Page 26 of Damaged Enemy Next Door

“Good morning, beautiful,” he says, propping up pillows for me to sit up on.

I smile as I sit up.

His warm smile and the sight of a beautifully arranged breakfast tray beside him make my heart skip a beat. The tray is filled with delicious foods - fresh fruit, eggs, bagel, croissant, and steaming hot coffee. I can hardly believe this is real as I take in the sight before me. Adrian looks as handsome as ever, even at 42. His salt and pepper hair is perfectly styled, and his chiseled jawline and deep-set eyes make him look both refined and rugged at the same time. I can't help but admire the way his tailored shirt fits him, accentuating his broad shoulders and toned physique. I can feel the warmth of his affection enveloping me as I sit up and admire the elaborate tray.

As I begin to reach for the breakfast tray, my eyes catch sight of a thermometer on the bedside table, and the events from last night come running back to me. My heart drops with worry for Emily. "How is Emily doing?" I ask in a panic, trying to sit up and get out of bed to check on her.

But Adrian just smiles and puts his arm around me, pulling me back down onto the bed. "Relax, Olivia; she's fine," he reassures me. "I've already checked on her this morning, and she's eaten and back to sleep. The doctor is coming soon to make sure everything is alright."

I still feel uneasy, knowing that Emily was sick the night before, but Adrian's calm demeanor and reassuring words help to ease my worries. I let out a sigh of relief and lean back into the soft pillows, grateful to have some more moments of rest. Last night had been … exhausting, to say the least.

With my mind at rest about Emily's condition, I finally take a closer look at the breakfast tray. The sourdough is perfectly toasted, and the omelet is fluffier than the ones at those fancy five-star hotels. "Did you make all of this?" I ask, a little surprised.

Adrian looks at me with an offended expression. "Of course, I did! What, you don't think I'm capable of making breakfast?" he teases, trying to keep a straight face.

I laugh and playfully roll my eyes. "Well, you are a billionaire, Adrian. I didn't think you had time to learn how to cook."

He leans in close to me and whispers in my ear, "There's a lot you don't know about me, Olivia. I have many hidden talents."

I can feel my cheeks flush with excitement at his words, and I playfully swat his arm. "Oh, really? Well, I guess I'll have to find out what other hidden talents you have."

“Really?” he asks, seductively. “I thought I exhibited some of my special talents last night and by the manner of your moans, they seemed to be quite a hit with my audience.”

I blush and say nothing. I realize I’m still naked and reach for the blanket to cover myself up further. He simply grins and picks up his coffee from the tray. “Do you like yours with sugar?” he asks.

“Yes, please. Two spoons.”

He nods and makes my coffee just right. I put the tray aside, deciding to enjoy the coffee first. I quickly put on my clothes and sit back as he hands me my cup.

As I sip my coffee, I remember the howling winds and torrential rain from the hurricane the night before. "How bad is the damage from the cyclone?" I ask, worried about the impact on our homes.

Adrian's expression turns serious as he responds. "There is some damage to both our houses. Some windows are broken, the shutters are damaged, and the gardens are destroyed. But don't worry, I've already hired a landscaping crew and a contractor to come and fix it up. Both your place and mine."

I feel a sense of relief that he is taking care of everything, but also a little guilty that he is taking care of my home as well. "You didn't have to do that for my place," I say, feeling a little embarrassed.

Adrian just shakes his head. "I wanted to. You did so much for me last night, helping me out with Emily. The crew is on their way there now. Plus,” he grins, “what would you have done if not for my help?”

“Umm …” I say, looking into the distance and pretending to think seriously. “I don’t know, call my dad maybe?” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

He laughs. “So your parents live in Texas too?” he asks, out of curiosity.

I hesitate for a moment before answering, my voice distant. "No, just my dad. My mother died in a car crash when I was a kid – around Emily’s age."

Adrian's expression softens. "Oh, Olivia, I'm so sorry. That must have been incredibly hard for you."

I nod, "Yeah, it was. My childhood was a tragedy, really. And it didn't end there. My sister died soon after from cancer. She was 14, and I was… just 11 when it happened."

Adrian's hand reaches out to touch mine, offering comfort, "I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you.”

I take a deep breath, the memories of my sister flooding back. "It was tough," I begin, my voice trembling. "Endless hospital visits, watching her suffer through chemo, and the many, many sick nights. I used to stay up all night, helping her when she got sick, and in the morning, pretend I had a good night’s rest and go to school. My sister, Grace – that was her name – Grace and I had a pact. No matter what, we won’t try to burden Dad. You see, Dad had just lost his wife and was now coping with a sick child while trying to care for another. At the same time, he lost his job and would have to do odd jobs to bring in the money. Grace’s medical bills were so high, we sold our house. After all that, I became Grace’s caregiver. I never slept, but I had to be strong. For my dad, and for my sister. I never really had much of a childhood because I was always so busy taking care of my sister first, then my father."

“So you were forced to grow up before your years?” asks Adrian.

I pause, trying to steady my emotions before continuing, "Kind of. I remember feeling so helpless, so scared. Watching someone you love suffer like that, it's ... indescribable. But I had to be there for her, through everything. I had to learn to be strong because if I slipped up, I’d only be adding to her pain."

Adrian listens intently, his eyes full of empathy. "It must have been so hard, Olivia. How did you cope with it all?"

I take a deep breath, "Honestly, I don't think I really did cope. I just pushed through and tried to be strong. But I don't think I ever really dealt with the grief, even after all these years."

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