The Part He never Shows

CHAPTER EIGHT

Adrian was beginning to get used to seeing Alexander Sterling everywhere.

At breakfast, there was usually a cup of coffee waiting for him. During the day, Alexander found small reasons to stop by while he worked. In the evenings, there was almost always a message asking how his day had gone.

It was becoming a pattern.

A pleasant one, admittedly.

But Adrian was careful not to get too comfortable. He had learned that attention could be exciting at the beginning of a relationship, only to disappear when the excitement wore off.

He wasn't interested in becoming someone's temporary entertainment.

That morning, he was reviewing the updated Christmas decoration schedule when Alexander walked into the sitting room.

"Good morning."

Adrian looked up from his laptop. "Good morning. Don't tell me you've brought me another coffee."

Alexander glanced at the cup in his hand.

"I have."

Adrian laughed. "You're predictable."

"Would you prefer something else?"

"At this point, I'm starting to think you believe coffee is the secret to winning my heart."

"Is it working?"

"Not telling."

Alexander placed the cup beside him.

"Then I'll continue experimenting."

Adrian smiled and returned to his laptop.

Alexander took the chair opposite him. He had a meeting scheduled later, but for the moment, he seemed in no hurry to leave.

"What are you working on?" he asked.

"The entertainment arrangements. I need to confirm the musicians and make sure the performance schedule fits the evening."

"Have you found someone?"

"Yes. A jazz group from Denver. They're available, and their rates are reasonable."

"Good."

Adrian glanced at him. "You sound like you're approving a business report."

"I'm listening."

"Then listen carefully. I have a few ideas for the evening that might surprise you."

Alexander leaned forward.

"I'm interested."

Adrian turned his laptop slightly, showing him the proposed schedule.

Instead of beginning with the usual formal speeches and dinner, he wanted the guests welcomed with live music, followed by cocktails and an outdoor lighting ceremony. Dinner would come later, with performances and dancing after the main speeches.

Alexander studied the plan.

"I like it."

"You haven't even heard the whole thing."

"I trust your judgment."

Adrian looked at him.

"You say that very easily."

"Because I mean it."

For a moment, Adrian didn't know what to say.

He returned his attention to the screen, but his smile remained.

---

By midday, Adrian had finished most of his work for the day.

He was closing his laptop when Alexander returned, this time without his usual coffee.

"Are you free?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"Whether you're about to ask me to inspect another supplier."

Alexander smiled.

"No suppliers today."

"Then I'm listening."

"My sister is coming to the estate this afternoon. I'd like you to meet her."

Adrian blinked.

"Your sister?"

"Yes. Her name is Victoria."

"Should I be nervous?"

"Why would you be?"

"Because meeting someone's family usually means something."

Alexander considered that.

"Perhaps. But I don't want you to feel like this is some kind of test. Victoria is simply visiting, and I thought you might enjoy meeting her."

Adrian watched him carefully.

"Does she know about me?"

Alexander didn't answer immediately.

"She knows I've been spending time with someone."

"Someone?"

"I didn't think announcing that I was interested in a handsome event planner would be appropriate over the phone."

Adrian laughed.

"You're impossible."

"I've been told."

"And what exactly did you tell her?"

"That I was enjoying someone's company."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Very mysterious."

"I was trying to be discreet."

"Well, your secret is safe with me."

Alexander stood.

"Come on. She should be here soon."

---

Victoria Sterling arrived shortly after three.

She was elegant, with shoulder-length dark hair and a warm smile. Unlike Alexander, she seemed naturally expressive, and her greeting was friendly rather than formal.

"Adrian Blake?"

"Yes. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I've heard a little about you."

Adrian glanced at Alexander.

"Should I be worried?"

Victoria laughed.

"Not at all. My brother has been unusually cheerful lately. I was beginning to wonder what had happened to him."

Alexander sighed.

"Victoria."

"What? It's true."

Adrian tried to hide his amusement.

Victoria turned towards him.

"I hope he hasn't been bothering you too much."

"He's been manageable."

"That's a generous description."

Alexander gave his sister a warning look, but she ignored it.

They settled in the sitting room, and Victoria asked Adrian about his event-planning business.

He explained how he had started, the challenges of running a small company, and the work involved in organizing the Christmas celebration.

Victoria listened with genuine interest.

"That sounds like a lot of responsibility."

"It is, but I enjoy it."

"And you're doing all this yourself?"

"I have a small team helping me. I just oversee the major arrangements."

Victoria smiled.

"I admire that. Building something of your own takes courage."

Adrian appreciated the compliment.

"Thank you."

Alexander sat beside them, listening more than speaking. He seemed pleased that the two were getting along.

At one point, Victoria glanced between them.

"So, how did you two meet?"

Adrian opened his mouth, but Alexander answered first.

"He came to present his proposal for the Christmas event."

"And you hired him immediately?"

"His proposal was excellent."

Victoria gave him a knowing look.

"Of course it was."

Alexander frowned slightly.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing."

Adrian laughed into his drink.

Victoria was clearly enjoying herself.

---

Later, Victoria excused herself to take a phone call.

