14

Adrian's breath caught, eyes darting instantly to Alexander, wide and pleading, as though only his husband could anchor him from the sudden whirlwind.

​Alexander's jaw flexed, a dangerous storm flickering in his gray eyes.

​"Sebastian," his voice cut through the charged air like a blade, "that's enough. Leave."

​Sebastian chuckled lowly, not looking away from Adrian. "What's wrong, Alexander? Don't want your secretary to fall for your rival?"

​The room pulsed with tension, Adrian trapped between a rival's seduction and a husband's possessive fury.

​"Mr. Vale—"

​"Sebastian," he corrected, his warm brown eyes gazing into Adrian's gray ones.

​Adrian glanced briefly at Alexander's stormy face and gulped, "M—Sebastian, I—"

​"If you're about to agree, I suggest you leave with him. I can't ruin my reputation by having someone of your... orientation as my secretary," Alexander cut in smoothly, voice eerily calm.

​He strode over, standing right behind Sebastian, his electric blue eyes burning deep into Adrian's soul.

​"What is your answer, Mr. Cole? This time, you're leaving for good, and I'll make sure no company will employ you. Not even your boyfriend's," Alexander's dark threats chilled Adrian's bones.

​Adrian's toes curled inside his shoes, his eyes darting from Sebastian to Alexander, heart pounding dramatically.

​He already knew his answer. There was no way he was leaving Alexander. He had more to lose if he did. He believed that Alexander could potentially make their lives hard. He could do anything just to make sure that he punished his runaway secretary and his rival.

​Plus, the marriage contract between them might risk getting jeopardized if he dared to leave his boss-cum-husband.

​Also, he promised himself to die with his secret; no one was ever going to know his sexual orientation. He could only crush from afar, but he could never dare to act on it. If he did, his mother might die of a heart attack instead of cancer.

​He couldn't reveal himself, and especially not in front of his homophobic boss.

​"I... I'm not gay, Mr. Vale. I'm sorry to disappoint you," Adrian finally answered, his small voice ringing in the quiet office.

​"Adrian," Sebastian said, as if the name itself were a secret meant only for him. He took Adrian's hand lightly, his thumb brushing over the knuckles with infuriating tenderness.

​Sebastian smiled, shaking his head, eyes steady on Adrian. "I like you. I want you to be mine. My boyfriend. But, in all that, I will respect your decision, until you're ready. I'm not in a rush, Adrian." His voice dipped into a velvet tone that contrasted sharply with Alexander's clipped commands.

​Adrian chewed on the side of his lip, slowly, without removing his eyes from Sebastian's tempting ones.

​"I'll see you around, Adrian," Sebastian rose to his full height and turned away.

​Adrian caught a glimpse of anger or, maybe, disappointment in Sebastian's eyes before he fully turned away from him.

​Sebastian's face was unreadable as he faced Alexander. "See you soon, Alexander." He nodded politely and left the office.

​The door clicked softly, locking them in.

​That was when the real tension erupted.

​Adrian gasped as Alexander suddenly snatched the tablet from his hands and tossed it carelessly onto the sofa. Startled, Adrian pressed his back hard against the cushions, his chest rising and falling unevenly.

​In the next breath, Alexander closed the distance. He stepped forward, his legs slotting between Adrian's, caging him in. His hands planted firmly on either side, boxing Adrian against the sofa.

​"Mr. Devereux, w-what are you doing?" Adrian stammered, staring up at him through his glasses.

​"Mr. Cole," Alexander's deep voice rumbled from his chest, a low growl that vibrated in the air. His gaze burned into Adrian's flushed face, his expression dark with an unspoken fury.

​Adrian's lips parted, his eyes trailing helplessly over Alexander's strong jaw, his broad shoulders. The closeness was maddening, tempting—every inch of him felt strung tight.

​His breath caught when Alexander reached out, a single finger pushing his glasses back into place. The simple touch made him shiver.

​"I'll ask one last time, Mr. Cole." Alexander's voice was cold, smooth as steel, curling into Adrian's ear. "Are you gay?" His silver eyes dragged slowly down Adrian's form, the charged silence between them crackling like live current.

​Yes! And I want you!

​"N-no, boss," Adrian whispered, the lie trembling on his lips.

