Independence

CHAPTER TWELVE

The first thing Adrian noticed when he entered the main hall the following morning was that something was missing.

He stopped near the entrance, looking towards the far end of the room.

The decorative centrepieces were gone.

He frowned and approached one of the workers arranging the tables.

"Excuse me. Where are the glass centrepieces?"

The worker straightened.

"They were removed this morning, sir. We were told to replace them with the new arrangements."

"Who gave that instruction?"

"I'm not sure. The supplier delivered them, and the supervisor said we should use them."

Adrian looked at the replacement decorations.

They were large, artificial arrangements with bright red flowers, silver ribbons, and glittering branches. They weren't necessarily ugly, but they were completely different from the elegant Christmas atmosphere he had designed.

"Please don't unpack any more of these until I find out what's happening."

The worker nodded.

Adrian took out his phone and called the supplier.

After several rings, a woman answered.

"Good morning, Mr. Blake."

"Good morning. I just received a delivery of replacement centrepieces. Can you explain why the original order was changed?"

There was a pause.

"The revised order was approved yesterday."

"By whom?"

"Your client's office."

Adrian closed his eyes briefly.

"Did anyone contact me?"

"I'm sorry, but I was told the changes had already been discussed."

"They haven't been discussed with me. I need you to hold the remaining stock until I speak with the client."

He ended the call and looked towards the decorations again.

He wasn't angry because someone had suggested a different design. He was frustrated because a decision affecting his work had been made without consulting him.

And he wasn't going to pretend that was acceptable.

---

Alexander was in his office when Adrian arrived.

He looked up as the door opened.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. We need to talk about the decorations."

Alexander put down his pen.

"What happened?"

"The centrepieces have been changed."

Alexander frowned.

"Changed?"

"The supplier says your office approved a replacement order yesterday. I wasn't informed, and the new arrangements don't match the approved design."

Alexander leaned back.

"I didn't approve any changes."

"Then someone in your office did."

He reached into his folder and placed photographs of the new arrangements on the desk.

Alexander examined them.

"These aren't what you selected."

"No. And I need the original order restored before the remaining stock is delivered."

Alexander picked up his phone.

"I'll have my assistant investigate."

Adrian nodded.

"Thank you. But I want to be clear about something."

Alexander looked at him.

"Go ahead."

"I understand that this is your event and your company is paying for it. But you hired me to manage the planning. If someone wants to change something, they need to discuss it with me first. Otherwise, I can't be held responsible for the final result."

Alexander studied him.

"You're right."

Adrian hadn't expected the immediate agreement.

"I'll make sure everyone understands that," Alexander continued. "No changes to your approved plans without your knowledge."

"That's all I need."

Alexander reached for his phone.

"Bring my assistant in, please."

---

Twenty minutes later, the matter was clearer.

The executive assistant explained that one of the company's senior administrators had requested a change after receiving a suggestion from an investor's representative. She had assumed the event team had already discussed it with Adrian.

Alexander wasn't pleased.

"Why was the supplier instructed to change an approved order without confirmation from the event director?"

His assistant looked uncomfortable.

"I apologise, sir. I should have checked."

"Yes, you should have."

He turned towards Adrian.

"Would you like to speak to the supplier and restore the original arrangement?"

"Yes. I'll also review the delivery schedule to make sure there aren't any additional changes."

Alexander nodded.

"Do that. I'll send a message to the senior team confirming that all event decisions go through you."

Adrian gathered his photographs.

"Thank you."

When the assistant left, Alexander stood.

"Are you still upset?"

Adrian considered the question.

"A little. But not with you."

"I know."

Alexander came around the desk.

"I don't want you thinking that because I'm paying for the event, I expect you to accept every decision my staff makes."

Adrian looked at him.

"I wouldn't want to work under those conditions."

"And I wouldn't want you working for me if you couldn't tell me when something was wrong."

Adrian smiled faintly.

"You're saying all the right things today."

"I'm trying to keep you."

The words came out more seriously than Alexander intended.

Adrian's expression changed.

"Alexander..."

"I know. I don't mean to put pressure on you."

He reached for Adrian's hand.

"I just don't want to lose what we're beginning to build."

Adrian squeezed his fingers.

"Then don't turn every disagreement into a reason to worry."

Alexander smiled.

"I'll try."

---

By lunchtime, the original centrepiece order had been restored.

Adrian had spoken directly with the supplier, confirmed the correct delivery, and arranged for the replacement decorations to be returned.

He also sent a revised instruction to the installation team, making it clear that no further design changes should be made without his approval.

The incident had cost him nearly two hours, but he was satisfied with the outcome.

He was reviewing the updated schedule when Julian Reed called.

"Adrian, how are things going?"

"Busy. But we're getting there."

"Good. I wanted to check whether you received the final fabric samples."

"I did. They're perfect."

"Excellent. I was thinking of stopping by this afternoon to collect the signed delivery confirmation."

"That would be fine."

There was a brief pause.

