"Sirin, Stop" his teeth gritted in frustration to contain his words within the room's confines. But Sirin, lost in the haze of her own distress, remained oblivious to his plea. Her entire being was ensnared by the oppressive heat, her thoughts consumed by the desperate longing to escape its suffocating grip.
In that crucial moment, Adrian found himself compelled to act swiftly. With determined steps, he closed the distance between them, his towering presence casting a shadow of urgency over Sirin. As he knelt beside her on the couch, his hand reached out, clasping Sirin's firmly despite her feeble attempts to retreat. Despite their proximity, he maintained a respectful distance, ensuring that the air around them remained breathable.
In his urgent attempt to restrain her, Adrian swiftly retrieved a damp handkerchief, the same one he had used earlier to soothe Sirin's overheated skin. With focused determination, he moved to bind her hands, his attention solely fixed on the task before him. "She's a walking hazard," Adrian whispered under his breath.
With Sirin's hands now securely bound, Adrian allowed himself a brief moment of relief, easing back slightly as the tension in his muscles subsided. However, in doing so, He realized that her face was positioned below his at nearly a 90-degree angle, his gaze involuntarily flickered to her lips, momentarily captivated by their softness and proximity. Adrian quickly withdrew, putting some distance between them. Adrian said again, " Walking hazard."
'The door,' he looked towards the door and swiftly moved to secure it. His actions driven by the need to shield their private moment from any prying eyes that might misconstrue their situation.
He stepped outside the door, turning to the waiting maids, he issued concise instructions, requesting lemonade be brought to his chambers without delay. "Bring me a jar of lemonade and ensure it's placed outside the door." With that said, he reentered the chamber and took a seat beside her. He gently touched her cheeks, his was seeking reassurance, if her sudden rise in body temperature had gone down a little. "It is never easy to be with you, Never," his words tinged with a blend of frustration.
"Now you're lying in front of me, half exposed, captivating me like a lone lighthouse amidst a tempest-tossed sea," Sirin's vulnerability was like a captivating glow of a lighthouse guiding ships through tumultuous seas. Just as the beacon offers hope and direction to lost vessels, so too did Sirin's presence beckon him.
A pang of regret was echoing in his mind as he retreated to his seat. 'What was I thinking?' he mused to himself, a tinge of frustration coloring his thoughts. 'I should have called for the maids the moment I noticed Sirin's condition worsening.' He sank into the plush cushion of his chair, as he watched over Sirin.
'I won't fall prey like the rest,' the Duke silently affirmed to Sirin.
The tranquility was interrupted by a knock at the door, heralding the arrival of the lemonade. Following the Duke's instructions, she placed the refreshing beverage outside the door before retreating quietly, leaving the room once again enveloped in silence.
Adrian waited patiently before picking up the jar, placing it gently on the nearby table. He then settled himself beside Sirin, cradling her head on his lap with utmost care. He poured the cool lemonade into a glass, guiding it to her lips sip by sip, hoping to alleviate her discomfort.
It was a new experience for Adrian, this act of caregiving. Never before had he found himself in such a position, tending to another's needs. And yet, as he watched Sirin drink, each swallow was a small victory against the oppressive heat.
As Sirin took slow sips, she folded both legs, the motion causing her dress to slide up further, exposing more of her slender, toned legs. Adrian's frustration simmered beneath the surface. He silently questioned her motives, ' Are you finding pleasure in this.' He wondered.
Despite his frustration, Adrian continued to offer Sirin sips of lemonade. Gradually, as the cool liquid trickled down her throat, Sirin's body began to relax, the oppressive heat dissipating like morning mist under the sun's gentle rays.
Adrian once again carefully laid her head upon the couch, ensuring her comfort. With a practiced hand, he adjusted her clothing, smoothing out the wrinkles and restoring modesty to her exposed form. Only the coat remained untouched.
Adrian chuckled sarcastically, never imagining he would find himself dressing a woman instead of undressing.
Now that Sirin was settled, Adrian stepped out onto the terrace, seeking solace in the embrace of the warm breeze. He craved some fresh air and his cigarette. With a flick of his wrist, he ignited the flame of the lighter, bringing it close to the tip of the cigarette nestled between his lips, setting it ablaze with a single graceful motion.
