CHAPTER 53: 53: LET’S HAVE SEX TONIGHT

Adrian splashed more water on his face and stared at the mirror, "One minute more..." He whispered and sucked on his lips, his eyes staring back with fear of the unknown.

"You can really do this. You said what you needed to say, now, it’s time to follow it up." He muttered and nodded to himself.

He only hoped Alexander wouldn’t punish him for insubordination.

He wiped his face with the small face towel, straightened out his clothes, and touched his hair here and there. Once he was ready, he nodded again and closed his hand around the door handle, pulling it open before he changed his mind and stayed in there for another three minutes.

His professional mask was pulled OK as he stepped into the room, his eyes going to Alexander, who was standing by the wall, glancing out at the city skyline.

"Boss, I’m here," His voice was stripped of any familiarity, only professional and detached.

Alexander didn’t move, and the silence in the room stretched.

Adrian grew uncomfortable, he gradually realised that something was wrong and he sensed that it might he something he wouldn’t like.

His heart raced as the silence kept stretching, the only sounds in the room were his own heartbeat and the sound of the distant city life.

Slowly, Alexander turned, hands in his pockets. His eyes looked so calm, relaxed even.

Adrian gulped quietly as he saw Alexander start to approach him. He noticed how calm and relaxed he looked and immediately recognised the danger he was in.

Alexander was never relaxed. Calm, yes, but never relaxed. His eyes were lacking that silent fire and need to command. At that moment, he seemed like he knew it all, and was invincible.

Adrian held his ground, gently digging his nails into his palms.

"You took quite long," Alexander spoke, his voice chilling and smooth as his eyes ran over Adrian’s face as if he was seeing him for the first time.

"I’m sorry. I had a little something to deal with," He cleared his throat.

"I will be home late tonight," Alexander stated, his eyes never leaving Adrian’s.

Adrian blinked, confused as to why Alexander was telling him this. He thought they’d be having some meaningful conversation, but the boss just wanted to tell him that he would be home late.

"Um, alright, boss. Is there something you need me to do for the rest of the day?" Adrian asked.

Alexander checked his watch and nodded, "Follow up on Madam Li Xueyi’s emails, make sure my latest designs are sent to my production teams, and I need two of those half-finished designs ready before midnight. Can you do that, Mr. Cole?" Not once was his voice raised a she spoke.

Adrian nodded, "Yes, sir." He nodded.

The task was big, but it was still early in the evening and he really had nothing to do as Alexander was leaving the house, so why not keep himself busy with work? It was better than sitting around and allowing his mind to wander with depressing thoughts.

"Good. I just need to take care of a little something. Do you want to know?" Alexander stepped forward, leaving little to no space between them.

Adrian panicked inwardly but maintained a professional look on the outside.

"No, boss you don’t have to tell me your plans, as long as they’re not work-related," Adrian answered, darting his eyes all over the room to avoid Alexander’s handsome face.

"I’ll tell you, Mr. Cole. You’re my secretary, you need to know, just in case something happens and you need to give a statement," He raised his hand to touch Adrian’s shoulder but paused, something flashing across his eyes.

Adrian chuckled nervously, "If you say so..." he was yet to understand what game Alexander was playing, but he knew he couldn’t let his guard down; a relaxed Alexander was a dangerous man.

"My wife, I suspect she’s hiding; something from me," Alexander started, watching, the instant panic that flashed in Adrian’s eyes before his professional mask came on again.

He gritted his teeth and clenched his hand around the small box in his pocket.

He wanted to be sure; he hoped this was some kind of misunderstanding, even though his heart told him that it was real. He wanted to give the benefit of the doubt, to create hope where there was none.

But within him, he knew that what he saw was the only truth he sought.

Adrian cleared his throat, "I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you two reconsider your differences... um, couples fight over things all the time, just have patience –"

"Oh, I have patience, Mr. Cole. That’s why I’m not doing anything till ’her’ at the moment. In fact, I just sent her a text which she didn’t reply to as always. I asked to meet up at the house in thirty minutes, hopefully, she’s there before I get home, if not, I’m sending Marcus and his team to sniff her out or anyone who might know her. I’ll see you later, Mr. Cole," he patted Adrian’s shoulder and strode out of the room.

Adrian remained standing as the door closed behind him, his heart falling into his stomach, "What the fuck just happened?" He whispered, his lips trembling.

