CHAPTER 36: 36: ATELIER DATE

Adrian gaped, his mouth opening and closing as he raked his brain for an answer that could save him from this trap.

Alexander lowered his face, his voice dropping, " You’re shaking. Is it because I kissed you?" He repeated, his thumb slowly tracing the back of Adrian’s hand, still pinned against his abs.

Adrian almost allowed himself to shudder, but an idea popped into his mind.

He was not going to allow Alexander to test him, this was Alexander’s test to find out his real sexuality, and he was about to show him that he had hit a dead end with his research.

He chuckled and gently removed Alexander’s hand from his, and then he system to fix the buttons again.

"Boss, you know I’m always shaky. I hate proximity, remember?" Adrian laughed nervously, fumbling with the buttons.

Alexander watched him with observant eyes. He couldn’t read anything from Adrian’s face, unless the reddened cheeks count.

Apart from that, there was nothing new about his secretary, just the good ol’ clumsy Adrian.

Adrian fixed the last button on Alexander’s collar and quickly looked away, "I’ll fix this... yeah... tie," he chuckled nervously.

Alexander said nothing.

He was feeling rather disappointed.

Somehow, he had expected the kiss to affect Adrian, maybe make him uncomfortable as himself?

Yet, here his secretary was, bringing his usual self. He didn’t know why, but it disappointed him.

He clenched his jaw and looked down at Adrian’s concentrated face as he tried to fix the tie around his collar.

"It’s good you didn’t get thoughts about the kiss, Mr. Cole. As you know, I was saving your life," His voice was cold and detached.

Adrian gulped, ’Can you just drop this topic?’

"Y-yes, of course, boss. I appreciate your help. And honestly, I forgot about it until you brought it up just now," Adrian inhaled oxygen to steady his mushy brain,

"You did?" Alexander questioned lowly.

Adrian nodded, "Of course. You’re my boss, I dare not allow such images to stick to my head –"

"You’re worried because I’m your boss and not a man?" Alexander narrowed his eyes at Adrian.

Adrian locked his dry lips and laughed nervously, "That’s what I said, boss. You’re my boss, and you’re a man... eww. No, of course I can’t imagine such... such... yeah, your tie is fixed!" He immediately stepped back as if he’d been burned.

’Dhit I think I’m getting a nose bleed!’ Adrian tried his head and pinched his nose, facing away from Alexander.

Alexander stood quietly, watching his strange secretary face the wall with his fingers punching his nose.

He could never understand Adrian’s antics, and he wasn’t ready to investigate the weirdness that might be playing in Adrian’s mind.

"My suit," Alexander said, raising a brow as Adrian failed to respond.

He walked over to Adrian and spoke over his shoulder, "My suit–"

"Get it yourself!" Adrian jumped to his feet, moving away from his boss.

He had realised what he had said when he saw the darkened look in Alexander’s face.

He smiled, "I-I meant, I’ll get it immediately myself. Just a second, boss." He bowed his head and scurried over to the oak door.

He pushed the door in and hurried into the private room. But, he couldn’t find the suit that Alexander had said was lying on the bed.

He scratched the side of his head as he looked over the sofa, table, desk, and chairs. Nothing.

"Uhm, boss, your suit... it’s not here –"

"The wardrobe, Mr. Cole," Alexander’s voice sounded right behind Adrian.

Adrian froze, giving his heart a second to return to its normal beats.

It was official, Alexander Devereux wanted to give Adrian a heart attack before the day ran out.

Adrian took a deep breath, stilling his nerves.

"Yes, boss," he answered calmly and slowly walked toward the wardrobe.

He opened it and found only two suits in there and they were the same colour, black.

He simply picked one and tuned to Alexander, "Here, boss." He handed the suit to Alexander.

Alexander took the suit and fixed it, by the time he finished buttoning, Adrian was already back in the office.

He walked out, closing his door.

"Get used to it, Mr. Cole. I told you I’d tie you to me, didn’t I?" He asked as he moved over to his desk.

Adrian was standing in front of the sofa, he lifted his head with a frown to look at Alexander, "What do you mean?" He asked.

"You’ll find out by the end of the meeting. Open the door, Mr. Cole, Madam Li Xueyi is here," he ordered as he stared at his camera.

Adrian balled his fists, pushing aside Alexander’s words for now. Now, he couldn’t wait for the meeting with Xueyi to be over so he could understand what Alexander meant by tying him to himself.

He might be a debtor, a chronic one, but he was never going to be anyone’s slave, not even his devilishly handsome, sexy boss.

Never.

He moved over to the door and opened it just in time for Xueyi and a very beautiful, young woman to walk I go the office.

He recognised the beautiful woman, it was Xueyi’s daughter, the fashion designer she had shown him a picture of. He must admit, she was better in person. Her red dress complemented her fair, delicate skin and warm hazel eyes.

She was a beauty.

"Good morning, Madam Li," Adrian greeted as he closed the door and faced the woman.

"Good morning, Adrian. This is my daughter, Ruiyan," Xueyi introduced.

