Page 20 of Care: Part 1

Her eyebrows pulled together before she turned around to look at Adrik. Even with the sunglasses on his eyes, she could manage to catch a glimpse of his silver orbs.

"How many of these casinos do you have?"

He placed his hand on her waist before pointing towards the stairs. She welcomed his beckoning and walked with him down the glass of the staircase.

"I own two that own many more, Avelina.”

She couldn't believe everything was his. Even as a waitress passed by with a wine glass that had the words 'Zolotov’, she was still in disbelief.

"You are a casino billionaire. How did you make that possible?"

He appeared so young, and she knew of his autism, yet he managed to own so many places that reeked of elegance.

"It's all about strategy. I started from nothing, and I only used my mind to create everything.”

She smiled. "I find it inspiring how with autism, you were able to accomplish all of this.”

It was the first time she had ever been to a casino, and she liked it. One thing she never would've anticipated was the fact that she would have to take care of the Russian man who owns it.

When she turned to look at Adrik, she noticed his clenched jaw as he looked away from her. She felt her shoulders drop as her lips parted in wonder. He seemed upset, but she was not sure what he was upset about.

"That's a lovely, backhanded compliment," he said.

Avelina thought back to her words and how he presumed it to be a backhanded compliment, but it indeed wasn't her intention to offend him.

"For starters, I am deeply apologetic for offending you. I don't presume autism as an insult, and you shouldn't either. You are right, though; I should've just said you are inspiring without everything else," Avelina sighed, "You must think I am so cruel. I am sorry. What I meant was that you're an inspira-"

"I forgive you. Now, will you please stop apologizing?"

She sighed once more but nodded her head in response. Adrik placed his hand on her lower back and continued to walk with her through the casino.

When they made it to the bar, the bartender glanced over at Adrik before looking at the breathtaking Brazilian in Adrik's arms. Avelina eyed him cautiously as the bartender quickly moved to make a drink. There was panic in the man's eyes that caused her to narrow her eyes in curiosity.

"Your usual order is coming up, Mr. Zolotov, sir," the bartender gulped.

"I don't want a drink," Adrik told Avelina.

Avelina cleared her throat and walked closer toward the bartender. "Mr. Zolotov will not be having a drink at this time. He's just showing me around his casino. Thank you for your cooperation.”

He nodded his head slowly as his body seemed to grow into complete ease.

When Avelina walked back towards Adrik, she couldn't hide her proud smile on her face. It was the first time she had spoken for Adrik, and she felt as though she had done an outstanding job.

"You did okay. Next time don't explain yourself. Make it short and straight to the point.”

As a response, she nodded her head in understanding.

His hand was quick to return to her back as he walked her further throughout the casino. Her eyes were on everything. She eyed the waitresses, the laughing men in suits with cigars in their mouths, and the people who would lose but always managed to try again. It was amazing.

"Avelina, I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Valentino Romano," Adrik introduced.

There was a dangerous look in his eye, but it left no fear in Avelina.

“Avelina. It’s so nice to meet you," she said softly.

Adrik still had his hand on her lower back, leaving her to question if Valentino thought of them as anything more than patient and caretaker.

"Likewise," Valentino said with a tight-lipped smile before continuing, "I personally wanted to invite you to my wedding in two weeks. I know it's a bit sudden, but my fiancé is a very impatient woman."