CHAPTER 48: 48: DENIALS & OUTBURSTS

Adrian’s initial shock quickly gives way to a familiar, dangerous surrender, but this time, Alexander is determined to make a point that Adrian won’t soon forget.

Alexander’s hands caged Adrian’s head, his fingers tangling roughly in the soft silk of his hair, deepening the brutal pressure of the kiss. There was no gentleness, no request, only a pure, raw demand for recognition.

Adrian’s hard frown from the hallway shattered on impact. His body, already pressed against the cold marble of the wall, instantly went rigid, but it wasn’t a struggle—it was the deep, shuddering intake of a breath he’d forgotten how to take.

’This isn’t a reminder!’ a frantic voice screamed in Adrian’s head. ’This is a punishment.’

Alexander pulled back, his eyes dark with a wild, untamed fire, his chest heaving as he pinned Adrian with a forearm. He wasn’t done.

"Insignificant?" Alexander’s voice was a low, dangerous snarl, his breath hot against Adrian’s ear. "Barely there? Do you forget so easily, Mr. Cole? You think I’ll allow anyone to discuss my property, much less offer to replace what I have claimed?"

Adrian couldn’t speak. His lips were throbbing, and his body was reeling from the sheer force of Alexander’s reaction. He had intentionally downplayed the kiss to Jacob, trying to minimise the scandal, and Alexander had overheard. His mouth felt bruised, his mind reeling. He could only stare at the pulse beating furiously in Alexander’s throat. "I... I was lying," he whispered, the words catching on a helpless gasp.

"Good," Alexander snapped, and his lips were on Adrian’s again, but this time, the possession was laced with a terrifying edge of desperation. His anger hadn’t burned out; it had transformed into a raging need. He dragged Adrian’s lower lip between his teeth, a sharp, punishing nip, then soothed it with a slow, deliberate sweep of his tongue.

Adrian’s hands, which had been pressed flat against Alexander’s chest in an attempt to create space, began to curl inward, gripping the expensive fabric of the CEO’s suit jacket. The anger that fueled the kiss had a dark, consuming heat, and Adrian, exhausted from his own fight and now overwhelmed by this brutal intimacy, found his knees weakening. The scent of Alexander’s expensive cologne and the metallic tang of his rising fury were intoxicating.

Alexander finally pulled away, his eyes locked onto Adrian’s dazed, heavy-lidded gaze. He didn’t release his hold, instead tracing a thumb over Adrian’s swollen bottom lip.

"You don’t leave before I do," Alexander stated, his voice now dangerously calm. "You don’t speak of this to anyone. And you certainly don’t allow men like Jacob to think there is anything left for them to teach you." He paused, letting the full weight of his jealousy sink in. "Am I understood, secretary?"

Adrian tried to speak, but the only sound that escaped was a broken, shaky exhale. He slowly nodded, the gesture tight and small.

Alexander’s jaw worked. He wanted another kiss, a final, silencing one, but the sight of Adrian’s total defeat finally brought him back from the edge. He released the arm pinning Adrian, taking a ragged step back. He adjusted his tie, straightening his suit as if the last minute had been nothing more than a brisk walk.

"Go get me two coffees. Black, no sugar. And don’t speak to Jacob on your way out."

He turned his back, walking to his desk. Adrian stood by the door for a long moment, touching his fingertips to his lips, feeling the lingering heat.

He was trembling, but it wasn’t just fear. It was the volatile energy of the storm that had just passed, leaving him breathless and exposed. He hadn’t won the battle, and now, he was left confused, unsure of what to make out of the situation.

He swallowed hard and pushed himself off the wall. "Yes, Boss."

He didn’t dare look back as he left the office, walking out into the quiet hallway and away from the man who had just used his body to crush his spirit.

"Hey," Athena met Adrian on his way to get Alexander’s coffee, "Coffee time?" She asked, humming a quiet tone to herself.

Adrian sighed, pushing his hands into his pockets, "Yes." He replied.

"What would the boss do without you, you’re literally an extension of his body," She chuckled.

’Right... what would he really do without me?’ He wondered.

Adrian realised that he did so much for Alexander than he took credit for. Designs, errands, and now he was on his way to becoming a plaything? He would never let that happen.

He was not a spineless coward and would not let anyone regard him as one.

Kissing Alexander always had him on cloud nine, but he wasn’t going to let his feelings make him a fool. He wanted affection, not possession. Alexander was a proud man, and that kiss wasn’t driven by affection, it was driven by a wounded ego and an urge to recite his dominance.

’I’m not your property, Alexander. Not in that way, at least,’

"Good morning. Double the usual, please" he said to the barister, drumming his fingers absentmindedly on the counter.

"You look worried, do you want to share?" Athena asked, staring at Adrian’s distant eyes.

Adrian shook his head without looking at her, "It’s nothing I can’t handle." He murmured.

Athena slowly nodded, "If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m your girl." She patted his back, grabbed her coffee and left.

"Here you go, Adrian. Have a nice day," The barister said, placing the two coffees in front of Adrian.

"I hope I do," Adrian muttered and picked up his orders and walked away.

He slowed his steps as he reached his desk, his pulse suddenly racing as he stared at Alexander’s door.

’Where do I even begin?’ He took a deep breath and walked forward.

"Mr. Devereux, I’ve brought your –"

"Come in, Mr. Cole," Alexander commanded.

Adrian gulped, "Here goes." He murmured and gently pushed in the door, walking in carefully with the coffees in each hand.

