CHAPTER 24: 24: POSSESSIVE PROTOCOL

Alexander stared at Sebastian with an unreadable look. His body was completely unmoving as he carefully thought of what he was going to say to Sebastian.

He was barely containing the unknown rage that was brewing within him. Something was urging him to lash out at Sebastian for kissing his secretary’s hand, for admiring Adrian in the shirt he had given him, for sending him these darned flowers.

But he looked as cool as ice, unmoving.

He didn’t understand why he felt all those things, but one thing he was sure of was that he was going to make sure that Sebastian stopped whatever he was doing with Adrian in his office.

Sebastian on the other hand was busy on his screen, scrolling away as if he wasn’t faced by an angry billionaire.

"I will withdraw from every single partnership with you," Alexander announced calmly.

Sebastian paused, slowly lifting his head to stare at Alexander, "Why?" He put his phone down on his lap and focused on Alexander.

"No, actually, you can’t," He smirked, "Withdrawing from our fifteen-year contracted partnership will affect you greatly, you know how handsomely you’re paying for breaching the contract. Also, I thought we were friends? Who do you expect Mr to buy super classy cars from?" Sebastian chuckled, shaking his head.

"Don’t tell me it’s because of your secretary?" He said, observing Alexander’s features.

Alexander’s chin tightened.

Truly, why was he making such drastic moves just to get Sebastian away from Adrain?

Adrain was replaceable, if he was turning into too much trouble, he’d just fire him and hire a female secretary, that way Sebastian would no longer have anything to torment or irritate him with.

But... fire Adrian?

"It is because of him, but strictly business, Sebastian," Alexander narrowed his eyes, his form straight as a rule, "You’re using your teenage whimsical to disrupt my workflow. You’re a distraction to my secretary, and I do not appreciate it," He finally moved, his face turning toward the door where he knew Adrian was sitting right behind it on his desk.

He stood and went over to his sofa but didn’t sit on it, he simply stood there and stared at Sebastian from there, "I’ve warned you countless times to stay away, yet, you even went as far as sending gifts and flowers. As a business partner, you should know better than to cause distractions in my office. It is not accepted." He fixed a hand in his pocket, a slight crease forming on his forehead.

Sebastian quietly stood and walked over to Alexander, standing in front of him to stare closely at his face.

"I understand. However, I want to know if you’re making this decision strictly on business as you said. Or, there’s something else?" Sebastian folded his hands on his chest, waiting for Alexander’s reply.

Alexander’s face gave nothing off, well, because there was nothing to give off. He held Sebastian’s gaze and said, "I’m not like you, Sebastian. And, if you remember, correctly, Mr. Cole clearly stated that he didn’t like you, either. You should know better than to cross the boundary when someone says no." He stated coldly.

"You don’t have to worry about Adrian. I’m quite persuasive. However, I do not want to lose my partnership with you, and for that, I will refrain from showing my flamboyant feelings at your workplace. I’ll take it out... in the real world," he said seriously.

"Your secretary’s personal life isn’t your problem, right, Alexander?" Sebastian questioned tactfully.

Alexander clenched his jaw, Sebastian’s question reminded him of Adrian’s words inside his private room. Adrian had also stated that his private life was none of his business, and truly it wasn’t.

But, why was he suddenly imagining a scene where Sebastian possessively held Adrian’s slim waist and Adrian had no problem letting him hold him?

"It’s not my business what he does with his personal life. Just keep it away from my office." Alexander said in a flat tone.

"Then, it’s settled. You will not encounter me disturbing your secretary anymore," Sebastian sighed

"But only inside your company building. I wanst joking when I asked him to be my boyfriend, I know we’re rivals... kinda. But, I’m serious about this one, this is me not trying to get you angry or something, I’m barely a man chasing after what his heart wants," he said and placed his hand on Alexander’s shoulder

"I hope that someday you find that person who will make you want to break all rules and jump all protocols," Sebastian smiled.

"Get your hand off me," Alexander sneered.

Sebastian slowly toon his hand away, nodding his head, "I have a meeting with my staff members at my company. It’s almost closing hour and I’m running late. I’ll see you again, Mr. Devereux." He said and turned away from Alexander, leaving the office in steady strides.

The door shut and Alexander sighed loudly, he lowered himself onto the sofa and sighed again. He hated what his mind was thinking. He couldn’t stop imagining explicit scenarios between Adrian and Sebastian, it was absurd, yet, he couldn’t stop it.

His phone buzzing on his desk saved him from the torment his mind was putting him through.

He was grateful to whoever was calling.

He walked back to his desk and picked up his phone.

"Mother?" He answered in surprise.

She never really called him unless it was urgent.