He starred at Winter garden. A sentiment he couldn't quite comprehend, especially considering how differently he might react in similar situations involving Juli. The mere thought of Juli in a vulnerable state, exposed and in need of care, would likely have ignited a different kind of passion within him. He envisioned himself eagerly relishing every moment of proximity succumbing to the temptation to explore every inch of her body. Instead of couch, he would taken her to his bed. Juli seems to be the antidote to his bewildering emotion.
Despite momentarily feeling drawn to Sirin, he was determined not to overstep any boundaries. He reassured himself that the attraction was merely a fleeting incident, like a passing breeze on a sunny day.
Sirin began to gradually emerge from her semi-conscious state, finding herself seated on the couch with her legs still stretched out comfortably. She noticed the absence of the coat she had been wearing, which was neatly placed on the side of the couch. She scanned the room, her eyes were searching for Duke. She Spotted him standing on the terrace under the blazing sun.
Slowly rising from the couch, her hair, once neatly tied in a bun, now cascaded freely down to her hips. With measured steps, she approached the large window leading to the terrace, the soft fabric of her dress accentuating her figure. "Duke," she called out, her voice gentle yet carrying across the room.
Adrian, who was enjoying his somke, paused a little before turning to face her. He felt relief to see her awake but with that he also found himself mesmerized by her once again, the way her hair fell delicately around her face and the dress clung to her figure, creating an otherworldly presence. Yet, his delight turned to worry, her vulnerable and alluring state for anyone to see. "Let's go inside."
Once they both were inside the chamber, Adrian gestured for Sirin to take a seat on the couch, and asked her to drink the lemonade. "After you've finished your drink, reassemble your hair as it was."
"Thank you Duke, for taking care of me."
"You should, take pride in being tended to by a Duke of my stature."
"I am" Sirin who looked tired said in humble tone,.
"Does this situation resemble the one from the day you disappeared from Heimtan Bridge?" Throughout their conversation, Adrian maintained a steadfast gaze on Sirin, never once averting his eyes. He observed her closely, searching for any signs of distress or if she remembers of her actions during her semi-conscious state.
Sirin who was looking at lemonade now met Adrian's gaze with a mixture of sorrow and apprehension, she confirmed his suspicions with a single nod.
For a fleeting moment, a troubling thought raced through the Duke's mind: Had that individual witnessed Sirin in a vulnerable state? Could he have taken advantage of her in any way? "Do you know the man who came to drop you that day?"
"His name is Dion and he is my friend." a smile came to Sirin's face.
Adrian silently repeated her word, ' A friend '.
Adrian now became fully of Sirin's overwhelming experiences weren't isolated incidents, but rather harbingers of potential future occurrences. The mere thought of Sirin possibly enduring another heat stroke, unpredictably and in front of anyone. He felt inexplicably irritated.
Adrian's mind was conflicting, as he pondered the sudden surge of compassion he felt towards Sirin, a homeless girl he had encountered. Was it possible that he was beginning to empathize with the plight of those less fortunate? As his hand reached for another cigarette, However, before he could light it, Sirin acted with unexpected swiftness, snatching the cigarette away from him and leaving Adrian momentarily stunned.
"I apologize for my abruptness. However, I must insist that smoking in my presence is unacceptable"
"Sirin," his voice tinged with a sternness that bordered on warning.
"It is an employee's responsibility to safeguard the employer from potential mistakes."
Adrian stared at Sirin with frustration, wondering why her actions seemed to only exacerbate his irritation throughout the day.
"Firstly, cigarettes are linked to cancer, and right now, medical facilities and treatments for cancer have not yet been developed here."
"Secondly, if you smoke in front of me, I am passively exposed to the smoke, which poses a risk of cancer to me as well."
The Duke's sharp intellect swiftly comprehended the weight of Sirin's statement. 'Smoke causes cancer and we do not have advance facility?'
"How are you aware of this fact, Sirin?"
Sirin got caught in her own sentences. She delibeatly took a place back to her couch and started to take a sip of her lemonade, using the moments of silence to collect her thoughts. She was acutely aware of Adrian's sharp intellect, knowing that he would not let her evasion go unchallenged.
