CHAPTER 41: 41: LET’S MAKE A BABY

"It really fits like a glove, Mr. Devereux," The pretty lady said, admiring the way the simple diamond ring glittered around Adrian’s ring finger.

Adrian chuckled nervously, "Ah, yes, it’s so beautiful, Ma’am. I’m sure Mr. Devereux’s wife will be delighted to own such a rare piece." He slowly slid the ring off his finger and placed it back into the box.

He pushed his hands into his pockets and stepped away from the counter, just in case Alexander wanted to force him to test another ring.

"We’ll take it," Alexander placed his black card on the counter and pocketed the ring.

"Thank you for your patronage, Mr. Devereux. I hope your wife loves the ring," The pretty lady waved at Alexander as he left with his black card and his ring.

Adrian saw Alexander leaving the store and quickly trailed him, not glancing back at the lady behind the counter.

He didn’t want to see the knowing look the lady was giving him. He almost felt like that lady could see through his mask.

Once again, they were inside the quiet car, the weight of their unspoken kiss pressing down on their shoulders.

Without speaking, Alexander drove Adrian to the hospital. It was the most awkward ride they’ve ever had.

The moment the car stopped in front of the hospital, Adrian dashed out of the car, running right into the hospital building without looking back.

Alexander stared out the window with a frown. He wanted to remind Adrian to pack his bags for moving into his penthouse tomorrow, but his secretary will always keep surprising him with his impulsive silliness.

Adrian’s bag suddenly caught his eye on the seat and he sighed. He thought of taking it to him but reconsidered when he received another text from Adrienne.

ADRIENNE: See you in five.

He shut his eyes and placed his forehead on the steering wheel, tapping his fingers on it.

"Why do I have to deal with two problems at the same time?" He murmured.

"Why did I kiss my fucking clumsy secretary?" He gritted his teeth and inhaled deeply to calm himself.

"One at a time," He slowly nodded and picked up Adrian’s bag to throw it behind the car.

But curiosity got the best of him and he brought the bag to his thigh, unzipping it. He wanted to see what his secretary always carried.

The first compartment was filled with pencils, pens, erasers, a short notebook and a sketchbook.

The second compartment had three snacks in it. He wasn’t a fan of snacks so he couldn’t really tell.

The third compartment had a huge frown marring his face. The two shirts he’d given to Adrian sat neatly folded in a transparent plastic bag, with small notes plastered on them.

"Return to the devil boss," Alexander read the notes quietly.

"Devil boss?" He glanced up at the hospital, a crease forming in his brows.

’He really sees me as a devil,’

He picked up the white shirt and stared at it, recalling how small Adrian had looked in it when he wore it in his office. He knew he should stop his thoughts right there, but he didn’t, he pushed deeper and mirrored Adrian’s slim waist in front of him, he imagined his strong hand cupping it and pulling him in to cage his smaller frame in his arms...

"Fuck," he raked his hair and clenched his jaw.

He needed to see a psychologist, something was going wrong with him.

He was about to zip up the bag when he saw the bulk of the cash he’d given Adrian on the day he had asked him to go to his penthouse. It was also nearly wrapped and ready to be returned to the devil boss.

He clenched his fingers around the bag and angrily zipped it up. He threw it behind him and drove away.

He didn’t understand why he was upset about it but he was, very, very, upset.

He wondered if Adrian would return those things if they were to be given to him by Sebastian. He would need to speak to Adrian seriously tomorrow, make him understand that he didn’t take returns. Especially not from a common secretary.

A common secretary whom he almost sucked his soul out of his mouth.

His fingers tightened around the steering wheel as he recalled how soft, warm, succulent, sweet and addictive Adrian’s lips felt against his. He has been the one to push his tongue through, and when Adrian gasped, he swore he felt himself strain against his pants.

So, what could this mean?

He had to make sure Adrian never said a word about that unplanned kiss to anyone. It would ruin his perfect image if news got out that he had kissed his secretary... a man.

He couldn’t let that happen.

"Shit!" He suddenly swerved his car just in time to avoid colliding with a car in front of him, his heart racing slightly.

He was just about to have an accident because of Adrian’s thoughts. His mind was getting messier as time ticked, and he needed to see this psychologist before things went south.

Soon, he arrived home, hoping to meet Adrienne in the living room. But as he walked into his living room, he met no one, not a single soul was in sight.

He felt frustrated, thinking that Adrienne was messing with him.

He pulled his phone out, ready to call her and lay his aggression for the day on her.

"Hi, husband,"

Adrienne’s voice called behind him.

He paused, lowering his hand beside him.

He didn’t turn to look at her, he just waited for her to get to him.

"You seem, tense, Mr. Devereux. Is everything alright?" Adrienne walked over to stand in front of Alexander, her green eyes slowly roaming his face.

