CHAPTER 72: 72: MATCHMAKING

As instructed, Adrian never spoke to anyone again throughout their stay. He stood close to Alexander like a good little secretary and only nodded when necessary.

And, finally, Alexander announced their departure.

"It’s been... eventful, Xueyi, Ruiyan. It’s time for Adrian... my secretary and I to leave, we have a few impending matters to manage," Alexander said, his hand finding the small of Adrian’s back, a small grounding gesture.

Adrian cleared his throat, smiling politely at Xueyi and Ruiyan.

"Alright, Alexander. I appreciate your attendance and I’m looking forward to a proper meeting between my daughter and your secretary –"

"Mother, don’t be too obvious(In Mandarin)" Ruiyan gently held her mother’s arm, smiling at Adrian.

Adrian stiffened, he clearly understood what she said, and from the look on Alexander’s face, he did, too.

"See you soon, Adrian," Ruiyan said softly, nodding at Adrian.

"Hopefully, Ruiyan," Adrian replied.

"Goodbye," Alexander said and turned away, walking out of the building without waiting for Adrian.

"Goodbye, Xueyi, Ruiyan," Adrian said and quickly left, hurrying his steps to meet Alexander who was already walking toward the car.

He walked over to the other side of the car and entered, the cold atmosphere washing over him like a sluice and he dared not turn to the side to look at the brooding man beside him.

Alexander didn’t speak either, he just sat there, holding the steering wheel without starting the engine, his jaw tight and fingers clenched around the steering wheel.

The silence was heavy, loud, causing Adrian’s heartbeat to boom in his ears, his fingers dragging slowly over his thigh.

"Hopefully, Ruiyan..." Alexander murmured, not a single muscle moving on his body.

Adrian blinked slowly, realisation slowly creeping into his mind.

He had spoken to Ruiyan and Alexander didn’t like it because he was...

Adrian suddenly sat up, his face slowly facing Alexander. He took him in, clenched fingers, tense posture, tight jaw: jealousy.

A slow smile graced his lips and he decided to act ignorant this time until Alexander admitted it himself.

"Yes, that’s what I said to Ruiyan," Adrian replied calmly, surprising Alexander with his relaxed tone.

Alexander snapped his head to Adrian, his brows pinching together when he saw Adrian looking all relaxed and unbothered.

He gritted his teeth, his anger surfacing, "Is that all you have to say?" His voice was strained and low.

Adrian nodded slowly, "Yes, boss." He said.

Alexander almost leaned over, but he paused, turned, and started the engine.

He said nothing else as he drove the car away from the Atelier.

After a few minutes of quiet driving, Adrian’s phone rang with an unknown number, startling the silence.

He quickly answered the call to stop it from making more noise.

"Hello? Who is this?" He asked quietly, turning his face toward the window to keep his voice from disturbing his angry boss.

Adrian froze the moment he heard the person’s voice, he knew immediately why she was calling.

He stole a glance at Alexander as he listened to the woman speak. Alexander’s face was now dark, stormy, and the car was moving at incredible speed as if he was trying to outrun his emotions.

Adrian blinked away and focused on the woman’s voice as she asked him a question, "Yes... I mean no, I’ll ask my boss. I’m currently with him. Yes, I will... hold on," he put the call on hold and turned to Alexander.

"Boss," he called quietly but Alexander didn’t respond, pretending not to have heard.

"Boss?" Adrian called again, glancing at the call he had placed on hold.

Alexander still refused to look at Adrian, his jaw clenching tighter and tighter. The image of Adrian smiling and speaking to Ruiyan at the Atelier was eating at him. He hated that he felt that way towards his secretary but he was slowly realising that he had no control over his feelings, and he didn’t know how long he’d last pretending like Adrian’s interest in others didn’t bother him that much.

"Alexander," Adrian called, more forcefully than he intended.

With a loud screech, the car came to a stop beside the road and Alexander snapped his head toward Adrian, eyes darkened.

"What did you call me?" Alexander questioned, his hand almost reaching over to Adrian.

"You weren’t answering. Your mother wants to talk with you," Adrian quickly removed the call from hold and placed it on speaker so Alexander could hear her.

