vincet qui se vincet

“not our fault they’re all so very ignorant,” she replied, amusement seeping into her voice. god rest his cheating soul, but her late husband had run with that same crowd. had he been alive, cecilia wouldn’t have been surprised to see him suddenly sucking up to adam, completely enamoured by the frenchman’s new title. after all, asking for favours was much, much easier if you’d done your due diligence and kissed someone’s ass a little.

“please tell me you bought something incredible,” cecilia said, her grin wide. after all, how on earth could one go to a silent auction and not buy anything? there was going to be one at her place in just two weeks, and finding the weirdest items was her favourite thing to do. “secrets?” she began, all mock hurt and sad eyes. “from me? ” but then her lips quirked into a wicked smile. “you’ve got me there: the drama is half the fun.” it truly was, but that didn’t stop cecilia from being absolutely blown over. “so is it someone from work?” she paused. “wait, is it someone you met in a coffee shop? darling, that’s adorable in the movies, but it’s just not practical.” not knowing something drove her crazy. absolutely mental. but oddly enough, adam looked…happy. “and most importantly: when am i going to meet her?!” 

“No, no, it is theirs.” And it was something that Adam certainly wouldn’t forget as his career progressed. He didn’t forget, and he was definitely hard-pressed to forgive. “Sadly not this time. It was all far too tacky and there weren’t enough antiques to sway me. “You should have seen this glass fish that was on offer - simply hideous! It was just,” he grimaced. “too many colours. Like does it really need to be half the colours of the rainbow?”

“Yes, even from you. I have to bide my time, after all.” Drawing out the reveal was far too much fun, and he hoped he could keep it going a little while longer. Of course, Cecilia was more than welcome to guess who it was, and Adam certainly wouldn’t deny it if she guessed correctly, but he wasn’t exactly going to be forthcoming with her name. “No, it wasn’t someone I met in a coffee shop - who do you think I am? A fling, perhaps, but I don’t think anything serious would come of that kind of meet cute.” He shrugged, deliberately ignoring the first question about his mystery woman. “There’s no need for you to be introduced if you already are acquainted with her.”

Phillip had always thought his best friend was a smart person, and he was, but it seemed so oblivious when it came to matters of the heart. “It’s not about you believing it or not, Adam. It’s about what two people outside this relationship of yours have seen.” It was a subject Phillip had never brought up, knowing Adam would deny it. Because really, who would have thought? Truth to be told, it hadn’t surprised him when Adam had hired a beautiful woman as his assistant, and he had been afraid that it was one of those girls who just wanted to take advantage of his friend. But then he had gotten to know her, and Mara’s sour mood and evident annoyance were all he needed to know it was not the case. Yet, as the months had passed by, he had noticed the subtle shift in their dynamic, until it had reached the point when it was obvious to all of them but the two people involved. 

“He is a dick, I agree. But there are things he shouldn’t know about my life, especially when nothing is clear yet.” It all had started the same, just friends with benefits, two people having fun, and now Pip was mature enough to admit his feelings for Cecilia were something else entirely. “Casual then,” he nodded. “What’s going to happen when it stops being casual and fun, and any of you decide it’s about to move on? You two work together, and if it comes to the point someone has to stay, it will be you.” This was a recipe for disaster, if neither of them accepted their feelings and decided to keep it casual. Pip didn’t want Adam to get hurt, but he also didn’t want to see Mara getting hurt.

“And how could you have seen it, hmm?” He queried, his eyes narrowing. “Please, enlighten me.” Just how obvious had they been? And what would this mean for them going forward? Would they have to be more cautious with their interactions? Adam had always thought that they had never crossed that professional line - well, until that incident, that is - but perhaps he had been mistaken. But he was in no such state as to think about that now.

“We’ll come to that, when we come to that. If she leaves then I’ll give her the best reference anyone has ever had. Because Mara is damn good at her job. And if this lasts longer than you seem to believe it will then I will make sure that I will enjoy myself as much as I can. Now, does that answer satisfy you? Because it should.” He couldn’t wait to tell Mara about this, although he wasn’t sure if she would find it as amusing, nor was he sure that he would find it as amusing once he had sobered up. “Really, Pip, you need to relax a little. It’s not work hours, you don’t need to be so uptight.” His eyes rolled, reaching a hand out. “Can I have the bottle back now? Please?”