"Thirty minutes to appear as Adrienne. Then, how and when do I return to finish all the tasks he assigned? If I do not appear as Adrienne, Marcus and his security team will surely connect Adrienne to Mr. Archen, and with a little threat, Mr. Archen would give up the secret... fuck, I shouldn’t be talking, I should be acting!" He hurried over to the bed and grabbed his mini backpack, zipping it up in his way out.

"Good evening, Angelica..." He paused in the living room as she saw the woman cleaning the sofas.

Angelica straightened and stared at Adrian with concern, "Are you alright, Adrian? You look... stressed." She asked gently.

Adrian shook his head, his eyes darting around the house, "Um, is Mr. Devereux in? Did he leave already?" He questioned, trying his best not to look at the ticking clock on the wall.

"He just left, Adrian, did you want to speak with him?" Angelica asked.

"Um, no. He left me because I was a little late. I’ll go ahead and meet him at the venue. Bye, Angelica!" Adrian waved as he rushed out of the house, his blood pumping fast as he hurried out of he street.

He entered the first taxi he saw and directed it to his hideout.

It was closer to both the penthouse and the main house, but very far away from his own house.

After three minutes, he paid and alighted.

He hurried into the very small room and hastily transformed.

After another three minutes, Adrienne was sitting in another taxi, her trembling hands finding it hard to apply the lipstick to her lips.

"Fuck!" She cursed, placing her hands down on her lap and closing her eyes.

She took deep breaths, forcing her nerves to be calm. She couldn’t understand the sudden interest Alexander had in her life, but whatever it was, she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of revealing her identity.

Calmer now, she applied her red lipstick and sighed.

"Be still, Adrienne, you always got it," She murmured, ignoring the weird look the driver was throwing her way.

Her fingers laced together and she suddenly realised she was missing something. She dragged over her mama bag where she had hidden Adrian’s mini backpack under her women’s essentials.

She needed to get her ring, Alexander would get suspicious if she didn’t wear it.

However, her face asked as her hands came out empty after searching the particular place she had left the diamond ring.

"No, no, I can’t lose the ring... shit," She pressed her palm onto her forehead, feeling a strong headache forming in there.

"Oh, god, county day get any worse?" She mumbled.

She believed she must have lost it somewhere as she was rushing to change. How was she supposed to face Alexander now?

The ring was quite expensive, she couldn’t just grow it away like that.

"We’re here, Ma’am," The driver’s bored voice spoke from the front, staring lazily at Adrienne through the front mirror.

"Right, oh shit, I’m here," Adrienne inhaled shakily as she stared out onto the gates of Alexander’s home.

"Thank you," She said as she pushed the door open.

"Whatever," The driver mumbled, waiting to close his door.

Adrienne swallowed hard as she stared at the gates, her eyes falling to her empty ring finger, "I hope he understands." She whispered and marched in, swear forming on her skin even as the cool evening breeze cooled the atmosphere.

"Mrs. Devereux," Lawrence opened the door for her, nowing his head, "Welcome home." He greeted.

Adrienne managed a stiff smile, "Please, just Adrienne is fine." She said as she walked into the house.

The hallway seemed longer that evening, and as she finally emerged in the living room, her heart skipped a bit when she saw Alexander sitting with Marcus, discussing how they were probably going to hunt her down.

"Ah, Marcus, my wife is here. There is no need to alert your team. Get going, Marcus," Alexander announced as he stood and walked over to Adrienne.

"Hello, darling," Alexander whispered as his arm wrapped Adrienne’s waist, his eyes flashing with something dark but Adrienne had missed it.

She smiled up at him, "Hi, husband, I got here as soon as I got your message." She said, placing her hand on his chest.

"I’m sure you did. Hungry?" Alexander asked, pulling her closer to his body.

"No, I... I just had something to eat not long ago," She replied, trying to put some space between them but Alexander’s arms were like iron.

"I’m sure you did," Alexander said, pressing a kiss very close to her lips, smirking as she instantly froze in his arms.

Marcus quietly cleared his throat beside them, "Goodnight, Boss. I will carry on with the other things." He bowed his head and left the living room.

Adrienne saw that they were alone and finally looked into Alexander’s eyes, "Alright, Alexander, we’re done performing, get your hands off me –"

"Oh, but I wasn’t performing, sweetheart," He cupped her cheeks, his thumb stroking her cheeks.

"What do you mean?" Adrienne asked, her pulse visible between her collarbone.

Alexander slowly lowered his face, his breath fanning Adrienne’s lips, "What I mean is, let’s have sex tonight." He whispered.

"What-mmph!" Adrienne’s eyes widened in horror as Alexander’s lips slammed against hers, sucking her remaining words into his mouth.