Chapter 10
1076 Words
Adrian walked into Julian’s room with him still in his arms. He carried him to the bed and gently laid him down.
Julian was still very drunk. His eyes were closed, but he wasn’t fully asleep.
Adrian sat beside him, his gaze fixed on Julian’s face. His chest tightened as dark thoughts filled his mind.
What if he hadn’t arrived on time?
The image of Randy hovering over Julian flashed in his head again.
Adrian’s expression darkened instantly. His fists clenched, his jaw tightening so hard it almost hurt.
''I’ll let you rest tonight… but tomorrow…'' He muttered under his breath, his voice cold and dangerous.
He let out a slow breath and stood up, about to leave—
but suddenly, Julian grabbed his hand.
Adrian froze.
Julian’s eyes slowly opened. They were glassy… filled with sadness and longing.
''Don’t leave…'' He whispered weakly.
Adrian’s expression softened immediately. ''Julian…'' He called gently.
But Julian shook his head slightly, his grip tightening.
''Don’t leave, Val…''
A tear slipped down his cheek.
Adrian went still.
For a brief moment, something dark flickered in his eyes. He realized Julian wasn’t seeing him… he was seeing her.
''I’m sorry...'' Julian cried softly.
Then he slowly sat up and wrapped his arms around Adrian, holding onto him tightly.
''It’s all my fault… it’s all my fault… I’m sorry, Val… please forgive me…'' His voice broke as he sobbed against Adrian’s shoulder.
Adrian didn’t move.
He didn’t push him away.
He just sat there… letting him hold on.
The jealousy burned quietly in his chest, but something else overpowered it—understanding.
Julian was hurting.
And that pain was consuming him.
Slowly, Adrian wrapped his arms around him, gently patting his back.
''It’s okay…'' He murmured softly. ''It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.''
But those words only made Julian cry harder.
He cried until he had no strength left… until his body went weak in Adrian’s arms.
Then, slowly… he fell asleep.
Adrian noticed the sudden silence.
''Julian?'' He called softly.
No response.
Carefully, Adrian pulled him back slightly and looked at his face. He was asleep.
His expression softened.
Gently, he laid him back on the bed and tucked him in. He stood there for a moment, staring at him, before finally turning and walking out of the room.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Mark waiting.
''Boss.'' Mark said.
Adrian’s expression instantly turned cold.
''Did you take care of it?'' He asked, his voice flat.
''Yes, boss.''
Mark handed him a tablet.
Adrian took it and pressed play.
The hallway was suddenly filled with loud, painful screams.
On the screen, Randy struggled helplessly as Adrian’s men carried out his punishment—sawing both of his hands off.
Adrian watched without blinking.
Slowly, a satisfied smirk formed on his lips.
He handed the tablet back to Mark.
''I want them well packaged.'' He said coldly. ''And sent to his parents as a gift.''
He paused, his eyes dark.
"They should see the consequences of failing to raise their useless son properly.''
''Yes, boss.''
Without another word, Adrian turned and walked away.
*****
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling directly on Julian’s face.
He groaned softly and raised his hand to block the light. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes.
For a while, he just lay there, staring blankly as he tried to remember what had happened. His mind felt foggy. He didn’t even remember how he got back home… but he knew Adrian must have brought him back.
Julian slowly sat up, and instantly regretted it.
A sharp pain shot through his head.
He hissed, holding his temples.
''That’s what you get for drinking.''
Julian looked up at the familiar voice and saw Adrian walking toward him with a bowl in his hand.
''Adrian?''
Adrian sat beside him on the bed. "Open up.'' He said, lifting a spoon toward his mouth.
Julian frowned slightly, staring at the bowl.
''Hangover soup.'' Adrian said. ''It’ll help with the headache. Now open up. It’s not poison.''
Julian swallowed and slowly opened his mouth. Adrian fed him a spoonful.
After a moment, Julian spoke. ''What happened last night? I don’t really remember much.''
Adrian’s expression turned cold. ''Maybe it’s better if you don’t remember.'' He said, his tone sharper than he intended.
Julian hesitated, then said. ''Randy… I remember him. What happened to him?''
Adrian let out a short, disbelieving scoff. ''Even like this, you’re still worried about someone who tried to take advantage of you?'' He said, irritation clear in his voice. ''Are you serious?''
Julian shook his head slightly. ''I’m not defending what he did. It was wrong… unforgivable. But I know you, Adrian.''
He looked straight into his eyes.
''He deserves punishment, yes—but it should be by the law. Did you do something to him?''
Adrian held his gaze for a moment.
Then he slowly set the bowl on the bedside table and leaned closer, too close.
Julian instinctively leaned back, his breath hitching.
''So." Adrian said quietly, a faint smirk on his lips. ''You think you know me that well?''
Julian’s fingers tightened around the duvet.
''Everyone knows what happens to people who offend you.'' He said, his voice slightly unsteady. ''Isn’t that why I’m here… with you?''
He paused, then forced the words out. ''Did you kill him?''
Adrian’s smirk deepened, darker this time.
''And what if I did?'' He murmured.
Julian’s heart skipped.
''He dared to touch what belongs to me.'' Adrian continued coldly. ''No one touches what’s mine.''
His eyes hardened.
''I made sure he’ll never be able to do that again.''
The meaning behind his words sent a chill down Julian’s spine.
Adrian straightened up.
''Finish your soup and get some rest.'' He said, his tone returning to calm.
Then he turned and walked out.
The door closed behind him.
Julian sat there, frozen.
His heart pounded hard against his chest.
He couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut—Adrian had done something terrible.
Something far worse than he wanted to imagine.
Julian buried his face in his hands, dread settling deep inside him.
****
A black van pulled up in front of a large mansion.
The back door opened.
An unconscious Randy was roughly pushed out, his body hitting the ground hard before rolling slightly.
Moments later, a large box was thrown out after him.
Without stopping, the van door slammed shut, and the vehicle drove off.
- Writer