Alexander lifted his gaze to her face, staring at her perfect face. She wore loose sweat pants and a very loose top, her red manicures glittered under the lights, and her long hair was tightly held on a low ponytail behind her head.

He stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Almost a week, Adrienne. You disappeared without a trace. Why?" Alexander questioned calmly, watching her like a specimen.

Adrienne sighed, "She didn’t tell you? I told your mother I was going to India with my mother. She’s doing better, thanks for asking." She replied, folding her arms.

Alexander scoffed, "That wasn’t what we planned, Adrienne. You were supposed to tell me where you’re going –"

"Ah, ah, ah..." Adrienne raised her hand to stop him from speaking, causing a frown to appear on his face.

"Listen, Mr. Devereux," Adrienne stepped closer, her eyes sharpening as she gazed up at him.

"My life is not your business. We already made that clear in the contract. I’m just a trophy wife who should appear when needed and after which, I cease to exist. Whatever I do on my own is not your concern. I’m just here to help you get your fifty percent. Alright?" She asked slowly, cocking a brow.

Alexander huffed, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Upstairs, Adrienne," He wrapped his hand around her wrist to pull her behind him but she immediately withdrew her hand like she had been burned.

"I can walk on my own," Adrienne said, pushing her hands into her pockets.

She couldn’t allow any form of contact between them. Alexander was a smart man, and from how close he was getting to Adrian, he might just uncover a huge secret from a single touch.

So, no touching.

Alexander sighed and walked up the stairs.

"Sir," Lawrence called from the centre of the living room.

Alexander halted and turned to him, "What is it, Lawrence?" He asked impatiently.

"I found a bag in the car. Do I bring it in?" Lawrence spoke politely.

Adrienne froze at the mention of the bag. It was Arian’s, he had forgotten it when he ran out like a fool from Alexander’s car an hour ago.

’Shit... I hope he didn’t open the bag,’ She thought as she stood quietly beside the sofa.

"Leave it, Lawrence," Alexander said and continued to the stairs.

"Welcome home, Ma’am," Lawrence bowed to Adrienne and left.

Adrienne cleared her throat, "This is not my home... I’m not Ma’am, either." She murmured to herself as she counted the stairs.

She git to Alexander’s room and entered since the door was left open for her.

"Shut the door," Alexander said, standing in front of his walk-in closet, his suit in his hand.

Adrienne closed the door and stood still, waiting for Alexander to speak what was on his mind.

She didn’t plan to sleep in the same room as him tonight. Mrs. Devereux wasn’t around so there was no need to act like a couples.

Alexander walked back into the room, shirtless and Adrienne focused her eyes on the chaise lounge she had slept in the last time she was there.

There was no way she was letting Alexander tempt her, especially after what happened in his car.

Alexander sat by the side of the bed and lifted his gaze to her, "Marrying you isn’t going to get me the shares." He stated.

Adrienne frowned, "Not? Why? I thought that was all your mother wanted, to see you settled?" She asked gently, stepping closer to Alexander.

Alexander nodded, "That’s what I thought, too..." he stood, striding over to Adrienne.

Adrienne tilted her head to observe his looming figure, standing her ground, "What are you doing?" She asked as he reached out to hold her arm.

"Chill, woman, I got you this," He took the box of rings out from his pocket and pushed it into Adrienne’s hand, "Wear it whenever you’re meeting my mother, or anyone as my wife." He said and pushed his hands into his pocket.

Adrienne bit her lip, her heart pounding as she recalled how the ring was chosen and purchased.

’I’m such a bad person,’ she wrapped her hand around the small ring box.

She looked at Alexander’s face and realised that he looked lost in thought, his eyes seemed so distant and troubled.

’Could he be thinking about our kiss?’ She wondered.

She cleared her throat, drawing his attention back to her, "So unromantic. Pushing my supposed wedding ring into my hands like we’re smuggling drugs. Very romantic, Alexander." She threw the box from one hand to another, smirking at him.

"Yeah. If we were real I might consider slipping it around your finger," He smirked back at her.

Adrienne froze, her pulse quickening, "If we were real?" She muttered.

Alexander shrugged, putting his feet on the floor as he was ready to imagine how he was hoping to break the news to her.

Meanwhile, Adrienne was remembering how Alexander had slid the ring onto Adrian’s finger without a fuss. Does it mean they were real?

Or she was just delulu?

"Adrienne," Alexander called.

Adrienne knew that something was up, she took a deep breath and faced, Alexander, prepared to hear whatever he had to say, hopefully, it wasn’t about her identity.

Alexander locked his eyes with hers, his jaw flexing slightly, and then, he spoke, "Let’s make a baby." He dropped the bomb.

Adrienned staggered back, her face flashing instantly as her pulse raced faster, pounding loudly in her ears.

"W-what did y-ou s-say?" She stammered breathlessly in shock, her eyes widened to the skull.