my return will be your downfall

THE PRICE OF LOYALTY

After several minutes, she selected a dark blue dress.

"This one."

Vanessa looked at it.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. It looks elegant, and it suits you."

Vanessa took the dress from her and held it against herself.

For the first time that afternoon, she smiled genuinely.

"All right. Give me a few minutes."

Patricia returned to the dressing table.

As Vanessa changed, Patricia continued talking about the dinner, the guests who might attend, and the expensive cars she expected to see outside the hotel.

Vanessa listened carefully.

She wanted to experience that world for herself.

She wanted to see how wealthy people lived when they were not posting photographs for everyone to admire.

And she wanted to know whether the life she had always dreamed of was truly as wonderful as it appeared.

---

Adrian pov

Back at the commercial complex, Adrian was still waiting for Harrison when his phone rang again.

This time, it was his employer.

"Adrian, come to the entrance. The meeting is over."

"I'm on my way, sir."

He stepped out of the vehicle and walked toward the building.

Harrison emerged a few minutes later with two other businessmen.

They were discussing a possible partnership, and their conversation continued as they approached the car.

One of the men paused beside Adrian.

"Are you Mr. Cole's regular driver?"

"Yes, sir."

The man nodded approvingly.

"Good. It's not easy finding reliable people these days."

Adrian smiled.

"Thank you, sir."

Harrison opened the rear door and entered the vehicle.

"Let's go, Adrian."

Adrian returned to the driver's seat and started the engine.

As they drove away, Harrison continued speaking with his guests.

Adrian remained attentive to the road, avoiding the impatient drivers who squeezed between vehicles and the pedestrians who hurried across busy intersections.

He had driven through these streets countless times.

He knew which roads became congested in the evening and which shortcuts could save several minutes.

His experience helped him navigate the traffic without unnecessary delays.

Eventually, they reached Harrison's office.

The two businessmen thanked Harrison for the meeting and departed in their own vehicles.

Harrison turned to Adrian.

"That will be all for today. You can go home."

"Thank you, sir."

"Remember, I'll have my assistant contact you about the additional assignments."

"I will, sir."

Adrian watched Harrison enter the building before getting back into the driver's seat.

He checked the time.

It was already evening.

He had spent the entire day working, and his body was beginning to feel the strain.

Nevertheless, he was pleased with how the day had gone.

He had completed his assignments, received a possible opportunity to earn additional money, and avoided unnecessary expenses.

Now he could return home, prepare dinner, and perhaps speak with Vanessa properly.

He started the engine and drove away.

---

The journey home took longer than expected.

Traffic was heavy, and several roads were partially blocked by vehicles waiting to enter a busy junction.

By the time Adrian reached his neighbourhood, darkness had begun settling over the city.

He got down from the public bus, collected his belongings, and climbed the stairs.

When he opened the door, he immediately noticed that the living room was empty.

Vanessa's handbag was not on the table, and her shoes were missing from the place where she usually left them.

He checked the bedroom.

The room was empty too.

Adrian frowned.

He took out his phone and called her.

The call rang several times before it was answered.

"Hello?" Vanessa said.

"Baby, where are you?"

"I'm outside."

"Outside where?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"I'm not trying to disturb you. I just got home, and I wanted to know whether I should prepare dinner for two."

"I'm not coming home yet."

Adrian sat on the edge of the bed.

"All right. Are you with your friends?"

"Yes."

He hesitated.

"Okay. Please let me know when you're on your way back."

"I will."

"Vanessa?"

"What?"

"Are we still going to talk about yesterday?"

There was a pause.

"I don't know, Adrian. I'm busy right now."

"All right."

"Goodbye."

The call ended.

Adrian lowered his phone.

He remained seated for a while before putting it on the bedside table.

He wanted to be angry, but he found that he did not have the energy.

Instead, he stood up, went to the kitchen, and prepared a simple meal for himself.

After eating, he washed the dishes and tidied the living room.

He considered watching television, but he was too tired to concentrate on anything.

Eventually, he returned to the bedroom, changed into comfortable clothes, and lay down.

He had another long day ahead of him tomorrow.

Before closing his eyes, he picked up his phone one last time.

There was still no message from Vanessa.

Adrian placed the phone beside his pillow.

He told himself that things would get better.

He told himself that the arguments would eventually end.

With those thoughts in his mind, he slowly drifted to sleep.