Black Pearl in Raging Fire

10. Calm the beast

Liam's embrace slowly but surely calmed Adriel. It was like hail that enveloped traces of raging flames.

Somehow, Adriel's episode died down after that and the punch that was supposed to happen, never happened.

It was been half an hour since then. Luckily Jonas saw the situation wasn't right and helped, only to see Adriel's anger overcome. Confusion was evident all over his face. But he suppressed his confusion and immediately proposed them to the orphanage's clinic room.

Jonas saw that Adriel looked fine, even excited, he was relieved. "Boss, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Adriel ignored him, still smiling looking at Liam who was busy in the medicine cabinet.

Jonas asked Louis, "Sir, how about you? If you feel uncomfortable I will prepare compensation in the form of money and treatment on behalf of my boss."

This questioning was finished by the time Liam returned with the medicine box.

Louis said, "No need. It's just a minor injury."

It was clear that he wanted nothing to do with Adriel anymore. But he was curious what happened to that man just now. Adriel was like he was possessed and really wanted to strangle him with savage killing intent.

"Let me see," Liam said to Louis.

Adriel saw this and grabbed Liam's hand just in time. "What do you want to do?" then he looked at Jonas. "You, take care of him."

Jonas took the medicine box from Liam's hand without saying much.

"Aren't you going to check on me?" Adriel tilted his head at Liam. "I'm hurt too. Aren't you worried if your husband gets hurt?"

He just said it playfully, but didn't expect Liam's answer afterward,

"Take off your coat."

Adriel was dazed. "... What?"

Liam repeated, "Take off your coat."

Adriel's reaction came a bit too late, accompanied by a giggle. "Aiyo, we, we will do it here? Why the rush? There are a lot of people here!"

Liam, "..."

This man is truly shameless. Before Liam could answer, Adriel actually took off his coat. Underneath the coat he wore a tight black T-shirt that accentuated his curves. The bandage on his right arm catched Liam's attention.

Adriel spread his arms excitedly. "Come on, come to daddy."

Liam who originally wanted to check him, let out a reluctant expression.

On the other hand, Jonas tried not to roll his eyes at Adriel's attitude. Clueless when his boss got so shameless. On normal days, Adriel is very cruel and authoritarian, never even being reckless on purpose. If he hadn't been by Adriel's side these few days, he would have thought that Adriel's soul had been exchanged by someone else.

Ignoring the others, he asked Louis again, "Sir, this seems to be going to leave a mark. You don't want to ask for compensation?"

Louis averted his eyes from the two of them as well. "What exactly happened? He didn't seem quite right before, did he? You saw him, right?"

Jonas had not expected this question.

Their distance from the two people was quite far, plus Louis who was whispering, his voice shouldn't be heard.

Jonas, "Sir, have you never seen anyone jealous?"

Louis, "Jealous?"

Jonas nodded.

"My boss is a horrible person. That's how he reacts when he gets jealous."

So he'll kill people when he's jealous?

Didn't make sense.

Louis still did not let go of this. "But, he obviously just ..."

The words stop, he glanced at Adriel who was childishly teasing Liam, there was no trace of ghastliness on him. As if he was a different person.

Meanwhile when he saw Liam, Liam was indeed indifferent and expressionless, but didn't push Adriel away at all.

"So I didn't have a chance in the first place, huh." Louis muttered to himself, a bitter smile on his lips.

Jonas, "???"

Louis, "You don't need to look at it anymore. I'm totally fine."

Then he stood up, closed his shirt collar and said again in a slightly louder voice, "I will return to the main hall."

Liam turned his head when he heard this. Adriel caught his attention again. No one saw when Louis actually left.

"Boss, let me see your wound." Jonas approached with the medicine box.

Adriel waved. "Go away. Shoo, shoo. Liam took the initiative to do something with me. Aren't you ashamed to still show your face here and watch?"

Liam, "..."

There was a trace of blush on Jonas's cheeks and he was very wise. "Okay, I'll wait outside."

Liam, "..." What are you thinking in your dirty brain!!!

Sighing, Liam looked back at Adriel's arm. "Is that alright or are you just pretending?"

"Even if it's serious, it doesn't hurt anymore." Adriel grinned. "What, you're worried about my wound?"

Liam wasn't worried, just uncomfortable that Adriel's injuries were indirectly related to him. If the man hadn't been driving out in a rage, the accident would not have happened.

