CHAPTER 26: 26: CLUMSY & CUTE

The Devereux Motors showroom was a cathedral of glass and steel — silent, gleaming, and intimidatingly perfect.

Spotlights traced over the polished curves of luxury cars lined in flawless symmetry, their metallic bodies glinting like trophies under Alexander’s rule.

The floor was black marble, so glossy it reflected every movement, every flicker of light — a mirror of power and precision. The air smelled faintly of new leather and money.

At the far end stood a massive glass wall overlooking the city, and in front of it, a single obsidian desk — Alexander’s throne in his empire of chrome and control.

When Adrian followed him inside, the sound of their footsteps echoed across the vast hall, swallowed by the cold hum of wealth.

Everything about the place screamed dominance — every car, every inch of space, every calculated silence.

This wasn’t a showroom. It was a statement — that Alexander Devereux didn’t sell cars; he sold status, perfection, and control.

"Damn... No wonder he’s the richest..." he murmured to himself, his head moving from side to side as he tried to take in every luxury surrounding him.

He’d never been to a showroom before, and bringing him there that night reminded him of just how powerful his husband was. I reminded him of the huge difference in their status, and why Alexander would never bat an eye at his way in the matters of love.

Adrian was lost in his thoughts and all the shining and glittering when his forehead suddenly collided with something firm and warm.

He snapped his widened eyes up and realised he had collided his forehead on his boss’s chest, "Oh, shit... no, I’m sorry, Mr. Devereux... I wasn’t looking," He drew back his steps, pushing his glasses in place and darting his eyes around just to look away from Alexander.

Alexander was standing in front of his obsidian desk, his face displeased, "Get your act together, Mr. Cole. Tame your clumsiness." His tone was hard and cold.

Adrian closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself, "Yes, boss." He sounded calm.

"You’ll be convincing Madam Li Xueyi, owner of Yuejin Automotive," Alexander said, walking around to stand behind his desk.

Adrian blinked, looking right at Alexander. "The Li Xueyi? The one every brand in China is fighting to impress?" He questioned with a little edge in his voice.

He looked calm on the surface, but within him, he was already chewing his nails from nervousness.

How was he supposed to convince a rich, cold, Chinese woman whom her people had failed to convince? She wouldn’t even look at him twice.

"Yes, Mr. Cole. But, you will only speak when I ask you to. She doesn’t like... lowlifes speaking to her without a proper reason," Alexander said, placing his car key on top of his table.

Adrian lowered his eyes, hurt.

Lowlife...

He was about to say something when the sleek sound of heels echoed around the quiet luxurious room, followed by a few heavy footsteps.

Alexander straightened up and moved past Adrien with an air of grace, his footsteps moving forward to meet the visitors.

"Good evening, and welcome to my showroom, Madam Li Xueyi," Adrian heard Alexander’s polite greeting.

He slowly turned, his eyes instantly locking on the cold, poised luxury tycoon: Madam Li Xueyi.

She looked elegant in a white suit, her hair pinned, and her eyes were razor-sharp.

Four suited men stood behind her, their faces devoid of any known emotions. Their eyes were slowly but sharply taking in the environment for any threat.

Xueyi slightly nodded her head, "Good evening, Mr. Devereux. I’ve got only a few minutes," She barely spared Adrian a glance, assuming he was just another assistant or errand boy.

Alexander gave a small nod and led Xueyi toward the flashy cars.

Adrian followed like a shadow, afraid to make the wrong move and ruin everything for his boss.

He was patiently waiting for Alexander would introduce him and permit him to speak. If not, he’d remain quiet for the rest of the night.

He heard Alexander start pitching the car deal in English, and something immediately caught his eye.

The way Xueyi’s eyes dimmed showed how unimpressed she was with Alexander’s approach.

Adrian wondered what the problem could be, everything Alexander was saying was fire. He was pitching his best cars and losing their best factors, yet, Xueyi looked... unimpressed.

Adrian locked his eyes on Alexander, waiting for when he’d look his way so he’d ask if he could speak.

He just might know what the problem is. Chinese people, value trust and credibility, not only money transactions, profits and show-offs.

The moment Adrian heard Xueyi switch to Mandarin, he knew she was testing how serious Alexander was.

He bit his lips as he held his breath, waiting to see how Alexander replied.

Alexander quietly cleared his throat and replied in English, "You can rely on us, Madam Li Xueyi, my brand has been tested and trusted by many clients around the world." He tried to sound confident but his Mandarin was clunky and clumsy.

Xueyi’s head tilted in the slightest motion as she spoke again in Mandarin, "If this is how you present your business, Mr. Devereux, then perhaps you’re not ready for clients of my calibre."

Alexander’s jaw tightens — he understands some, but not enough to reply fluently. Before he can speak—Adrian smoothly joins in with flawless Mandarin.

"We completely understand your concern, Madam Li. What you deserve isn’t just a business deal — it’s trust and respect." Adrian’s Mandarin was so smooth, his voice calm and his poise confident.

