16

The car glided through the wide, tree-lined road of an exclusive estate, and Adrienne's pulse quickened—this was it.

​Their sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of tall iron gates. Without a word, the gates slid open on their own, silent and commanding, as if even metal obeyed Alexander's presence.

​Adrienne shifted closer to the door, pressing her forehead lightly against the cool tinted glass. Outside, velvety lawns stretched like a green carpet, trimmed to perfection, their serenity mocking the chaos storming inside her chest.

​The mansion came into view—white, imposing, immaculate. But it wasn't the house alone that unsettled her; it was the way the compound itself breathed wealth. Elegant light poles glowed softly along the path, casting halos of white over the garden beds bursting with color. The air felt carefully curated, almost artificial, like a stage set for someone who needed the world to know he was untouchable.

​The place was large, but Adrienne was already feeling claustrophobic.

​See his mother. Leave, she chanted in her head.

​She looked around the whole place and wondered how she was ever going to find her way home. It doesn't matter; she would leave even if she had to trek her way out on painful heels.

​I'm in my boss's house! Adrian couldn't help fussing.

​"We have arrived, Sir," Lawrence announced as he parked the car in front of the house.

​Adrienne balled her fists on her lap. She was feeling insecure, her disguise suddenly felt threatened, especially after Alexander's sharp observation a few hours ago.

​She no longer felt safe, and arriving in Alexander's home heightened every fear she's ever had.

​God, please, not today, she prayed silently.

​"Leave the car, Adrienne," Alexander commanded as Lawrence opened the car door for him.

​He slid out without waiting for Adrienne and started to climb up the few stairs.

​Adrienne muttered a curse and quickly left the car, hurrying over to grab her husband's arm, who was already approaching the tall doors.

​"Baby," she paused to catch her breath, still hugging his arm, "you should wait for your wife. Do you want your mama to suspect?" She straightened and whispered into his ear.

​"Oh?" She gasped as Alexander suddenly draped an arm around her waist, pulling her plush against his sides.

​He leaned down and whispered, "That's true, sweetheart." He gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear, hooking a finger under her smooth chin, "You look surprised." He raised a brow at her, watching her cheeks flush for the first time, and was immediately reminded of his secretary, who always almost wore a blush whenever he was close.

​He shook his head, forcing Adrian out of his head. He couldn't understand why his clumsy secretary was occupying most of his thoughts tonight.

​"Ah, no, not surprised... just... nothing. But can we not do it too much? At least some personal space could be appreciated—"

​"Shh," Alexander placed a finger on Adrienne's lips, "tonight, you will behave. Do what I ask..." he hovered his lips over hers before taking them to her ear, "be a wife." He kissed under her ear, causing her to gasp and shudder.

​"Oh, I think I'm interrupting something," a woman's voice rang out from inside the house.

​Adrienne, who had been thrown off guard by the sensual ear kiss, was startled by the sudden voice and immediately wanted to pull away from her bully of a husband, but he held her close, glaring at her to his side and forcing her to face the person who had spoken.

​"You already arrived, mother," Alexander greeted, walking into the polished hallway with Adrienne and his handbag.

​Adrienne didn't know how she moved, but somehow, she saw herself approaching the beautiful, petite woman with eyes as blue as her son's and short, wavy, blonde hair.

​No wonder I can't get over my boss. His mother is a doll! Adrian's loud thoughts pushed through.

​"I missed you, son. Who is this?" Mrs. Devereux asked as she hugged her son.

​Adrienne heard her question and instantly blinked back to reality. She cleared her head of any unwanted thoughts and focused on her mission: Operation Make Mother-In-Law Love Me!.

​She put on her sweetest smile and turned to face the woman, waiting for Alexander's introduction.

​"This is Adrienne, my wife. I'm sure Denver sent you a copy of our certificate," Alexander explained calmly, pulling Adrienne closer.

​Mrs. Devereux frowned slightly as she turned her head to Adrienne.

​"Hello, Mother. I've heard so much about you," Adrienne immediately hugged the older woman.

​Too much? Maybe. But better over-affectionate than exposed.

​She could already see the disapproval on Mrs. Devereux's face and she wasn't about to let Alexander's mother hate her.

​No way.

​She was going to overcome whatever was going to cause a hitch on her contract or risk exposing her identity. No room for spills.

​"I'm really happy to meet you, Mother. Your son speaks so highly of you," Adrienne pulled away from the woman but still held her hand, smiling so sweetly.

​Mrs. Devereux seemed lost for a while before she softly cleared her throat and nodded slowly, "He does? He barely speaks of me." She said, glancing at her son.

