CHAPTER 59: 59: UNMASKED & UNFORGIVEN

"Boss, please, what I told you was the truth. I married you because you refused to give me the loan I requested. Nothing else, I just needed money," Adrian explained as he sat in front of the speeding car.

Alexander sat behind the steering wheel with his hands clenched around it.

He gritted his teeth and glanced at Adrian, not speaking.

He faced the road and sped up the car, heading straight to his destination.

Adrian’s heart was hammering in his chest as he realised where Alexander was taking him. It was his hideout!

The car came to a stop in front of the small building and he snapped his head toward Alexander.

"Boss..." he gulped loudly, already sending what was about to happen.

"Get in there, Adrian, collect your disguise, and get back in here. You have three minutes, do not test my wavering patience," Alexander commanded.

Adrian sighed.

This was really happening, there was no need to stall anymore.

What did he have to lose, the worst he feared had already happened, Alexander had discovered that he was the one behind Adrienne’s mask. Nothing to lose... except his freedom, by the time Alexander locks him up.

"Yes, boss," He replied and got out of the car.

Never had he imagined that he would be walking into that building with Alexander standing behind him, but there he was, about to give Alexander the final proof of evidence.

Alexander sat in his car, his head a mess of thoughts.

His mind replayed the incident in his office where he almost let Adrian take him in his mouth.

"Shit," He loosened his tie and lowered his eyes between his legs.

He was starting to bulge again at the simple thought of Adrian kneeling before him. He had changed his pants before leaving the office, he wouldn’t want to walk around with Adrian’s wet mark on him.

Not to lie, he wanted it to happen so badly, but, he didn’t want any more lies. Adrian was going at it as a distraction and deception, not because he wanted to do it, and lying was a turn-off for Alexander.

He knew Adrian was still hiding something from him, and he was ready to torment him until. He spoke the truth.

He saw Adrian walking back with a duffel bag and felt himself stirring harder in his pants.

Maiden loomed tired, worn out....vulnerable. And the way the sun highlighted his flushed face and soft, pink lips sent a shiver of hunger down Alexander’s body.

He imagined what it would feel like to have that beauty in his arms... naked... begging.

"Fuck," He slid a hand down his face as Adrian opened the door and goy back inside the car.

"Boss, here it is," Adrian spoke quietly as he shut the door and fixed his seat belt.

He was tired, sleepy and scared.

He knew that kiss and the make-out meant nothing to Alexander, a man like his boss would never really want to have anything real to do with someone like himself; especially not after what he had just done.

Alexander glanced at the bag and slowly turned his eyes to the road. Without speaking, he drove the car away once more.

This time, Adrian knew exactly where Alexander was heading, the road was too familiar not to know.

After a long ten minutes of driving, Alexander pulled the car over in front of Adrian’s apartment building.

"Out," Alexander said and got out of the car.

Adrian sighed and pushed his door open, grabbing his bag as he stepped onto the ground.

"Lead the way, secretary," Alexander instructed.

Adrian nodded and started walking into the apartment.

He was embarrassed as he never wanted Alexander to see his meagre apartment, but he guessed he had to face all his fears that day.

They walked into the shabby elevator and Adrian punched his floor in. The elevator squeaked a little as it started to move up, creaking like an old engine, which it was.

Adrian stood close to the door, acutely aware of Alexander’s gaze on his back. He was wondering if he should have told Alexander the truth before he signed the marriage contract, maybe they would have turned out differently?

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, staring blankly at the door.

Soon, the doors slid open and Adrian hurried out of the elevator.

Alexander was about to step out of the elevator when he heard a loud crash and a thud.

"Bastard! Where have you been?! Where did you get that money to repay them, huh?!" A man’s malicious voice questioned angrily.

Alexander lifted his head and saw a man pinning Adrian to the floor, his hands around his neck.

He saw red.

He moved with lightning speed and grabbed the man’s collar, ripping him off Adrian and driving him up against the wall.

"What the fuck? Who the fuck... A-Alexander Devereux?" The man choked, his face paling at the recognition.