{ @evermcres }

Gaston almost never paid visits. No, if people wanted to see him, they had to come to him instead. Yet he was there, walking into the French embassy like he owned the place, as he always did. He wouldn’t say they were friends, if only fellow models that sometimes worked together because people thought they looked good together. He supposed it was a compliment for Adam, that Gaston could make him look better, and he should be grateful.

As he walked to the ridiculous west wing, female eyes on him as he moved through the corridors, he flashed a charming smile at the redhead beauty behind the desk. It came to no surprise when the woman didn’t even look at him, greeting him with her middle finger without pausing what she was doing.

With a roll of eyes, he entered Adam’s spacious office and smirked at him. “I see you have trained her well,” he said with a shrug. He lit up a cigarette, taking a seat on one of the chairs by his desk, resting his crossed ankles on it. “Now, care to explain why you didn’t make it to the party last night? It’s not like you were missed, but there you weren’t there make a fool of yourself and entertain us.”

Adam’s head snapped up at the sound of Gaston’s voice, his expression immediately clouding over in irritation. Why hadn’t Mara stopped him from entering? She knew how Adam felt about Gaston, no doubt he had complained enough over the years. “She does the job.” He shrugged. “Put that out. There’s no smoking in the building.” That was one of the things Adam disliked the most about Gaston; his blatant disregard.

“Unlike some, I actually have other responsibilities that I need to attend to, like my job. Now, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, seeing as it doesn’t involve you whatsoever, but I’m the ambassador now, and that’s more important than some flashy party.” He even surprised himself with that, but it was true. He had had a load of paperwork to get through the night before, and as much as he wouldn’t have minded a night out away from work duties, the embassy had to take priority. Besides, if he had been out he wouldn’t have been able to have spent the night with Mara.

“Now, is there actually a reason as to why you are here?” He asked, unceremoniously shoving the other’s feet from the desk. “Because unlike you, I actually have things I need to get done beyond bothering people.

There was a detail he had never shared with Adam – the fact that he had died and was completely sure that this place was some kind of afterlife. “I just know it’s not her. Anyone else could see her and think that it’s the same person, but I lived with Laurel for over six months, I knew her better than I knew myself. I’m telling you, it’s not her.” Perhaps this wasn’t heaven, but someplace where he was to be tortured, considering both Dinah and Oliver were here now. “She didn’t know me. She didn’t recognize me, how would you explain that?”

It didn’t make much sense to Adam, but he supposed that he would have to trust Tommy on that. “Amnesia? I don’t know. There’s a reason I’m not a medical professional.” He shrugged setting the glass down. “I guess that if you see her again you could always try mentioning something only the two of you would know? That way you can get confirmation either way.” Still, it must have been such an odd thing for Tommy. Adam had never been much of a hopeless romantic, but he wasn’t as entirely convinced as Tommy. Well, not yet at least.

Mara was used to be up this early no matter the day. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had slept in without having Adam texting her over something ridiculous. It used to annoy her, but it had reached a point when she missed it and even worried if he didn’t. And now she was slowly coming to terms there was more to that than what she had initially allowed herself to accept. Her life had been so much better ever since meeting him, and even if she couldn’t bring herself to say it, what she felt for him was beyond what just friends were supposed to feel.

Her eyes fluttered closed when he pillowed his head on her shoulder, hand coming up and fingers running through his hair in a gentle manner, cheek resting on the top of his head. “I have no plans.” Truth to be told, she had made sure there were no plans and that people wouldn’t even dare to bother them, if that gave them a few minutes of peace. “I want to be here with you.” For as long as he wanted her. Forever, really, if she had her way. “I even turned off my phone last night. No interruptions, I promise.” Because Mara was selfish and wanted Adam all to herself that day.

She turned her head a little just to press a kiss to his forehead. When had been the last time she had felt this happy? This relaxed, this safe, this in peace. She couldn’t remember, and if she did, the answer would be never. She was always over the edge, looking over her shoulder, expecting to find something or someone. And those times she heard something in her head, something that ignited anger and fear, it was all gone when Adam was there. Everything was gone, but him and the way she felt about him. Mara had never felt like that before, not ever, and now she just wanted to hold onto it for as long as she possibly could. “I have one condition though.” A smile tugged at her lips as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders to pull him even closer to her. “I want breakfast. Not now, but later.”

