More than a Client

CHAPTER SEVEN

Adrian was halfway through his morning coffee when his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and answered immediately.

"Clara, good morning."

"Good morning, Adrian. I'm sorry to call so early, but there's a small problem with the decoration order."

Adrian straightened in his chair.

"What happened?"

"The gold ornaments you selected are available, but the supplier has informed us that the shipment won't arrive until next week. That would affect the installation schedule."

Adrian closed his eyes briefly.

Next week was too late. The decorations needed to be installed in stages, and the entrance arrangements were among the first things he wanted completed.

"Did they explain why the delivery was delayed?"

"They said there was an issue with transportation."

"Can they deliver part of the order earlier?"

"I asked. They can't guarantee it."

Adrian rubbed his forehead.

"All right. Don't cancel anything yet. Give me an hour to look at alternatives, and I'll call you back."

"Of course."

He ended the call and immediately opened his laptop.

The Christmas celebration was still weeks away, but the preparations could not afford unnecessary delays. One late shipment could affect the installation schedule, and he didn't want to discover another problem when there was no time left to fix it.

He checked his supplier list and began making calls.

A few minutes later, someone knocked.

"Come in."

Alexander entered, holding a cup of coffee.

"Good morning."

Adrian looked up. "Good morning."

Alexander placed the cup beside his laptop.

"I thought you might need this."

Adrian glanced at it. "You're developing a habit."

"Is that a complaint?"

"Not yet."

Alexander noticed the open documents on the screen.

"Problem?"

"One of the decoration shipments has been delayed. I'm trying to find an alternative."

"How serious?"

"Not serious enough to panic, but serious enough that I need to deal with it now."

Alexander pulled out the chair opposite him.

"Can I help?"

Adrian considered the offer.

"Unless you know where I can get three hundred gold ornaments delivered before the weekend, probably not."

Alexander reached for his phone.

"I might."

Adrian gave him a warning look.

"Alexander."

"What?"

"Don't call someone and order them to fix it."

"I wasn't going to."

"You were thinking about it."

Alexander smiled. "You don't trust me very much."

"I trust you to be a billionaire. I don't trust you to understand how annoying suppliers can be."

That made him laugh.

"Fair enough. I'll leave you to it."

Adrian returned to his laptop, and Alexander remained seated for a few moments, quietly drinking his coffee.

He liked being around Adrian, even when Adrian was concentrating on something that had nothing to do with him.

---

By eleven, Adrian had found a possible replacement supplier.

The company was based outside the village and had the decorations in stock. The only difficulty was that they required an inspection before confirming the order.

Adrian checked the address.

"That's farther than I expected."

Alexander looked up from his tablet. "Where?"

Adrian turned the laptop towards him.

"It's about forty minutes from here. I need to inspect the samples before placing the order."

"I can take you."

"You have work."

"I can move my afternoon meeting."

Adrian shook his head. "You don't have to rearrange your schedule because I have a supplier appointment."

"I know."

"Then don't."

Alexander put his tablet down.

"Adrian, I'm not offering because I think you can't manage it. I simply want to go with you."

Adrian studied him.

There was a difference between Alexander offering help and trying to take over. He was beginning to understand that the man could sometimes be surprisingly considerate.

"All right," Adrian said. "But I'm driving the inspection."

Alexander smiled. "Wouldn't dream of interfering."

"Good."

---

The supplier's warehouse was located on the outskirts of the village, in a large building filled with boxes, lighting equipment, artificial trees, and decorative pieces.

A manager named Peter greeted them and led Adrian through the available stock.

Adrian inspected the ornaments carefully, comparing their colors and finishes with the original design.

"These are close," he said, holding two samples beside each other. "But the gold is slightly brighter."

Peter nodded. "We have another finish in storage. I can bring it out."

"Please do."

While they waited, Alexander stood nearby, observing the process.

He had attended countless business meetings and negotiated contracts worth millions. Yet watching Adrian work was more interesting than he had expected.

Adrian didn't simply accept what was available. He examined the details, asked questions, and considered how each item would look in the finished arrangement.

When Peter returned with another sample, Adrian smiled.

"That's the one."

He checked the quantity and delivery arrangements before confirming the order.

"Can you guarantee delivery by Friday?"

"Yes. We have enough stock, and our installation team can handle the transport."

"Good. I'll send you the revised schedule this afternoon."

After completing the paperwork, Adrian thanked Peter and walked back towards the entrance with Alexander.

"That went well," Alexander said.

"Much better than I expected."

"You're good at this."

Adrian looked at him. "You sound surprised."

"I'm impressed."

"Better."

Alexander laughed.

They reached the SUV, but before Adrian could open the passenger door, Alexander spoke.

"Would you consider taking a break?"

Adrian checked his watch.

"I've got another call to make."

"Ten minutes."

"You're negotiating with me now?"

"Yes."

Adrian smiled. "Fine. Ten minutes."

---

They stopped at a small café on their way back.

Adrian ordered a sandwich and another coffee, while Alexander chose tea.

