Chapter 3

I tried to hail a cab, but this area was out of the way, and after waiting twenty minutes, not a single car came.

The noon sun made me dizzy until Adrian's car pulled up in front of me.

He looked at me. "Get in. It's hard to get a cab here."

I didn't move.

He tried again. "Get in. The sun's blazing out here. Heatstroke would be a real problem."

Adrian got out of the car himself and opened the passenger door for me.

Looking up at the blinding sun, I got in anyway.

As soon as I settled in, I reached over and turned the AC temperature up a little. Adrian immediately turned it back down the moment we hit a red light.

"Lily can't stand the heat."

He remembered Lily couldn't stand the heat, but forgot that today was my period.

The cold air left my hands and feet freezing, and on top of that, the passenger seat was uncomfortable. I was about to adjust it when Lily reached over from the back and stopped me.

"Don't touch it."

"This seat is only temporarily lent to you. If you move it, I'll have to adjust it all over again next time."

I turned to look at Adrian.

"You're the one who told me to get in."

He just tried to placate me. "Lily gets carsick, so she can't drive herself and she's used to the passenger seat. She's tired today, so she went to lie down in the back for a bit. Just sit here this one time. Bear with it and it'll be over."

I pressed my lips together and didn't touch the seat again.

My lower belly ached more and more, and when my hands and feet were so cold I could barely stand it, Adrian reached into the passenger-side glove compartment and pulled out a blanket.

"If you're cold, cover up with this."

My heart warmed, and I was just about to reach for it.

Lily suddenly spoke up from the back. "Adrian, I'm cold too."

Without a shred of hesitation, Adrian turned and handed her the blanket.

"I told you not to wear such a short skirt. Now you know what cold feels like?"

Lily stuck her tongue out at him. "Isn't that what you're here for? You'd never let me freeze."

Adrian smiled.

He turned back, and only then noticed my hand still frozen midair.

He explained, "Lily bought that blanket and keeps it in the car. It's hers."

"If you feel cold, you can buy one and keep it in the car next time too."

I pulled my hand back and shook my head.

"No need."

I blamed myself for being too stupid. A moment ago, I'd actually softened just because of the passenger seat and gotten in the car.

Mistakes I made myself, I had to bear the consequences myself.

The hour-and-a-half drive left my hands and feet nearly numb from the cold. The moment I stepped out, the scorching heat actually felt warm to me.

Adrian carefully opened the back door and raised his hand to shield Lily's head so she wouldn't bump it.

Only then did I realize the car had stopped in front of a restaurant.

I said, "I want to go home."

Adrian turned to look at me and frowned. "Don't be difficult."

"You were in a rush this morning, so you must be hungry by now. Lily said this buffet is really good, and she specifically had me turn around to pick you up so you could eat with us. Don't be ungrateful."

I felt the hollow ache in my stomach and didn't argue anymore.

Worst case, I'd just sit apart from them.

But Adrian took Lily and sat directly across from me.

"We came together. No need to take up two tables."

Lily raised an eyebrow at me. "What, does Elena not want to see us?"

They didn't lower their voices, and the surrounding customers' eyes immediately converged on us.

Not wanting to become the center of attention, I stopped arguing with them.

After a few bites of beef, my face grew itchier and itchier. Then Lily suddenly pointed at me and burst out laughing.

"Look at her face, all covered in hives. Doesn't she look like an old witch?"