​"Oh? You know how they are; they're always claiming to be the busiest, but deep down, they're just a mama's boy," Adrienne whispered, gently leading the woman into the large living room.

​"Right? Tell me all about what he said," Mrs. Devereux said, her voice showing her genuine interest.

​Alexander stood behind them, confused.

​He was supposed to be the one trying to talk good about Adrienne... not the other way around.

​What does she know about me? He wondered how Adrienne was going to escape the lies she's started.

​Sighing, he strode in behind them; he needed to stay close to salvage any situation that would spiral out of control.

​In his living room, he saw the women sitting together on a sofa, smiling at each other.

​"Aww, Alexander, do you really mention how you love your mother to your staff?" Mrs. Devereux questioned as Alexander approached them.

​Alexander paused, forcing his expression to remain calm and not pissed. He hated it when someone did too much, and Adrienne was doing exactly that tonight.

​He cleared his throat and lowered himself beside his wife, draping an arm around her waist and subtly pulling her lying self away from his mother.

​He couldn't believe that Adrienne was such a people-pleaser. He thought he'd be stuck convincing his mother about Adrienne all night; turns out it would be Adrienne he'd be convincing to stay the fuck away from his mother.

​This marriage was a lie; there was no use getting too close to any of his family members.

​"Tell him, Alex. You always tell your employees how you work so hard because your mother is your role model," Adrienne turned her face to look up at Alexander, winking seductively at him.

​"What are you doing?" Alexander pretended to kiss her neck as he whispered between gritted teeth.

​"Being a wife," Adrienne whispered back.

​Mrs. Devereux cleared her throat, "Maybe I should go to bed. We'll talk in the morning—"

​"You're not going home? I'll have Lawrence take you back," Alexander suggested, balling his fists as he already knew what she was going to say.

​"No, Alexander. I want to get to know my daughter-in-law better. I've been asking you to get married for ages, and when you finally did, you don't want me to spend time with her?" Her voice cracked, almost crying.

​Alexander turned speechless; he quietly blinked at his mother and couldn't tell who was more dramatic, her or Adrienne?

​Adrienne went over to the older woman and hugged her, gently rubbing her back, "Oh, mother, it's okay. You can sleep over at our house. I'm sure Alex's baby would not mind. Right, pumpkin?" Adrienne asked Alexander, blinking cutely.

​Alexander furrowed his brow, Pumpkin? He sighed and slowly nodded, "Yes, mother. You can stay. I'll ask Mary to prepare a room for you." He said in resignation.

​"My daughter-in-law is the best," Mrs. Devereux said, touching Adrienne's cheek.

​Adrienne smiled, but her mind was spiraling with several urgent escape plans.

​What do I do now? How do I leave? I can't spend a night here! She kept spiraling in a panic.

​How did I get myself to become doted on? I just wanted her to accept me! She gulped quietly.

​She turned to Alexander and saw him watching her keenly, his eyes like lasers boring into her soul.

​"You know, dear, I must apologize," Mrs. Devereux said, holding Adrienne's hand.

​Adrienne plastered her fake smile on, "What for, mother? You have done nothing wrong." She replied sweetly.

​Mrs. Devereux sighed, "No. I wasn't quite happy when I learned that my son married someone who wasn't Chloe. I believe they were the best fit. But, now," she palmed Adrienne's cheek gently, "I think I judged too fast. You're exactly the kind of wife my son needs: charming, sweet, and loving. You're nothing like Chloe. Will you forgive me for judging you without knowing you?" She asked softly.

​You still don't know me, Ma'am, Adrian scoffed.

​"Yes, mother. I forgive you. All that matters is your acceptance. As for me," She turned and winked at Alexander, "I'm loving your son till death does us part." She confessed, a stupid part of her wishing her wish were real... her Adrian stupid part.

​Alexander froze.

​He stared into her eyes as she said those words; again, for a very split second, he swore he saw the same look his secretary gave him when he thought no one was watching him.

​A stupid, dreamy look.

​He couldn't believe he'd let himself get used to that look; now it was haunting him in people who weren't even Adrian.

​"Aww, my son's found a rare gem," Mrs. Devereux sighed happily as she stared from Adrienne to her son.

​"Tell me, Adrienne, how did you two meet for the first time?"

​Shit! It's fucking unscripted! How could Alexander forget to plan ahead of this quest?! She started to sweat in her palms, her eyes reaching to Alexander for help.

​She couldn't answer first; her words might contradict Alexander, and Mrs. Devereux was a sharp woman, despite her kindness; her eyes still worked like a sharp blade, searching for any loopholes.

​This was a very dicey moment for them; one wrong word and they're busted.