“That’s what I like to hear. No plans... no interruptions.” Just them and his penthouse apartment with its view over the city. Not that the view would be something either of them would be paying much attention to that day. No, everything that mattered was inside, tangled between the sheets. “My phone is... uh... somewhere. Kitchen maybe? But it doesn’t matter right now.” How rare of him it was to say that. His phone acted like a shield between himself and the world, but he didn’t need that with Mara.

“One condition, hmm?” An eyebrow raised, eyes opening once more. “Well, that’s quite the request, I have to say. I can offer you cereal or toast.” Adam’s cooking skills were little to nonexistent. But seeing as how often he dined out, it didn’t matter all that much to him. “I can always order something for us later - there’s a place on uber eats that does excellent pancakes. How does that sound?”

A hand trailed down to her hip, idly tracing circles with his fingers against her skin. “Although, I don’t know about you, but I think brunch sounds far more agreeable than breakfast. Mimosas simply do not go with breakfast.” He laughed softly. “But,” he began. “food would mean having to let you out of bed, and I’m not sure if I can agree to that. It’s warm and comfy here, and we don’t have to get dressed - that’s a major positive for staying here all day.” It certainly was uncommon for Adam to stall a woman in his bed. But with Mara, he enjoyed being with her, beside her, and he was determined to make the most of every moment.

{ @evermcres }

If anyone had told her two years ago and this was exactly where she would end up in, Mara would have laughed and probably punched them hard for even implying it. She remembered the day she had met Adam like if it had been yesterday, how annoyed she had been as she walked out of his office after the interview. It was a wonder, even to this day, how she had landed the job. But she was amazing at what she did, and Adam knew that he would never find a better assistant. And it had worked for them, keeping it professional until all the lines had been blurred. She didn’t know when or how it had happened, she only knew that seeing him always made everything better, even when he was a pain in her ass, and that she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.

Waking up next to Adam had become her favorite moment of the day, and no matter what happened, thinking about it always brought a smile to her lips. He looked so relaxed, so incredibly happy, and Mara truly believed he had never been more handsome than in that moment – wild hair and content smile. Even if his bed was huge, they always ended up in each other’s arms, and in a very surprising turn of events, Mara happened to love it. She focused on the sound of his breathing and the gentle rise and fall of his chest. It was the happiest she had ever been.

It never failed to take her breath away when his eyelids fluttered open and beautiful blue stared right at her, a smile tugging at her lips. Mornings with Adam were wonderful, but it was even better on Sunday when they didn’t have to get up for work. It was supposed to be her day off, but she had gladly accepted the fact she just really wanted to spend time with him. Her heart beat faster and her blood ran warmer, and right there, everything was just perfect. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

Adam didn’t want to move. It was the weekend, he had had the foresight to keep his Sunday open, and was more than content to spend the day in bed with Mara if she agreed to it. Besides, he had been on the go so much of late - he deserved a day to relax. And there was nowhere else he would rather be. It was just... easy. He didn’t have to pretend, didn’t have to live up to the larger than life reputation he held. He could just be Adam. The Adam that was completely mad about the redhead lying in his arms.

Could he get away with pretending he was still asleep to have the moment last longer? No, probably not. "Morning.” He mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. “What time is it?” He asked, turning his head to glance at the alarm clock. “Right,” he began, pulling her tighter. “it is entirely too early to be awake. I think we should just stay here, go back to sleep.” With that he pillowed his head on her shoulder, his eyes closing.

“You don’t have any plans today, do you? Well, if you do cancel them... please.” Tilting his head slightly, he pressed a kiss to her throat. “Because I need you here with me.” It was comfortable, it felt natural, the two of them together. And somehow they were the last ones to realise that. Would today finally be the day that they broached the subject of what they were to one another? Of that he was unsure, but his feelings for Mara... he had never been more certain of anything.

“Alright.” She nodded and typed a reminder on her tablet to call Miss Calendar’s office so they were ready for him. She closed the application as she looked up at him, fighting back a smile as he spoke. “All free. Unless you want me to arrange something.” Were they flirting? Mara couldn’t tell, as she realized they had done this before. It was quite an experience to see things so clearly now, and yet find it all the more confusing.