Gently, he placed them down on Alexander’s desk, ’Here’s your coffee, boss." He said.

Alexander simply nodded without looking up, silently dismissing his secretary.

Adrian balled his fists, his anger returning as he saw the way Alexander’s returned to treating him like trash after kissing him a few minutes ago.

It was time to set boundaries between them, he had already been kissed three times, if he let it continue, he might lose his will to Alexander’s ego game.

"Do we have a problem, Mr. Cole?" Alexander asked calmly, still not looking up from his screen.

Adrian couldn’t help biting his teeth down on his bottom lip, his eyes hardening in anger as he stared at Alexander’s unbothered figure.

"I-I-We—" Adrian stammered, hating himself for becoming a stuttering mess whenever he faced Alexander.

Alexander finally looked up from his screen, locking his gaze on Adrian’s angry face.

"I do not have time, Mr. Devereux. And I can’t understand you if you only stutter," He said to Adrian, picking up one of his coffees and sipping from it.

Adrian inhaled deeply, sharpening his glare, "Do you like me, boss. To be clear, do you want me to be your boyfriend?" He asked boldly, his eyes never leaving Alexander’s for a second.

Alexander’s hand froze midair and he almost choked from the coffee he was swallowing. He placed it down in a hurry and reached for a tissue to wipe his mouth.

Clearing his throat, he stood from his chair and slid between Adrian and his desk, leaning the back of his thigh against his desk.

"What did you say, Mr. Cole?" Alexander asked, his voice eerily calm, and so was his face.

Adrian didn’t back down, he stood his ground and answered, "I said, do you want me to be your boyfriend? Do you like me?" His voice shook at the end but his face remained fierce.

This was Adrian’s dream come true, asking his boss if he liked him, sadly, it was under very different circumstances.

"No. Do you have any other absurd questions?" Alexander’s cold voice chilled the room as he stared at Adrian in disdain.

Adrian staggered back very slightly, his nails digging into the palms of his hands. His heart was ruthlessly shattered by his ruthless boss.

But he wasn’t done, he was yet to make his point.

He nodded, "As expected. But then, a few minutes ago, boss, why did you kiss me? First time was a distraction from my claustrophobia, second one was testing if I’m gay or not..." he paused and chuckled, "Which I can’t even tell what your result was because, well... it’s you who needs to be tested –"

"Mr. Cole," Alexander’s voice was a dangerous warning for Adrian to step back while he still had the chance.

But his warning was like pouring water on a rock because his secretary simply carried on from where he stopped.

"The third one... now the third one just happened a few minutes ago, without my permission and without a reason. Do you mind telling me why you kissed me, or I shall be forced to conclude that you’re gay and have fallen for your secretary," Adrian finished and defiantly folded his arms across his chest, pinning Alexander with a challenging gaze.

Alexander released a slow, dark chuckle, leaning off his desk and towering above Adrian’s height.

His darkened and sharpened with a dangerous intensity as he leaned closer to Adrian, "Mr. Cole... I never imagined you held yourself to such... high standards." He smirked, hooking a finger under Adrian’s jaw, staring right into these stubborn grey eyes.

Adrian’s will weakened the moment Alexander touched him, but this was no time to be soft or naïve. He was here for a real talk, and he would do just that.

"You insult me, yet you always find a way to glue your lips to mine," Adrian huffed, moving his face away from Alexander’s hold.

Alexander slowly nodded, pushing his hands into his pockets. "Know this, Mr. Cole. I am not gay, and I do not like you. Trust me, if I were ever gay, I would never want you as a boyfriend. You’re timid, clumsy, and your looks are below average... not someone I would go for. Do you understand, Secretary?" He questioned.

"Music to my ears, boss. I’m glad to hear we feel the same way. Then, do you mind telling me why you kissed me just now?" He asked, smirking to cover the heavy pain he was feeling in his heart.

Alexander smiled coldly, "I own you, Adrian. And I don’t take it lightly when my property talks down om me. You said my kiss was insignificant, I needed to correct that impression –"

"You don’t own my body!" Adrian’s tears fell, hot and fast.

Alexander paused, surprised and confused by the sudden flow of tears he saw on Adrian’s cheeks. His chest twisted painfully and he almost reached out to wipe Adrian’s tears... almost.

He stood still, watching Adrian’s lips tremble as he tried to get words out of his lips.

Adrian furiously wiped his tears and glared at Alexander, "I am not your toy! I’m a human, and I do not appreciate you thinking you can extend your ownership to my body. You will never kiss me to prove anything again, and you will respect my personal space and my private life. I only owe you my service, and I am ready to serve you until whenever you think I’ve paid my debt. Never, Alexander, bring your fucking lips close to mine ever again!" He finished, pointing his trembling finger at Alexander’s still face.

Alexander was speechless, Adrian had surprised him in many ways that morning, and he had to admit that he had no words to say.

He stared at Adrian’s face and realised that his secretary really hated him, he could see disgust and hatred in Adrian’s teary eyes, and somewhere, he felt like it was wrong. Adrian wasn’t supposed to be looking at him that way, but he did like it.

Adrian saw that Alexander wasn’t responding and took a slow step back, wiping his eyes with the back of his hands.

"I’ll be working on my desk, boss. I’m available for your instructions," Adrian spoke calmly, turned and walked out of the office, leaving his boss shocked and confused.

Alexander rubbed his temples, forcing down the ache in his chest.

"Good," he muttered to no one. "He’s finally learning his place." But the hollow echo of his words told him he’d just lost his own.