Adrian stood and walked towards the large windows overlooking the garden.

Alexander followed.

"She's nice," Adrian said.

"She likes you."

"How can you tell?"

"She hasn't stopped talking about you."

Adrian smiled.

"She seems to enjoy teasing you."

"That's her favorite hobby."

"Does she do it often?"

"Whenever she gets the opportunity."

Adrian turned towards him.

"You two seem close."

"We are."

Alexander looked out at the garden.

"Victoria is one of the few people who has never treated me differently because of my money."

Adrian listened.

"She was there before the company became what it is now. She remembers when we were younger and had very little."

"You had a difficult childhood?"

"Not particularly. We weren't poor, but we weren't living the way we do now. My father worked hard, and my mother made sure we understood the value of what we had."

"Are they still around?"

Alexander's expression changed slightly.

"My father passed away several years ago. My mother lives abroad now. She visits occasionally."

"I'm sorry about your father."

"Thank you."

There was a brief silence.

Alexander slipped his hands into his pockets.

"My father loved Christmas. He used to make a big celebration out of it. He'd decorate the house himself, even though my mother complained that he was terrible at it."

Adrian smiled.

"What happened?"

"After he died, the celebrations became more of a responsibility than something I enjoyed. The company continued the tradition, and eventually it became another event on my calendar."

Adrian looked at him.

"So when you said you didn't really celebrate Christmas, that was why?"

"Partly."

Alexander gave a small shrug.

"I suppose I never found a reason to enjoy it in quite the same way again."

Adrian was quiet for a moment.

"Maybe you don't have to celebrate it the same way."

Alexander looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe you can make new memories instead of trying to recreate old ones."

Alexander studied his face.

"You make it sound simple."

"It isn't always simple. But it doesn't have to be impossible."

A small smile appeared on Alexander's face.

"You're full of advice."

"Only when people need it."

"And you think I need it?"

"I think you need to stop treating every holiday like another corporate obligation."

Alexander laughed softly.

"Perhaps you're right."

Adrian looked back towards the garden.

"Besides, this year's celebration might actually be enjoyable."

"Because of your decorations?"

"Obviously."

Alexander shook his head, smiling.

"Obviously."

---

Victoria returned a little later, and the three of them spent another hour talking.

When she finally prepared to leave, she hugged Alexander and whispered something Adrian couldn't hear.

Alexander frowned.

"Victoria."

She laughed.

"Goodbye, Adrian. It was lovely meeting you."

"You too. Have a safe journey."

After she left, Alexander walked Adrian back towards the sitting room.

"Was she always like that?" Adrian asked.

"Unfortunately."

"She's lovely."

"She likes you."

"You've mentioned that."

"Because it's true."

Adrian smiled.

They reached the doorway, and Alexander stopped.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

Adrian looked at him.

"Again?"

"I know. I'm becoming repetitive."

"Just a little."

Alexander smiled.

"But I'd still like to see you."

Adrian pretended to consider it.

"All right."

Alexander's expression brightened.

"Really?"

"Don't make me change my mind."

"I wouldn't dare."

---

That evening, Adrian arrived at the dining room to find the table arranged for two.

There were no elaborate decorations or unnecessary displays of wealth. Just a simple meal, warm lighting, and a small vase of white flowers.

Alexander stood when he entered.

"Hello."

Adrian looked around.

"You've kept it simple."

"I remembered what you said about not needing expensive things to impress you."

Adrian smiled.

"You're paying attention."

"I'm trying to."

They sat down and began eating.

The conversation moved from the Christmas event to their personal interests. Adrian told Alexander about his love for music and how he sometimes listened to old songs while working.

Alexander admitted that he rarely listened to music unless he was driving.

"That's terrible," Adrian said.

"I wasn't aware there were rules."

"There are. You need to listen to something that isn't a business podcast."

Alexander laughed.

"Any recommendations?"

"I'll make you a playlist."

"Then I'll listen to it."

Adrian looked at him.

"You're taking this very seriously."

"I take your recommendations seriously."

The simple statement made Adrian smile.

After dinner, they remained at the table, talking.

At some point, Alexander reached across and gently touched Adrian's hand.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Are you happy here?"

Adrian looked around.

"At the estate?"

"Yes."

"I'm comfortable. Why?"

"I want you to enjoy your time here. I know you're working, but I don't want the entire experience to feel like a job."

Adrian turned his hand beneath Alexander's, allowing their fingers to meet.

"I do enjoy it."

Alexander looked at their joined hands.

"Good."

Adrian studied him for a moment.

"You know, you're different from what I expected."

"Is that good or bad?"

"I'm still deciding."

Alexander smiled.

"Fair enough."

Adrian glanced at his lips, then back at his eyes.

Alexander noticed, but he didn't move closer.

Instead, he waited.

And that small act of patience made Adrian want to close the distance himself.

He didn't kiss him.

Not yet.

But he didn't pull his hand away either.

For Alexander, that was enough to make the evening feel like a victory.

And for Adrian, it was becoming increasingly difficult to deny that he was falling for the man he had originally intended to keep at a professional distance.