CHAPTER 51: 51: ACT NORMAL

The drive back to Alexander’s penthouse was silent and thick with unspoken accusations. Adrian drove with meticulous care, focused entirely on the road, denying Alexander any opportunity for physical contact or verbal sparring. He maintained the blank, compliant face of the perfect secretary.

Chloe sat behind them, quietly observing. It wasn’t time for her to speak, but she would, soon.

Alexander, meanwhile, kept glancing at Adrian, feeling an intense, frustrating sense of displacement. Adrian’s cold professionalism felt like a more effective retaliation than his tears or anger ever could have been. The rage Alexander had felt in the parking lot had curdled into a heavy, unsettling anxiety.

He had expected Adrian to be flustered by Chloe’s theatrics. He expected a reaction. Instead, Adrian was a machine, efficient and impenetrable.

’Was I really that unattractive? Did those insults really kill every trace of the crush I thought Adrian had?’

He admitted to himself that for a second, he thought his secretary might have developed a secret crush on him, but, from the looks of it, he was wrong.

Adrian hated him, or despised might be a better word. And, he was confused, those things shouldn’t bother him but he had even indulged Vhloe just to see Adrian’s reaction yet he got nothing.

The truth of his own words—"You’re timid, clumsy, and your looks are beneath average"—now felt like an agonising burden. He hadn’t meant them. He had just wanted to stop Adrian from asking the question that threatened to expose his own confused feelings.

As Adrian pulled the car expertly into the garage, Alexander couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

However, before he could speak, Chloe’s sweet voice shattered their silence, "Adrian, can you come over and open the door? I kind of hurt my wrist last night." She called softly, rubbing her thumb over her wrist as she stared at Adrian through the front mirror.

Alexander remained still, watching what Adrian would do.

Adrian simply got out of the car and walked over to open Alexander’s door, then he proceeded to the trunk to carry out the bags, after that, he walked toward the elevator, leaving Alexander to tend to his girlfriend’s needs.

Alexander watched Adrian enter the elevator and smiled. He was starting to the defiance Adrian. He might not stutter or blush but his defiance was also a form of expression which Alexander believed was a defence technique.

Perhaps, he needed to give Adrian one more chance to prove himself, to show that he really did not have a crush on his boss.

’But what if he did?’ A voice asked in Alexander’s head.

’What if Adrian was actually gay and wanted you to be his man, would you?’ The voice asked again.

"Alexander, did you see that? I think Adrian is still mad at me," Chloe hugged Alexander’s arms, pouting, "Even after I apologised. I told you he doesn’t have a good heart." She said, frowning slightly.

Alexander gently unhooked her hand from his arm, "My mother is home, try not to cause trouble, Chloe." He said and walked away, leaving Chlie to either follow or leave.

Chloe was seething. She was starting to sense that Alexander was playing her, only using her as a tool to gauge his secretary’s reactions.

"Oh, Adrian, I’m going to hurt you, it’s a promise," she murmured and followed Alexander into the elevator.

In the penthouse, Adrian walked in and immediately recognised Mrs. Devereux’s voice chatting with Angelica in the dining space.

He paused and drew in slow breaths to prepare himself for the act.

He wouldn’t let the older woman sniff him out at a single glance. Women were more instinctual than men, and she was a mother, too. Any misconduct and he’ll ne found out at once.

’I can do this,’ he nodded to himself ams carried the bags toward the dining.

"Oh, Adrian, you’re back, and you got the veggies!" Angelica hurried over to take the bags from Adrian, "Thank you so much, I’ll place them in the fridge, first." She said and carried the bags into the kitchen.

"You’re welcome," Adrian said, smiling.

He could feel Mrs. Devereux’s gaze on his body but he kept staring at Angelica until she disappeared into the kitchen before he slowly turned himself around to face the woman by the side of the dining table.

"Good afternoon, Ma’am," Adrian greeted, bowing his head slightly.

Mrs. Devereux was beside herself with shock, she stared at Adrian in disbelief. Slowly, she walked over to him, her heels clicking over the smooth tiles as she approached her son’s secretary.

"Mr. Cole, am I right?" She asked, standing in front of him.

Adrian nodded, "Yes, Ma’am. Adrian Cole." He introduced, bowing his head.