​Something flashed across Alexander's eyes and he slowly straightened himself, "Good. If not, I'd dismiss you indefinitely." He stepped away from Adrian, turning away from him.

​That question wasn't necessary. I shouldn't care about his orientation; he's only my secretary.

​"Stay away from Sebastian, Mr. Cole. Unless you're plotting something with my rival?" He turned his head to the side, watching Adrian's figure with his side-eye.

​Adrian sighed, slowly standing on his shaky legs, "I... I promise, Mr. Devereux. I'll have nothing to do with Mr. Vale." He gave his word and he meant it.

​Once my contract marriage ends with you, I'll resign from this job, Adrian thought to himself.

​"Leave," Alexander ordered.

​Adrian nodded and dragged his legs over to the door. He was about to pull it open but suddenly paused, not turning to face Alexander. His eyes were filled with so much pain.

​"I completed the corrections. Thank you for not firing me," Adrian said and quietly pulled the door, walking out without another word.

​Alexander was left feeling so unsure and angry.

​He couldn't tell what had come over him; Adrian's relationship was really none of his business; still, he made a big deal out of it.

​"Shit," he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair.

​He was just trying to get Sebastian away from his employee because he knew what a snake Sebastian was.

​Shaking the whole thing off his head, he left.

​In a few minutes, Alexander was already seated at the high-end café, waiting for his wife.

​It had been a hectic day, yet the image of his secretary's tear-streaked face refused to leave his mind. For over four months, he'd watched Adrian carefully, noting how easily flustered he became around others. It should have been a mark against him, the kind of weakness Alexander despised. By all logic, Adrian should have been fired long ago. And yet, beyond his undeniable skills, something unexplainable made Alexander keep his timid secretary close.

​Sebastian's indirect challenge had unsettled him more than he cared to admit. The thought of Sebastian anywhere near Adrian stirred something dangerous inside him, something perilously close to possessiveness. But why would Alexander Devereux—cold, calculating, disciplined—ever feel possessive over a clumsy, shy little secretary?

​His thoughts froze when a familiar, intoxicating scent drifted toward him—the sweet strawberry notes of Adrienne's perfume. His heart skipped, just slightly, and his expression hardened. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the entrance.

​There she was. Adrienne. His wife.

​She sashayed toward him in a short, body-hugging red dress that accentuated every curve. Heads turned, eyes followed, yet her sultry confidence was aimed solely at him.

​And then—the thought struck him, absurd and unwanted.

​Why do I feel like I'm cheating on my fake wife… with my secretary? The notion was insane and ridiculous. But the more he tried to push it away, the more it lodged inside him like a thorn.

​"Hi, baby," Adrienne purred as she reached him, her manicured fingers brushing along his sharp jaw before she slid elegantly into the seat beside him.

​"Sorry for being late, sweetheart. Traffic was a nightmare." She hugged his arm possessively, gazing up at him with a deliberately soft, devoted smile.

​Alexander's frown deepened. "What are you doing?" he asked quietly.

​Adrienne leaned in close, her lips grazing the shell of his ear. "Just being a wife to you in public, as requested, Mr. Husband. People have to know you're married—to me." Her hand sprawled across his chest, nails trailing lightly.

​His hand clamped over hers, his voice dropping into warning. "Don't play with me, Adrienne."

​She smiled, sultry and unbothered, knowing eyes flickering around the café. He had chosen this place carefully: exclusive, expensive, and filled with people who would never dare gossip about Alexander Devereux. They could watch, but they would never speak.

​"But I'm not playing, baby. I'm committed to our act," Adrienne whispered, her breath fanning his ear. "Let's go meet your mother, hmm? I'm sure she'll adore me. Who wouldn't?"

​Inwardly, Adrian made a vow. Tonight, beneath the mask of Adrienne, he decided on revenge. He wouldn't jeopardize the contract, no. But he would make Alexander Devereux fall—deeply, dangerously in love with Adrienne. And when he did… Adrienne would vanish, leaving the ruthless CEO to mourn a woman who had never truly existed.

​Alexander shifted abruptly, dragging his chair a fraction away from her tempting closeness. Clearing his throat, he muttered sternly, "No one here matters. I just need to introduce you to someone. Then we'll leave." His narrowed eyes warned her to behave.