Mara reached for her coffee to take a sip. After a moment, she hummed in thought and nodded again. “It’s a really good coffee.” Her breath hitched when he moved closer, and she felt a tingling sensation in all her body. “All you have to do is ask.” Her hand reached for him, fingers toying with the end of his tie as she pulled herself up and close to him. “Stop looking at me like that,” she whispered. Even if they were in the privacy of their office, they never knew who could arrive at any moment. “Like you have seen me naked.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t be mad if you did schedule something. Perhaps the two of us need a meeting to go over...” he trailed off, brow furrowing in thought. “paperwork?” Adam grinned. “Do I now? Well, I’ll certainly keep that in mind for the future.” He had no doubt that he would most definitely be asking her in the future.

“Like I have?” He tutted, his head shaking. “I think I need not remind you that I have - there’s no like about it. But please, be my guest and stop me.” Adam certainly wanted to see her try. “Go on, there’s no one around.” He breathed. It was far too early for anyone else to be in, no one would catch them. He reached up with his free hand, idly twirling a lock of her hair around his finger. They were walking a fine line, that much he knew, and they would have to be careful. But that was something they could consider later on - in that moment it didn’t matter to him all that much.

“oh, darling - you were always interesting,” cecilia replied offhandedly, but she listened closely nonetheless. “it just took the idiots of the bunch a little long to figure it out.” smiling fondly, she raised her glass at his good fortune, draining the entire damn thing. ( the ladylike ship had sailed years ago. if adam didn’t know her by now, he never would. ) “the free drinks you could always get,” she added, sighing without much reason, “but here’s to free food and a french ambassador who’s actually worth the shoes he’s filling.”

hearing about the silent auction, she pulled a sour face. “i’m glad you escaped that shit without any war wounds.” cecilia’s entire life was based on those events - she could only pray for adam’s sanity. she avoided the little mention of pip, though. best not to look under that rock if she didn’t have to explain herself. but at his little revelation, she was speechless. for once.  “you’re seeing someone and you didn’t start with that?!” cecilia gaped at him, waiting for all of the details. “is it someone from work? god, please don’t tell me it’s one of those society women.” now this was the perfect news she needed to hear.

“Oh, I know that. But the fuddy-duddies I’m now being surrounded by didn’t.” And they were all so dull. But he supposed that was simply just their generation. They weren’t completely unlike Pip’s father, which had come as somewhat of a disappointment. But the free food and drink did help some. Even if he would have rather been out on the party circuit or cozied up with Mara.

“Myself and my fortune left that one completely unscathed. God, was there some ghastly items on offer!” The multicoloured glass fish that was one of the lots was quite certainly the ugliest thing Adam had even seen in his life. “Ma chère,” Adam began, grinning at the surprise evident on Cecilia’s face. “a man has to have his secrets. Besides, isn’t it more fun to work up to something like that?” An eyebrow raised. “It’s not one of those society women, no.” He replied, deliberately ignoring her question about it being someone from work. He would draw this out as long as he could possibly managed. Partly because he was enjoying Cecilia’s reaction, and partly because he still wasn’t sure how he could classify his and Mara’s relationship.

“i suppose so, yes.” belle replied, not sure what else to say. he clearly didn’t believe her, and she had no idea how to convince him that she was telling him the truth. “yes, beaumont. we didn’t run in the same circles, no. my family didn’t have much money when i was younger.” she replied quietly, wondering if there was anything she could do, because at the moment it was seeming more and more hopeless the more the two spoke.

Adam’s eyes narrowed. “So let me get this straight.” His arms crossed tightly over his chest. “You have just said that we didn’t run in the same circles, but you have also said that we were very close. Forgive me if I have misunderstood you. But to my understanding, those two statements do not go together.” This was just the confirmation he needed for something being off about this girl. She clearly wanted something. Money perhaps? Well whatever it was that she wanted from him, she wasn’t going to get it.

“No, you’re stupid if you think I didn’t see this coming. Cecilia and I have seen you two dancing around each other for months. And we’re not blind, we see the eye-sex going on between you two. Now I thought it would take you two a little while to get your shit together, but I guess you keep surprising us.” Pip laughed again as he saw his best friend acting like a child who had been caught with this hand in the cookie jar. “I saw my father again and this time I told him that I’m not marrying anyone he wants me to, but the one I want to. Of course, he asked me who she was and I told him about Cecilia. I know it was a mistake, but I’m tired of him treating me like a child.” Adam always managed to get him out of the darkness that sometimes surrounded him, and he had never been more grateful for having him in his life. “She’s smoking hot. And those legs? Damn.” But that grin wasn’t one of a man lusting over a woman, but a man who had feelings for her and seemed all so proud for having her. “Sorry to break it to you, Adam. But you’re no lady. You know, it’s a good thing. I’m happy for you and for her. Now I understand why she’s been nicer.” He took another swig from the bottle. “You have feelings for her.”

