CHAPTER 31: 31: BETWEEN TWO BILLIONAIRES

"Come in, Adrian. Don’t be shy," Sebastian gently pulled Adraian out of his car and into a clothing store.

Adrian was glancing around the street as Sebastian pulled him, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone might be watching him, and, if words got to Alexander, there might be a problem.

This might be his personal life, but for some reason, he figured that Alexander would be angry when he found out he’d disobeyed and who he was spending the time with.

But, whatever, it was really not Alexander’s business how he lived his life outside work.

"Oh, excuse me," Adrian gasped as he almost bumped into a man, who was walking out of the clothing store.

The man simply nodded and left without saying a word.

"Are you okay?" Sebastian turned to ask, his eyes taking in Adrian’s face.

Adrian nodded, "I’m fine... so, what are we doing here?" He asked, sounding normal.

Sebastian was his client, and for that, he had to be a good company.

"Look around you, sweetheart, what do you think?" Sebastian gestured his hand around them.

Adrian looked around and saw different designer clothes hanging around the dressed of dozens of mannequins.

He sighed, "You’re here to shop for clothes –"

"We, sweetheart, we," He winked at Adrian and placed a tender hand on his waist to lead him toward the men’s section.

Adrian couldn’t believe the whopping figures he saw on clothes, and he wondered if anyone really spent that amount of money on a piece of material sewn together.

"Pardon me for now, Adrian, I’m in a bit of a rush so we have to make due with this cheap clothing’s..." Sebastian said, slowing his steps to look around for a fitting suit.

Adrian scoffed quietly, "Of course... cheap." He muttered, swallowing softly.

Each minute around these billionaires highlighted his poverty status. That’s why he never liked to associate with them, it rubbed his ego the wrong way.

"Okay, I’ll just find somewhere and –"

"No, Adrian," Sebastian finally abandoned his search for a suit and walked back to Adrian.

He sighed and gently cupped Adrian’s face in his hands, "Hey, listen." He gently traced a finger over a bruise on Adrian’s cheek, staring into his eyes.

"I like you, and no, it’s not to spite Alexander," he chuckled, "But that’s not why I booked your company for a week." He said calmly.

Adrian frowned, trying to understand Sebastian’s motive here, "Why then? Why did you book my company?" He questioned.

Sebastian slowly nodded, "Because, I just want to spend time with you whenever you’re not working. You seem too lonely and I thought you’d need a friend, but, it turns out you not only need a friend, but also a bodyguard. What happened?" He roamed his eyes over Adrian’s face, frowning.

Adrian bit his lip, shaking his head, "It’s personal. Just... let’s go shopping." He pointed to a grey suit behind Sebastian, "This would suit you." He said.

"You think so?" Sebastian smirked and turned to face the suit.

"I know so," Adrian nodded, smiling at how Sebastian acted like an excited kid.

"Thank you, love," Sebastian suddenly turned and kissed Adrian’s cheek.

–––

Meanwhile, Alexander’s patience was wearing thin at the office. His meeting with another client was due any minute, and his mind was still consumed by Adrian’s bruised, panicked face. He was about to call the penthouse to check on Adrian when his phone buzzed. It was Marcus.

Alexander took the call, his voice tight. "Report."

"Sir, your secretary, Mr. Cole, did not proceed to the penthouse as instructed. I tracked him to a building, Maison Nocturne, known to be a high-end, discreet escort service..." Marcus hesitated, then delivered the final blow. "...He just left with Sebastian Vale, sir. They departed in Mr. Vale’s personal vehicle. It appears Mr. Vale is now Mr. Cole’s client for the week. They are currently in a clothing store, shopping."

The air in Alexander’s office dropped ten degrees. The betrayal wasn’t the disobedience; it was the public, utterly humiliating choice of Sebastian. The rage that had been a slow burn for days exploded.

"Vale," Alexander snarled, slamming his fist on the desk. "He thinks this is a game? He thinks he can use my property to needle me?"

Another thought bugged him. Adrian was secretly an escort, working for crippling debt, and now his desperation had led him straight into his rival’s hands.

He needed to do something about them, he couldn’t just sit and let his rival parade his secretary around, it would tarnish his image.

Alexander grabbed the keys to his SUV. His client be damned; this was a war now.

But as he marched toward the door, another message flashed across his screen—a brief, frantic text from his mother’s number, clearly sent in desperation.

MESSAGE: You must come now, it’s about Adrienne. NOW. I’m waiting at your home.

Alexander paused, gripping his phone tightly.

For two days, he’s heard nothing of Adrienne, and now, his mother was suddenly calling him home to talk about something concerning Adrienne.

He had two choices: Go snatch Adrian from Sebastian’s arms, or, go make sure Adrienne hadn’t somehow revealed the nature of their marriage to his mother.

"Fuck," Alexander muttered and hurried out of the building, taking his private elevator to the private garage.

"You better don’t mess things up for me, Adrienne," He clenched his jaw as he slid into his car, shut his door and zoomed out of the garage.

