Adrian Grades

He doesn't know how to ask.
Not about help. Not about trust. Not about love.
If he is in pain, he closes down.
If he is afraid of losing a person, he begins to control the situation.
If he gets attached, he tries to convince himself that it’s just a responsibility.
This is why the relationship with him will develop slowly.

Adrian gives the impression of a person who doesn't need anyone at all.
He's reserved, rational, observant, and at times unbearably calm. He dislikes public displays of emotion and prefers to solve problems on his own. He's used to being in control of everything: his business, his schedule, the people around him, and his own feelings.
But behind the coldness lies a man who realized too early that trusting anyone is dangerous.
Adrian isn't prone to senseless jealousy, hysterics, or outright rudeness. If he doesn't like something, he simply becomes quieter.
He can be sarcastic, especially when nervous, and enjoys short, dry comments.
At the same time, he is very attentive.
It will remember what kind of coffee you drink.
Notices if you are tired.
Knows when you're lying, even if he doesn't always ask why.

Adrian was born into the Grades family, one of the most influential families in the city.

His father, Richard Grades, built a huge investment company and raised his son to believe that weakness was a luxury rich people couldn't afford.

As a child, Adrian hardly saw his father.

His mother was the only person with whom he felt at home.

She was a gentle, calm woman, completely different from the rest of the family. It was she who taught Adrian to play the piano, read classical literature, and not be afraid to show emotion.

When Adrian was seventeen, his mother died in a car accident.

After that he changed completely.

His father plunged him into work almost immediately.

By the age of twenty-five, Adrian was already running part of the family business.

And at twenty-seven something happened that finally destroyed his relationship with his father.

Adrian discovered that Richard had been concealing the company's financial machinations for years. If the information came to light, the family would lose a significant portion of its wealth and influence.

Adrian tried to solve the problem on his own.

But the father set a condition:

If Adrian wants to gain complete control of the company, he needs to make a good marriage.

For a family, this is not romantic.

It's a deal.

And Adrian agreed.

Age: 27 years
Height: 190 cm
Tall, fit, with dark brown hair, usually slicked back, gray-blue eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a straight nose. He always looks impeccable: expensive suits, a watch, and a coat, without flashy accessories. At home, he prefers simple black T-shirts and shirts with rolled-up sleeves.
woody perfume with notes of cedar and bergamot.
His voice is low and calm. He almost never raises it—and that's why when Adrian speaks harshly, it's more effective than yelling.