CHAPTER 38: 38: THE SILENCE

He had just finished establishing his dominance over Adrian, making a decisive move to claim his secretary’s time and attention. Now, the main complication in his life, his wife, was staking her own claim.

’She’s not a real person,’ Marcus had said. No traceable records. No history. Yet, here was a very real message, promising a very real presence tonight.

Alexander quickly typed a reply.

ALEXANDER: Where have you been, Adrienne? And don’t bother showing up unless you can offer a genuine explanation.

He didn’t wait for a response. He tossed the phone onto the plush leather sofa, forcing himself to breathe and regain the detachment he relied on.

Adrienne’s sudden reappearance, coinciding with the massive shift in his focus toward Adrian, felt like a deliberate complication. He needed to handle both problems, but only one of them caused his pulse to spike with possessiveness and his hands to itch with the need to enforce control.

—

Outside, Adrian was already halfway through the first phase of his involuntary servitude: making coffee. He slammed the ceramic mug down onto his desk a little too hard, making a coworker glance over.

"Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath.

He wasn’t just in debt anymore; he was a hostage. Alexander had used his immense wealth not for charity, but for control. He had literally bought Adrian’s freedom from the loan sharks only to claim it for himself.

He opened his bag and pulled out his old, worn sketchbook. He needed to channel his furious energy into something productive, something that reminded him of who he was before Alexander Devereux owned his time, his attention, and his freedom.

’He needs capable hands... I’ll focus on the work. I’ll be so indispensable that he’ll have no choice but to let me go.’

Adrian took a deep breath, trying to process the confusing command: ’Never, in any circumstance, play my hero.’

He knew Alexander meant to insult him, to reinforce that Adrian was merely a tool, not a protector. But the memory of Alexander’s face, pale and strained during the scene at the storeroom, flashed in his mind. Alexander didn’t want Adrian risking his life, even if he cloaked the sentiment in arrogance.

’Was that a sign of care? Or just protecting his "investment"? ’ Adrian shook his head, pushing the thought away. It didn’t matter. He was a possession now. And he would be the most focused, debt-paying possession Alexander had ever owned.

He collected the documents and headed for the copier, his mind already churning through the key clauses, calculating exactly how many coffee runs and late nights it would take to earn his life back.

A few minutes later, Adrian returned to his desk with the copied documents, walking over to Alexander’s door with the coffee in his hand. He knocked once, but before he could retreat, the door opened.

Alexander stood there, fully dressed now, looking every inch the formidable CEO, but his eyes were still burning with that strange, unsettled intensity. He picked up the mug.

"Get ready, Mr. Cole," Alexander commanded, taking a long, slow sip of the coffee. "We’re going to my home."

Adrian blinked. "Your home, sir? Is there a meeting there?"

’We can’t go to your home, kind sir. How do you expect me to turn to your wife if I’m with you as Adrian?!’

"No meeting," Alexander stated, his lips curling into a sharp, unpleasant smile. "You need to be available at all hours, don’t you? It’s inefficient for me to keep dropping you off at your apartment only to pick you up again in the morning. Pack a bag. You’re moving in."

Adrian felt a cold dread settle in his stomach. Moving in. This wasn’t just a job anymore; it was an imprisonment with five-star amenities.

’No! This is not happening? How the fuck am I supposed to be Adrienne if I move in with you? You’re literally asking your wife to disappear for good!’

"But—" Adrian started, finding his voice thick with protest.

"No buts, Adrian," Alexander cut him off, his voice flat and final. "You owe me. And until that debt is cleared, you are exactly where I need you to be. Go home, pack your essentials. I’ll wait."

Adrian stood frozen, realising the truth: Alexander wasn’t just tying him to his business; he was tying him to his life.

’This won’t do,’

"Boss, sir... I have to be with my mother at the hospital tonight. I haven’t visited in a while. Please, how about I move in tomorrow? I’ll be sure to pack my bags by then," He pleaded, his eyes sincere and vulnerable.

"You’re dismissed from work. Follow me," Alexander said and walked away.

