Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Make Up for It
“The special lamps ordered by the lighting team arrived today, but the prop team said the last batch of police uniforms may be delayed by two days due to some issues. Also, I’ve scheduled Crow’s call for you at 11 a.m. tomorrow and Laverne at 4 p.m., when you happen to have more free time,” Charlize said as she flipped through the folder in her hands.
Then she closed the item in her hands, sighed helplessly, and looked at Adrian, “How many times do I have to remind you, Ed? For the sake of your stomach, please don’t read while eating.”
“Aren’t you looking as well?” Adrian put down what he was holding and looked at her with a smile.
Without saying a word, Charlize pointed to her own plate, which was empty compared to Adrian’s which still had one-third of its food remaining. Unperturbed, Adrian shrugged, his smile unchanged, “You know, Charli, it’s also bad for the stomach to look at things right after eating.”
“Do you always have to argue with me, Ed?” Charlize frowned and gave him a dangerous look.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop looking,” Adrian quickly raised his hands and started to finish his dinner.
Charlize watched him, then suddenly sighed, “I feel less and less like your assistant.”
“Is that so?” Adrian chewed his rice, looking up at Charlize with a half-smile, “Then what do I look like?”
“Like…” Charlize seemed to be choked, unable to say another word, her eyes widened with a strange expression, and it was not until a while later that she blurted out, “A nanny!”
Adrian smiled meaningfully, ignoring Charlize’s reaction, and continued to focus on his food.
After dinner, Charlize, as usual, started to clear up the dishes and wash them in the sink, a routine she had gotten used to. Adrian, meanwhile, sat on the sofa, pondering the upcoming shoot. When Charlize was almost done, he went out to the small balcony, leaving the living room for her, but unlike usual, he specifically took something from the fridge with him.
“I put the schedule on the bedside table in your room, remember to check it before bed,” Charlize said from the entrance to the small balcony a moment later.
“Got it,” Adrian turned around and lifted his long-necked glass, the transparent liquid inside bubbling, while a small bucket filled with ice cubes sat next to him.
“Drinking chilled champagne? You really know how to enjoy life, Ed,” Charlize chuckled looking at the champagne bottle.
“How about a drink together?” Adrian lifted another empty long-necked glass and shook it.
“Since you’ve even got the blankets ready, how could I refuse?” Charlize sighed, walked onto the small balcony, and took the half-filled glass Adrian handed her.
“Indeed not bad,” Charlize praised after a small sip, then looked up at the brilliantly lit skyscrapers of the Big Apple in the night sky, “Is there something special about this place? You almost stand here every night.”
Adrian didn’t answer immediately but watched the night view leisurely for a long while before eventually speaking, “You know, Los Angeles, being on the Ring of Fire, rarely has skyscrapers lined up like in New York. Although looking down from Beverly Hills, the scattered stars of lights on the ground are incomparably beautiful, the view right here isn’t bad at all.”
“Is that so?” Charlize smirked, her implication clear without words.
“You’ve lived in New York for at least three or four years, Charli, you’ve long been used to scenes ,” Adrian shrugged, “Do you remember the look on your face when you saw Los Angeles under the night sky from Beverly Hills?”
“No expression at all,” Charlize hummed, looking at the buildings.
Adrian chuckled softly before continuing, “Sometimes a change in environment gives me inspiration, which is why I like feeling the differences in cities like Here. Although my aunt and uncle live Here, I seldom visit, so some things still feel unfamiliar to me.”
He paused briefly, then his smile turned slightly mischievous, “Imagine if a city like New York faced a disaster, like an earthquake, a volcano, or a flood. It sure would be quite a spectacle.”
“You got another idea so soon?” Charli responded, slightly astonished.
“Of course, I just told you, a change in environment sparks inspiration,” Adrian said, raising his glass to the night sky, “Sometimes I really wish I could stay Here longer, maybe I would get even more ideas.”
“And see more eye-catching girls,” Charli muttered under her breath.
Adrian, who was about to down his champagne, almost spat it out but composed himself in time. He turned to Charli with a feigned smile, “Sorry, what did you just say?”
“You heard me, Ed,” Charli rolled her eyes, “Don’t think I haven’t noticed—Liv and Sarah. You better know what you’re doing. I don’t want the first boss I ever had suddenly landing in jail.”
That’s right, she couldn’t possibly know everything, otherwise… Ah, speaking of which… Adrian looked at Charli with raised eyebrows, “Are you worried about me, Charli?”
“I’m thinking about my future and my paycheck, Ed. I hope you understand that,” Charli rolled her eyes again and turned to walk inside, putting her glass down as she went.
With a light chuckle, Adrian set down his glass on a small table on the patio and took quick steps to catch Charli before she went inside, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. He then leaned heavily on her and planted a soft kiss on the nape of her alabaster neck.
“You can’t… always be !” Charli punched him gently, her tone both annoyed and playful. Though she gritted her teeth, the blush that rose on her cheeks made her look particularly enticing.
“You know, there’s another reason I stand on this patio every day,” Adrian whispered close to her ear, caressing her cheek, “From Here through the glass window, I can see your silhouette bustling around the kitchen. It inspires a feeling inside me, indescribable, but I really like it.”
Charli looked at Adrian, her struggle halting momentarily as her gaze deepened.
“Speaking of you saying, ‘Don’t think I didn’t notice,’ just now, I suddenly felt something else. What could that be?” Adrian quickly shifted the conversation.
Charli’s body tensed, and she took a few seconds to regain her composure, furrowing her brows, “Alright, Ed, if you keep holding me , be careful, I might sue you…”
“Speaking of which, I haven’t met your mother yet. You always go to her house alone. Can I come next time? I’d really like to know what kind of mother has such an outstanding daughter,” Adrian breathed into her ear again.
“Enough, Ed, enough,” Charli’s heart finally became flustered as she struggled to get away. But just when she tried to move, Adrian planted a deep kiss on her.
Her already shaky and uncertain heart was pried open. Although Charli made muffled sounds and continually pushed against him, to Adrian, it appeared more coquettish than resistant.
Engaged in Adrian’s tantalizations, Charli felt herself being lifted and moved several steps before a series of clinks sounded, and by instinct, she knew she had been placed atop the dining table.