Adrian smiled as he extended his hand to Ruiyan, "It’s nice to meet you in person, Ruiyan." He shook her hand very tenderly.

Ruiyan flashed him a beautiful smile, "Pleasure’s all mine, Adrian. I finally get to meet the handsome, and smart man my mother kept talking about." She said, a smirk tugging on her delicate lips.

Adrian chuckled, "I’m flattered, frankly –"

"Good morning, Madam Li Xueyi. I see you brought your daughter over," Alexander suddenly spoke after a few seconds of trying to figure out if his clients were here for him or for his secretary.

He needed to remind them that he was still here... the boss... the big guy.

Adrian subtly released Ruiyan’s hand and stepped away from her, clearing his throat quietly.

"Madam Li, please," Adrian politely gestured over to the chair in front of Alexander’s desk.

Xueyi nodded, "Thank you, Adrian. Be a darling and take Ruiyan to a seat on the sofa while I conclude things with your boss." She spoke softly.

Adrian nodded his head, "This way, Ruiyan." He pointed to the sofa.

Ruiyan nodded and walked over to the sofa, Adrian behind her.

"Mr. Devereux," Xueyi nodded at Alexander as she lowered herself into the chair in front of his desk.

Alexander tore his eyes away from Adrian’s happy face as he chatted with Ruiyan. He faced Xueyi with a serious look, "I’m glad you could make it, Madam Li Xueyi. Here are the documents to sign." He slid over a tablet and a few typed documents to her.

"Electronics and physical signatures are required. Take your time and go through it, if there’s something you want to change, let me know and I’ll look into it." Alexander was informed professionally.

"Alright," Xueyi said and started to go through the files.

Alexander’s eyes once again fell on Adrian, who was now looking at something Ruiyan was showing him on her phone.

Adrian was neglecting his job, he was supposed to be the one handing the contracts to Xueyi, but no, he chose to bond with Ruiyan, chatting quietly in Mandarin, and leaving all the work to his boss.

Alexander couldn’t wait for this meeting to be over, he needed to remind Adrian of something.

He almost looked away but when he saw the way Ruiyan subtly moved closer to Adrian, he narrowed his eyes, balling his fists under the table.

"All done. Mr. Devereux. It’s nice to do business with you, " Xueyi dropped the pen by the side of the signed document, ready standing on her feet.

Alexander returned his attention to his business, "Um, yeah, right. Thank you, Madam Li Xueyi. I’m honoured to be a partners with you." He stood and offered a handshake.

Xueyi shook his hand very briefly, "You have your secretary to thank for your success this time, Mr. Devereux. The boy’s a gem." She said and stepped away from the desk.

"Ruiyan," Xueyi called softly.

"I think we’re leaving now," Ruiyan said, standing from the sofa.

Adrian stood beside her, nodding, "Then, goodbye, Ruiyan. I do love your works, honestly." He complimented.

Ruiyan blushed, "Then come over to my Atelier one day and have a look?" She asked, smiling.

Adrian hesitated, he felt Alexander’s watchful eyes on him and glanced over at him. Just as he expected, Alexander’s darkened eyes were watching him like a predator.

"I would, Ruiyan. Maybe on a weekend since I work all week –"

"Awesome, I sent the location to you already. This Saturday... It’s a date," She chuckled and walked to her mother.

"Thank you for your audience, Adrian. We’ll see you soon," Xueyi said and led her daughter out of the office.

Adrian released a shaky breath, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants as he slowly faced Alexander.

"Um, congratulations on your latest deal, boss. If there is anything you need, I’ll be glad to assist," Adrian spoke calmly, avoiding Alexander’s gaze.

He stiffened when he heard the footsteps approaching him. He prayed for Alexander to stop midway but his prayers weren’t answered as Alexander stood right in front of him.

"Eyes up, Adrian," Alexander’s tone was angry, low.

Adrian sighed, resigned. He lifted his face, staring at Alexander’s blue eyes.

"Yes, boss," he muttered.

"Flirting in my office, are we now?" Alexander asked, eyes narrowing to slits.

"Huh? No, no. Ruiyan? She was just showing me her designs, we weren’t, I wasn’t –"

"Explain the Atelier date, Mr. Cole, why did she look so excited? Do you like her?" Alexander grabbed Adrian’s wrist, staring deep into his eyes, "Don’t you dare lie to me." He seethed.

Alexander’s grip tightened around Adrian’s wrist — not enough to hurt, but enough to make his pulse stutter.

The air between them thickened, heavy with something neither wanted to name.

Adrian opened his mouth to speak but suddenly paused, narrowing his eyes at Alexander.

There it was again — that look. The one that burned. The one that made it impossible to breathe.

"Boss... are you jealous?" He whispered in disbelief.

Alexander’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t answer.

Instead, he leaned closer, voice barely a whisper.

"Would it matter if I were?"

Adrian froze — and for the first time, he didn’t know if his heart was trembling out of fear or something far more dangerous.