CHAPTER 68: 68: IN-BETWEEN JEALOUSY & OBSESSION

Alexander woke up, slowly turning to his side to see the man beside him, but his face turned into a frown when he was met with an empty bed beside him.

The first thought that settled in his mind was that Adrian had escaped.

He sat up in bed, ready to call Marcus and order a search, but he paused, hearing laughter in the distance and it sounded like Adrian’s.

He got off the bed and left the room in his silk pyjamas, following the soft laughter to the kitchen.

He didn’t go in, he stood at the door and watched Adrian washing vegetables beside Angelica at the long sink.

He was still in his sleepwear, the white shirt making him look small beside the woman. They were still unaware of his presence so he took the chance to get a glimpse of the real Adrian in his absence.

"I mean it, I could totally make every dish there is. I did for years in China before I moved back here when my mother fell ill. I was literally the one taking care of my mother as I grew up," Adrian said, smiling at the woman.

Angelica paused, glancing at Adrian’s face, "That must have been very hectic for you, Adrian. I mean it did teach you to cook delicious meals, but you shouldn’t have that, no child should face that," She touched Adrian’s arm, giving him a soft, motherly look.

Adrian chuckled, "Well, take away the hard parts, I actually enjoyed it took my mind off my miserable life," he laughed gently, shrugging it off as a joke.

Alexander stood quietly, it was the first time he was getting a little glimpse into Adrian’s life. He sounded like he really had it tough growing up, and if Alexander was being sincere with himself, he’d realise that Adrian was still having it rough, maybe even worse, and it was all because of him.

He stared at Adrian, catching the glimpse of sadness flash through his eyes as he masked it with a smile.

He wanted to remain unseen and see more of Adrian’s true self, but Angelica suddenly turned, her eyes widening for a split second before she greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning, sir. I didn’t realise you were up. I’ll bring breakfast immediately." Angelica spoke politely.

Instantly, Alexander saw Adrian stiffen, his hands paddling under the running water.

He sighed, hating that he was the reason the smile and light disappeared from Adrian’s eyes.

He stared at Angelica, unsmiling, his eyes accusing her of something she had no idea about.

Angelica shifted uncomfortably, questioning herself about where she had gone wrong with her greeting.

Adrian wiped his hand on a hand towel and slowly faced Alexander.

"Good morning, boss," he said, his eyes not meeting Alexander’s.

"I have to prepare for work. It was fun," He spoke softly to the woman before walking slowly towards the door where Alexander was standing like a brick wall.

Alexander didn’t take his eyes off Adrian, he hated it whenever Adrian outrightly refused to look at him, it snapped something within him, turning him into some possessive monster.

"May I leave the kitchen, boss? I need to get myself ready for work," Adrian asked, keeping his eyes on the wall.

Alexander didn’t budge, he needed Adrian to look at him first.

"You’re work is not in the kitchen. And you are clearly not dressed for your job," Alexander stated, his eyes raking Adrian’s body.

"I’m sorry, Boss. I just wanted to lend the woman a little hand since I had nothing to do at the moment," Adrian replied, gently clutching his fists.

What he really wanted to do was to shove Alexander out of the way, grab his bag and get out of that forsaken luxurious prison, away from Alexander forever.

But he dares not, his mother’s life was on the line, and his own dignity and safety were threatened, too.

He would stay and endure all the insults and commands as the obedient secretary he was. He had no voice to protest.

"Get dressed and come out here," Alexander stepped out of the way.

Adrian didn’t waste a second, he immediately slid past Alexander and walked toward the master’s suite.

"I hate him... I hate him so much," he murmured as he walked into the room, slamming the door shut.

He grabbed his towel and went into the bathroom, rushing his every activity like he was about to miss his flight.

After a while, he came out with a towel around his waist, planning to dress up and quickly meet Alexander in the study.

However, he wasn’t expecting to see a shirtless Alexander sitting on the foot of the bed, tapping on his phone.

He immediately realised he should have taken his clothes with him into the bathroom. He didn’t think Alexander would be in here by the time he finished in the bathroom.

Slowly, Alexander lifted his face from his phone, his eyes immediately locking onto Adrian. The sudden, intense focus made Adrian freeze mid-step, the damp towel around his waist feeling impossibly flimsy.

Alexander’s eyes travelled slowly, deliberately, over the expanse of Adrian’s bare chest, slick with moisture from the shower, before returning to Adrian’s wide, apprehensive eyes.

Alexander was shirtless, displaying the powerful, sculpted planes of his chest and arms, his sheer physical presence dominating the room. The sight was arresting, dangerously distracting, and made Adrian acutely aware of his own vulnerability.

Alexander placed his phone face down on the silk duvet. "Problem, Mr. Cole?" he asked, his voice low and smooth, a predator assessing his prey.

Adrian swallowed hard, gripping the edges of the towel so tightly his knuckles turned white. "I—I didn’t expect you to be in here, Boss. I thought you were in the study."

"This is my private suite, Adrian," Alexander reminded him, a ghost of a smirk touching his lips. "I am free to be here whenever I choose. You, however, are interrupting my preparation time. You should have been dressed minutes ago."

He stood up, the casual movement belying the sheer force of his physique. He walked toward Adrian slowly, closing the space between them.

"You said you hate me," Alexander murmured, stopping close enough that Adrian could smell the faint scent of expensive soap and pure male heat radiating off his body. "You whispered it as you ran away from the kitchen. I heard it."

Adrian’s breath hitched. He closed his eyes, leaning back slightly in a futile attempt to escape the overpowering proximity. "I apologise, Boss. It was unprofessional and unwarranted."

