An Invitation to Christmas

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Adrian was checking the final guest list when Alexander's message arrived.

Alexander: Good morning. I have a question for you.

Adrian: That sounds serious.

Alexander: Would you like to have lunch with me today?

Adrian: I thought you already arranged that.

Alexander: I did. I was hoping you hadn't forgotten.

Adrian: I haven't. Don't be late.

Alexander: I wouldn't dare.

Adrian smiled and returned to his laptop.

The Christmas celebration was less than two weeks away, and the estate was beginning to feel different. There were decorations in the corridors, garlands around the staircases, and warm lights glowing from the windows. Even the staff seemed to be getting caught up in the festive atmosphere.

Adrian was pleased with how everything was progressing.

There were still details to finalise, but the biggest challenges had been handled. The suppliers were confirmed, the entertainment was ready, and the guest arrangements were almost complete.

He was proud of what he had accomplished.

And he was beginning to enjoy having Alexander around for reasons that had very little to do with work.

---

Alexander was waiting in the estate's garden room when Adrian arrived.

He had removed his suit jacket and rolled his sleeves to his elbows, looking more relaxed than he usually did during working hours.

"You're on time," he said.

"Unlike someone I know, I respect other people's schedules."

Alexander smiled.

"I'll try to improve."

Lunch had been arranged near the glass doors overlooking the garden. Snow covered the grass outside, and the bare branches of the trees stretched towards the pale winter sky.

Adrian took his seat.

"This is lovely."

"I thought you might prefer somewhere quiet."

"You thought correctly."

They began eating, discussing ordinary things rather than the event. Alexander told him about a business trip he had taken to London, while Adrian shared a funny story about a client who had once requested an entire birthday party to be changed three hours before the guests arrived.

Alexander laughed.

"Did you actually manage it?"

"Of course. I was furious, but I managed it."

"You're very patient."

"Professionally. Personally, that's debatable."

Alexander smiled.

"I'd like to see that side of you."

Adrian looked at him.

"You might regret saying that."

"I doubt it."

They continued talking until Alexander placed his cutlery down.

"There's something I'd like to ask you."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Another question?"

"An important one."

"All right. Ask."

"My family is having Christmas dinner at my mother's house this year. I'd like you to come with me."

Adrian stopped.

"Your family?"

"Yes."

He considered the invitation.

"Victoria will be there?"

"Of course. She's already looking forward to seeing you again."

Adrian laughed.

"That doesn't surprise me."

Alexander smiled, but there was something more serious beneath his expression.

"I'd like you to meet my mother too. She spends most of the year abroad, but she'll be coming home for Christmas."

Adrian slowly put his glass down.

"Alexander, we've only been seeing each other for a short time."

"I know."

"And meeting your family is a big step."

"I understand that."

Adrian watched him carefully.

"Then why are you asking?"

Alexander didn't look away.

"Because I want you there. I don't want to wait until everything between us has a label before I let you into other parts of my life."

Adrian felt something soften inside him.

He appreciated the honesty, but he wasn't ready to promise more than he could give.

"I'd like to meet them," he said eventually. "But I don't want anyone assuming we're already in a serious relationship."

Alexander nodded.

"Then I'll make that clear."

Adrian smiled.

"All right. I'd be happy to come."

Alexander's expression brightened.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. But if your sister starts interrogating me, I'm blaming you."

Alexander laughed.

"That's fair."

---

After lunch, Adrian returned to the main hall to supervise the installation of the final decorations.

He was reviewing the entrance arrangement when Victoria appeared beside him.

"Adrian!"

He turned.

"Hello, Victoria."

She smiled warmly.

"I heard you're coming to Christmas dinner."

Adrian looked towards Alexander, who had followed her into the hall.

"Apparently, news travels quickly."

Victoria laughed.

"Of course it does. I've been waiting for my brother to invite someone home for years."

Alexander sighed.

"Victoria."

"What? I'm happy."

Adrian smiled.

"I'm looking forward to meeting your mother."

"You'll like her," Victoria said. "She's much easier to deal with than Alexander."

"I heard that."

"Good."

Victoria turned towards Adrian.

"Have you chosen what you'll wear?"

Adrian blinked.

"Victoria, the dinner is still several days away."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared."

Alexander shook his head.

"Please don't start planning his wardrobe."

"I'm not planning his wardrobe. I'm offering advice."

Adrian laughed.

"I think I'll manage."

Victoria gave him a playful look.

"We'll see."

She excused herself a few minutes later, leaving Adrian and Alexander alone.

"Your sister is very enthusiastic," Adrian said.

"That's one way to describe her."

"I like her."

"She likes you too."

Adrian glanced at him.

"Are you happy I agreed to come?"

"Very."

Alexander moved closer, lowering his voice.

"Although I was hoping you'd say yes because you wanted to spend Christmas with me, not because you were afraid of disappointing Victoria."

Adrian smiled.

