Hurriedly, she stood up and started to walk away. She had taken a few steps when a hand shot out and caught her wrist.
"Melanie," Adam said slowly as he looked into her face.
Before she could react, he pulled at her wrist causing her to stumble and then land against him with a soft grunt.
"Adam—" she began, but he was already cupping her face in his hands, his thumb stroking the apple of her cheek with a tenderness that undid her more effectively than anything else. Just now, he had looked and sounded cold and unfeeling, but now, he could be so soft... She blinked at him as he murmured," I don’t like the sad look in your eyes."
She rolled her eyes and tried to keep the situation light, not wanting to delve deeper into whatever she was feeling. "What do you want me to do? Draw smiley faces on my eyeballs?"
Adam chuckled at that and she could not stop herseld from smiling as he pulled her cheek, "Tempting. But I’d prefer the real thing."
She smirked and poked him lightly in the chest. "I cannot smile on command."
"You’re right. I’ll have to come up with some bribes and benefits package that would make you smile all day long."
Melanie raised an eyebrow, amused despite herself. "Like what?"
Adam grinned and quickly pecked her nose. " How about unlimited kisses, daily cuddles. Priority access to foot rubs. A lifetime supply of back massages?"
She laughed then, and shook her head," What a bargain! So tempting."
"Well, I can be very persuasive." Adam said, tightening his arms around her slightly.
"You’re also very annoying with always grabbing and pulling me around" she shot back, though her fingers were already weaving through the hair at the nape of his neck.
"And yet here you are," he said smugly, leaning in to brush his lips across hers
Melanie huffed a breath but didn’t pull away. Instead, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his, reminding herself that the present was more important than the future.
For a moment, they simply stayed like tha, wrapped up in each other, the outside world forgotten.
Until the phone rang and Melanie wriggled slightly, trying to get up. "I really have to go," she said reluctantly.
Adam sighed and his forehead pressed against hers for a beat longer before he let her go.
"Fine. Go be a responsible adult."
She grinned, stood and smoothed out her clothes. "Don’t miss me too much."
"No promises," Adam said, watching her as she walked out.
As she grabbed her bag and turned toward the door, he called out casually, "Melanie."
Melanie turned around. It was always odd hearing him call her that and she turned around to look at him questioningly. But he seemed to hesitate for a moment and then grinned at her, "By the way, when you get back, we’re resuming discussion on your new benefits package."
Melanie laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days, and threw him a mock salute over her shoulder. "Okay."
And with that, she was gone—leaving Adam staring after her, a thoughtful look on his face,
But as soon as the door clicked shut behind her, the smile faded and the look on his face faded.
He had intended to stop her just now and ask if she would be with him in this battle. The thought of raising a child alone was not so terrifying but the thought of her being with him when he fought this battle, gave him hope.
But he stopped himself. He did not want to pressurise her. Knowing her, if she felt that he might need her help when raising the child, she would definitely stand by his side. However, he did not want to guilt her into it. So, he let her go.
Adam rubbed a hand over his face and leaned back heavily in his chair, staring at the ceiling for a long moment. He really did need her to choose him and any family they might have.
With a grunt, he pushed himself up and started clearing the table mechanically, stacking plates and wiping down the counter hurriedly.
Finally, he picked up his phone and typed out a message, "First, there will be a DNA test and only then there will be any discussions about custody, meetings or responsibility."
The phone buzzed almost instantly with a reply, but he didn’t bother checking it. He tossed it onto the counter and braced his hands against the sink, breathing hard.
He couldn’t afford to be reckless. Not now. Not when there was so much at stake. When it was his future with Melanie at stake.
The phone buzzed again, vibrating insistently against the counter.
Adam glanced at it — Saira.
He clenched his jaw and turned away, letting it buzz itself into silence.
But a few seconds later, it buzzed again. Then again. And again.
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to summon some patience, but when it rang for the fourth time, he snapped.
Snatching up the phone, he jabbed the answer icon and barked, "What?"
"Fine. If you want to do a DNA test, you have to come with me. Adir, our son, is not in this country and that is why I wanted you to have a video conference earlier. So, if you want that DNA test you’re so determined to have, you’ll have to leave with me. Right away. Right now. I’ve already made the arrangements. The flight leaves in an hour. Whether you get on it or not, will decide if you will ever get to see your son. It is at the private airport so... passport etc, should not be a problem. Get there soon, Adam."
Before Adam could say anything to counter this, Saira disconnected the call. He tried calling her back but then her phone was switched off. He sighed. Just now, he had clamied that he would not let Saira call the shots but until he found the child, all the stakes were in her hands. He sighed and hurriedly grabbed his things and his passport... leaving for the airport.