Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 15: The way you see me…

Adrian blinked in surprise at the sight of Clara standing in front of his desk, all pretty in her school uniform against the elegant backdrop of his office. Her presence here, unannounced and unexpected, stirred a mix of concern and curiosity within him. He closed the door behind him with a gentle click, the weight of her visit hanging palpably in the air. "Clara," Adrian greeted her warmly, though his mind raced to comprehend why she had sought him out in such a manner. "Is everything alright?"

Clara hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between Adrian's face and the floor. She took a deep breath, steeling herself to speak. "I... I had to see you," she admitted finally, her voice wavering slightly with a blend of anxiety and determination.

Adrian nodded, motioning for her to take a seat in one of the chairs opposite his desk. "Please, have a seat," he offered gently, his concern deepening as he observed the turmoil evident in her demeanor.

Taking the seat, Clara clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her thoughts racing to articulate the turmoil within her. "My father..." she began slowly, choosing her words with care. "Today he... He told me about his plans for me." Adrian's brow furrowed in concern, recalling their previous conversations about Richard and his ambitions. "Plans?" he prompted gently, though he had a sinking feeling about where this conversation might lead.

"He wants me to marry," Clara revealed, her voice barely above a whisper. "An arranged marriage, to benefit the family's company."

Adrian's jaw clenched as he struggled to contain his rising anger upon hearing about Richard's plans for Clara. He couldn't stand the idea of Clara being with anyone else, especially like this. Richard was basically selling her out to some random rich asshole in exchange for money. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he looked deep into Clara's eyes.

Adrian leaned forward, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "Do you happen to know the man your father intends to marry you to?"

Clara shook her head, her brows furrowed in frustration. "I don't know who he is. But apparently, my dad has already arranged everything like a Victorian baron or something."

"So," Adrian began, his voice carefully measured but tinged with underlying tension. "How you feel about this... arrangement?"

Clara looked up at him, her expression a mixture of sadness and defiance. "I feel awful, Adrian," she admitted softly, her voice wavering with emotion. "I don't want to marry a stranger just because of his money, this is insane. I feel like a chess piece in a sick and twisted game my dad is trying to play."

Adrian sighed, a hint of anger flaring in his eyes. "Clara, you're eighteen years old. You don't have to obey your father, especially because you have your mother's money. You can do as you please."

Clara's eyes filled with tears, and she looked away, torn between her sense of duty and her desire for independence. "It's not so simple, though. My father is entrusted to manage my inheritance until I'm 21. And even if I had access to this money... I've been a perfect and obedient daughter all my life. I never thought I'd have to... Not to be."

Adrian reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You don't have to be your dad's sweet little girl anymore," he said softly, his voice filled with conviction. "You have the right to live your own life, to make your own choices."

Clara became silent, she seemed thoughtful. Adrian leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed with concern as he studied the girl sitting opposite him. The tension in the room was palpable, he could sense that she wanted to say something or even do something. But she remained still, sitting in silence, a billion thoughts running through her head. Adrian couldn't help but wonder why Clara had chosen to seek refuge in his house of all places. "Why here, Clara? Why come to me?" Clara shifted in her seat, her eyes meeting his gaze with a raw honesty. "Where else could I go?" she replied softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I feel lost, Adrian. But I've always felt safe with you. You see me for who I really am. Not just as someone's daughter, or a naïve little girl. You see me as a woman."

Clara's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. "Indeed," he began earnestly, "I do see you as a woman."

Clara's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I... I like the way you look at me," she confessed softly, her gaze meeting his eyes with a mixture of bashfulness and longing.

Encouraged by her response, Adrian stood up, his movements deliberate yet tinged with anticipation. He extended his hand towards her. Clara hesitated for a moment, her heart racing with uncertainty, before finally placing her small hand in his huge palm. As Adrian helped her to her feet, the space between them closed, their bodies now just inches apart.

Adrian gently brushed his fingertips against Clara's cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his touch. Her breath hitched audibly, her eyes fixed intently on his. In that charged moment, he couldn't resist the pull any longer. Adrian gazed into Clara's eyes with a mixture of lust and longing. "Clara," he began, his voice soft yet resolute, "do you want to know how I truly feel about you? How I truly see you?"

Clara met his gaze unwaveringly, her heart racing with anticipation. "Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with a quiet intensity.

With a surge of longing and determination, Adrian cupped Clara's face in his hands, drawing her closer. His eyes burned with desire as he leaned in, capturing Clara's lips in a heated kiss. He pulled her body closer, his strong arms enveloping her slender frame. The height difference made her feel small and lost in his embrace, the strength of his grip both reassuring and electrifying.

Their kiss deepened, fueled by a longing that had been simmering beneath the surface for too long. Adrian's hands roamed from her back to her waist, drawing her even closer, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Adrian pulled back slightly, his breath ragged as he looked deeply into Clara's eyes. "I won't stop," he murmured, his voice husky with need. "Do you really want this, Clara?"

Clara, breathless and flushed, trembling with anticipation, nodded timidly.