[She had a lot of work to do, and to deal with someone else’s jealousy? No use. Even when Shane was standing next to other women, Adaline could quite sincerely support the idea that before meeting the main character, he had the right to date anyone.]
[After all, he wasn't hers. Adaline even secretly hoped that he would stay out of his way, so as not to arouse unnecessary feelings in her.]
[Once upon a time she really thought so.]
[But now...Now she couldn't even stand his conversations with other women.]
[Here they are, human desires...ugh.]
Deciding that it might be better not to see him at all and thereby save her nerves, she turned her back to him. To keep her hands and mouth occupied, she grabbed a plate and began chewing.
"Tasty?"
"What?" - She raised her eyes in surprise.
“You just eat with such appetite.” - the stranger answered, nodding at her plate.
[Does he want it too?] Adaline pointed towards the table:
“It’s still full there. Exactly the same."
“That’s not why I said that.”
He glanced at her. The hint was obvious. But Adaline pretended not to understand and snorted:
“Why ask if it’s tasty if you’re not going to eat it yourself?”
“Because I’m not interested in food, but in the person who eats.”
“But I don’t. Find someone else."
“Well, why are you doing this...”
[If people understood the first time, the world would become a much nicer place.]
But he just grinned smugly and took a step closer.
“You know what this place is, right?”
“If I were interested, I wouldn’t be snacking alone right now.”
“So you are deliberately behaving provocatively to attract attention?”
"I? To get your attention?
Adalyn laughed involuntarily and immediately regretted it. Taking out your irritation on a stranger was stupid.
She lost her appetite. She put the plate on the table.
“Do you know what it means to overestimate yourself?”
"…I know. It doesn't usually sound like a compliment."
“So, you shouldn’t attach special importance to other people’s actions. Less shame later."
"Not very convincing." - he chuckled, looking at her appraisingly. "Considering how you're dressed...and where we are."
[The off-the-shoulder dress was indeed too revealing even by Adaline's standards. She would never have chosen such an outfit herself. But how does he know this?]
“This means that even in this form, you are not at all the one I want to attract.”
“Do you even know who I am?”
“Should it matter to me?”
“Talk to me alone and you might change your mind. Believe me, it's much more interesting than hiding in a corner and munching on snacks."
[Intrusive.]
[The face under the mask looked young. He probably hasn't encountered any rejections yet. It was clear that he was sure that no woman could resist.]
[But Adaline was no longer impressed by pretty faces alone. Her bar was high, thanks to the presence of too significant people in her life.]
“I have something interesting. You must have heard the rumors, right?”
[How can I get rid of him...]
[She was already annoyed, and then this...]
In addition, people around them were already starting to look askance in their direction. The longer this conversation drags on, the worse it will be for her.
"I promise you won't regret it..."
He extended his hand.
Adaline did not immediately realize that he was reaching for her mask. She pulled her head back and sharply threw his hand away, but at that moment a familiar voice was heard very close to her ear - quiet, cold, from which goosebumps ran down her skin:
“Really, I can’t take my eyes off you.”
“Oh...” she blurted out.
And before she knew what was happening, Shane had scooped her up into his arms. Before she even had time to scream, she had already soared into the air, her gaze darted to those around her: masks, faces, surprise.
In the crowd she saw a familiar face - one of the girls who had previously followed her tail. And a little further away...Lusian. Smiles. He waved at her.
[Damn...]
Hanging over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes is not a pleasant prospect. Adaline desperately waved her arms, squirming, but Shane held her tightly, not allowing her to move. He looked at the guy he had just saved her from:
“Is this what you wanted to ‘play with’?”
The voice is as cold as the winter wind. [And by his tone one could guess the expression on his face. Horror.]
“No, I just...it's a misunderstanding...”
Shane grinned dully, almost contemptuously, and whispered:
“Well then. Let's talk. Long and detailed."