Chapter four

Later that day, Adam Black finally escaped the chaos of the hotel. The endless stream of guests begging for his attention—wanting photos, autographs, or just a moment of his time—had worn him down. By the time he got to his penthouse, his patience had run thin.

He loosened his tie as he entered the sleek, modern space, the city lights casting a dim glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Silence greeted him, a welcome change from the relentless chatter of the day.

Nita wasn’t there. He’d left her at the hotel earlier without a second thought. She’d served her purpose, like they always did.

He didn’t feel guilt. He never did. Attachments only led to complications, and Adam had no interest in complicating his already demanding life.

With a sigh, he poured himself a drink and sank into the leather couch, letting the alcohol burn away the remnants of the day.

His phone buzzed, but he ignored it, staring out at the skyline instead. For now, he just wanted quiet.

Adam’s phone buzzed again, lighting up with another notification. He finally stretched to pick it up from the glass coffee table. The screen displayed fifteen missed calls—all from his dad.

He exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. Of course, his dad was worried. He hadn’t told him he’d be spending the night at his own penthouse instead of heading back to the family estate.

Reluctantly, Adam tapped the call button. His father picked up immediately, his voice stern but laced with concern.

"Adam, where have you been? I’ve been calling you all night!"

"I’m at the penthouse, Dad. I just needed some space," Adam replied, his tone casual but a little defensive.

"Space? Without telling me? You know how your grandmother worries when she hears you’re not home."

Adam leaned back on the couch, rubbing his temple. "I’m fine, Dad. I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t need to check in every time I decide to stay in my own place."

His father sighed on the other end. "I know, but you could’ve at least sent a text. Your grandmother flew all the way from the U.S. this evening. She’s been asking about you since she arrived."

Adam’s brows furrowed. "Grandma’s here?"

"Yes. She wanted to surprise you, but you weren’t home. She’s been waiting all day."

Adam felt a twinge of guilt. His grandmother rarely traveled anymore, and her visits were always special. She had a way of making him feel like a little boy again, no matter how grown-up or powerful he tried to appear.

"I’ll come by tomorrow," Adam said, his voice softening. "Tell her I’ll take her out for lunch or something."

"Don’t keep her waiting too long, Adam. You know how much she misses you," his dad said, his tone gentler now.

"I know, Dad. I’ll make it up to her," Adam assured before hanging up.

He set the phone down and stared out the window, his mind swirling with thoughts. His family, especially his grandmother, had always been his tether to normalcy.

He made a mental note to prioritize her tomorrow, even if it meant pausing his chaotic routine.

---

The next morning, Adam woke up to sunlight streaming through his curtains. After a quick shower, he dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks, slipping on his wristwatch before heading to the garage.

Sliding into his car, he started the engine and began the drive to the family estate. His thoughts drifted to Nana—his mother’s mother (Grandma)—and the one person he could never disappoint.

When he arrived, the scent of freshly baked pastries greeted him, followed by the faint sound of piano keys drifting through the house. He paused, listening. Nana was playing, her touch light and deliberate, filling the room with a melody he hadn’t heard in years.

He followed the sound to the sitting room. There she was, her silver hair glowing in the morning light as her fingers danced over the piano keys. She looked up and smiled warmly at him.

"Adam," she said softly, motioning him over.

He approached, placing a hand on her shoulder as she played the final note. "Good morning, Nana. That’s a beautiful piece."

She patted his hand. "Your mother loved this song. She used to say it reminded her of the calm after a storm."

Adam nodded, a hint of emotion in his voice. "You still play it perfectly."

"For you, I always will," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Now sit down. We have a lot to talk about."

Nana patted Adam’s hand again, her gaze warm but curious. "Now, tell me what’s been going on. Your father’s been filling me in, but I’d rather hear it straight from you."

Adam opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the door creaked open. His father stepped in, balancing a tray of coffee cups and a plate of pastries.

"Good morning, everyone," his father said casually, setting the tray on the table. "I thought I’d join in. Looked like an important family meeting."

Adam leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "Good morning, Dad. I didn’t know you were this eager for updates."

His father chuckled, pouring coffee into a cup and handing it to Nana first. "Eager? Maybe. Worried? Definitely. I’ve called you fifteen times in the last 24 hours."

"I’m fine," Adam replied with a faint smile. "Spent the night at my penthouse. Just needed some space."

"Space from what?" Nana’s voice was gentle but probing.

Adam hesitated. "Work. People. Everything, honestly."

His father gave him a knowing look as he poured another cup of coffee. "You’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. But avoiding everyone won’t help. Your grandmother flew all the way from the U.S. to see you, you know."

Nana nodded, her expression softening. "Adam, you’re always so busy. I want to see more of you before I’m too old to nag you properly."

Adam couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re as sharp as ever, Nana. And I’m here now. So, what do you need from me?"

She smiled knowingly, sipping her coffee.