Even so, he didn't feel completely wrong either. Adriel had invited him to go of his own accord without consulting him, so he had every right to refuse.

"Shouldn't you be back tomorrow?" Liam diverted the conversation.

"I want to surprise you."

"..."

Seeing Liam had no interest in answering he continued, "I never told you, actually I grew up in this orphanage."

There was a hint of surprise in Liam's eyes, but he quickly calmed down again. "You grew up in this place?"

This wasn't a secret anymore since Liam already found out from Shari that Adriel grew up in an orphanage. However he just found out that this is the orphanage where he lived in the past. What a coincidence.

Adriel didn't know that Liam already knows, he smiled and nodded. Love it when Liam asks about himself.

Liam saw the happy twinkle in those blue eyes and couldn't understand what was making them so happy. He guessed, "So you know I'm here because someone from this orphanage told you?"

Adriel explained slowly, "I actually knew you were here from other people, but had no intention of coming. Then the head of the orphanage contacted me and said there was an event here, so she asked me to come. No matter what this orphanage found me, I have to show my face."

It all makes sense.

But Liam then remembered his first sentence. "You're stalking me?"

Adriel was confused. "Why are you confused? It's not like the first time I did it."

Such a stalker! What a shame.

"If you were indeed invited here, shouldn't you immediately go meet the person who invited you?"

"It's okay. I can be here first while answering all your curiosity." Adriel propped his chin up, looking at Liam with interest.

Liam, "..."

Adriel patted the spot next to him. "Sit down. You must be sore from standing like that. Sit down and ask me anything, I'll answer it."

From this Liam realized that this was the first time they had talked in quite a while. His serene face cracked.

"Not need." His words were cold and distant. "You just hurt someone else, you should apologize."

"Ah." Adriel seemed to remember something. "Did I just go out of control and hurt your man?"

Liam's anger was sparked again, but his words were still cold, "I'm so cheap in your eyes, right? But it's up to you to judge me like that. It's not like I have to put on a good face in front of someone like you."

Adriel stood up. He pushed Liam to sit on the chair, he was on top of him and pressing him down. His expression was very dark.

"So you're admitting that you had fun with other men behind my back?"

Liam neither confirmed nor denied.

His chin was pinched and without giving him a chance to dodge, he was kissed again. The kiss was vicious as if emphasizing the other person's anger and possession over him.

Liam's hands tried to push the big man away but the passionate kiss weakened his muscles so he was shaking. Unknowingly his head had been leaning on the sofa.

This kiss was vicious, rough and domineering; Liam didn't like it, but his body said otherwise.

His body wanted more, it happened instinctively.

After a few moments the kiss ended and Liam's previously swollen lips grew even more swollen. He stared intently at the man in front of him, and sensed the other party was in a good mood.

"You're better than before." Adriel wiped the trail of saliva on the corner of Liam's lips, grinning.

Liam was furious. But even if he was angry, he wouldn't be able to provoke Adriel. The result would only be him at a loss.

This reminded him of what the unknown man said on the phone a few days ago—who asked him to realize where he stood and emphasized that he could only obey because the fate of his family was in Adriel's hands. His hands clenched until their nails dug into his flesh, but there was no pain.

Adriel saw Liam's pent-up anger and was satisfied. He adjusted Liam's collar slightly.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to grandma."

Before Liam can answer there was a knock on the door.

Isabel's head appeared, she stared at the two people inside, stunned for a moment. She glancing between Liam and Adriel before letting out a voice, "B-Boss, the head of the orphanage called you over."

The three of them with Jonas went towards the intended place through the main corridor and garden.

On the way, Isabel couldn't stop glancing at an unknown figure pressing her boss in the clinic. The scene was very ambiguous. Isabel couldn't stop the wild thoughts in her little brain when she saw Liam's lips even swollen and red. It was probably as she thought.

Isabel glanced again. The figure of the man was tall and broad in the shoulders. His hair was blonde and his blue eyes were clear and beautiful, but he had a powerful and domineering aura.

She couldn't help but be curious; is this the boss's husband?

If the boss's husband was this handsome and attractive, she would be very supportive of their relationship!

After a short journey, they arrived at the main hall. Some places have been cleaned and certain corners provide sofas for guests to sit on. The head of the orphanage was already waiting there. And Liam was totally convinced when the old lady recognized Adriel at one glance.

"You were late for the main event. But it's a good thing you made it. We all miss you." The head of the orphanage smiled gently with her old wrinkled face. She glanced at Adriel excitedly.

