CHAPTER 62: 62: HUSBAND WHO WON’T SHARE

Alexander’s jaw clenched—subtly, but enough for Adrian to feel the shift in the air, like the pressure before a storm.

Sebastian... in love... with Adrian?

Adrian dared a small glance at Alexander.

The CEO’s expression was unreadable to everyone else at the table—calm, polite, almost bored.

But Adrian saw it.

The tightening at the corner of his eyes.

The way his nostrils flared once.

The slight, controlled flare of his fingers on the table.

Jealousy.

Hot, sharp, territorial jealousy.

Sebastian, oblivious, laughed softly. "Mother, please. I’m not in love with him."

"You talk about him constantly," Agatha replied, scrolling through her phone. "I assumed it meant something."

Mrs. Devereux turned to Alex again. "I must say, the boy looks so... ethereal. He surely is sight in an office."

Alexander’s hand shot out—resting on Adrian’s knee under the table. A light touch on the surface, but his grip squeezed hard enough to make Adrian’s breath catch.

"He’s very competent," Alexander said coolly. "And very loyal. Right, Baby?"

Adrian forced a sweet smile. "Of course, Baby." He felt like his head was spinning.

He never knew that sitting at a table and listening to people talk about your other persona would be so nerve-wracking.

He felt close to passing out.

Sebastian’s eyes flicked between them, brows furrowing. There was confusion there... and something else. Curiosity? Suspicion?

Agatha smiled at Adrian. "You look tense, dear. Don’t worry, we don’t bite. Well—Sebastian might, depending on the man."

Sebastian groaned. "Mother—"

Alexander’s grip on Adrian’s knee tightened again. Not playful. Not affectionate. A silent warning:

’Don’t you dare respond to that. Don’t even breathe in his direction.’

Adrian remained still, hands folded politely in his lap, trying not to show how much Alexander’s hold burned through the fabric of the skirt.

Mrs. Devereux clapped her hands lightly. "We should order. I want to hear all about your fixation with Alexander’s secretary,"

Adrian froze.

Alexander didn’t.

He leaned back, draping his arm over the back of Adrian’s chair, pulling him subtly closer. His lips brushed Adrian’s ear—soft enough to look loving, harsh enough to make Adrian’s stomach twist.

"Smile," Alexander whispered. "Or we both burn."

Adrian obeyed instantly, a gentle smile rising on his face.

"Beautiful," Agatha praised. "You two look perfect together."

Perfect.

The word stung.

Sebastian tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly at the pair. "Adrienne... forgive me for staring, but you remind me of someone. Have we met before?"

Adrian’s blood turned cold.

Alexander’s hand slid from his knee to his thigh—higher—drawing a sharp, silent warning line.

"No," Alexander answered for him, tone sharp enough to cut. "You haven’t."

Sebastian lifted a brow. "I wasn’t asking you."

Alexander smiled—deadly. "I was answering anyway."

Mrs. Devereux laughed, thinking it was friendly teasing. "Boys, boys. Play nice."

Adrian swallowed, opening his mouth to speak—

But Alexander’s fingers pressed into the sensitive skin of his upper thigh.

Pain. Heat. A silent command:

’Don’t slip. Don’t expose us.’

’Don’t look at him. Don’t let him see you.’

And then, softly—so softly only Adrian could hear:

"You belong to me right now. Remember that before you open your mouth."

Adrian nodded faintly, lowering his gaze.

Sebastian watched them both—eyes darkening with something unreadable.

Something dangerous.

"Interesting," Sebastian murmured.

Alexander stiffened.

Adrian’s pulse skyrocketed.

The table went quiet for a single, thick second.

Then Mrs. Devereux leaned happily over to Agatha. "Aren’t they just the cutest couple?"

Adrian smiled weakly.

Alexander didn’t.

He was too busy calculating. Watching. Guarding.

And burning with a jealous fire he refused to acknowledge.

"How about you give your Mother Adrian’s contacted I’ll give him a call. Who knows, I might be able to set a date for you," Agatha said to her son.

Adrian almost fainted, his face paling under his makeup. Just when he thought the situation couldn’t get any worse, Agatha asks for his number.

What next, they decide to invite him for a date.

"No need for the long stress. Alexander will put in some good words for his friend. Right, son?" Mrs. Devereux questioned, smiling at Alexander.

Alexander slowly stood, his hand wrapping around Adrian’s wrist and gently pulling up.

"I’m sorry, Agatha, mother. I will have to decline that involvement." He pulled Adrian to his side, his arm wrapping his waist.

