Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 10: Hangover

Clara woke up with her head throbbing, a dull ache pulsing through her temples. As she slowly opened her eyes, the unfamiliar room came into focus. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The walls were painted a soft cream color, adorned with tasteful artwork. The furniture was elegant and understated, giving the room an air of quiet sophistication. This was not her room; it was a place she had never been before.

She noticed she was wearing an oversized white t-shirt, the fabric soft against her skin. Her mind was foggy, the memories of the previous night fragmented and elusive. She struggled to piece together the events that had led her here, but her head hurt too much to think clearly.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and Clara's heart skipped a beat as Adrian entered, his presence filling the space. He was shirtless, a glass of water in one hand, his expression calm and reassuring. "Good morning," he said softly, a warm smile playing on his lips as he approached her.

Adrian looked at Clara with genuine concern in his eyes. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked gently, noting the lingering pain etched across her features.

Clara winced slightly and nodded. "My head hurts," she admitted, her voice still hoarse from the previous night's ordeal.

Adrian handed her the glass of water again, this time accompanied by an aspirin. "Here, take this," he said, his tone soothing and patient.

Clara hesitated for a moment, the events of the night before weighing heavily on her mind. She took the aspirin and washed it down with a few sips of water, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. "What happened last night?" she asked quietly, a mix of curiosity and trepidation in her voice. The fog of her memory made her anxious to piece together the fragments.

Adrian sighed softly, choosing his words carefully. "You texted me in the middle of the night," he began, watching her reaction closely. "You were at a party, and it sounded like you needed help. So, I came to get you." Clara's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as the memories started to resurface. She remembered the humiliation, the cruel laughter, and Marcus's betrayal. She looked down, unable to meet Adrian's gaze. "I'm sorry," she whispered, feeling the sting of shame.

Adrian reached out and gently lifted her chin, his eyes filled with understanding. "You don't need to apologize, Clara," he said firmly. "The most important thing is that you're okay now."

Clara felt a surge of gratitude and relief at his words. She managed a small, tentative smile, feeling a bit of the weight lift from her shoulders. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice sincere. Adrian returned her smile with warmth. "You're welcome," he replied.

Clara looked up at Adrian, curiosity mixing with gratitude. "How did you know where I was?" she asked, her voice soft.

Adrian gave her a reassuring smile. "You texted me your location," he explained. "It might have been accidental, but I'm glad you did. I would have figured out how to find you anyway because I was really worried." Clara returned his smile, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you for being so considerate," she said sincerely.

Adrian's expression grew serious again. "Are you really okay, Clara? Nothing more serious happened with those boys last night, right?"

Clara sighed, feeling a flush of embarrassment. "No, nothing more serious happened," she said. "Marcus just kissed me and tried to do more, but you arrived just in time."

Adrian nodded, relief evident in his eyes. "I'm glad you're okay," he said. "Really glad."

Clara bit her lip, guilt and gratitude mingling in her chest. "I'm sorry again," she said quietly, looking down at her hands. "Are you mad at me?"

Adrian chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I was your age once, Clara. I can't blame you for trying to have fun. Just be more careful next time, okay?"

Clara looked up at him, her eyes earnest. "There won't be a next time," she vowed. "But thank you."

Without thinking, she placed her hand on Adrian's thigh, a gesture of gratitude and connection. The touch was innocent, but it made the space between them feel smaller, more intimate. Adrian's breath hitched slightly, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he placed his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Adrian sat quietly for a moment, the distance between them becoming dangerously small, his mind swirling with memories from the night before. He remembered Clara clinging to him in the car, her entire body unintentionally brushing against him, stirring a primal desire within him. She was so beautiful, so alluring... So vulnerable. The thought of any of those stupid highschool boys trying to take advantage of her made his blood boil.

The fabric of the shirt he had given her last night was soft and slightly thin, he didn't think she would even put it on before collapsing into bed, and now he couldn't help but glimpse at her nipples slightly showing under the morning light. He found himself longing for her in a way that was both intoxicating and dangerous.

Clearing his throat, Adrian finally broke the silence. "Let's go downstairs and have some breakfast," he suggested gently, his voice betraying none of the turmoil inside him.

Clara looked up at him, sensing the shift in his demeanor but not fully understanding its cause. She nodded slowly, grateful for the distraction of food and the opportunity to spend more time with Adrian instead of going back home.