Chapter 4Not Just Friends

Going to New York with Adrian to relax wasn't because I was moved by his words, but because he asked: "Do you plan to enter the family company after graduation?"

"I'm discussing a project in New York. Want to come and see?"

Adrian's ability was obvious to all. At that time, many people, including me, admired him.

Admiration for the strong is a very normal mindset.

I really wanted to see Adrian's work.

So even when he volunteered to be my marriage partner, I still went to New York with him.

Adrian took me with him for two weeks. There was no adult romance.

He taught me a lot like a senior taking care of a junior. I saw his strategizing and calmness in business.

Without any personal feelings, choosing Adrian was far better than Julian.

The benefits were more direct.

"But, Uncle Adrian, Julian is your nephew."

The night before leaving New York, in the hotel's lounge bar, I sat opposite Adrian, soothing jazz music playing in my ears.

The bar's lighting was dim, tinged with a hint of ambiguity.

Adrian's expression didn't change. Those calm eyes landed on my face, meeting my gaze:

"Yes, what he did wasn't kind. You can consider becoming his aunt. In the future, you'll be his elder."

"..."

Be Julian's aunt?

I admit Adrian's words were tempting, but I had other considerations for my life. Julian hurt me, but he couldn't affect my next step in life.

"Uncle Adrian, I have another question."

Adrian: "You can ask many questions. Also, you can call me by my name directly."

Call him by his name.

I've called him Uncle since I was a kid, following Julian. Naturally, I treated him as an elder.

But now, our relationship was heading in another direction, adding a sense of immorality.

"What is your view... on me?" I paused.

"Do you want to ask if I'm pursuing you for profit or something else?" Adrian asked back.

Before I could answer, he said: "Elara, a five-year age gap shouldn't be too big. Besides Julian, I can also be considered your childhood friend, right?"

I was stunned.

"I'm a few years older than you. Before you went to kindergarten, you often ran over to play with Julian. At that time, the adults at home were busy, and you and Julian both stuck to me quite a bit, remember?" Adrian said softly.

His words triggered my memories.

It seems kids always like to play with older kids. Julian and I pestered Adrian when we were little.

But as we grew older, Adrian was busy with school, then with business. He became the best among his peers, and our relationship naturally changed.

"When you graduated from high school, my brother and sister-in-law hoped you would be their daughter-in-law and discussed the engagement with your parents. At that time, you and Julian were close," Adrian changed the subject, "But Elara, now he withdrew first. Even if I'm his elder, it's not immoral for me to pursue a single girl, right?"

Adrian took me home. During the half month in New York, he didn't cross the line at all.

That Chinese New Year, Julian and his parents probably were too embarrassed to come to my house for New Year greetings because of his relationship. The Sterling family sent Adrian over.

That day, there were many people. No one knew that Adrian asked me in my bedroom: "Elara, have you thought about it?"