Chapter Twenty-Seven:AdamUnexpected
916 Words
The day had been surprisingly normal.
Which was strange.
Because lately, nothing about Alexander Hayes felt normal.
Adam had gotten used to the messages.
The check-ins.
The random questions.
The quiet moments where Alex would ask about his day as if it was the most important thing in the world.
And today was no different.
They had been texting almost the entire day.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing overwhelming.
Just small pieces of their lives.
Alex: How is the gallery?
Adam: Busy.
Alex: Did you eat?
Adam: Yes.
Alex: Really?
Adam had laughed when he saw that.
Adam: Yes, really.
Alex: Good.
It was such a simple exchange.
But Adam had started realizing something.
He liked these little conversations.
He liked knowing Alex was somewhere else in the world but still making an effort to be present.
⸻
Alex was supposed to come back today.
Adam knew that.
He had been looking forward to it more than he wanted to admit.
But Alex’s flight was late.
The schedule changed.
Instead of arriving earlier, his flight would leave around eight at night.
Which meant by the time he landed, it would be the middle of the night.
Adam had already done the math.
He would probably arrive around two or three in the morning.
So Adam assumed he wouldn’t see him until later.
Maybe tomorrow.
That was fine.
He understood.
Travel was exhausting.
And Alex had just spent days dealing with business problems.
So after leaving the gallery, Adam went home.
He showered.
Changed into comfortable clothes.
Made himself something small to eat.
And continued working on a few ideas for paintings.
Around eight, his phone vibrated.
A message from Alex.
Alex: Boarding now.
Adam smiled.
He replied immediately.
Adam: Have a safe flight.
A few seconds later:
Alex: I will call you when I land.
Adam smiled at the screen.
Adam: Okay.
He didn’t expect anything else.
He expected Alex to arrive, rest, and call him tomorrow.
That was reasonable.
So eventually, Adam went to bed.
⸻
The room was completely dark when he woke up.
At first, he didn’t know what had disturbed him.
Then his phone started ringing again.
Adam reached for it without opening his eyes.
“Hello?”
His voice was heavy with sleep.
For a second, there was silence.
Then—
“Adam.”
His eyes opened immediately.
Alex.
Even tired, Adam recognized his voice.
“Alex?”
A small smile appeared.
“You’re awake.”
Adam sat up slowly.
“I am now.”
There was something different about Alex’s voice.
Softer.
Almost amused.
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“It’s okay.”
A pause.
Then Alex said:
“Can you open your door?”
Adam frowned.
“What?”
“Your door.”
Adam blinked.
“Why?”
Another pause.
Then:
“I’m standing outside.”
For a moment, Adam thought he was still dreaming.
“You are what?”
“I’m in front of your apartment.”
Adam sat completely upright.
“Alex…”
“I know it’s late.”
“Late?”
Adam looked at the time.
Nearly 2:30 in the morning.
“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to see you.”
The answer was so simple.
So direct.
That Adam didn’t know how to respond.
He got out of bed.
Still half asleep.
Still trying to understand.
He walked toward the door.
His hand rested on the handle.
For a second, he hesitated.
Not because he was afraid.
Because he was shocked.
Alexander Hayes was supposed to be landing and going to a hotel.
Not standing outside his apartment.
Adam opened the door.
And there he was.
Alex.
Still dressed from traveling.
A small overnight bag in his hand.
Looking exhausted.
But standing there.
Adam stared.
“You came here?”
Alex looked at him.
“Yes.”
“At two in the morning?”
“Yes.”
Adam didn’t know whether to laugh or be amazed.
“You could have waited until tomorrow.”
“I could have.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
Alex was quiet for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
“Because I missed you.”
The words stopped Adam.
Completely.
Because Alex didn’t say things like that casually.
Not him.
Not the man who always had control.
Not the man who chose every word carefully.
Adam looked at him.
Really looked at him.
And suddenly, the exhaustion on Alex’s face became obvious.
The tired eyes.
The long flight.
The stress.
Yet he had still come here.
Adam stepped aside.
“Come in.”
Alex walked inside.
The door closed behind him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Adam shook his head.
“You are unbelievable.”
Alex removed his coat.
“I’ve heard that before.”
Adam smiled despite himself.
“I thought you would call me tomorrow.”
“I know.”
“I thought you would rest.”
“I will.”
Adam looked at him.
“You traveled all this way just to come here?”
Alex met his eyes.
“Yes.”
And somehow…
That answer made Adam’s heart feel strangely warm.
Because maybe he still didn’t know exactly what they were.
Maybe they hadn’t named it.
Maybe they were still figuring things out.
But standing there in his apartment at two in the morning, looking at a man who had crossed distance just because he missed him…
Adam understood one thing.
Whatever this was…
It was becoming something real.
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