"Are you free for lunch tomorrow? I know you've been buried in work."

Adrian smiled.

"Tomorrow might be difficult. We're getting closer to the event."

"Another time, then."

"Definitely."

He ended the call and returned to his schedule.

He didn't notice Alexander standing at the doorway.

"Julian?"

Adrian looked up.

"Yes."

"Is everything all right?"

"Of course. He was calling about the fabric samples."

Alexander nodded.

"Good."

Adrian studied his expression.

"Are you jealous again?"

Alexander sighed.

"I was going to pretend I wasn't."

Adrian laughed.

"At least you're honest."

"I'm working on it."

Adrian closed his laptop.

"Julian is a professional contact and a friend. You don't have to worry every time someone calls me."

"I know."

"Do you?"

Alexander approached.

"Yes. I'm not going to tell you who you can speak to or where you can go."

"Good."

Alexander smiled.

"Although I would still prefer to be the person you have lunch with."

Adrian laughed.

"Then ask me."

"Would you have lunch with me tomorrow?"

"Only if you promise not to turn it into a business meeting."

"I promise."

---

That evening, Alexander had a meeting with several senior executives at the estate.

Adrian had planned to spend the evening reviewing the final guest arrangements, but when he passed the conference room, he noticed Alexander still inside.

The meeting had clearly been going on for a while.

One of the executives was speaking while Alexander studied a document. His expression was serious, and the usual calmness in his face had been replaced by visible irritation.

Adrian continued towards the office area.

He didn't want to interrupt.

A few minutes later, Alexander appeared.

"You're still here."

Adrian glanced at the clock.

"So are you."

"Unfortunately."

"Everything all right?"

Alexander loosened his tie.

"One of the investors wants to change the seating arrangement again."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Again?"

"Apparently, two guests don't want to sit at the same table."

Adrian laughed.

"Welcome to event planning."

Alexander shook his head.

"I don't know how you do it."

"With patience, coffee, and the occasional desire to disappear."

Alexander laughed.

"Have you eaten?"

Adrian looked at him.

"Are you asking because you care or because you want to make sure I don't collapse before your Christmas party?"

"Both."

Adrian smiled.

"Not yet."

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"To the kitchen. I believe there's food left."

Adrian followed him.

They found a simple meal prepared by the estate staff. Alexander insisted on carrying the plates, despite Adrian telling him he could manage.

They sat together at the small breakfast table rather than returning to the grand dining room.

For a while, they ate quietly.

Then Alexander looked at him.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

"You're allowed."

"Have you always been this determined to do everything yourself?"

Adrian considered the question.

"Not everything. But I've learned that depending on the wrong person can cost you more than doing things alone."

Alexander's expression softened.

"Did someone make you feel that way?"

Adrian paused.

He wasn't ready to explain every part of his past, and Alexander seemed to understand that.

"Let's just say I've had experiences that taught me to protect my independence."

Alexander nodded.

"I won't ask you to give that up."

"Good."

"I want to be someone you can rely on. Not someone you have to depend on."

Adrian looked at him.

There was a difference between those two things, and Alexander seemed to understand it.

Adrian reached across the table and touched his hand.

"That's a good place to start."

Alexander turned his palm upwards, allowing Adrian to lace their fingers together.

---

Later that night, Alexander walked Adrian to the guest wing.

They stopped outside his door.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Alexander said.

"You have lunch with me tomorrow. Don't forget."

"I wouldn't dare."

Adrian smiled.

Alexander leaned closer and kissed him.

It was brief at first, but Adrian caught his hand before he could pull away.

"You're getting very good at leaving me wanting more."

Alexander's eyes darkened with amusement.

"Is that a complaint?"

"Not yet."

Alexander laughed and kissed him again.

When they finally separated, Adrian rested his forehead against his chest for a moment.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, beautiful."

Adrian entered his room, still smiling.

---

Alexander returned to his office to finish reviewing the documents from the meeting.

His phone rang just as he was about to close his laptop.

It was his sister.

"Victoria?"

"Are you busy?"

"Not anymore."

"Good. I wanted to ask whether Adrian will be joining us for the family Christmas dinner."

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

"I haven't asked him yet."

"Well, you should."

"I will."

Victoria paused.

"Alexander?"

"Yes?"

"You're serious about him, aren't you?"

He looked towards the window.

For once, he didn't need time to consider his answer.

"Yes. I am."

Victoria's voice softened.

"Then don't make the mistake of treating him like another business decision. He's not someone you can win over with expensive gifts or grand gestures."

Alexander smiled faintly.

"I know."

"Do you?"

"Victoria."

She laughed.

"All right. I'll leave you alone. But invite him to dinner."

The call ended.

Alexander sat quietly for a moment.

Then he picked up his phone and opened Adrian's contact.

He wanted Adrian at the family Christmas dinner.

Not as the event planner.

Not as a guest he had hired.

But as someone he was beginning to imagine beside him long after the decorations came down.

And that was a much bigger step than he had expected to take.