"Unwarranted?" Alexander tilted his head, his eyes burning with a dangerous mix of challenge and hunger. "You hate the man who owns you? The man who paid for your mother’s life? The man who paid off all your debts?"

He reached out, his finger tracing the curve of Adrian’s collarbone, raising goosebumps on his skin. "You hate me, yet you begged me to kiss you yesterday. You hated me as you took me in your mouth."

Alexander’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You hated me as you kissed me in front of Sebastian, daring him to look. Tell me, Adrian. How does hate feel when it tastes like surrender?"

Adrian couldn’t hold the lie. His eyes opened, wide and shimmered with shame and a treacherous flicker of the desire that always betrayed him. "It feels like a trap, Boss," he admitted, his voice barely a gasp. "It feels like you’re doing everything you can to take away the last piece of me I thought was mine."

Alexander’s hand moved, his large, warm palm flattening against Adrian’s bare chest, right over his frantically beating heart.

"Your heart is mine, too, Adrian," Alexander asserted, his thumb brushing against Adrian’s nipple, a gesture that was both cruel and electrifying. "It beats here, in my house, because I allow it. And your loyalty, will, and desires, all belong to me," he whispered, watching Adrian’s cheek turn red in an instant.

Adrian shuddered, gulping quietly, "I understand." He said and quickly tried to move but Alexander gripped his arm, pulling him against his body.

"Never leave my bed if I don’t order you to. Am I understood?" Alexander whispered into Adrian’s ear, his hand slipping around Adrian’s waist.

Adrian’s hands kept getting tighter on his towel, fighting the urge to touch Alexander.

"Yes, boss, I understand," He murmured.

Alexander’s fingers dug into Adrian’s waist as he leaned his face back to stare at Adrian’s flushed face, his other hand coming up to cup Adrian’s face.

"What were you discussing with Angelica?" Alexander asked softly, his thumb stroking Adrian’s cheek.

Adrian blinked slowly, "Nothing-ahh!" He groaned as Alexander gripped his chin, narrowing his eyes at him.

"Don’t lie to me, Adrian," Alexander murmured against Adrian’s lips, frowning slightly.

Adrian sighed, "I was just telling her how I learnt how to cook. Stop hurting me, Alex." He whispered, placing his hand on Adrian’s chest and suddenly realising that Alexander’s heart just like his was beating fast, too.

Alexander groaned quietly, his hand loosening on Adrian’s chin, "When you call me Alex, you know exactly what you’re doing, don’t you?" His voice was husky, eyes darkening.

Adrian’s breath turned shallow, pulse spiking, "I don’t know what you mean, I just want you to stop hurting me." He said, looking away from Alexander.

Alexander cupped the back of Adrian’s head, pressing their foreheads together, "You lied to me, Adrian, deceived me... I can’t forgive that easily," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Adrian nodded, "I understand. I deserve every bit of your spice, but..." he paused, leaning his face closer, "Since you’re never going to forgive me, don’t you think we should ignore this?" He gently tapped Alexander’s bearing chest, "We can’t want each other... it’ll complicate things in the end... I don’t want to get hurt more than I already am," he said, grazing his face over Alexander’s chest slowly.

Alexander frowned, his hand tightening around Adrian, "You don’t get to tell me what to do, Adrian. Would you rather go to Sebastian than be with me?" He asked, jealousy spiking.

Adrian sighed, "Yes, he’d be more gentleman than you are, Alexander," he stated, his eyes suddenly turning fierce, "But you don’t have to worry, even before all this drama, I already had someone I love, so, Sebastian will never be my option –"

"You love someone?" Alexander asked, his voice trembling slightly.

He suddenly felt like he’d lost a huge deal, if Adrian’s heart already belonged to someone, then what was left for him to own?

Adrian nodded, "Yes, I love someone already. If you’d excuse me, boss, I need to get dressed," he gently pushed at Alexander’s chest, and this time, he got out of the firm hold.

He sighed in relief and walked toward the wardrobe. He only managed to hold the handle when Alexander held his hand and turned him around.

"What –"

"I don’t like it, Adrian," Alexander gently pressed Adrian’s back against the wardrobe, stepping in to press their body together, his hand crashing into Adrian’s face.

Adrian was surprised, Alexander’s touch was soft, gentle, as if he was scared he’d break Adrian if he used a little force.

The tenderness got Adrian hyperventilating, "B-boss, you hate what-ohh..." his eyes fluttered shut and his head fell back as Alexander’s warm tongue darted out to lick against the pulse in his neck.

He licked his dry lips, his hands coming up to hold Alexander’s shoulders, "Alexander, what are you-Fuck!" His eyes rolled over as Alexander’s mouth suddenly covered one of his nipples, sending a blinding pleasure shooting right to his core.

"A-Alex... fuck, that’s so... so hot..." Adrian breathes out shamelessly, rubbing his thighs together as his cock brushes against his towel.

Alexander slowly removed his mouth from Adrian’s nipple, taking it to his ear, "The person you love, has he ever made you feel this way?" He whispered huskily into Adrian’s ear, his hand threatening dangerously close to Adrian’s tied towel.

Adrian gasped, shaking his head helplessly, "He... I can’t tell..." he couldn’t lie, because the person he loved was making him feel that way at that very moment.

Alexander cupped Adrian’s chin, his darkened eyes gazing into Adrian’s grey eyes. "You’re going to forget him, Adrian. You’re mine now," Alexander murmured and very slowly, sank his lips onto Adrian’s.