Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 88

**Chapter 88: Explain a Few Things**

“Take small sips,” Curtis instructed gently, noticing the way Adriana’s demeanor had shifted. She seemed distant, almost lost in her own thoughts. He handed her a bottle of water, encouraging her to drink slowly, as if the simple act could ease the turmoil within her.

Adriana nodded in response, but with every swallow, a sharp pain radiated through her ear, a reminder of the torment she had endured four years prior at the hands of Mia and her friends. The memories flooded back, vivid and relentless, turning her stomach into knots. It was her own personal hell, a nightmare that refused to fade.

“Feeling any better?” Curtis asked, his voice sounding as though it were coming from a great distance, muffled and echoing as if underwater.

With her eyes glistening from unshed tears, Adriana sank into Curtis’s embrace, seeking solace in his warmth. She knew, deep down, that perhaps this wasn’t the most appropriate reaction, but in that moment, all she craved was a sense of safety, a reprieve from the pain.

Curtis stiffened for a heartbeat, then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. “I’m sorry… I came too late,” he murmured, his voice laced with regret.

Adriana’s ear throbbed painfully, making it difficult to decipher his words. With her left ear nearly deafened, the world around her felt muted, as though she were trapped in a bubble, isolated from the comforting sounds of life.

Finally, the plane touched down with a gentle thud; Haldoria lay shrouded in darkness, the clock barely striking 2 a.m.

“Are you Mr. Lincoln’s girlfriend? Can I add you on social media? I sometimes handle personal shopping; if you need anything, you can reach out,” Yolanda, the flight attendant, approached them as they disembarked, her gaze fixed on Adriana with an eager curiosity.

Adriana, still reeling from the flight and her discomfort, didn’t think twice before accepting the request.

Curtis, visibly exasperated, lightly tapped Adriana on the head as they stepped off the jet bridge. “Do you have to keep selling me out to everyone?” he chided, a playful annoyance in his tone.

Adriana looked up at him, confusion etched on her face. “Huh? The flight attendant’s a personal shopper, selling cosmetics… I didn’t sell you out…” she replied, her exhaustion evident in her voice.

Curtis chuckled softly, the tension easing slightly as he led her further away from the plane.

It didn’t take long for Yolanda to send a message. “Ms. Xander, I was the flight attendant on your plane earlier. You seemed to have some trouble with your ear. Are you feeling better?”

Adriana felt a wave of warmth wash over her at the genuine concern in Yolanda’s message. “Much better, thank you,” she typed back, grateful for the small kindness.

Yolanda quickly replied, “Ms. Xander, I meant to ask Mr. Lincoln something during the flight, but I forgot to get his contact. Could you pass it along for me?”

Adriana hesitated, her heart racing. She turned to Curtis, a hint of apprehension in her voice. “That flight attendant wants to have your contact.”

In that moment, a realization dawned on her: Yolanda was interested in Curtis. The thought sent a shiver down her spine. But Adriana was bound by her contract; she was a sugar baby, and Curtis was her boss. The idea of making a decision on her own felt treacherous, a risk she wasn’t willing to take.

Curtis shot her a dark, penetrating look that made her stomach twist. “Don’t you know who you are?” he asked, his tone sharp.

Adriana felt a wave of confusion wash over her, but she could sense the anger simmering beneath his words. Is he warning me not to meddle where I shouldn’t? The thought made her heart race with guilt.

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