“You’ve what?” They couldn’t have. Adam’s eyes narrowed. “You did no such thing. I don’t believe you. Cecilia, perhaps, we both know how she loves that kind of thing. But you, Pip? Not you. There’s nothing that’s been happening for months, I tell you.” Well there had been, but neither of them had been willing to admit that. “Oh. Well, that’s not very good, now, is it? If you ask me, he’s a bit of a dick.” His brow furrowed slightly. Marriage? Cecilia and Pip? Had Adam missed something? Had he been so wrapped up in his own affairs that he hadn’t noticed whatever had been brewing between his closest friends. Clearly that was the case. “That was a bold move. I hope it pays off for you.” The words were as sincere as he could manage in his current state. “Now I know that I’m no lady, but she certainly is.” He laughed, taking back the bottle from Pip. “What? No, no, no, no, no.” His head shook. “Feelings? Nope, not me? It’s a casual thing, you know? Friends with benefits. We have a good time, that’s all.” The words didn’t sound entirely convincing, and in truth, he was completely smitten with the redhead.

well, at least he knew the village and she hadn’t made a complete idiot out of herself for mentioning it. “it’s lovely. i miss it more than i should.” perhaps she should be happy to be away from the townspeoples judgement, but the village had still been her and her papa’s home for so long. she couldn’t not miss the place she’d grown up. “belle. belle beaumont.”

“Well... at least one of us does.” Adam would much prefer to return to the de Villeneuve hôtel particulier in Paris. “Beaumont...” He certainly couldn’t recall being acquainted with any Beaumonts in Villeneuve, and that certainly led him to believe that she had to be lying.”I’m afraid I still don’t know who you are. I don’t know any Beaumonts. Clearly we were not part of the same circles.” That was indeed if the girl was even from the town. Clearly she wanted something from him.Well, Adam was far from an easy target.

Well, considering the floor it was rich mahogany. But not wanting to miss the fun, Pip moved onto a pile of clothes and rested her back against the drawers. It wasn’t the first time they did anything like this, and it seemed he would need a lot of alcohol to understand how in the world Cecilia had won the bet and not him, the very best friend. He was losing his touch for sure. “Not mine, but Mara’s. Are you expecting her? Because if so, I’m leaving. I’m not here to be the third wheel.” His hand reached for the bottle and Pip couldn’t help but laugh. “Just a long day at the office, the usual.” And the fact that he had decided to tell his father about Cecilia and everything had gone to shit. “Don’t turn this on me. Since when? Oh, don’t look at me like that. I know you. It’s not every day you ask your hot assistant to undress and join you in here. Or maybe it is. Wait, have you guys done it here?” Phillip looked around. “There’s a bed right there, Adam.”

Adam’s jaw dropped at Pip’s words. “Excuse me?” He couldn’t believe it. And here he was, thinking that he and Mara had been discreet. Or was it simply just that Pip knew him far too well? “I’m not expecting Mara. That’s stupid. You’re stupid.” He groused, the words lacking bite, his arms crossing petulantly over his chest. “Tell me more about your day, I want to know.” Ada was quiet for several moment, his mind sluggish under the haze of alcohol. “She is hot, isn’t she?” He laughed, a slow grin spreading on his face. “A lady does not tell, Pip.” Adam shrugged. At this point, there wasn’t many places in his apartment they hadn’t been.

He had called his best friend, only to be sent to the voicemail every single time. It had been the longest day at the office and all he wanted was a drink and to talk with Adam, but Mara had told him that Adam had an important gala and wouldn’t be available until later. If he didn’t know better, he would have wondered why Mara had sounded nicer and even softer than usual, but he didn’t give it a thought. Those keys were for emergencies, but since he had nowhere else to go, Pip knew Adam wouldn’t mind. It was a big surprise to see his shoes by the door and the lights in his bedroom on. Phillip was about to speak when Adam said something Pip was sure couldn’t be, and stared at his friend on a mess of fur. “I don’t think you want me to undress. I am quite sure I lack two things you’re probably very fond of.” He walked into the small room and kicked off his shoes before sitting down on the floor next to him. “I came to see you, what else?”

