satisfied sigh. "Wonderful! Thank you, both of you. Just what I wanted." She dropped her phone and was busy tapping away at it to either admire her handiwork or end it to someone.

Adrien’s arm lingered for a split second longer than it should have, before leaving my side. The sudden absence of his warmth left a strange chill on my skin.

He shifted slightly to face me only somewhat, and he went back to this carefully blank expression but his eyes flicker my direction from a moment before moving back to his Mother..

Elise gave an exaggerated sigh, I think she was pretty pleased. "You’re glowing, the both of you. Like you were meant to be together."

Adrien muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like "Here we go," but he didn’t move away.

Elise wrapped her arms around me in a soft hug. "I really do hope we can do this again soon, Isabella."

"Me too," I said, and I meant it.

"Shall we?" he said, in that cool neutral voice again.

Elise nodded.

Adrien slowly led me away from the dining room, keeping a hand at my lower back. When we stepped out into the sunlight, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

Then his hand found mine again—easy and casual. Honestly if it’s not for the fact this is part of the contract I could have hit his head for being too touchy.

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and Elise’s driver opened the door for her.

She turned to us, her smile as bright as ever. "I’m so happy you came, darling," she said to Adrien as she reached forward to adjust the lapel of his jacket like he was still a ten year old.

He didn’t flinch. But he also didn’t look too thrilled either.

Then Elise turned her attention to me and to my surprise, she reached forward and took both my hands in hers, holding them warm and gentle.

"I’m so happy I finally have a daughter," she said softly. "And such a beautiful one too."

I was taken aback. "Thank you, Elise," I managed to say, a little breathless.

She squeezed my hands and turned her head towards Adrien, still holding on to mine. "If he ever makes you angry—and he will," she said with a wink, "just call me. I’ll always have your back."

"Mother," Adrien said flatly, narrowing his eyes at her.

"What?" she asked innocently. "I’m just saying. Someone needs to keep you in check."

He said something under his breath that I didn’t catch, but Elise just grinned and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

And then she finally released my hands. "Be good, darling. And make sure you give Isabella a proper ride home." she winked at him, clearly enjoying his discomfort as she ducked into the waiting car.

The car pulled away slowly, and I could still see Elise waving through the tinted glass waving like we were her favorite people in the world.

I was still smiling when I felt it—Adrien’s hand entwined with mine again.

I turned to him with my brows raised but before I could speak, he cleared his throat and looked anywhere but at me. Why is he so touchy?

"Remember," he muttered, low and sharp. "We’ve got to make this look real. Who knows— there may be paparazzi hiding around the corner."

Oh.

Right.

I nodded, not wanting to think too hard on the way his thumb moved across my hand. Maybe it was just an accident.

We started walking towards the car when—

"Isa?"

Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience