CEO loves me with all his soul.-Chapter 80. Going abroad

Adrian paced his living room, holding his phone nervously. He finally gathered his courage and dialed the number, his heart racing. After a few rings, a familiar, cheerful voice answered on the other end.

"Hello, Professor Alden speaking."

"Professor Alden? It’s Adrian."

"Adrian!" The professor’s voice immediately brightened with enthusiasm. "It’s been ages! How have you been, my boy?"

Adrian chuckled, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over him. "I’m doing alright, Professor. Life’s been... hectic, to say the least."

Professor Alden laughed. "I can imagine. I heard some rumors that you got married and have twins now?"

Adrian smiled softly. "Yes, it’s true. It’s been a wild journey."

"Fatherhood! And here I was thinking you’d always be my dedicated student without a single distraction," Professor Alden teased. "But I’m happy for you, Adrian. Truly."

"Thank you, Professor," Adrian said warmly. "Actually, I was calling because... I was wondering if I could return to complete my final semester?"

There was a brief pause, then the professor exclaimed, "Adrian! That’s wonderful news. I would be delighted to have you back. You know, Your Mentor spoke to the administration and requested that they freeze your last semester, just in case."

"Really?" Adrian felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "I was worried I’d have to reapply."

"Not at all," Professor Alden reassured him. "He told them he had faith you’d return one day. And here you are. They agreed to hold your place until you were ready."

Adrian sighed in relief. "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot to me."

"Of course! But there are a few things we’ll need to address. You’ll have to complete three assignments and one major project to meet the credit requirements," the professor explained.

Adrian nodded, taking mental notes. "That sounds fair. Are the assignments based on the syllabus from last semester?"

"Precisely. I’ll send you the details. We want you to cover some core topics to ensure you’re up-to-date with the rest of your classmates," Professor Alden said, sounding pleased.

"Understood," Adrian replied, feeling his confidence growing. "And the project?"

"Ah, yes," Professor Alden chuckled. "I have a special one in mind for you. I think it’ll be something you’ll enjoy—challenging, but fulfilling."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Sounds intriguing. Care to give me a hint?"

Professor Alden laughed. "All I’ll say is that it involves some real-world application. I think you’re well-prepared for it, especially with all you’ve been through."

Adrian grinned. "You always know how to keep me on my toes."

"Only the best for my top student," the professor replied with pride. "Oh, and you’ll need to submit everything before your exams. I assume you’re ready for that?"

"Yes, I can do that," Adrian replied confidently. "When are the exams scheduled?"

"They’re in three months. Will that give you enough time?"

Adrian hesitated. "I’ll make it work. I’ve been away from my studies for a while, but I can manage."

"That’s the spirit, Adrian. I have no doubts about your abilities. You’ve always been one of the most dedicated students," the professor praised.

Adrian chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Thank you, Professor. I just hope I can meet everyone’s expectations."

"Adrian, expectations aren’t the point," Professor Alden said kindly. "This is your journey. Just give it your best."

Adrian nodded, feeling more determined. "I’ll do my best, Professor. When can I come in to pick up the materials?"

"In a week, it should be fine," Professor Alden replied. "I’ll prepare everything for you, including a little study guide to get you back in the groove."

"You’re a lifesaver, Professor," Adrian said, laughing. "I’ll be there."

"Good! And bring some pictures of the twins. I’d love to see them," Professor Alden requested eagerly.

Adrian smiled. "I will. They’re a handful but wonderful."

Professor Alden chuckled. "Well, they must take after their father, then. Adrian, I’ll see you tomorrow."

"See you, Professor. And... thank you for everything," Adrian said sincerely.

"You’re more than welcome, Adrian. Welcome back to the fold."

---

That evening, In Adrian and Ethan’s bedroom.

Adrian sat across from Ethan, a soft glow from the nearby lamp casting shadows on their faces. Adrian took a deep breath, watching as Ethan’s eyes sparkled with interest, waiting for him to speak.

"So, I called Professor Alden today," Adrian began, the hint of excitement in his voice making Ethan smile.

"Oh? What did he say?" Ethan leaned in, genuinely curious.

Adrian’s face brightened. "He was happy, said he’d been holding my place, just in case."

"Really? That’s incredible," Ethan replied, his eyes widening. "It’s like he knew you’d come back one day."

"Yeah," Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "And he mentioned that I just need to complete a few assignments and a final project before I can take my exams."

"That doesn’t sound too bad. Do you feel ready?" Ethan asked, placing a comforting hand on Adrian’s.

Adrian squeezed it, smiling. "I think I am. It’ll be hard juggling studies with everything here, but... I really want to finish what I started."

"Then I’m with you," Ethan said with a gentle nod. "I can go with you, you know. I’ll be there every step of the way."

Adrian’s gaze softened, but he noticed the faint hesitation in Ethan’s expression, a subtle flicker of worry.

"Ethan... you’d come with me?" he asked softly.

Ethan blinked, his mind racing. He recalled Lucas’s warning about the risk of going abroad. Ethan opened his mouth, a vague excuse on the tip of his tongue, but Adrian spoke first.

"Actually, maybe it’s best if you stay here," Adrian said, lowering his gaze thoughtfully. "With the twins being so young, I’d feel better if one of us stayed."

Ethan’s surprise quickly turned to relief, and he let out a light laugh. "I was just about to say the same thing." frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Were you?"

"Y-Yeah, definitely." Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling. "I mean, you know how restless I’d be with Aurelius and Seraphina being so far away."

"They do have a way of making everyone restless," Adrian agreed, a soft laugh escaping him.

Ethan’s expression grew serious, though. "But... how long will you be gone? The thought of you being away for so long..."

Adrian’s expression softened. "It’s only for a few months. I’ll be back before you know it."

"Still," Ethan said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Adrian’s face. "I’ll feel like half of me is missing."

Adrian leaned into his touch, smiling gently. "And here I thought you’d enjoy a bit of peace."

"Peace?" Ethan scoffed, his eyes twinkling. "You think I can be peaceful without you around?"

"Well, someone has to look after the twins," Adrian teased. "And you’re great with them."

Ethan shrugged, pretending to pout. "Only because I want to impress their dad."

"Oh, really?" Adrian teased back. "So you’re only being a great dad to get brownie points with me?"

"Absolutely," Ethan said with a playful grin, leaning closer. "I mean, have you seen how cute you are when you’re impressed?"

Adrian rolled his eyes, laughing. "You’re impossible."

Ethan took his hand, a more serious expression crossing his face. "But in all honesty... I will miss you like crazy."

"I’ll miss you too," Adrian whispered, intertwining their fingers. "But I won’t be gone forever."

Ethan pulled him a little closer. "I’m going to hold you to that. I’ll be counting down the days until you’re back."

Adrian smiled, his heart warming at Ethan’s sincerity. "That makes two of us."

Ethan gently pressed his forehead against Adrian’s, closing his eyes. "Promise me one thing?"

"Anything," Adrian replied softly.

"Promise you’ll take care of yourself, no matter how hard it gets," Ethan said, his voice almost a whisper.

Adrian looked into his eyes, a serious expression mirroring Ethan’s. "I promise. And you’ll take care of yourself too?"

Ethan nodded. "Only if you keep sending me pictures. And maybe some videos, so I can hear your voice?"

Adrian laughed, nudging him playfully. "Deal. I’ll send one every day if that’ll keep you from worrying."

"Oh, I’ll hold you to that," Ethan teased, pulling him into a warm embrace.

Adrian melted into the hug, resting his head on Ethan’s shoulder. "I’ll call every chance I get. I just... I want you to know how much this means to me."

Ethan smiled against Adrian’s hair. "I already do. And I’m proud of you."

They pulled back, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared understanding. Ethan leaned in and kissed him softly, whispering, "Just remember, I’m always here, no matter how far away you are."

Adrian’s heart swelled as he returned the kiss, feeling a deep sense of reassurance. "Thank you, Ethan. I love you."

"I love you more," Ethan murmured, smiling.

"Well, that’s not possible," Adrian teased with a grin.

"Is that a challenge?" Ethan shot back, his eyebrows raised.

"Maybe," Adrian replied, laughing as Ethan playfully squeezed his waist.

Ethan sighed dramatically. "I can already feel the loneliness creeping in."

Adrian shook his head, smiling. "You’ll survive."

"Barely," Ethan replied, pouting. "Just barely."

They shared a laugh, their spirits lifted as they continued talking late into the evening, holding onto each other as if they would never let go.

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