For a long time, Nikolai was frozen and kept staring at the shelf before him. Every other thing around him didn't matter, just the shelf before him. Emotion swelled within his chest, catching in his throat and leaving him breathless. He actually had a hint that Adira had been secretly buying clothes for him, but he had no idea they were this He extended his hands and grazed his fingers over the soft fabrics. So much quality, so much beauty. They were definitely going to look good on him. He couldn't believe she had been buying so many clothes for him but never had the courage to give them to him. And he wouldn't even blame her. He had been scaring her enough. He imagined how hurt she must be knowing she couldn't see him in those dresses. He blamed himself for trapping her in a loveless marriage, but it was for the best. Taking a deep breath, he stepped away from the shelf and looked around for what he was looking for. He soon found the shelf containing her casual dresses and picked out a few. And before leaving the closet, he cast a final stare at the shelf again. His eyes watered, but of course, a man like himself could never shed a tear. Still, it didn't change the fact that he was in love with a woman he could not be with. In love with a woman he badly wanted but couldn't have. 'Get rid of your fears, Nikolai,' a small voice whispered in his head, but he scoffed at it. Was a man like himself still capable of loving a woman? A man who had... He tried not to think of it. Perhaps it was only best if he kept her out of his dirty life so she doesn't get affected like the other did. **** Throughout the drive to the hospital, he was very cold and quiet and kept thinking about Adira. His mind still played around with the incident that had happened and the fact that someone tried to kill her. He needed to get to the root of it. He would never be able to survive if something happened to Adira. Soon, they got to the hospital, and he hurried in while his guards followed him with the small bag of clothes. As usual, he magnated the presence of everyone in the hospital. Heads turned and whispers followed as he walked, captivated by his commanding presence and undeniable aura of authority. He took the elevators, sparing no one a glance. If he did, that person would have felt like the luckiest person in the building. Soon,he was out of the elevator and making his way to Adira's room. And when he got to her door, a wave of relief washed over him when he found her awake. She was seated on the bed,her figure bathed in the soft glow of the room's ambient light. Her eyes, like pools of liquid warmth, locked onto his as their gazes met, and only then did he realise how beautiful they truly were. "Nikolai!" His mom's voice broke into his thoughts, making him break the eye contact he had with Adira. "Thank goodness you're here. How was your night?" "Good." Nikolai walked into the room before replying. Adira had lowered her gaze. "Good morning," she said in a hushed tone, but Nikolai gave no reply as he stood in front of her. "Do you feel better?" He asked after a few seconds of silence, and Adira bobbed her head without looking at him. "Good. Here are the clothes, mom. I need to meet up with some important clients." He signalled his guard to hand the bag to her, and he did. Mrs. Bellamy tried to argue. "Huh? But it's Sunday. Why are you?..." "I already fixed a meeting with them, and need to be there. Take care." He cast a glance at Adira, whose eyes were turned to the bed while she fiddled with her nails. It was a good thing she was fine. He couldn't stay any longer.He turned towards the door and was about walking out when he found someone approaching. And the moment he got a glimpse of the person's face, his brows furrowed in surprise. Jared, holding some flowers and a gift bag, had been reading the numbers on each door, searching for Adira's room. And when he got to a door that revealed Nikolai, he paused, knowing it was the right room. "Found it." He said it with a small smile on his lips. Nikolai gave him a head-to-toe look, wondering if he was actually there to see Adira. Why would he want to see Adira? And why was he carrying flowers and a gift bag? "Good morning, Mr. Nikolai," Jared said gently. "It looks like you're about to leave." His voice caught the attention of Adira, who turned to see what was happening. She flinched at the sight of Jared. What?! What was he doing here? "Mr. Jared," Nikolai called. "I must say I'm surprised to find you here.""Oh! I'm just here to pay a visit to Adira, nothing else. You know, we recently became partners, and I think it's only right that I show concern in such a moment." That didn't sit well with Nikolai. He didn't notice he was still standing at the door and obstructing Jared from going in. "Uh, why don't you let him in?" Mrs. Bellamy asked from behind, and that was when Nikolai noticed he had actually been standing in the way. Perhaps that was what he wanted. Sighing softly, he moved out of the way while Jared walked in with a smile. "Mr Jared! I'm pleased to have you here. I've heard a lot about you." Mrs. Bellamy's eyes wrinkled as she smiled. "I'm glad you have, ma'am. Good morning." Nikolai couldn't tell why he felt uncomfortable in Jared's presence. His relationship with Adira should strictly be business and nothing more. He cast a final glance at him before leaving the room. Jared felt relieved when Nikolai left. Now, he had all the time with Adira. He couldn't wait to make that time permanent. "I got you these," he said, holding out the flowers to her,but Adira acted a little hesitant before collecting them. "Thank you," she mumbled. "It's fine. And I got you these as well," he said, giving the bag to her next. "Thank you, but I believe you shouldn't have bothered." "Oh, come on, Adira. My business partners do not get shot all the time. It's just my own way of telling you to recover quickly." He shifted his gaze to Bellamy. "I hope you don't get me wrong. Adira's and I are just..." "Of course I don't," Mrs. Bellamy chuckled. "You're simply being a thoughtful business partner. Few people have been here as el, and they've given her gifts." It suddenly dawned on Adira. "About the contract, you've yet to sign your own part of it." Jared reacted uncomfortably. "I...uh...I know. My team is still going through it." She nodded perfunctorily and dropped the flowers and gifts on the table beside her. "Thank you for coming," she stated, making it obvious she wanted him to leave. She didn't want to create a negative impression with Mrs. Bellamy. Jared noticed this but chose to ignore it. "It's nothing big, Adira. By the way, have you had something to eat? You know, in situations like this, you shouldn't be hungry." "Yes, she's eaten," Bellamy responded. **** Nikolai sat coldly in the backseat of the car, his gaze fixed on the entrance of the hospital. From time to time, his eyes flickered towards his wristwatch, the ticking seconds echoing the restlessness festering within him. It's been over twenty minutes already. Why was Jared taking so long to come out? His fingers drummed restlessly on his armrest, and at intervals, he'd adjust the collars of his shirt. After leaving Adira's room, he was unable to leave the hospital and decided to wait in the car to see when Jared would leave. He had been hoping the young man wouldn't stay too long, but he was taking too long for someone who claimed to be a business partner. It didn't sit well with him anymore.