"I am only a boss, and you all know, I only interact with business with my employees. If Sebastian fancies my secretary, he would have to work that out himself, and like I told him before, I will not appreciate any form of distraction in my office. If you will excuse us, we have a few plans to attend before the day runs out," Alexander’s face was a polite mask as he smiled at the women on the table.

"Aw, shame. Leaving already?" Agatha asked.

"I thought I’d spend the evening with my daughter-in-law," Mrs. Devereux sighed.

Adrian smiled, "I can always go on tea dates with you two in the future," he said softly, looking from one woman to the other.

"Aww, that’s so lovely. We would surely need young blood amongst us. See that Sebastian? Hurry and get together with your lover boy, I can’t wait to have a sweet lady and a cute boy as my daughter and son-in-law," Agatha cooed.

Sebastian glanced up at Adrian, his eyes searching his face with a hint of confusion and interest, making Adrian uncomfortable.

"Sure, mother. I do hope Adrian feels the same way about me –"

"Goodbye, mother," Alexander said, allowing Adrian to wave before he led him out of the cafe.

Once in the car, Adrian felt the tension in the enclosed space, his pulse racing with everything that had happened before and after they entered the cafe.

It had been an eventful day and he was physically and emotionally drained.

He didn’t bother looking at Alexander because he knew he would only find hatred in his eyes, so he faced the window, resting the side of his head on it.

Two minutes in, Adrian drifted off to sleep, his head hanging toward his shoulder.

Alexander sensed that the car was too quiet, they weren’t speaking, but he expected to feel at least a few glances from Adrian and when he felt nothing, he knew something was wrong.

Adrian might really be trying to avoid him or he might be too scared to even glance at him.

However, when he glanced to the side, he found Adrian’s head hanging low as he slept.

"He’s sleeping," Alexander muttered, "he dares to sleep after creating chaos in my life." He sighed, glancing one last time at Adrian before focusing on the road.

After a long drive, Alexander parked his car in the underground garage and got out of his car.

He walked around the car and opened Adrian’s door, unfastened his seat belt and lifted his hand to wake him.

His hand paused when he almost touched Adrian’s shoulder, his eyes taking in the calm look on Adrian’s face as he slept.

He looked so calm, no stress, nervousness, no lies.

He reached out a gentle finger and removed the wig that fell on Adrian’s face.

"You’re trouble, Mr. Cole. And, now, even Sebastian wants you, too. What do I do with you?" He murmured, his fingers tracing the delicate chin of Adrian’s chin.

Adrian felt the gentle touch on his chin and snapped his eyes open, sitting up on the seat.

He gasped softly when he saw Alexander’s face leaning close to his, his calm pulse spiking up.

"Boss? I’m sorry, I fell asleep. Do you need something?" Adrian asked breathlessly, rubbing his eyes as he faced his front.

Alexander stared at Adrian’s face, the nervousness and apprehension had returned, he could almost feel the wall Adrian was putting around himself.

He balled his fists at that realisation. It only confirmed that all those kisses, and seduction were nothing but a distracting seduction. Adrian Cole doesn’t truly want him, if not, he wouldn’t be so guarded around him.

Well, then, it was good he had the upper hand in whatever their relationship is. He could command Adrian to be and do whatever he pleased.

"Get out of the car, we’re home," Alexander said and stepped away from the car door, pushing his hands into his pockets.

Adrian grabbed his small bag and left the car, gently closing the door.

"Walk," Alexander said, heading over to the elevator.

Inside, Adrian kept his eyes lowered, wishing he were already locked behind the door of his room.

The door opened and he hurried out of the elevator, bumping into Angelica as he rushed.

"Oh, my... I’m so sorry, darling. I’m so sorry," Angelica apologised, holding Adrian’s shoulder, "Oh, Mr. Devereux, who is this –"

"Adrian, my secretary and my wife," Alexander suddenly pulled Adrian’s wig off his head, revealing his real, short, curly brown hair.

Adrian froze, biting his lip and digging his nails into his hands.

The sudden, cool absence of the wig left Adrian’s head feeling light and horribly vulnerable. The heavy, elaborate makeup—the foundation, the eyeliner, the red lip stain—now framed his short, curly brown hair, creating a jarring, ridiculous contrast that made him feel like a carnival act. His heart pounded not with lust or fear, but with sheer, mortifying shame.

He stood frozen, half-man, half-woman, the lie literally ripped from his head, pinned under the wide, shocked gaze of Angelica.

Alexander’s action was swift, cold, and calculated—a deliberate dismantling of Adrian’s last shield, proving his total dominance.

"Angelica," Alexander said, his voice completely level, betraying nothing of the internal storm. He kept one hand firmly on Adrian’s shoulder, pinning him in place. "Meet Adrienne. And Adrian. She—or rather, he—is the same person."