’Does she want to meet with Adrienne now? I don’t even know where my wife is,’ he sighed quietly.

"Chloe is right with me," Mrs. Devereux sounded disappointed.

Alexander frowned, his earlier anger toward Chloe returning. She dared to go to his mother after the rubbish she’d done.

Someone needed to make her understand that there are some things she can’t easily walk away from. She needed to start taking accountability for her actions, and not always trying to seek out an escape when it gets hot on her track.

"And, what about that, Mother?" Alexander asked, clearing his desk as he prepared to leave for his survey at his production company.

He was expecting his new model of cars to be finished by the weekend. He needed to go check if everything was going smoothly.

"You threatened to place a restraining order on her. Whatever for, Alexander Devereux?" His mother’s voice asked through his phone.

Alexander was already having a headache after the eventful day, he was in no mood to explain anything when the culprit was right here, waiting to be vindicated.

"She’s right beside you, Mother. Ask her, she’ll tell you what she did. I’m hanging up now, I’ve got work to do," he said and ended the call.

’Why is everything pivoting toward the wrong direction?’ He thought as he strode toward his door.

He couldn’t wait to get home and rest. He didn’t give a fuck about Adrienne at that moment, if she wanted to play ghost the whole day, then she was free. He would worry about her tomorrow.

He walked out of his office and was immediately met with Adrian sleeping once more on his desk. But what triggered him again was Adrian’s colleague, Jacob.

Jacob was leaning over a sleeping Adrian, his phone recording a video of Adrian’s face, when one hand gently pushed his hair out of his forehead.

Alexander was about to order Jacob to leave, but he paused when he saw the concern that etched on Jacob’s face the moment he saw the small butterfly bandage on Adrian’s forehead.

It wasn’t a worry for a colleague, it was that kind of worry that was mixed with fury, the kind that wanted to protect and love.

He realised that Sebastian wasn’t the only one he had to keep Adrian away from, Jacob had joined that list.

He wondered what it was with Adrian that had men losing their minds over him.

He was clumsy, timid, annoying, and ugly. The only thing Alexander liked was his brain, that is, when he used it for work. Apart from that, his brain was quite dead on other things, too.

It disgusted him how they could look at Adriand and find him attractive. If he were to be gay, he’d never go for Adrian, he’d go for someone more sophisticated, more worthy, and more handsome.

And yet, his fingers itched to touch him again.

He paused his thoughts and frowned. Dismissing Adrian kept becoming more spiralling as time went by. He couldn’t let his mind get occupied by one single clumsy man who couldn’t even speak well.

’Why was he sleeping too much? Did he not sleep at night?’

He cleared his throat, drawing Jacob’s attention to himself.

"Mr. Devereux, good evening," Jacob greeted calmly, "Do you need me to do anything for you?" He asked.

"Yes, Jacob," Alexander walked over to him and extended his hand, "Your phone." He said coldly.

Jacob furrowed his brows, confused but gave his phone still.

"Taking someone’s pictures or videos without their permission is punishable by law. Do you want to face the law, Jacob?" Alexander questioned calmly, his eyes staring at the video of Adrian’s cute sleeping face.

Jacob frowned, "Sir, Adrian and I are friends, he wouldn’t mind -"

"Do you want to say that to a later or delete the record?" Alexander asked, raising a brow.

Jacob frowned harder, but he knew the boss was right, there was nothing he could do about it.

"Delete the video," his voice was low as he answered, his face looked hurt.

Alexander smiled, "Hood choice, Jacob." He deleted the video and returned the phone to Jacob.

"Clock out, Jacob," He patted Jacob’s shoulder and gestured toward his desk.

"Yes, sir," Jacob replies and reluctantly leaves.

Alexander stepped forward, his eyes taking in Adrian’s peaceful form. He scoffed and lifted his hands to Adrian’s face, denying pinching his nostrils together.

In an instant, Adrian jerked up, gasping for air like he was drowning. He dragged a lungful of air as he freed his nose, his fingers digging into his palms in fear.

He was still trying to understand what was suddenly blocking his airways when Alexander’s figure loomed over him, taking the remaining breath he had in him.

"It seems like I’m paying you to sleep your life away, Mr. Cole," Alexander’s low voice spoke very quietly so only Adrian could hear.

Adrian shook his head, "I -"

"You leave me no choice, Mr. Cole, you have no salary for the month," Alexander said, already turning away a frozen Adrian.

"In the elevator, Mr. Cole," Alexander commanded without turning back.

Adrian followed him into the elevator, his heart racing.

If looks could burn, Alexander’s silence would have turned him to ash.

And for the first time, Adrian wondered if surviving this job was even possible.