The chamber was enveloped in silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic cadence of their breaths, each participant anticipating the next move from the other. But Sirin remained steadfast in her resolve, her lips pressed into a tight line as she withheld the truth.
"Have you decided to stay silent, much like when I inquire about your family," Adrian voice took on a colder edge, betraying a hint of frostiness that hadn't been present before.
Sirin did not leave him a choice, a different approach was needed to coax Sirin into opening up. And as he pondered his next move, a flicker of determination danced in his eyes, a silent promise to unravel the mysteries that shrouded Sirin's past.
"I cannot allow you to work with me if I cannot trust you, Sirin," Duke declared, his voice was unwavering despite the gravity of his words.
Sirin was froze for a moment.
"I must cancel our contract and let you leave Wismar." Sirin's heart sank as the reality of Duke's decision washed over her.
Sirin found herself torn between the impulse to confess the truth to Duke or to continue concealing it, grappling with the weight of her decision. Failing to find a solution could result in her expulsion from Wismar, Adrian would do what he said just now. She thought for a moment.
With a trembling voice but a determined resolve, Sirin gathered her courage and prepared to speak up, knowing that she couldn't remain silent any longer. "I... I... I will tell you everything," she stammered, her words catching in her throat. "If you allow me to assist you to explore the field of love."
There, she had said it. Sirin kept her eyes closed, her fists clenched tightly on both knees as she awaited Duke's response. The room fell into a heavy silence, as the moment passed by in silence, Sirin dared to peek open one eye, lifting her head to meet Duke's gaze.
But Duke remained impassive, his expression unreadable as he sat in silence, his eyes fixed on Sirin, like an art enthusiast entranced by a captivating masterpiece. Then, unexpectedly, a laugh escaped his lips, breaking the stillness of the room.
"Love," he repeated, the word falling from his mouth with an abruptness that caught Sirin off guard.
Sirin's pout deepened as Adrian's laughter filled the room, her expression a mixture of frustration and determination. "I mean it, Duke," she insisted.
Adrian's laughter gradually subsided, he observed Sirin's pouting expression, a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. With a calm expression, he tilted his head slightly, resting his folded fingers against his temple. He clearned his throat.
"Go on, I am waiting to hear more," Adrian was eager to delve deeper into the revelations Sirin was about to share.
She hadn't anticipated such a conversation, especially not after waking from an almost unconscious state. Yet, she expressed her earnest desire to show Duke what love truly meant, drawing from her limited understanding gleaned from 80s and 90s series and movies.
"Duke, I believe soon you and Juli will fall in love with each other," Sirin continued, her voice wavering slightly as she treaded into uncertain territory.
Duke couldn't help but feel amused by Sirin's bold statement, wondering where she had gathered such an idea of him being in love with Juli. Nevertheless, he chose to listen, intrigued by Sirin's perspective.
"Juli was the first person, who rejected your command, and that made her different from others," Sirin explained, her voice gaining strength as she delved deeper into her analysis. "Your interest in her grew every time she challenged you. Despite her own opinion, you wished to keep her beside you."
Her voice barely carried as she uttered the next sentence, her words trembling with a mix of nervousness and conviction. "In the process of these sweet arguments and moments of intimacy, people often find themselves falling in love with each other." She felt shy reluctance as she broached the subject of lovemaking, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment even as she continued to express her thoughts.
He definately noticed the telltale flush that spread across Sirin's cheeks as she spoke of intimacy.
Duke straightened his posture, folding his hands neatly in front of him, "what is your final proposal?" he inquired, his tone measured and expectant, waiting for Sirin to articulate her ultimate suggestion.
"I propose that you allow me to teach you how to win Juli's heart," she declared, her voice steady despite the weight of her proposition. "If you permit me this opportunity, then I will answer your questions regarding my family background." With resolve in her eyes.
"I accept you proposal." It did not take him more than 10 sec to reply.
She was taken aback by Adrian's immediate agreement, her mind racing with surprise and relief. She had braced herself for his disapproval, ready to make her proposal more appealing to convince him of its merits. Yet, to her astonishment, Adrian had agreed without hesitation.
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