Chapter Twenty-Four Alexander Distance
1188 Words
Alexander Hayes hated uncertainty.
He could handle pressure.
Pressure was familiar.
Pressure was something he understood.
A difficult negotiation.
A demanding client.
A company crisis.
Those were things he knew how to manage.
But this…
This was different.
Because for the first time in a long time, the thing distracting him wasn’t business.
It was a person.
Adam.
Alex sat behind his desk, staring at the documents in front of him without actually reading them.
The day had been exhausting.
One meeting after another.
Calls.
Reports.
Unexpected problems.
His schedule had been filled from the moment he arrived at the office.
And then, just as he was finishing his last meeting, his assistant walked in.
“Mr. Hayes.”
Alex looked up.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to remind you about your flight.”
Alex frowned slightly.
“My flight?”
His assistant nodded.
“The business trip.”
A pause.
Alex leaned back in his chair.
“When is that?”
“Today.”
The answer surprised him.
“Today?”
“Yes, sir. The situation requires you there as soon as possible. The team has already prepared everything.”
Alex looked down at his calendar.
He scanned through the information.
There it was.
A trip he had approved weeks ago.
A trip he had completely forgotten about.
Normally, that would never happen.
He knew every detail of his schedule.
Every meeting.
Every commitment.
Every obligation.
But lately…
His mind had been occupied with other things.
With morning coffee.
With late-night conversations.
With a man who painted emotions onto canvas and somehow brought peace into a life that had always been controlled.
“When do we leave?”
“In approximately one hour.”
Alex nodded.
“Prepare everything.”
“Yes, sir.”
His assistant left.
The office became quiet again.
Alex stared at his phone.
For several seconds, he didn’t move.
Then he picked it up.
He didn’t hesitate.
He called Adam.
The phone rang twice.
Then—
“Hello?”
Adam’s voice immediately changed something in him.
Calm.
Warm.
Familiar.
“Hi.”
“Hey.”
Alex closed his eyes briefly.
He hadn’t realized how much he wanted to hear that voice.
“How are you?”
“I’m good. You?”
Alex looked around his office.
“Not great.”
Adam immediately noticed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have to travel.”
A pause.
“Business?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Today.”
Adam was quiet for a moment.
“That was sudden.”
“It was.”
Alex sighed.
“I don’t want to go.”
The confession surprised even him.
He wasn’t someone who complained.
He didn’t admit when he disliked something.
But with Adam…
He found himself saying things he never said.
Adam’s voice softened.
“I know you don’t.”
Alex looked down at the desk.
“But you have to.”
A small smile appeared.
Of course Adam would say that.
No unnecessary sympathy.
No pretending.
Just honesty.
“I know.”
“You’ll be okay.”
“I know.”
“And you’ll come back.”
“I will.”
There was silence for a moment.
Then Alex’s expression changed slightly.
His voice became more serious.
“Adam.”
The change in tone made Adam pause.
“Yes?”
“I need you to listen to me.”
Adam laughed softly.
“That sounds serious.”
“It is.”
Alex leaned forward.
“I don’t want you going to any clubs while I’m gone.”
A pause.
“Alex…”
“I don’t want you staying out late.”
“Alex.”
“I don’t want you drinking excessively.”
Adam was quiet.
Not angry.
Just surprised.
“I’ll call you every day.”
“Okay.”
“If you need anything, you call me.”
“I know.”
“Anything.”
Adam smiled through the phone.
“You sound like you’re giving me instructions.”
“I am.”
The honesty made Adam laugh.
Alex couldn’t help smiling slightly.
“I just want to know you’re safe.”
The humor faded from Adam’s voice.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I know.”
“But I still worry.”
That admission was quieter.
More vulnerable.
Adam didn’t tease him this time.
“I understand.”
Alex relaxed slightly.
“My trip will probably last a week.”
“Okay.”
“If anything happens, you tell me.”
“I will.”
“And don’t disappear.”
Adam smiled.
“I don’t disappear.”
“I know.”
A pause.
“I just like hearing from you.”
The simple honesty stayed with Adam.
“I’ll text you.”
“Good.”
They continued talking for a few more minutes before Alex finally had to leave.
When the call ended, Alex looked at his phone.
He knew he had sounded possessive.
He knew he had given Adam instructions like he had any right to.
But strangely…
He didn’t regret it.
Because beneath all of it was something simple.
He cared.
More than he expected.
More than he understood.
⸻
The airport was crowded.
People moving in every direction.
Announcements echoing overhead.
Normally, Alex barely noticed.
Today, everything felt different.
He checked his phone before boarding.
One message.
Alex: I’m leaving now. I’ll text you when I land.
A few seconds later—
Adam: Okay. Have a safe flight.
Alex stared at the message longer than necessary.
Such a simple sentence.
Yet it stayed with him.
⸻
The flight was exhausting.
Too long.
Too uncomfortable.
Too much time alone with his thoughts.
By the time he landed, his body felt drained.
He checked the time.
2:00 a.m.
Most people would be asleep.
He still sent the message.
Alex: I landed.
He expected a response in the morning.
Instead, his phone vibrated almost immediately.
Adam: Good. I’m glad you arrived safely.
Alex frowned.
He looked at the time.
Then replied.
Alex: Why are you awake?
The response came quickly.
Adam: No reason.
Alex didn’t believe him.
Alex: Adam.
A few seconds later.
Adam: I couldn’t sleep. I was painting.
Alex sighed.
Of course.
“You’re painting at two in the morning?”
Adam: I lost track of time.
Alex shook his head.
Alex: It’s late.
Adam: I’m fine.
Alex: No.
A pause.
Adam: No?
Alex: You need sleep.
Adam sent a laughing emoji.
Adam: You’re still giving me orders from another country?
Alex smiled.
Alex: Yes.
A moment later:
Adam: Fine. I’ll sleep.
Alex: Good.
Adam: Goodnight, Alex.
Alex looked at the message.
Alex: Goodnight, Adam.
The call ended.
The room became quiet again.
Alex leaned back against the hotel bed.
The travel had exhausted him.
The meetings waiting tomorrow would be demanding.
The week ahead would be long.
But somehow…
Knowing Adam was safe.
Knowing Adam had answered.
Knowing there was someone waiting to hear from him…
Made the distance feel a little less heavy.
For the first time, a business trip felt like something he wanted to end quickly.
Not because of work.
Because he wanted to go home
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