All Chapters of Captive To The Boss’s Lust: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

21Amber“My beautiful rose, who said I left you alone? I’m just ruining our mom’s plan. If she doesn’t see us together, who is she going to sit down and lecture?”Our mom? Did Adrian just call his girlfriend’s mom our mom? Then why is he dodging marriage? He’s all over the place.“You’re right, actually. Maybe you shouldn’t come home for a while.”This conversation was getting more and more confusing. Is Sophia and her mother living with Adrian? If so, she’s got every right to be upset. Living together and still avoiding marriage? That’s a whole new level of ridiculous. Then again, maybe he’s one of those “marriage kills love” believers. Anything’s possible.Sophia walked over and planted a big kiss on Adrian’s cheek. “You know what? You’re my biggest support in this world! I’m so lucky to have you as my brother!”“What?” I blurted out without thinking.Adrian turned to me with a curious look. “Did you say something?”I cleared my throat. “Just asking if you’d like tea or coffee… But

23AmberOnce outside, I began walking toward the bus stop. But then Adrian grabbed my wrist and made me stop.“What is it now?”“My car’s around the corner.”“So? You want me to go get it for you?”“Come with me. I’ll drive you home.”“No need.”“Amber, I didn’t ask for your opinion. We’re going this way,” he said, placing his hand on the small of my back and gently steering me in his direction.It was the first time I’d ever been this close to him, and for some ridiculous reason, my heart skipped a beat. Maybe it was his cologne—it had that deep, intoxicating kind of scent that seeped into your bones. When he finally removed his hand, I oddly felt… alone.We were walking in sync—strangely in sync. And the weirder part was that with Adrian next to me, no one even dared to glance in my direction.He greeted a few people with a slight nod, and there was something genuinely warm about him when he did. He really did have this strange aura… and I didn’t like it one bit. Maybe I should add

24Amber MORNINGThe knock at the door made me shift uncomfortably at the breakfast table. Who could it be this early in the morning?When I glanced at the time, a wave of unease hit me. It couldn’t be Adrian. No way he was that much of a tyrant. Right?Eva stood up before I could. “I’ll get it.”“Can I help you?”“Is Amber home?” I heard a man say.“Y-yes?”“Would you mind calling her, please?”“Of course, I’ll get her right away.”All eyes turned to me at the table. Avoiding my father’s gaze, I stood up.“I was just about to head out anyway. I’ll see who it is,” I said, grabbing my bag from the coat rack.Eva leaned in close to whisper in my ear. “Ooh, Amber, is that your handsome boyfriend at the door?” She looked like she was practically drooling.“No, he’s just a coworker…” I wanted to add as handsome as he is infuriating, but Eva didn’t need that much information.“Well, then set me up with him?” God, she’s such an airhead. Like I’d offer up my cousin to that ruthless man.“Now

27AmberOnce Aunt Kasey started speaking, everyone listened intently.“That day, I had gone to the market. The park is right next to it. When I saw Harrison sitting alone on a bench, I got worried. Last I heard, he’d been diagnosed with dementia, and his family didn’t even let him go outside alone. At first, he didn’t recognize me. So of course, he refused when I offered to take him home. There was a café nearby. I brought him there and waited with him over some tea until his family could pick him up. At one point, he mistook me for his late wife and held my hand. He teared up from joy. I didn’t have the heart to correct him. I just sat there and listened… as if I were his wife.”Her words made my eyes sting. My own grandfather was sick too, though thankfully not as far along.Mr. Benjamin looked at his wife with softened eyes. “I didn’t know. If I had, I wouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”“I can die in peace now,” Kasey said, her voice trembling, “because I saw regret in your eye

29AdrianAfter last night’s dessert moment with Amber, my mind was all over the place. Herman had been suspiciously absent too. He hadn’t tried to get between us in days. Maybe he finally realized he’d already lost.It was a typical morning—family breakfast as usual. My mom took another sip of her tea, watching me a bit too intently. I couldn’t ignore it anymore.“Is something wrong, Mom?”“I don’t know. Is there?”“I don’t think so.”Sophia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. That reminded me of our conversation back at the office—and suddenly, I knew exactly where this was going.“There is something wrong, son. I want you to get married and start your own family. Either you find someone suitable on your own, or you’ll marry Sarah.”“Do you really think I’ll agree to get married under that kind of condition?”“You don’t have a choice. If you don’t bring home a bride in the next two months, you’ll marry my niece. Otherwise—”“Otherwise what?”“I’ll leave this city. I’ll go live with y