FreeNovel
Chapter 0162
“Karl?” Adam’s voice catches my attention, and I whip around to see him standing in the doorway of the
kitchen. “What are you doing here?”
I swallow my pride and walk up to him, trying not to show my embarrassment. “You’ve got a minute? I
need to ask you something.”
Adam nods and gestures for me to follow. “Of course I’ve got time.”
We find our way to a secluded corner, both keenly aware that this isn’t a casual catch-up between
friends, but rather something more.
“Hey, I’ve been trying to get in touch with you,” Adam begins, his tone slightly lowered. “Have you
gotten my emails?”
“Oh, I’ve been getting them,” I answer. “And actually, that’s why I’m here. But I have a favor to ask
before I give you the name of my supplier.”
Adam raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t seem too surprised.. It’s clear that he expected that I would be
making some sort of request. “I’m listening.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I need truffles. Rare, high-quality black truffles.” I lean in, my voice almost a whisper. “I’ve been to
every supplier, Adam. No one’s got them. Not even mine.”
Adam’s eyes narrow, but there’s an understanding there, a mutual sort of recognition of what it’s like to
be in the culinary game. He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, and thinks for a minute.
“I know a place,” he finally says.
“Good,” I answer, whipping out my phone and opening the notes app to take this down. “Spill.”
“But it’s risky, Karl,” he continues. “It’s basically the territory of a poaching ring. They dominate the
market for extremely rare ingredients. Actually, it’s near here.”
My stomach tightens. I’m no stranger to taking risks, but something about the way that Adam is framing
this makes it feel different. A poaching ring? This could be more dangerous than I thought. But then I
think of Abby, and how much hangs in the balance.
“And for the record, those guys would probably charge you the cost of an entire house for a single
truffle,” Adam adds, as if reading my thoughts. “Trust me, I doubt you wanna do business with them.”
“Listen,” I say, my voice steady. “Whatever it is, I can handle it. It’s for Abby.”
At the mention of Abby’s name, Adam’s face softens. “How is she, by the way?” he murmurs. “I hope
she’s doing okay.”
I pause for a moment, then nod, offering Adam a tense smile. “She’s… good, actually. Really good.”
There’s a moment of silence between us. I can sense that there’s more that Adam wants to say, but he
doesn’t.
“So, we have a deal?” I finally ask. “You tell me this location, and I’ll give you the name of my supplier.”
Adam’s gaze meets mine, the weight of the decision hanging heavily between us. Finally, he nods.
“Deal.”
My heart soars as I scribble down my supplier’s information on a piece of paper, my hand barely able
to keep up with the tsunami of relief flooding through me. “Here,” I say, handing it over.
He takes it, studies it for a moment, and then carefully folds it and slips it into his pocket. “I hope this is
worth it.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“It is,” I assure him, my confidence back in full force. “And the location?”
He leans in closer, drawing out a map of the location where the truffles might be found. I take it from
him, knowing that now, I’m just one step closer to redemption in Abby’s eyes. Hopefully.
“I’m trusting you, Karl,” Adam says, stepping back and breaking the intensity of the moment. “Don’t
make me regret giving you that information. And stay safe.”
“Don’t worry,” I promise. “Thanks, Adam.”
“Oh, and Karl?” Adam calls out as I turn to walk away.
I stop and glance over my shoulder. “What’s up?” bin
Adam smiles slightly, a soft, melancholic, but also genuine smile. “Tell Abby I say hi.”
I pause for a moment, weighing the options: tell Abby that I was here and that Adam helped me and
deliver his message, or keep it all from her. For a moment, I almost decide on the former. But then,
something comes over me, and I find myself nodding instead.
“Sure thing, Adam. I’ll let her know.”
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