"Such good manners," Mrs. Devereux said, raising her hand to touch Adrian’s face.

At the same time, the door behind them slid open and Alexander walked in with Chloe behind her.

Alexander froze when he saw his mother tracing her hand along Adrian’s chin. He could see how stiff Adrian looked and he wondered what was happening between those two.

"Mother!" Chloe ran past Alexander and toward Mrs. Devereux, hugging her with a little too much drama.

"Ah, Chloe, I see you ran into your friend at the mall," Mrs. Devereux smiled, patting Chloe’s back.

Chloe nodded, "Yes, mother, we bought everything together." She lied.

Adrian couldn’t care less. He sighed in relief as Mrs. Devereux had turned her scrutinising attention to someone else. He felt like he was under a microscope, and the way she had touched and looked at him almost made him believe that she sniffed him out at first glance.

He slowly took a step back to find a corner that would make him completely invisible, but he suddenly felt a hand on his lower back, stopping his escape.

He gasped inaudibly and glanced up at Alexander, who spared him a single glance before looking at his mother.

"Mother, this is my secretary, Mr. Adrian Cole. But I believe you two have met." Alexander introduced, gently leading Adrian forward by tapping his fingers on his back.

Cgloe secretly scowled as Mrs. Devereux silently dismissed her and walked over to Adrian to shake Adrian’s hand.

"Yes, we have met unofficially, and now, officially. It’s nice to meet you, Adrian, I have heard of your prowess in my son’s company, especially with Ruiyan, that woman is never pleased," Mrs. Devereux chuckled, leading Adrian to the sofa.

Adrian sat stiffly beside Mrs. Devereux, darting his eyes toward Alexander and silently asking him to come over, too. He didn’t want to be left alone with Mrs

Devereux, her eyes were so sharp that Adrian thought she would see right through his soul.

Alexander looked away, pretending he didn’t understand Adrian’s look. He needed Adrian to speak to him if he needed his help, and not to expect help after giving him a cold shoulder.

"Yes, she was hard to please, but I just had a little luck that night," Adrian replied politely.

"Aww, Alexander, your secretary is polite, too," Mrs. Devereux patted Adrian’s knees as she smiled.

Alexander walked over, standing by the side of the sofa, "He is, mother. He’s very obedient, too." He added, indirectly telling Adrian how he needed him to be.

"Well, then, Adrian. I asked to see you to get to know the first secretary who had worked for my son for more than a month, and to see the person my son never stops talking about," She smiled, watching Adrian’s cheeks tint red.

"Oh, mother, you flatter him too much. I only talked about him once when I told you about Ruiyan’s deal. I never mention my employees, Mother," Alexander countered, his eyes never leaving the blush on Adrian’s cheeks.

’So you want me to talk about you, Mr. Cole,’ Alexander thought inwardly, a part of him feeling relieved about the little discovery.

"Oh, if you say so. I’ll release you for now, Adrian. You can go change your clothes and come join us for lunch," Mrs. Devereux touched Adrian’s face as she smiled again.

Adrian was more than happy to leave, "Thank you, Ma’am –"

"Please, call me mother," She told him, her smile still on her face.

Adrian nodded and quickly left the living room before he got called back.

"Interesting," Mrs. Devereux said, watching Adrian escape.

"He... he is living with you?" Chloe suddenly asked, walking over to Alexander, forcing her face to look cute instead of scowling.

Alexander nodded without saying a word.

"B-but why? You never even let me visit the penthouse," Chloe’s voice dropped to a sultry complaint, "Alexander, are you really pushing me away?" She asked, leaning against Alexander’s side.

"I do not let you here because it’s my space, Chloe. A place I stay when u need concentration... something you’re incapable of giving me when you’re around. Adrian is my secretary. He has every right to stay here... for work." He said and gently pushed her away, suddenly feeling the need to dismiss her, he didn’t want her by his side anymore since he didn’t quite get the reaction he was looking for in Adrian.

"Now, excuse me. I need to change my clothes," He told her and walked away.

"Chloe," Mrs. Devereux called the devastated girl, patting the space beside her on the sofa, "Come sit with me. We’ll eat, and we’ll go do some groceries for my home. You said you cooked those vegetables yourself, right?" She asked as Chloe reluctantly lowered herself onto the sofa.