In a few minutes, he parked the car in front of his house and exited the car, marching straight into the house.

"Mother, why have you..." his voice died down as he saw Chloe sitting beside his mother on the sofa.

Chloe stiffened as he saw Alexander walk into the house. She was yet to tell Mrs. Devereux what really happened at Alexander’s office.

Shenwas never planning to tell her, all she wanted was a chance to seduce Alexander. She heard that all Mrs. Devereux needed to sign her shares over to Alexander was a grandchild.

If she could just succeed in giving her what she wanted, Alexander would have no choice but to love her because she helped him get the shares he so much dreamed of having.

"What are you doing here?" He asked coldly, his voice hardening.

Chloe lowered her face, unable to look at Alexander’s eyes.

He strode over to them with a hard frown on his face.

"Mother, is this why you have called me home? I was busy at work," Alexander said, balling his fists to control himself from lashing out at his mother.

Chloe was quiet, holding Mrs. Devereux’s hand as her anchor. She didn’t look at Alexander’s face, scared dro find the hatred she knew would be there.

Mrs. Devereux sighed softly, "Darling, I do have something to tell you about Adrienne. But it’s also why Chloe is here." She smiled at him.

Alexander was nowhere in the mood for this rubbish. His mind was all on what Adrian could be doing with Sebastian at that moment. He’d already seen how uncontrollable Sebastian was in front of people, and now that he git Adrian to himself, Alexander couldn’t help but imagine what sort of things Sebastian would be doing to Adrian.

It wasn’t like it was anything personal, but he was just looking out for his secretary and the image of his company.

He can’t afford a scandal about his secretary dating his rival at the moment, he already has a lot on his plate.

"Alexander, you’re not listening to me," Mrs..Devereux stood and held Alexander’s hand.

Alexander blinked, frowning at himself as he realised he’d let Adrian occupy his thoughts, again.

He cleared his throat and faced his mother, "What did you say, mother?" He asked.

"Here," Mrs. Devereux handed him the phone.

Alexander sceptically took his mother’s phone to see what was in there.

When he saw Adrienne’s name, his blood ran cold as he saw a text under her name.

He was about to read the texts when his mother took her phone back, "You’re stalling, I’ll read it for you." She clicked her tongue.

"Hi, mother. I’m sorry for my disappearance for two days. Truth is, I’m currently in India with my sick mother; she got transferred. But, do not worry, I’ll be back tomorrow and we can start on that fashion show. Love you, mother." She read out with a warm smile.

Alexander furrowed his brows. Something wasn’t right.

Why would Adrienne text his mother instead of him? Was she trying any tricks with him?

’She better not mess with me,’ he thought.

What was the big deal in telling him that she was travelling? Did she have to be so ghostly about it?

"Ah, yes... I forgot to tell you about her travelling. It must have skinned my mind," he chuckled nervously.

"It’s okay, she’s such a sweetheart and I can’t wait to see her tomorrow," Mrs. Devereux replied, smiling at Alexander.

Alexander nodded, "Well then, mother, if that is all you called me about, then –"

"Oh, no, Alexander..." She held his hand gently to stop him from leaving.

Alexander sighed, he knew there was more. And he knew it had to do with Chloe.

"What is it, mother?" He asked calmly, not letting his impatience show.

"You see, there’s an Auto Expo tonight, and I’ve been invited. But, you know I’m already leaving the business to you," She paused, sending that she had got his son’s attention.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, "So, why are you telling me? Go if you’re invited." He knew his mother’s game.

He was a businessman and would never jump at an offer. He had to act like he wasn’t dying to do it just to get the 50% shares from his mother.

Mrs. Devereux chuckled, "It’s an exhibition-style event where car brands or luxury companies showcase their newest models. And, somehow, I’m one of the hosts." She smiled.

"The world’s richest collectors will be gathered to see what the Devereux brand will unveil next. I’m hoping on you to bring our best designs to light tonight." She informed him.

Alexander knew that the next thing would be about Chloe, and he didn’t want to hear it, "Okay, I –"

"That’s not all," Mrs. Devereux raised a hand to stop him.

Alexander sighed, "Yes?"

"Chloe here will be your plus one, since I won’t be going. I asked her to represent me beside you, you know... keep the vultures away since you’re now married. I don’t want any distractions. You’ll take her, right?" Ahe asked her son.

"Sure, mother. I’d better go prepare," Alexander answered in a beat, not looking at Chloe.

"Awesome. Oh, and, if you can, get that little secretary of yours to apologise to Chloe tonight. You can’t let your employees insult your family," Mrs. Devereux frowned, shaking her head.

Alexander balled his fists, "I’ll get ready first, Mother." He said and walked away, heading to his room upstairs.

"He’s always angry..." Mrs. Devereux murmured.

Chloe stood "It’s okay, mother... I’ll go talk to him." She spoke softly, touching Mrs. Devereux’s hand.

"Aww, you’re the best. Go right up, darling." She smiled as Chloe made her way up to Alexander’s room.