The Man behind the Billionaire

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Adrian had always believed that the hardest part of running his own business was convincing people to trust his ideas.

Apparently, convincing a billionaire to stop worrying about him was another challenge entirely.

He sat in the small office beside the main event hall, reviewing the revised proposal on his laptop. The corporate launch client had requested a few adjustments to the entertainment budget, and although the changes weren't unreasonable, he wanted to make sure the revised figures still worked.

He rubbed his forehead and checked the numbers again.

A knock sounded against the open door.

"Are you planning to spend the entire day hiding in here?"

Adrian looked up.

Alexander stood in the doorway, one hand tucked into his trouser pocket. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his expression carried the familiar confidence that made people straighten whenever he entered a room.

"I'm working."

"I can see that."

"Then why are you asking?"

Alexander smiled faintly. "Because you've been staring at that screen for nearly two hours."

"And you've been watching me?"

"I own the building. I'm allowed to know what's happening inside it."

Adrian laughed. "That's a terrible excuse."

Alexander walked into the office and stopped beside his desk. His gaze moved to the proposal on the screen.

"Is that the corporate launch?"

"Yes. They want a few adjustments to the entertainment budget. Nothing we can't manage, but I need to make sure the changes don't affect the overall experience."

"Do you want me to look at it?"

Adrian turned the laptop slightly toward him. "I was hoping you'd offer."

Alexander leaned over the desk, studying the figures. For several minutes, he said nothing. Adrian watched him carefully, waiting for his opinion.

"Your revised arrangement makes sense," Alexander finally said. "But I would move part of the lighting budget into the opening performance. It will create a stronger first impression without increasing the overall cost."

Adrian considered the suggestion.

"That's actually a good idea."

"I have those occasionally."

"Don't let it go to your head."

Alexander chuckled.

They spent another few minutes reviewing the proposal. Alexander offered suggestions, but he didn't attempt to take over. Adrian appreciated that more than he expected. He had worked with wealthy clients who treated their money as permission to control every decision.

Alexander was different when he chose to be.

After sending the revised proposal, Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"Done."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. I accept praise in cash."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "How much?"

"You're a billionaire. Don't embarrass yourself."

Alexander laughed, and Adrian found himself smiling at the sound.

It was strange how easily they had begun falling into moments like this. A few weeks ago, Alexander Sterling had been nothing more than the wealthy client who hired him. Now Adrian was becoming accustomed to his presence, his teasing, and the way his expression softened whenever they were alone.

Alexander straightened.

"There's something I want to show you."

Adrian glanced at him. "Should I be worried?"

"Not unless you're afraid of meeting my family."

Alexander picked up a folder from the nearby table and handed it to him.

Adrian opened it.

Inside was a printed guest list.

"Christmas dinner?" he asked.

"My mother's house. Victoria has been helping with the arrangements."

Adrian scanned the names. There were twenty-two guests, most of them relatives and close family friends. He noticed Alexander's uncle Richard, who was apparently travelling from London, and a woman whose name Alexander explained belonged to one of his mother's oldest friends.

"Your family keeps a small gathering," Adrian remarked.

"Compared to the Christmas celebration at the estate, yes."

Adrian smiled, but his eyes remained on the list.

"Twenty-two people."

"Is that a problem?"

"No. I'm just trying to remember that I'll be meeting twenty-two people who probably know more about you than I do."

Alexander studied him.

"You don't have to impress anyone."

"Easy for you to say. You're related to them."

"They'll like you."

"You're very confident."

"I know my family."

Adrian closed the folder. "And what exactly have you told them about me?"

"That you're the man planning our Christmas celebration."

"Alexander."

"And that I enjoy spending time with you."

Adrian tried to maintain a serious expression, but his smile betrayed him.

"That's all?"

"For now."

"Good. I don't want to walk into that house and discover they've already planned our wedding."

Alexander laughed. "I can't promise Victoria won't make a joke about it."

"Your sister is becoming a problem."

"She's been a problem since childhood."

Adrian shook his head, amused.

Alexander took the folder from him and placed it on the desk.

"I meant what I said. You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not. My family is important to me, and I'd like you to meet them. That's all."

Adrian looked at him for a moment.

"Then I'll come as myself."

"That's exactly who I want there."

Something warm settled in Adrian's chest.

He had expected Alexander to be difficult to understand. A man with that much money and influence could easily make people feel small without even trying. Yet Alexander was beginning to show him parts of himself that had nothing to do with his business empire.

And Adrian wanted to know more.

The revised proposal received approval later that afternoon.

Adrian was still reading the client's confirmation when Alexander appeared beside him.

"Good news?"

"They've agreed to proceed. We only need to make the entertainment adjustments."

"Congratulations."

Adrian closed his laptop. "You know, I think I'll survive this project."

"I never doubted you."

"That's because you haven't seen me panicking at three in the morning."

Alexander smiled. "I'd still like to see you."

"Trust me. You wouldn't."

"I doubt that."

Adrian shook his head and stood.

They left the office together, walking toward the quieter side of the estate. Snow had begun falling again, covering the paths and rooftops in a fresh white layer.

The village lights were visible in the distance.

"Would you like to get something to eat?" Alexander asked.

Adrian glanced at him. "Are you asking because I'm your event planner or because you want to spend time with me?"

"Do I need to choose?"

"Yes."

"Because I want to spend time with you."

Adrian smiled. "Better answer."

They went to a small restaurant near the village square. It was quieter than the previous place they had visited, with warm lighting and a few Christmas decorations around the windows.

They chose a table near the back.

For a while, they talked about ordinary things. Adrian told Alexander about a client who had once insisted on having a beach-themed wedding in the middle of winter. Alexander shared a story about a business meeting that had gone wrong because two executives had spent the entire afternoon arguing over a chair.

Adrian laughed so hard that he had to put down his glass.

"I can't believe you had to sit through that."

"I was the person who eventually bought them two chairs."

"Of course you did."

"It solved the problem."

"It also encouraged their behaviour."

Alexander smiled. "I see you've already started judging my management style."

"Someone has to."

Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence.

Alexander looked at him across the table.

"I'm glad you came here."

Adrian tilted his head. "To the estate?"

"Into my life."

The words were simple, but they caught Adrian off guard.

He lowered his gaze briefly before looking back at him.

"You're making it difficult to keep my guard up."

"Should I stop?"

"No."

Alexander's expression softened.

"I don't know exactly where this is going, Adrian. I won't pretend I have everything figured out. But I want to give it a real chance."

Adrian reached across the table and rested his hand over Alexander's.

"Then give it a chance. Don't try to decide everything before we've had the opportunity to experience it."

"I can do that."

"And no making promises you can't keep."

Alexander turned his hand, gently holding Adrian's.

"I'll try to make the ones I give you worth keeping."

Adrian smiled.

He leaned forward, and Alexander met him halfway. Their kiss was gentle, brief, and familiar enough to make Adrian wish it had lasted longer.

When they separated, Alexander brushed his thumb over Adrian's knuckles.

"You're becoming a very dangerous distraction."

Adrian laughed softly. "You hired me."

"I didn't know what I was getting myself into."

"Neither did I."

But as they sat together, Adrian realised he no longer wanted to think of Alexander as just another wealthy client.

There was something growing between them, something neither of them had planned.

And for the first time in a long while, Adrian wasn't in a hurry to find out where it would lead.

Alexander watched him across the table, his fingers still intertwined with Adrian's.

He had spent years building a life where almost everything could be controlled.

But Adrian Blake was teaching him that the things worth keeping were often the ones he couldn't control.

And Alexander was beginning to realise that he didn't want Adrian to be temporary.