Alexander’s face darkened, "We finally meet, Jonas Doey." His voice was chilling, his eyes dangerous.

Jonas gulped, "You... I can’t breathe-argh!" He groaned painfully as Alexander suddenly released him and fell onto the floor unceremoniously.

"Get up," Alexander commanded, his voice lethal.

Adrian slowly pulled himself up and watched as his stepfather struggled to stand on his feet, his legs shaking in fear.

He stood there, watching Alexander radiate anger as he stared at the older man, and for the first time, he felt protected.

No one has really stood up for him. After his father’s death many years ago, he had learnt to care for himself and his mother. His mother was never really strong, always going from one sickness to the other, leaving the family to him to care for.

But, right then, Alexander was stepping up to protect him, and just for a fraction of a second, he allowed himself to believe that his boss actually cared for him.

"Mr. Devereux, it’s so nice to meet you," Jonas extended his sweaty, trembling hand to Alexander, his face twisting in a scared smile.

"You owe me a lot, Jonas," Alexander fixed his hands into his pockets, his tone cold, "And you dare to lay your hand on my secretary?" He questioned, eyes narrowing darkly.

Jonas trembled, "No, no, you misunderstood. I want to hurt Adrian. He’s my son, and I love him. That was just a father-son thing... I, I huts wanted him to tell me how he was able to clear our debts –"

"Our? They were all under your name, Jonas, and I could all have them testify here and now," Alexander threatened.

Jonas shook his head, "No, I promise I was going gi pay back, but I just kept going deeper and deeper in depth, I had no choice but to put them under my son’s name since he makes more money than I do –"

"He’s not your son. A father would never do such a thing to his son. And a husband would never use his wife’s medical bills for gambling. You gave two options, Jonas," Alexander stepped forward, placing a gentle but dangerous hand on Jonas’s shoulder.

Jonas gulped, his pulse racing with fear, "Whatever you want, Mr. Devereux, I’ll do it, please, spare my life. Adrian, son, please, beg your boss –"

"Do not speak to him," Alexander snapped, his hands tightening on Jonas’s shoulder.

Jonas nodded vigorously, gritting his teeth as Alexander pressed hard on his shoulder, the pain shooting through his entire arm.

"Argh, I’m sorry, won’t speak to him, I’m sorry, please!" Jonas cried.

Alexander didn’t loosen his grip on Jonas, he stared into his eyes and said, "You can choose to go to prison for the rest of your life, your sins are many, Jonas. Or, you can choose to be a free man in another country with nothing to his name. No money, no home, but at least, you’d be free. Choose wisely, Jonas," he whispered.

Jonas gulped, his face paling as he realised that both options were the end of his life. Prison was the worst, he’d die from those horrible inmates, and a life in another country with nothing was just as bad, he’d die homeless on the street.

"Homeless," he said in resignation.

"I chose to be homeless in a foreign country," he murmured.

He just had to make sure he found a good neighbourhood to ask for food or money, or else, he would be dead in a month.

"Good choice. Now, head downstairs, my men will be waiting to take you to your new home," Alexander stepped away from him, watching him with steady eyes.

Jonas nodded, his eyes going to Adrian for a brief second. He clenched his jaws as he saw the unbothered look in Adrian’s eyes, he was hoping Adrian would beg on his behalf, but he just stood and watched him get exiled.

His hatred for Adrian multiplied, and he wished there was more he could do, unfortunately, there was nothing.

Adrian stared at Jonas until the elevator closed on him before he turned his face to Alexander who was already staring at him.

He looked away, clutching his duffel bag.

"Thank you, Boss. You didn’t have to step in for me."

Alexander scoffed quietly, he walked over and gripped Adrian’s chin, "If anyone hurting you, ot should be me... and trust me, Adrian, I’m going to hurt you in ways you never imagined. No one tricks me and gives unscathed," he whispered and leaned in like he wanted to kiss Adrian but smelled back at the last second.

"Take us to your apartment, Adrian. I have a transformation to witness," Alexander ordered and turned away from Adrian.