​Adrienne only smiled, slow and devastating, the kind of smile that undid men. And judging by the tight set of Alexander's jaw, she knew he wasn't as unaffected as he pretended.

​"Well then," she whispered, "who could this special guest be?"

​"Hey, handsome!"

​The café doors chimed, and Chloe's overly sweet voice rang out. Her lips, caked in glossy red, curved into a hopeful smile as she hurried forward.

​Chloe? Adrienne straightened, her hand sliding boldly onto Alexander's thigh beneath the table. His immediate stiffening made her smirk. Not so unaffected after all, are you, Mr. Husband?

​"Is she the one you're introducing me to?" she whispered against his ear, eyes glittering with mischief.

​Alexander didn't push her away this time. Instead, he surprised her by draping an arm around her waist.

​Chloe beamed. "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry I'm late." She leaned in for a kiss, only to recoil with a sharp gasp as Adrienne's hand shot up and blocked her.

​"Eww! What the hell?!" Chloe staggered back, glaring at the unfamiliar woman glued to Alexander's side. "Baby? Who is this?"

​Alexander's arm tightened firmly around Adrienne's waist. To Adrienne's shock, he leaned in and pressed a deliberate kiss to her temple before answering.

​"This is my wife. Adrienne Devereux."

​The room seemed to spin as Chloe's painted smile collapsed. "W-wife? But… I thought this was a date. I thought you were going to ask me to marry you tonight. I—"

​"Well, you thought wrong, Chloe," Adrienne cut in smoothly, her smirk triumphant. Now it's your turn to stutter.

​Chloe's voice broke as she dropped into a chair across from them. "No… no, he's lying."

​But nothing about Alexander's unyielding grip on Adrienne suggested a lie.

​"No. Impossible." Chloe shot to her feet, her eyes snapping from Adrienne to Alexander. "I know exactly what this is." She gave a low, mocking chuckle, folding her arms as she sneered at Adrienne.

​"You do?" Adrienne asked sweetly, torturing her by hugging Alexander's arm tighter and resting her head against him—just as Chloe used to do in the office.

​Chloe's jaw clenched, her glare narrowing on Adrienne's delicate fingers curled possessively around Alexander. For one wild moment, she wished her eyes could burn straight through her rival.

​"You can play coy all you want, Adrienn—"

​"Mrs. Devereux. The one and only. Don't forget that," Adrienne cut in, her voice velvet and lethal as she claimed the title for herself.

​Alexander's lips curved into a smirk. He knew escorts were the best for a ruse—bold, sharp-tongued, and fearless. And Adrienne? She was perfection.

​Chloe's chest rose and fell sharply, fury knotting her features as she caught the admiring glint in Alexander's eyes. He was looking at that woman—his stupid wife—with something dangerously close to pride.

​"You can play coy all you want, Adrienne," Chloe spat, her voice trembling with venom. "But I know your secret." Her gaze snapped to Alexander, gleaming with malice. "Dismiss her this instant, or I'll tell your mother that you hired a prostitute to pretend to be your wife. Just so you could snatch her fifty percent shares before your cousin does."

​A triumphant smirk twisted Chloe's mouth as she drank in the sight of the couple's stunned silence.

​"Pretend?" Alexander's voice was smooth, calm—like the still surface of a lake concealing deadly depths. He shook his head slowly and turned to Adrienne. "You don't understand me, Chloe…" His voice dropped to a husky whisper as his hand lifted, cupping Adrienne's chin with deceptive tenderness, leaning in dangerously close.

​Shit! I can't back away now. Stay calm… he's just putting on an act for Chloe. Adrian's frantic thoughts screamed inside him.

​Adrienne held her breath as Alexander's fingers slid along her neck, tracing up to her cheek. His blue eyes darkened, shadows flaring into something perilous.

​His thumb brushed across Adrienne's skin, deliberate, slow. "I don't pretend, Chloe. You should know that."

​"I'm going to kiss you," Alexander whispered hotly into Adrienne's ear. The husky timbre of his voice set every nerve alight.

​Adrienne froze. He's going to—?!

​Before she could part her lips to object, Alexander's mouth claimed hers. His warm lips pressed firmly against hers, stealing her breath, silencing her words, and swallowing the sharp retort that had been perched on her tongue.

​Fuck! He kissed me! Adrian's mind reeled in panic, heart thudding wildly.