CHAPTER 29: 29: GROWING POSSESSION

Adrian froze, his knees weakening in defeat, "You... you know?" he whispered shakily, his lips parted slightly and trembling.

Alexander inhaled deeply to calm himself. He needed to stay in control in front of Adrian; he wasn’t the bad guy; the loan sharks were.

"Of course, I know. I’m your boss..." Alexander’s voice sounded restrained, his fingers delicately hovering over the bruises on the sides of Adrian’s face, "Why? Why did you want to hide it from me?" He questioned, his eyes flashing with disappointment.

Adrian slowly released his bottom lip from between his teeth and sighed, "It’s my life, boss... I don’t want to bring my personal –"

"Shut up," Alexander commanded and stepped away.

He hated that answer.

He wanted to shake sense into him — but the sight of those trembling lips made his anger twist into something darker.

’Yeah, it was his life, but can’t he see that it was slowly encroaching on his?’ He frowned.

He walked over to his desk and casually pushed his hands into his pockets, "The bruises... do you have them under your hoodie?" His eyes pinned on Adrian, assessing and daring.

Adrian clenched his fists, he wanted to lie, but something told him that Alexander would march right back to him and pull his hoodie off. It was better if he just told the truth and left.

"Yes," Adrian mumbled.

Alexander’s jaw tightened, "You will no longer be returning to your apartment –"

"No..." Adrian refused, "No, boss, I have to return to the apartment. I have nowhere else to go," Adrian explained, holding back his tears.

His world was really falling apart, he had no money, no family, and now, he was on the verge of losing the only place he called home.

"You can stay with me –"

"No! Never..." he paused himself and cleared his throat, "I, I mean, thank you for your generosity, boss. I dare not accept he offer, I’m unworthy of setting foot in your humble abode. You don’t have to worry about me, I’ll be fine. Also, I don’t want to leave that apartment because it holds memories of my mother and me. Please," Adrian rushes to explain, his ears turning red from fear and excitement.

It was a dream come true to li e wotb Ale6as Adrian, not Adrienne, but it was also a nightmare. Alexander would discover his secret in one night, and he’d be in more trouble than he ever was with the loan sharks.

Alexander leaned away, walking back to Adrian, "Sentiment? You want to lose your life due to sentiment?" He frowned, "It’s your choice, Adrian. I’m just a boss trying to look put for his valuable employee." He lifted his hand to Adrian’s face, cupping his chin.

"Who is Jonas Doey?" Alexander questioned slowly.

Adrian widened his eyes, his eyes searching Alexander’s calm, blue eyes. He knew his boss wasn’t guessing, he must have already looked into every detail before asking.

He sighed, "My mother’s husband." He answered.

Alexander paused a brow, "Your mother’s husband? Your father?" He asked, trying to understand the situation better.

Adrian scoffed and removed his face from Alexander’s hand, "he’s not my father "

Alexander narrowed his eyes. For the first time, he was seeing genuine hatred in Adrian’s eyes, and he could already see why he hated the man so much.

"He’s supposed to be a stepfather, but, I declined that role for me. He’s nothing to me," Adrian muttered.

"I’ll take care of him. He’ll pay for his crimes –"

"What? Why? I mean... no... You can’t hurt him. If anything happens to him, I’ll be the one going down, that’s why I need that loan, boss." He stepped forward, putting his hands together in front of his chest as if he were praying, "Please, Boss. I did help you with Madam Li last night. Can I get the loan now?" He begged.

Alexander scoffed.

He was angry, so angry.

He turned away from Adrian and closed his eyes to calm himself, his fists clenching in his pockets.

He sighed loudly, and slowly opened his eyes.

"You think, I’d give you my money to pay for some criminal activity? What am I? An Assesory after the fact? I’m not giving a dime for that reason, Mr. Cole –"

"But you promised! You gave your word!" Adrian lost it, his voice rising and shaking as he glared at Alexander, disappointment written all over his face.

Alexander’s mood darkened, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened to a razor-sharp edge.

He strode slowly like a predator toward his trembling secretary who had his back pressed against the door.

Adrian’s pulse sped out of control, his head grew fuzzy and his vision blurred. He had wronged the wrong guy.

"B-boss... I’m sorry, p-pleaae, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I was just a little disa-oh, no..." Adrian gasped the moment Alexander’s hand found his waist, pulled him off the door and toward himself, his chest slamming against Alexander’s with force.