Adam had desperately hoped that Pip hadn’t heard (or been able to understand) what he had said, but it seemed that luck was not on his side. Perhaps Pip wouldn’t bring it up. Just what would he say to him if he did? “Hey, buddy, why don’t you,” he shoved some of the clothes piled next to him onto the floor. “pull up a pew. Oh, or you can sit on the floor I guess.” He shrugged. “At this time of night? I’m not a booty call, you know.” He sniffed, before taking a swig from the bottle. Pip clearly was in need of something. “What’s troubling you?” Adam asked, holding the bottle out towards his best friend. “And don’t tell me that it’s nothing, because I know you.” 

@evermcres || ( cecilia + adam. )

boring people existed, cecilia was very aware. some ( she, herself ) would even call her an expert on the matter, because boring people? god, they were a pain in her behind. sure, there was the florist she loved visiting, and there was always pip. but there was only a set amount of times that she could go to tea with all the other ladies ( gag ), or host yet another auction dinner for the rich, old philanthropists of washington ( double gag. ) sometimes, a woman just needed a night out with the least dull human being on the planet. and if that just happened to come with drinks and a side of gossip, then who was she to complain? 

“now tell me everything that’s been going on,” cecilia started, elbows planted down on the table, chin balancing on interlocked fingers. when everyone else failed, adam was always there to brighten things up. plus, it wasn’t like she could invite pip along, not when she hadn’t quite figured out what to say to him yet. nope, whining to adam was the best course of action. “except leave out all the boring bits.” she smiled at him expectantly, just a hint of mischief in her voice. “so, what have i missed?“

“Where do I even begin?” What did Adam even have that he wanted to tell Cecilia? Naturally he wanted to tell her about Mara, but what would he even say? He didn’t know what he and Mara were to each other. “Let’s see. I’ve been to a lot events, and I mean a lot. Apparently becoming an ambassador makes people more interested in you.” his eyes rolled. “Not that I mind terribly much - I’ll never say no to free food and free drinks. They certainly weren’t the same without you, though.” 

“Uhh, what else? There was a brilliant gala with a silent auction a few weeks back. And by brilliant I mean a complete mess.” He hummed in thought. “Haven’t seen as much of Pip or even Tommy as much as I would have liked.” But Adam had had other... obligations to attend to. Well, he supposed that he could give Cecilia some details and keep Mara’s name out of it. “I’ve been seeing someone... sort of.”

Adam sat sprawled on the chaise in his walk in wardrobe, a bottle of wine in hand. He hadn’t exactly been planning to drink so heavily at the gala that night, but it had been a stressful day at the embassy and he hadn’t had much time to eat that day. So there he was, attempting to plan his outfit for the next day but instead finding himself swaddled in a fur coat that once had belonged to his mother. Hearing the door to his bedroom click he pushed himself upright, blinking. “Mara?” He called out. Perhaps she had decided to come over after all. “I’m in here. why don’t you come an undr- oh. Shit. Pip, how’re you doing?” The sight of his best friend was not one that he had been expecting.

That was what he liked about Adam, he reminded him of the way he used to be back in Starling City. There were times Tommy missed his old self, everything was easier back then. “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.” It took one to know another, and Tommy knew that to get something from Adam, he would have to start. “A woman came to the club a few nights ago. She’s the perfect carbon copy of my ex-girlfriend. Hell, even the same name. But it’s not her. I haven’t stopped thinking about her ever since.” Now it was his turn to drink.

“Oh?” Adam leant forward, curious about his friend’s predicament. “How can that be? How can she look the same and have the same name and not be her? I know there is such a thing as coincidence, but that, my friend, is not it.” He took another sip from his drink. It seemed that woman troubles were a common theme that night, not that there was ever a time when they were not if Adam were honest. “Can’t say I relate complete there.” But he certainly knew what it was like to not be able to stop thinking about someone. Especially a frustrating redhead.

“we… grew up in the same town.” okay, maybe that was a bit of a stretch, but he’d grown up in a castle near her town. so it was technically the truth, wasn’t it? “villeneuve.” his accent was still prominent, same as hers, so she prayed his false memories included her hometown in some way. if not, there was no way he’d continue speaking to her without believing her to be mad or a liar.

“Ah, yes, Villeneuve. Haven’t been back there for many years.” In some ways he missed the town in northern France, but in many ways it had not been home for a long time. Adam still wasn’t convinced. He had spent most of his formative years at boarding school to the point where less than a handful of his friends had been from his hometown. “Is that so? And you’re name is?”