"Yes, mother, I did," Chloe answered, her eyes glancing at the hallway Adrian had gone through.

"That’s great..." Mrs. Devereux said, and stared in the same direction as Chloe, "That’s really great." She murmured.

Meanwhile, in Adrian’s room, he hadn’t even taken off a single clothing. The moment he got inside the room, he fell on his bed and hugged a pillow to himself, biting his lip anxiously as he tried to make sense of the looks and touches Mrs. Devereux was giving him.

’Oh, god, I hope it’s not what I’m thinking. If not, my life is over, Alexander is officially sending me behind bars!’ He cried inwardly, hugging the pillow tighter.

"I can do this. Change my clothes, act normal through lunch and she’ll be gone. Gosh! Why is it so hard to be myself around her?" He buried his face on the pillow and groaned.

Adrienne was more at ease with the woman than he was.

"I got this!" He sprang up, went over to the wardrobe and snatched his school bag, "I’ve got nothing here but Alexander’s shirt and a few of my things." He threw it on the bed and stared at the clothes Alexander had stocked for him. He had no choice but to wear them.

He grabbed a blue t-shirt and a black shorts, quickly changing into them. He wiped his glasses and fixed them on his face.

He stood in front of the mirror and used his fingers to comb out his curly hair.

"I’m ready," He murmured and walked toward the door.

However, it was pushed open before he could reach it, and in walked Alexander, shutting the door behind him.

"Boss?" Adrian called as he took a step back, "Do you need something?" He questioned.

Alexander was now wearing a white shirt and loose grey pants, looking like the guy next door instead of a cold CEO.

He held out his hand to Adrian, his eyes steady and calm, "Come here, Mr. Cole." He commanded.

Adrian sighed, "Boss –"

"This is what I’m trying to fix. Your defiance." Alexander raised his brow in a slight frown, taking a step toward Adrian.

"I can’t have you showing subtle signs of disobedience in front of my mother. She would think I’m not capable. Now, come here, Mr. Cole, do not test my patience," His voice was low, warning.

Adrian looked away and bit his lip. His legs suddenly felt like lead, heavy, and dragging. His palms turned sweaty and his pulse danced in his ears.

However, he just knew he couldn’t stall forever, slowly, he moved himself forward, and after three steps, he was right in front of Alexander, placing his hand on his.

Alexander instantly covered his hand over Adrian’s and gently pulled him in, lowering his mouth to his ear.

"Boss..." Adrian gasped quietly as he felt the hot breath fanning his ear.

He immediately placed his hand on Alexander’s chest to push him away but Alexander’s free hand snaked around his waist, holding him in place.

"Please, Boss, don’t do this again –"

"Shh... I need you to relax for me, Adrian –"

"Mmm..." Adrian slapped his hand over his mouth as he realised that the embarrassing sound had come from him and him alone.

His wide eyes stared at Alexander’s darkening ones, he could see the slow fire building in there and it shocked him.

’Could it be that my moan affected him?’ He thought with a racing heart.

Alexander gulped and closed his eyes, turning his face away from Adrian.

"Just, do not jump at my touch, speak to me freely, look me in the eyes while you speak to me, smile at me. Do not avoid me like you’ve done the whole day, it would look suspicious to my mother. Unless you want her to realise that our relationship might just be more than a boss and a secretary," Alexander gently released Adrian and stepped back.

"And that sound... You will be explaining to me tonight why you made it, and what caused it," he said to Adrian as a command but his voice carried an undertone of raw, untamed hunger.

"It’s time for lunch, secretary," He said and left the room.

"T-tonight? W-what’s going to happen tonight?" Adrian muttered, his lips trembling as he recalled that look in Alexander’s face.

He’d never seen it before, it was almost like the look of a man who was ready to cross that line.

Still, he might just be imagining things as usual, Alexander had made it clear, "He would never be attracted to me. I’m below average." He murmured to himself, sighing quietly.

He turned toward the mirror again, forcing a smile, practising the words he would say to Mrs. Devereux.

But his reflection didn’t smile back.

Instead, it stared at him with wide, anxious eyes and whispered, "Tonight."

The word didn’t sound like a promise.

It sounded like a warning.

He looked at the door and took a deep breath, "Act normal, he said. I will." He said and walked out of his room.