They sat near the window, watching a few cars pass along the snowy road.

"You seem to enjoy working," Alexander said.

"I do."

"Even when it means spending your entire morning arguing about ornaments?"

Adrian laughed. "Especially then. I like seeing everything come together. A client gives me an idea, and I get to turn it into something real."

"Have you ever considered expanding your business?"

"Of course. I have plenty of ideas."

"What's stopping you?"

Adrian took a moment before answering.

"Money, mostly. Running a business is expensive. I need better equipment, more reliable staff, and a bigger office. But I don't want to expand before I'm ready."

Alexander nodded.

"That's sensible."

"I know."

He smiled.

Alexander watched him for a moment.

"Would you ever consider working with a partner?"

Adrian narrowed his eyes.

"What kind of partner?"

"Someone who could invest in your business."

"Are you offering?"

"I could be."

Adrian put down his sandwich.

"Alexander, I appreciate the thought, but I don't want you investing in my business because you want to date me."

"I wouldn't."

"Even if you were interested in dating me?"

"Even then."

Adrian studied his expression.

"I need you to understand something. I want my business to succeed because I built it. I don't want people looking at me and assuming I only got somewhere because I was involved with a billionaire."

Alexander nodded slowly.

"Then I won't make that offer again."

"Thank you."

He reached for his tea.

"But if you ever decide you want advice, I'm available."

Adrian smiled.

"I might take you up on that."

Alexander looked pleased.

"Good."

---

When they returned to the estate, Adrian had several calls waiting.

He spent the next hour updating his schedule, confirming the new delivery arrangement, and sending revised instructions to Clara.

Alexander returned to his office, but not before asking whether Adrian needed anything else.

Adrian told him he was fine.

For the next few hours, they worked separately.

It was late afternoon when Adrian finally closed his laptop.

He stretched his arms above his head and leaned back in his chair.

"Finished?"

He looked up.

Alexander stood in the doorway.

"For today, yes."

"Good."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Why do you sound pleased?"

"Because I'd like to steal you for a while."

"Steal me?"

"Take you somewhere."

Adrian smiled. "You really need to work on your invitations."

"Would you like to accompany me somewhere?"

"Where?"

"There's a viewpoint just beyond the estate. The mountains look particularly beautiful around sunset."

Adrian glanced at his laptop.

"I should probably finish a few more things."

"How long?"

"Twenty minutes."

"I'll wait."

Adrian looked at him, amused.

"You have no intention of leaving, do you?"

"Not if I can help it."

He shook his head, smiling.

"Twenty minutes."

---

The viewpoint was quieter than Adrian expected.

A wooden platform overlooked the valley, with snow-covered mountains stretching into the distance. The setting sun painted the sky in soft shades of orange and pink.

Adrian stepped forward, taking in the view.

"Okay. This is beautiful."

Alexander stood beside him.

"I come here when I need to think."

"About work?"

"Sometimes."

"And the rest of the time?"

Alexander slipped his hands into his coat pockets.

"Usually about nothing."

Adrian smiled. "That sounds peaceful."

"It is."

They stood together for a while.

Then Alexander turned towards him.

"I've been thinking about something."

"Should I be worried?"

"No."

"Then go ahead."

Alexander took a breath.

"I know we agreed to take things slowly, and I don't want you to feel pressured. But I want you to know that I'm not asking you out simply because I'm attracted to you."

Adrian's expression softened.

"I know you find me attractive."

"Very."

He laughed quietly.

"But that's not all."

Alexander continued.

"I like talking to you. I like the way you challenge me. I like how seriously you take your work, and how you can turn almost anything into a joke. I want to know more about you."

Adrian looked at him for several seconds.

"You're making it difficult to keep pretending you're just a client."

Alexander smiled.

"Is that a good thing?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Don't get greedy."

Alexander laughed.

Adrian stepped closer, brushing a small piece of snow from Alexander's shoulder.

"I like spending time with you too."

Alexander's eyes settled on his face.

"Then perhaps we're making progress."

"Perhaps."

For a moment, Alexander looked as though he wanted to kiss him.

Adrian noticed, but neither of them moved.

Instead, Adrian gently tapped his chest.

"Patience, billionaire."

Alexander smiled.

"I'm trying."

"I can tell."

---

Later that evening, Adrian returned to his room and found a message from Clara confirming that the replacement decorations had been secured.

He replied with a thank-you before putting his phone down.

A few minutes later, another message appeared.

Alexander: Did you enjoy the view?

Adrian: Very much.

Alexander: Good. I'd like to take you there again.

Adrian: You seem to be planning a lot of future outings.

Alexander: I intend to.

Adrian smiled.

Adrian: Goodnight, Alexander.

Alexander: Goodnight, Adrian. Sleep well.

He placed the phone on the bedside table.

For the first time in a long while, Adrian wasn't counting down the hours until he had to return to work.

He was thinking about the next time he would see Alexander.

And that realization made him smile long after he had turned off the light.