Page 78 of Addicted To His Favorite
***
Adam stepped into the living room, his shoes clicking softly against the floor. His parents, Diana and George Crawford, were seated on the couch, their expressions a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Their eyes lifted as he entered, brightening briefly… before quickly clouding over when they noticed he was alone.
Diana’s brows knitted tightly. “Where is Emily?” she asked, her voice edged with concern.
George leaned forward slightly, his fingers tightening around the armrest. “Is she still not ready to meet us? It’s been over a year since she last visited and she’s refusing… all because of that boyfriend of hers?!” His frustration etched deep lines across his face, mirrored by Diana’s worried gaze.
Adam opened his mouth to respond, but before a word could escape, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. The front door swung open, and Emily burst in, her eyes sparkling as she called out, “Mom! Dad!”
Within moments, Emily was in her parents’ arms, wrapping them both in a tight embrace.
Diana stiffened at first, startled, her thin brows arching in surprise. She was a graceful woman in her late fifties, her dark hair streaked elegantly with silver, her frame still upright despite the years. Slowly, her body softened against her daughter’s hold, her eyes misting as she clutched Emily tighter, as though afraid to let her slip away again.
George, broader in build, with a strong, weathered face lined by decades of responsibility, stood rigid for a heartbeat. His square jaw twitched as if he were holding back his emotions, but then his large hands rose, steady and warm, pressing against Emily’s back. The stern lines on his forehead eased, replaced by a rare tenderness.
Emily felt a sharp pang of guilt piercing her chest. ‘Lucas didn’t want me going back to my home too often… that’s why I avoided even seeing my parents, just to please him. I didn’t even realize how much I was cutting myself off from my own life.’
Suddenly, heavier footsteps sounded from the entryway. Emily’s arms loosened from her parents as all four turned their heads.
Sebastian stepped into the living room. The light from the window caught the sharp planes of his face, his posture tall and composed.
His eyes flicked to Adam, a confident nod acknowledging him as he stepped further into the living room.
“Adam,” Sebastian greeted casually.
Adam’s brow creased, his posture stiffening. “Sebastian? What are you doing at my house?”
Sebastian’s gaze shifted politely toward George and Diana, offering them a respectful glance before answering Adam directly. “I had an important business meeting at a nearbyhotel,” he said, his tone calm, measured. “But last night’s rain left the streets blocked, and my car got stuck. On the way, I happened to meet your sister, and she invited me to come along with her.” His head inclined lightly toward Emily as he spoke, a small gesture of acknowledgment.
Emily released a soft breath, relief flickering through her chest—but panic quickly followed, a weight pressing in her stomach. ‘How do I even introduce him to my family?’
Adam’s expression eased, his lips tugging into a faint smile. “That’s good. It wouldn’t have been right if you were stranded in the street.” He turned toward his parents, lifting his hand slightly in presentation. “Mom, Dad—this is Sebastian—”
Before he could finish, Sebastian smoothly stepped in. Extending his hand, he offered them a charming grin. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford. I’m Sebastian Graves, Adam’s friend.”
Diana took his hand, her movements gracious, her eyes lighting with polite warmth. George followed with a firmer handshake, his broad shoulders squaring as his gaze swept over Sebastian in quiet assessment. The faint scent of rain still clung to Sebastian’s coat, mixing with the faint aroma of coffee lingering in the living room.
Adam, however, stayed rooted to his spot, his arms folding across his chest. His eyes darted between Sebastian and Emily, suspicion clouding his face.
Chapter 29 A Few Good Things
As Emily sat back on the couch with her parents, murmuring softly with them, Sebastian noticed Adam’s suspicious eyes lingering on him and Emily.
He eased a step away, positioning himself closer to Adam. His movements were unhurried. Then, leaning in slightly, his voice dropped to a low murmur only Adam could hear.
“Say a few good things about me to your parents, and that project you’ve been chasing since last year is yours.”
Immediately, Adam’s eyes lit up, every trace of suspicion vanishing in an instant.
Turning to his parents with newfound enthusiasm, he said quickly, “Dad, this is Sebastian! I told you about him, right?” His grin stretched wide as he strode toward George. “He’s brilliant—smart, accomplished—and he’s the one who won the bid for that hotel project you said was the most beautiful building you’ve ever seen.”
George’s brows lifted, interest flickering across his face. His appreciative gaze shifted to Sebastian, who stood with his hands folded neatly behind his back, his posture calm, composed. Nota shred of arrogance touched his expression, though a faint curl of amusement lingered at the corner of his lips as Adam spoke.
“And you know Max Mall, right?” Adam added eagerly, leaning forward as though he couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “We went there last month. That’s his. Sebastian oversaw every detail. The design, the execution—everything was under his supervision.”
George’s eyes widened, genuine admiration softening his features. “I’ve always wondered who came up with such a unique design,” he murmured, almost to himself.
Adam, encouraged by his father’s reaction, pressed on, his tone swelling with pride as if Sebastian were his own discovery. “He’s run businesses across the world, and he studied at Harvard before dropping out to expand his company even further.”