Li Xueyi paused — her expression flickered for the first time. Her sharp eyes landed on Adrian.

"You speak Chinese?" She asked in Mandarin.

Adrian smiled politely, "Fairly fluently."

Their conversation continued fluently in Mandarin, and Xueyi even had a small smile on her face.

Alexander turns to stare at his secretary, half-stunned, half-proud — and maybe a little turned on by this unexpected side of him.

Speaking multiple languages was a huge turn on for him and for the first time, he allowed himself to realise just how attractive Adrian was.

If he were a girl, this would be the moment where a boss fell hard for his secretary. But he wasn’t, he was a man, and Alexander could only admire him in a new light.

Perhaps this was how Sebastian and Jacob viewed Adrian. Watching the way he cutely nudged his glasses and gave Xueyi a gentle smile, Alexander didn’t realise that he was also smiling as he stared.

He was mesmerised.

Adrian didn’t stutter, no stammering, no anxious or nervous behaviour. He looked so adorable as he spoke.

Adrian had a quiet power — he wasn’t just cute or naïve; he was useful and unexpectedly capable. Alexander’s admiration deepened and he saw Adrian as an equal for the first time.

Xueyi’s eyes shone with respect for him, and it slowly created a new kind of tension between the trio.

Adrain nodded and gradually turned to Alexander, wiping the smile off his face to talk seriously to his boss, "Madam Li will be at the office tomorrow to sign the deal with you. She trusts you to be her only supplier." He informed, his tone professional and eyes staring at the car beside Alexander and not at him.

Alexander paused, an excitement bubbling in his chest. This was the greatest deal of the year so far, and it was all because of his clumsy secretary.

He tamed his expression and cleared his throat, he still had an image to portray, "Thank you for trusting us, Madam Li Xueyi. The contracts shall be readied by morning. You will not be disappointed –"

"It’s alright, Mr. Devereux," Xueyi said, nodding dismissively, "I’ll be there by morning." She said and immediately turned to Adrian.

Alexander was confused by his dismissal and Xueyi’s sudden interest in Adrian.

He saw her gesture at one of his men, who immediately brought over a tablet to her.

He might not understand or speak the language well, but he understood perfectly the birds that left Xueyi’s mouth.

"Here’s my daughter, she’s a fashion designer. I’ll be coming over with her tomorrow," Xueyi said, smiling.

Adrian smiled, "She’s beautiful, Madam Li, just like you." He replied.

Alexander frowned, something wasn’t right.

He gave them a few seconds to see if they would stop their conversation but when he could no longer understand what they were saying, he cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"If that would be all, Madam Li Xueyi, I shall escort you to your car. My secretary and I have a few things to –"

"It’s alright, Mr. Devereux, I have something to do as well," She said quietly.

For the second time, Alexander has been cut off mid-word.

Xueyi moved, briefly touching Adrian’s shoulder, "He’s the best one you’ve ever had, Mr. Devereux. Indeed, your company has eyes for diamonds in the rough. Keep him." She smiled at Adrian and left.

Her bodyguards followed her in the shadow, taking away their brooding presence with them.

Adrian adjusted his glasses and tried to step past Alexander. "Then, I’ll find my way home, boss."

But before he could take a single step, a firm hand caught his wrist.

"Hold on, Adrian."

The tone wasn’t sharp this time — it was low, controlled, almost quiet. Dangerous in its calmness.

Alexander’s grip wasn’t harsh, but it carried the kind of authority that made resistance feel useless. Adrian froze, his breath catching as Alexander moved closer.

The air between them shifted — heavy with something unspoken.

Alexander’s tall frame hovered behind him, close enough that Adrian could feel the heat radiating from his body. The faint scent of his cologne — wood, smoke, and control — wrapped around him, making it hard to think.

Adrian’s heart thudded painfully in his chest. He didn’t dare turn around, afraid that looking into those piercing blue eyes would undo every wall he’d built tonight.

"Did I not please you enough tonight, Mr. Devereux?" His voice came out softer than he intended, tired and trembling, but still edged with quiet defiance.

Alexander’s jaw clenched. His thumb brushed over Adrian’s pulse — unintentionally intimate.

"You pleased me more than you realise," he said, his tone unreadable. "But I’m not letting you walk home after what you did tonight. I’m driving you."

Adrian finally turned, and the movement brought their faces dangerously close — close enough for him to see the faint tension in Alexander’s eyes, the restrained storm hiding beneath the calm.

"Boss, I can—"

"Adrian."

Just his name. Firm. Low. Commanding.

And somehow, it made Adrian’s pulse skip again.

Alexander didn’t wait for a response — he guided him toward the exit with that same quiet dominance, his hand still resting lightly but insistently at Adrian’s back.

Adrian didn’t protest this time. Maybe because he was too tired to fight... or maybe because a small, traitorous part of him didn’t want to.

The glass doors slid open, and the reflection of their silhouettes — one tall and composed, the other smaller and flushed — disappeared into the night.