’Was that a yes? A no?’ Adrian sighed as he hurried over to his desk to get his backpack and rushed behind Alexander, who was already in the elevator.

He got in just before the doors slid shut, clutching his bag to his front and staring at his feet.

Alexander observed Adrian, he was shorter, always looking vulnerable as if he needed to be saved from something, or someone. He was always jumpy, reckless at times, subtly defiant, intelligent, kind, annoying to the core, naïve.

Alexander paused, frowning as the urge to become a protector almost forced him to step over to Adrian and pull him into his arms.

’What a nonsense thought,’

He cleared his throat and looked away from Adrian, but, as he did, he felt Adrian lift his face to stare at his when he thought he wasn’t looking.

He needed to see what look we’re swirling in those deep grey eyes, do he turned, and as their eyes locked, time stopped.

For the first time, Adrian didn’t try to look away from his gaze, he seemed rather... transfixed, and so was Alexander.

The air in the elevator was filled with uncharted chemistry brewing between them. They felt like their bodies were burning with a steady flame within, their clothes suddenly feeling like a punishment.

In the silence, their eyes spoke volumes. They simultaneously lowered their eyes to the other’s lips, the atmosphere in the elevator sizzling with unbridled tension.

Suddenly, the loud ringtone of Adrian’s phone shattered the chemistry bubble between his boss and himself.

He tore his eyes away and fumbled as he frantically reached for his phone in his pocket, inhaling deeply before answering the call.

"Hi, Jacob?" He faced away from Alexander who hadn’t stopped looking at him even after the ringing of the phone.

"Yeah... I left already. I’m running a little errand," he chuckled softly, "Yes, Athena told me how you overlept like always, what?" He spoke quietly, pausing to bite his lip as he listened to what Jacob was saying.

Alexander watched, unable to look away from his secretary, who seemed to be happy speaking to Jacob.

Adrian was doing it again, biting his lip and speaking so softly. Alexander hated that Adrian never spoke softly to him, it was always stammering, looking nervous, and acting goddammned suspicious.

"I’m sorry for leaving early. Yes, tomorrow is alright, I’m definitely having a launch with you tomorrow. Sure, goodnight, Jacob," Adrian said and lowered his phone from his ear, not daring to turn his body toward Alexander.

Luckily, the long ride came to an end as the door hissed open.

Once again, Alexander had brought them to his private underground parking garage, which in Adrian’s view was a mini showroom.

The sounds of their footsteps echoed across the quiet garage as they walked over to Alexander’s fancy car.

Adrian quietly got in the front, closed the door, and fastened his seat belt.

As Alexander got in beside him, he turned his face to the window to hide the blush on his cheeks. He couldn’t stop thinking about their moment in the elevator. It was almost as if they were confessing with their eyes what their mouths couldn’t.

It had been so real... at least on Adrian’s side. He felt so enthralled and captivated by the look on Alexander’s handsome face.

He further relaxed against the seat as the car drove out in silence.

He didn’t know where they were headed, but he hoped it wasn’t Alexander’s penthouse or home, he really couldn’t risk not showing up as Adrienne tonight. She’s been away for too long, any longer and it would become suspicious.

The car slowly pulled over to the highway, shutting off completely.

Adrian frowned, a certain kind of panic setting in as he felt Alexander lean in beside him.

He refused to turn, to look.

He didn’t want to see which look Alexander had in his eyes, he was scared he might cave.

"Adrian," Alexander’s smooth voice slithered across the quiet car, his hand resting on the armrest of Adrian’s seat.

Adrian dug his fingers into his palms, his heart thudding loudly.

"Boss?" He replied, still not turning.

The scent of cedar and smoke filled the car as Alexander’s hand landed on his knee — warm, deliberate, terrifyingly possessive.

He stiffened as he felt Alexander’s hand on his knees, his pulse quickening as his breath hitched.

’Oh, god, what are you doing, boss?’ He thought inwardly, as he felt the warmth from Alexander’s hand seeping into his body.

"Turn around, Adrian. I have a question for you," Alexander murmured, voice low and deep.