Chapter 151: Chapter 151: The Weight Behind Adrian’s Eyes

Kelly deserved every single bit of misery he got, but Adrian couldn’t fully explain the complicated knot of emotions tightening in his chest.

The truth was, the night Kelly kept calling and texting Adrian, Matteo had chosen not to tell Adrian everything that was said between them. The next morning, he only mentioned that he had replied to Kelly and warned him to stay away.

However, a few days later, Matteo’s guilt finally caught up with him, and he chose to come clean about everything. He sat Adrian down and confessed that Kelly had been one of the ringleaders from his school days, the same group responsible for pushing Mark down the stairs.

He admitted to the cruel revenge he had taken by stealing Kelly’s boyfriend away from him. Still, he also made one thing absolutely clear. Whatever existed between him and that man had ended the very night he first brought Adrian home with him, long before they officially became a couple.

After baring his soul, Matteo pleaded with Adrian, apologizing over and over for everything that had happened in the past. He told Adrian that ever since Adrian came into his life, he had never touched or been with anyone else.

Adrian listened quietly to every confession without saying a word.

Matteo then looked at him and said softly, "Please, promise me, baby... you’ll always tell me everything. If you’re going anywhere, especially for work, just let me know."

Finally, Adrian let out a quiet sigh and agreed that he would always tell Matteo everything.

That was why, on Tuesday night during their dinner date, Adrian openly told Matteo about the mysterious nameless flowers that had been delivered to his studio. He also admitted how uneasy and worried he felt about the upcoming client meeting, confessing that a strange feeling had been bothering him the entire day.

After hearing how uneasy Adrian felt about the job, Matteo immediately offered to pay him double whatever the client was offering so he wouldn’t have to go.

But Adrian shook his head, telling him that wasn’t the right solution.

Matteo then offered to accompany him instead, saying he could wait nearby until Adrian finished meeting the client. But Adrian declined again, not wanting to appear unprofessional.

"What’s the address?" Matteo asked quietly.

"The client hasn’t sent it yet," Adrian replied, frowning. "They said they’ll send it tomorrow morning. That’s what’s making me even more worried."

Matteo squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You don’t have to worry. The moment you get that address tomorrow, forward it instantly to me."

True to his word, the moment Adrian received the address on Wednesday morning, he forwarded it to Matteo. Matteo didn’t hesitate, he immediately sent the location to Tony to run a background check on the owner of the property. By the time the results flagged the dangerous connection, Adrian and Kate had already arrived at the grand estate.

Panic rose sharply in Matteo’s chest. He didn’t just send his men, he went with them himself, despite receiving the information in the middle of an important business meeting.

When Matteo stormed into the estate, Kelly’s personal assistant was already shaking with fear. Terrified of the mafia boss’s wrath, he didn’t dare lie or resist, he immediately led Matteo and his four bodyguards straight to the private room upstairs.

That was how Matteo arrived just in time to unlock the door and trap Kelly in his own game.

But now, as the armored car sped away from the estate, the adrenaline began to fade. Adrian sat frozen in silence, staring out of the window as a heavy feeling settled over him.

Matteo watched him from across the leather seat. Adrian’s silence felt louder than any scream, and it unsettled him deeply. Unable to take the distance, Matteo moved closer and gently cupped Adrian’s face, turning him away from the passing scenery.

"Baby," Matteo murmured, his dark eyes searching Adrian’s face with quiet concern. "Is everything okay?"

Adrian looked at Matteo, his eyes softening as he felt the warmth of his hand. The shock from the confrontation slowly began to fade, replaced by a quiet sense of relief.

"I’m okay," Adrian said, leaning into Matteo’s touch. "I’m just glad you showed up when you did. When I realized it was Kelly, and the door was locked... my heart completely stopped."

Matteo’s thumb brushed gently against Adrian’s cheek, his chest tightening at the thought of what could have happened if he had been even a few minutes later. "I promised I would protect you, Adrian. The moment that address flagged, I knew something was wrong. I’m sorry I let him get that close to you."

"You don’t have to apologize," Adrian said, placing his hand over Matteo’s. "You came for me... You always do. Thank you so much for coming on time."

Adrian paused, looking down at their joined hands for a moment before lifting his gaze back to Matteo’s dark eyes. "Hearing him say all those things about you didn’t shake me," he said. "Because you already told me the truth. You were honest with me about your past, and that’s why I trusted you completely in that room."

Matteo’s expression softened, but his eyes still searched Adrian’s face. "Then why are you so silent, baby?" he asked. He leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against Adrian’s, his voice dropping into a low whisper. "I will never lie to you, Adrian. And I will never let anyone harm you."

Adrian smiled faintly. "I know, baby. I’m just still in shock... that’s why I’m quiet. But I’ll be fine."

Matteo pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, his concern unyielding. "Are you sure you will be fine? Or is there something else you want to talk about?"

Adrian shook his head gently. "No, baby."

Matteo exhaled slowly, then asked, "Do you want me to come with you back to the studio? Or should we go to my place... or yours? Or do you want—"

Adrian didn’t even let him finish the sentence. He offered a gentle smile and cut him off softly. "No, baby. I’ll be fine. Just drop me back at the studio. I still have a few things I need to handle there before the day ends."

Matteo stared at him for a long, quiet moment, taking in the exhaustion on Adrian’s face, before finally nodding. "Okay, baby," he murmured. He leaned in and kissed Adrian deeply, a slow, lingering kiss that said everything he couldn’t put into words.

As they pulled apart, a sudden realization hit Adrian, and his eyes widened. "Wait... what about Kate? We went there together."

A faint smile appeared on Matteo’s lips. "Your driver already took her back to the studio. I told my men to handle it the moment I stepped into that house."

Adrian let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding and nodded, feeling deeply grateful for how attentive Matteo always was. "Thank you, baby."

Matteo smiled and wrapped an arm around Adrian’s waist, gently pulling him closer so he could rest his head on his shoulder. Adrian closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax against Matteo’s shoulder.

But as the car glided smoothly through traffic, Matteo stared out the window, his expression turning serious again. He knew Adrian too well, there was definitely something else weighing heavily on his mind, something he wasn’t ready to say out loud yet.

But for now, at least for this moment, Matteo chose to let it be and simply hold him tight.

Finally, the car pulled up smoothly in front of Adrian’s studio. They said their goodbyes in the quiet backseat, and Matteo kissed the top of Adrian’s head, holding his hand for one last lingering second. "I’m going to call you the moment I get home, alright?" Matteo murmured.

Adrian offered a soft smile. "I’ll call you too. Take care, baby."

But the moment Matteo drove away and went back to his own office, his focus was entirely shot. He sat at his desk, staring at documents, but he couldn’t concentrate on his work for the rest of the day.

His mind kept racing...