"Mr. Devereux –"

"Now, you listen to me, Mr. Cole," Alexander’s voice dropped to a dangerous timbre, his hand tightening on Adrian’s waist.

"You will never raise your voice at me, you will never question my actions, you will never disobey me. Have I made myself clear?" He whispered dangerously.

Adrian gulped, "Y-yes, boss. I’m sorry-ah!" He grunted as Alexander’s hand gripped too tightly over one of his bruises.

Alexander watched Adrian’s wincing face and frowned. He gently released Adrian and inhaled deeply. "Exactly why I’m not paying for Jonas. He’ll pay for every single thing he’s done." He murmured.

Adrian sighed, rubbing his waist gently.

"I’m a man of my word, Mr. Cole," Alexander said walking back to lean on his desk.

He had wanted to keep it low, but since everything happened like this, he’ll just say it.

"So, you’re giving me the loan?" Adrian asked cautiously.

"I already did," Alexander replied.

Adrian chuckled nervously, "No, uhm, I don’t... excuse me." He paused to take out his ringing phone from his pocket and widened his eyes when he saw a call from the hospital.

"Excuse me, boss, I’ll just step out to answer this call," he turned to leave but Alexander’s voice stopped him,

"Do not leave this office," Alexander commanded, "Answer your call." He ordered.

Adrian’s fingers clenched around his phone. He didn’t want Alexander to watch him explaining to the hospital when he’ll be ready to make the next payment.

But, since it’s like this, he had no choice.

"Hello, Adrian Cole on the line," he answered politely.

"What? W-what do you mean I never have to worry about the hospital bill? I’d my mother dead?!" He was starting to breathe faster as sweat broke out from his forehead.

"No? You..." he paused, his body stilling, "What? Who? No, I have no idea... but, hello? Hello?" He slowly lowered the phone and stared at it like some strange object from another realm.

"It’s impossible..." he murmured, more to himself than Alexander, "Someone cleared off my mother’s bills... the future ones, too. Who?" He mumbled, frowning in deep confusion.

"That, Mr. Cole, would be my loan to you," Announced.

"What?!" Adrian almost choked on his saliva as he questioned.

His head snapped to Alexander and he locked his eyes with his boss, a heavy question hanging between them.

"Why?" He asked again.

Alexander frowned, "You needed a loan, I looked into you, found out you had a sick mother who you’re struggling to pay her medical bills. I paid it, because I figured that’s what you needed the money for. But, I later found out about Jonas..." he paused, smirking.

"But, even if I did know about Jonas beforehand, I wouldn’t still pay. I do not associate with a criminal. You’re welcome," he cleared his throat and checked his time.

"Go get yourself together. Madam Li Xueyi will arrive in ten minutes," Alexander dismissed.

Adrian shook his head as he stood like a statue, "No," he whispered, "Everything is wrong. It’s not supposed to happen like this. I already had a means

...What the use of our..." he trailed off, remembering that there were words he couldn’t speak out.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Cole?" Alexander slowly went over to Adrian, "You don’t seem relieved that your mother will now get all the care she deserves. Remember, it’s not charity, I’ll gradually take them from your salary –"

"You don’t understand..." Adrian muttered.

Everything has headed in the wrong direction. Alexander has destroyed his plans.

’What was the use of marrying him now?’ He thought quietly.

Yes, he could now channel Adrienne’s income to the loan sharks, but, those demons didn’t care about monthly income. They needed their money when they needed it, which was why getting the loan was super important to him.

But, the money has already been put somewhere else.

He was grateful, yet, he was in trouble.

He had to get something to give those badtards tonight or they would be leaving just bruises on his skin.

He had to find a way.

"Go home, or to a hospital. Your looks are not good enough to face Madam Li Xueyi. I will postpone the meeting, I can’t lose my deal because she thinks my secretary is a thug," Alexander stated, watching Adrian’s strange quietness.

He could decipher any particular emotion from Adrian’s troubled eyes. But, he knew he was in no mood for work.

Adrian slowly nodded. Perhaps he needed the day off to go sort himself out.

"Hold on," Alexander called as Adrian was about to open the door.

He walked over and leaned his head down, his chin hovering over Adrian’s shoulder, "I told you to stay away from Jacob, didn’t I?" His husky voice rumbled darkly beside Adrian’s flushed face.