Chapter 14: “Our Problem”

Adrian’s POV

I couldn’t sleep. Not because I wasn’t tired but because I kept thinking about her. The way she looked when I walked into that room. She looked lost and shaken, she was trying so hard to hold herself together.

I didn’t like it. I didn’t like that some pathetic excuse of a man had that much effect on her. And I definitely didn’t like the fact that she didn’t tell me. That didn’t sit right with me.

I stood by the window, phone in hand, replaying everything Vee had said.

Aaron.

The name alone irritated me. Her ex-boyfriend, Pathetic and desperate. He was stupid enough to think he could get away with threatening my wife.

A slow smile formed on my lips, he picked the wrong woman.

I dialed a number.

“Find him.”

“I want everything. Where he lives, who he talks to, what he does. Everything.”

“Yes, sir.”

I ended the call.

This wasn’t going to take long, I trusted my sources.

I stepped out, expecting to see her, but the hallway was empty. She was probably still asleep.

For a second, I considered knocking but I didn’t.

My phone buzzed.

“Talk.”

“We found him.”

“Send me the location.”

“Sir, there’s something else.”

My jaw tightened.

“What?”

“He’s already made contact again. He sent another message this morning.”

Amber’s POV

I woke up feeling lighter. Not because the problem was solved but because he said he would handle it. For some reason I believed in him.

My phone buzzed.

“Time is running out.”

My fingers trembled.

Another message came in almost immediately.

“Or should I send it to your dear husband first?”

My breath hitched but before I could even think, the phone was taken from my hand.

I looked up, Adrian.

“You’re not responding to him,” he said.

I blinked. “Adrian, I…”

“You’re not responding,” he repeated, firmer this time.

I hesitated then nodded.

He handed the phone back to me.

“Get ready. We’re going out.”

I frowned. “Where?”

His gaze didn’t soften.

“To fix our problem.”

I stared at his retreating figure and there was something different about him, something intense.

But strangely, It didn’t scare me, It reassured me.

“Adrian…” I called softly.

He paused but didn’t turn.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Adrian’s POV

I’m sure If she knew what I was about to do, she wouldn’t be thanking me.

We eventually got moving, the car ride was quiet. Amber sat beside me, stealing glances every now and then. Curiosity and confusion written all over her face.

We pulled up in front of a run-down apartment building. I stepped out and she followed.

“Adrian, what are we doing here?”

I looked at the building, then at her.

“You’ll find out.”

We got into the building and stopped in front of a door.

I knocked, once and twice then it opened.

There he was.

Aaron.

He looked confused at first, then nervous.

I have him a half baked smile as I entered the house.

“You’ve been busy,” I said calmly.

His face was drained of color.

“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

I stepped forward.

“You made a mistake,” I cut in quietly.

“A very expensive one.”

His voice shook. “I’m sorry, please don’t…”

“Sorry?” I cut in.

“Does sorry take away what she went through?”

He was still fighting for words when I ordered my men.

“Handle him.”

Amber’s POV

I stood there, frozen. Watching everything unfold.

I watched Adrian, the way he carried himself and the way his voice changed. He looked different today from the usual business tycoon.

Aaron looked terrified and intimidated. He looked like a dog running away from being a prey and I almost laughed and for once, I didn’t feel bad.

“Handle him.”

I knew exactly what that meant.

And honestly, he deserved it. The sound of blows filled the room. I watched as he was beaten helplessly but still, I didn’t stop it. Atleast, not immediately.

But then it was almost escalating, so I moved. I tugged at Adrian’s sleeve.

“That’s enough,” I said quietly.

“I’m sure he’s learned.”

He looked at me like he was trying to figure something out then he nodded slightly and the men stopped.

“Take everything,” he ordered.

“Phones. Laptops. Anything he used and make sure you destroy all.”

The men ran sacked the house and left with all of his devices.

Adrian stepped closer to Aaron.

“Look at her carefully.”

Aaron trembled.

“Because if you ever come near her again”

“I won’t warn you next time.”

And just like that, we left.

****

The silence in the car felt different now.

He kept glancing at me more like he was trying to study me.

“You don’t look scared,” he said finally.

“Why?” I turned to him.

“Should I be?” I shrugged slightly.“You just solved our problem, if anything, I should be grateful.”

He looked at me in quiet amusement.

“Thank you so much, Adrian,” I said, leaning into him.

He didn’t respond immediately nor did he move.

Then slowly, his hand came up, tilting my chin and forcing me to look at him. We were now staring into each other’s eyes with no words while our eyes did the talking we couldn’t do.

“Don’t thank me,” he said quietly. His voice deep and somehow gentle.

“I just don’t like people touching what’s mine.”

My heart skipped and for the first time I didn’t know if I should feel safe or terrified.

“What’s yours?”

“Yes, have you forgotten you are my wife ?” He said with a smirk.

“Fake or not, you are still mine to deal with and I don’t want someone else taunting you. I alone have the right to do that and not some wimp.

Hearing him say I belonged to him did something to me, something I didn’t want to accept and that scared me more than anything.