"Don't worry. I said yes because I want to."

Alexander's expression softened.

He reached for Adrian's hand, but a member of the installation team approached with a question before he could say anything else.

Adrian gently withdrew his hand.

"Work first."

Alexander sighed.

"You're becoming very strict."

"Someone has to keep this event running."

---

That afternoon, Adrian received a call from one of his regular clients.

The woman wanted to discuss a corporate launch scheduled for the following month. Adrian listened carefully, asked a few questions, and promised to send a proposal within two days.

When he ended the call, he felt a familiar excitement.

It was another opportunity.

A real opportunity to grow his business beyond the current contract.

He immediately opened his notebook and began writing down ideas.

Alexander found him in the small office adjoining the hall.

"Good news?"

Adrian looked up.

"Possibly. A client wants me to plan a corporate launch next month."

"That's excellent."

"I need to prepare a proposal. If I get it, it could be one of my biggest contracts."

Alexander smiled.

"Then I hope you get it."

Adrian studied him.

"That's all?"

Alexander frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"No offer to introduce me to your contacts? No suggestion that your company could sponsor it?"

Alexander understood.

He smiled.

"You want me to congratulate you without trying to solve the problem."

"Exactly."

"Then congratulations. I'm happy for you."

Adrian laughed.

"Thank you."

Alexander stepped closer.

"I know you want to build something of your own. I respect that."

Adrian's expression softened.

"That means more than you think."

---

The following evening, Alexander found Adrian in the sitting room after work.

Adrian was stretched across the sofa, reading through the notes for his upcoming proposal.

"You're working again," Alexander observed.

Adrian looked up.

"You're one to talk."

Alexander sat beside him.

"Fair enough."

He glanced at the notebook.

"Is that the new project?"

"Yes. I'm considering a modern winter theme, but I don't want it to look too similar to this event."

"What's the client like?"

"Corporate. They want something sophisticated, but not boring."

Alexander listened as Adrian explained his ideas.

He asked questions, but he didn't try to take control. Instead, he seemed genuinely interested in understanding what Adrian wanted to create.

When Adrian finished, Alexander nodded.

"I think it'll be excellent."

"You haven't even seen the final proposal."

"I've seen enough of your work to trust your judgment."

Adrian closed the notebook.

"You're becoming very supportive."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No."

Adrian moved closer and rested his head briefly against Alexander's shoulder.

Alexander looked down at him, surprised by the gesture.

"Comfortable?"

"Very."

Alexander placed an arm around him.

They sat quietly for a while, enjoying the warmth of the room.

Then Alexander spoke.

"Can I tell you something?"

Adrian lifted his head.

"Of course."

"I've been thinking about what you said during lunch."

"About your family?"

"About not wanting people to assume we're already serious."

Adrian's expression became cautious.

Alexander continued before he could misunderstand.

"I don't expect you to promise me anything. I just want you to know that I'm not seeing anyone else, and I don't want to."

Adrian studied his face.

"Are you asking me to be exclusive?"

"I'm asking whether that's something you would want too."

Adrian was quiet for a moment.

He liked Alexander. More than he had expected to. But he also wanted to make sure they were building something because they genuinely wanted each other, not because one of them was swept away by the excitement of a new romance.

"I don't want to date other people either," he said eventually. "But I want us to keep getting to know each other. No rushing, no assumptions, and no controlling each other's lives."

Alexander nodded.

"I can agree to that."

"And if something bothers us, we talk about it."

"Agreed."

Adrian smiled.

"Then I think we're on the same page."

Alexander leaned forward and kissed him.

Adrian returned the kiss, his hand settling against Alexander's shoulder.

When they separated, Alexander smiled.

"Does this mean I can call you my boyfriend?"

Adrian laughed.

"You're very eager."

"I've been patient."

"Not long enough."

Alexander groaned.

Adrian laughed harder and kissed his cheek.

"Good things take time, billionaire."

Alexander pulled him closer.

"Then I'll keep waiting."

---

Later that night, Adrian returned to his room and found a message from Victoria.

Victoria: I hope you're ready for Christmas dinner. My mother is already asking questions about you.

Adrian stared at the message.

Adrian: What kind of questions?

Victoria: The usual. Who you are, what you do, how you met my brother.

Adrian: And what did you tell her?

Victoria: That you're handsome, talented, and apparently the first person in years who can make Alexander smile at his phone.

Adrian burst out laughing.

A second message arrived.

Victoria: Don't worry. She's excited to meet you.

Adrian put his phone down, smiling.

He was looking forward to Christmas dinner.

But the thought of meeting Alexander's mother made the situation feel more real than it had before.

He wasn't just spending time with an attractive billionaire anymore.

He was slowly becoming part of his world.

And somewhere downstairs, Alexander was looking at his own phone, smiling at the thought that Adrian had agreed to spend Christmas with him.

For the first time, he wasn't simply looking forward to the celebration.

He was looking forward to sharing it with someone.