The old lady was nearly 80 years old. She is still fit in her old age to manage the orphanage and has not retired yet. She used to be called grandma by everyone. Her name is Samantha. What was unexpected was that she had invited Adriel to come.

"How was your trip? I heard you were going overseas. Did I disturb your schedule?" Samantha continued.

Adriel glanced at Liam before replying, "I wasn't busy. I booked a return ticket straight away when you invited me, luckily it wasn't too sudden."

"Jeez. So you just got off the plane and came straight here? Aren't you tired?" Samantha remembered calling Adriel in the evening, seeing him here this afternoon, explaining he left immediately after she called.

"Not tired." Adriel held her shoulder. "You invited me, how could I not come?"

Liam saw Samantha's gentle motherly expression on her child as she stared at Adriel. On the other hand, Adriel's obedient demeanor was like that of a child.

Seeing this attitude of Adriel, it felt a bit inappropriate when compared to his usual temperament.

"Ah, do you know Mr. Halsey?" Samantha said as if she remembered something then looked at Liam with a twinkle, "Here, this is the person I was talking about and who is a regular benefactor of this orphanage. He is so young and kind hearted. You should get to know him."

When his name was withdrawn in conversation, Liam was a bit embarrassed.

He only supported the orphanage every year, that was an exaggeration.

"I know him." Adriel answered meaningfully.

But he seemed to have ignored Samantha's compliment and glanced at a certain spot.

Even though Liam didn't see it, he knew he was being stared at and felt uncomfortable.

"Grandma, I haven't told you. I'm actually married." Adriel said.

Samantha was shocked. "... Married?"

Adriel nodded. "It's been over a month now. I haven't had time to tell you yet."

Liam was also surprised. He didn't expect Adriel to not try to hide this.

What if Samantha can't take it?

Sensing a slight trace of guilt in his protege's words, Samantha snorted. "What is this? You've been married for over a month and you just told me? You stinky kid!"

Adriel's guilt left his face and he didn't avoid Samantha's hit on his shoulder.

Liam on the other hand, was sweating.

Samantha is old, if he surprises her what if she has a heart attack?

Although same-s*x marriage is legal in their country, some old-fashioned elders still don't accept this.

Jonas was also curious and somewhat nervous. The boss is never afraid of anything, but does he have to scare an old hag?

"So who's this unlucky wife, huh? When are you bringing her to see me?" Samantha said jokingly.

Before Adriel could answer, Jonas' phone rang and he stepped outside to pick it up.

Even though he was curious about the drama inside, he couldn't ignore this call.

It is from Riza.

"Fvck! Did your phones sink in the Mediterranean Sea?! I couldn't reach you all since morning! Where the hell are you?!"

A thunderous angry voice filled the phone.

Jonas pulled his ear away from the speaker before explaining the situation.

"So he left an important meeting with a fučking note for me to finish just for fučking the damn thing?!" Riza almost slammed down his phone. "I thought what urgent matter was there!"

Jonas chuckled. "Sir, isn't chasing the wife an urgent matter?"

Riza, "..."

Just when Riza was about to hang up the phone because of his high blood pressure, Jonas stopped him.

Before Riza got even angrier, Jonas immediately explained another problem. This was related to Adriel's outburst of anger which Liam unexpectedly managed to suppress.

"Are you sure?" Riza said. This time he was calmer.

"Yes." Jonas answered quickly.

"Could it be that you saw wrongly and actually he was just normal angry?"

"How could I be wrong? I've been on the boss's side nearly seven years. He almost had an episode and just got calmed."

"So you're saying Liam can really keep his episode under control?"

"Yes."

There was no answer for a moment, Jonas thought Riza couldn't believe it, because he didn't believe his own eyes either.

But everything that happened was real.

He said, "His outburst didn't even last five minutes. As soon as Mr. Liam hugged him, he immediately came to his senses."

Riza was still silent, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Sir, isn't this great?" Jonas asked rather urgently.

"That's ... good." Riza replied after a few seconds, there was a trace of hesitation in his words, "But that still can't be said to be accurate either. We have to investigate this slowly."

Jonas was disappointed. But Riza was right.

Immediately the call ended.

As Jonas turned around again, he saw that someone had been standing behind him that he had not noticed. His heart almost jumped to the ground.

The person's voice was calm as he asked, "You, who was talking to you just now?"

... to be continued ...