"What?" Alexander mouthed quietly as he took the phone from him, the darkness in his eyes slowly wearing off as he prepared to speak to his mother.

"Alexander, bring Adrian to Agatha’s immediately. I have some business ideas to share with him," Mrs Devereux ordered sternly.

Alexander scowled, his brows knitting together, "No, mother. Adrian is currently busy with –"

"Twenty minutes, Alexander. I’m a busy woman, don’t keep me waiting," She cut him off, her voice sharp and commanding.

"Yes, mother," Alexander replied, ending the call.

Silence reigned once more, his eyes fixed on Adrian’s quiet form.

"You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?" Alexander asked lowly.

Adrian frowned, "Enjoying what, boss –"

"Boss? No more Alexander?" Alexander sciffed, throwing the phone onto Adrian’s lap.

Adrian caught his phone, clearing his throat, "Yes, about that, I am sorry. I just wanted to get your attention since you weren’t speaking to me." He explained.

Alexander sighed, "So, I don’t give you the attention you need and that’s why you enjoy it from others, isn’t it?" He asked, looking his gaze on Adrian.

Adrian smiled, "You’re wrong, Boss. The only attention I get from you is hatred, and honestly, I think I’m fine with it, it makes things less complicated between us. I would never want to fall in love with you. And you don’t have to worry, I don’t need anyone’s attention, all I ever try with fur in my life is freedom. For once, I want to know how it’ll feel to be problem-free. But..." he paused and looked at Alexander, his eyes sad.

"Right now, my life isn’t even mine. And, I’m not sure when I’ll ever be truly free from you, Boss. So, no, I do not need anyone’s attention at this point in my life. I just want to be free," He finished quietly and turned his face to the window, gently clutching his phone in his hand.

Alexander stared, taking in the defeated form of Adrian on the other side. His heart ached for many reasons. His heart ached from the realisation that Adrian would have never agreed to stay with him if it hadn’t been for the circumstances. His heart ached for the broken man beside him, who believed he had no will. His heart ached for himself, for allowing himself to feel all those forbidden emotions toward his fellow man.

A man he had so discriminated against, and now, he wanted that same man, he wanted him as if his life depended on it.

He couldn’t lose Adrian, not now... not ever.

He had no idea how he was going to start, but, he knew he wasn’t about to let Ruiyan, or Sebastian take Adrian away from him.

He knew his mother was with his Sebastian at Agatha’s house, waiting to matchmake Adrian with Sebastian. But he wasn’t going to let it happen.

He would take Adrian over, but they would never get a chance to manifest their lame matchmaking.

Adrian was his, and his alone.

Without a word, Alexander drove the car away, glancing at Adrian every once in a while.

Perhaps, it wouldn’t be so bad to go a little easy on his secretary... just a little.

Alexander drove with a renewed, cold focus, the car slicing through the city streets at a pace that was just short of reckless. He didn’t speak, but the air around him was thick with a calculated resolve. Adrian’s quiet, heartfelt declaration—that all he truly wanted was freedom—had landed less like a challenge and more like a devastating truth.

Alexander knew Adrian was right. He had stolen the man’s will, not his heart, and the result was a cold, empty obedience that offered Alexander no satisfaction, only a possessive, aching void.

He pulled up to the curb outside an imposing, elegant suburban home—Agatha’s residence—and killed the engine. The sudden silence was immediate and heavy.

"Adrian," Alexander said, his voice deep and measured.

Adrian didn’t turn from the window. "Yes, Boss."

Alexander reached over, his fingers gently covering Adrian’s hand where it rested on his thigh, lightly clutching the phone. He ignored the instinctive start Adrian gave.

"Remember the command, Adrian," Alexander stated, his voice a low, hard warning. "You are here because my mother ordered my secretary to attend. You are here to present your loyalty to me and your unavailability to him. No excuses, no weakness. Your mother’s life depends on Sebastian leaving this house convinced you are nothing more than my property."

"Yes, Boss," Adrian murmured, his hands trembling slightly in his lap. He focused on the only thing that mattered: his mother. He would be the most obedient, unattractive prospect Sebastian had ever seen.

Alexander opened his door. "Let’s go, Mr. Cole. Time to earn your freedom."