Chapter 325: Hickeys & Hidden Plans

Adrian hid a smirk and sighed dramatically. "Fine. I forgive you, okay?"

Relieved, Matteo hugged him tightly.

They stayed curled up together, talking about a dozen different things until Adrian finally reached for his abandoned dessert. As he happily scooped the sweet cream into his mouth, Matteo watched him, completely mesmerized.

"You’re sweeter than the dessert," Matteo murmured.

Adrian blushed, swatting at his arm with a smile. "Stop exaggerating."

"I’m telling the truth."

Adrian chuckled, closing the empty box. "Alright, let’s head back inside."

They took their time cleaning up with the tissues and properly dressing themselves. Once their clothes were somewhat presentable, they finally stepped out of the stifling heat of the car. The waiting bodyguards immediately bowed respectfully as Matteo and Adrian walked past them and headed toward the house.

As soon as they entered the living room, Maxwell looked up from the sofa. "What took you both so long?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Matteo casually opened his mouth. "I was having a—"

"Your brother was crying so hard!" Adrian practically shouted, cutting Matteo off in a panic. "I couldn’t help it! I stayed with him inside the car until he stopped crying. He was just so emotional!"

Matteo stared at Adrian in absolute disbelief. What did you say?

Maxwell’s gaze narrowed suspiciously, his eyes landing squarely on the massive, dark purple hickey blooming on the side of Adrian’s neck. "Oh, really?" Maxwell asked dryly. "Then what is that?"

Adrian didn’t miss a beat. Keeping a perfectly straight, serious face, he put on an act of deep pity. "Maxwell, your brother is just very emotional. He hugged my neck so tightly, crying uncontrollably on my neck... with his teeth. It was a lot to handle, but the good thing is, he’s fine now."

Matteo stood frozen, entirely amazed by how smoothly Adrian was lying straight to his brother’s face.

Maxwell clearly couldn’t be played. A knowing, highly amused smirk spread across his face as he opened his mouth to interrogate them further. But Adrian wasn’t about to stick around and get caught.

Blushing furiously and embarrassed beyond belief, Adrian grabbed Matteo’s arm. "Sorry, Maxwell! I will take your brother upstairs to rest first. Let’s talk later!"

Maxwell nodded, grinning widely as he watched them flee.

Adrian walked as fast as his sore legs could carry him, practically dragging Matteo toward the stairs. Trailing behind his spoiled brat, Matteo couldn’t help but smile. He kept his head down, letting out a low, muffled chuckle, knowing that if he laughed out loud, he’d be dead. Together, they hurried up the stairs and disappeared into the safety of their bedroom.

The moment the door clicked shut, Adrian locked it tight and let out a long, dramatic sigh. He whirled around to face Matteo, hands planted on his hips. "What were you about to say out there earlier?"

Matteo leaned against the doorframe, a teasing glint in his eye. "I was just trying to tell him we were having a private conversation."

Adrian rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine."

"Since when did you start getting embarrassed, anyway?" Matteo asked, his lips twitching with amusement.

"I’m not embarrassed," Adrian muttered, crossing his arms. "It’s just... he’s your brother. Not everything needs to be shared with him, especially something as private as our sex life." He looked up, his tone softening slightly as he searched Matteo’s face for agreement. "I think some things should stay between us. What do you think?"

Matteo stepped closer, his expression tender. "I completely agree with you."

"Good." A satisfied smile touched Adrian’s lips.

Adrian walked deeper into the bedroom while Matteo watched him with a quiet smile, silently amused. He didn’t laugh out loud. Instead, he turned away from the door and walked over to the sofa. Sitting down, Matteo picked up his phone and dialed Mark’s number. Once the call connected, he didn’t hold back. He told Mark everything that had happened with their mother earlier that day.

Mark listened patiently to Matteo’s emotional outpouring. When Matteo finished, his voice came through the speaker, calm and steady.

"I understand, Teo. Don’t rush to forgive her just because you feel like you have to. Forgive her only when your heart is truly ready. Until then, don’t put too much pressure on yourself."

"Thanks, bro," Matteo murmured.

"Anytime," Mark replied.

After ending the call, Matteo rose from the sofa and walked over to the bed. He tossed his phone aside before climbing onto it and wrapping his arms around Adrian from behind.

Adrian had been scrolling through his phone, frantically browsing engagement ring designs and proposal ideas. But the moment he felt Matteo’s arms around him, he quickly locked the screen and hid the phone before turning around to bury his face against Matteo’s chest, wrapping his arms around him in return.

Just like that, they spent the rest of the day completely shut away from the world, safely wrapped in each other’s arms.

The next day arrived, bringing with it a quiet sense of excitement. By early afternoon, Adrian and Maxwell stepped out of the estate and climbed into the waiting car.

As the vehicle smoothly pulled out of the driveway, Maxwell glanced over at Adrian. "So, did you figure out his ring size yet?"

Adrian nodded, a sly, triumphant smile spreading across his face. "Yes, I got it."

Maxwell’s smile turned mischievous as he leaned closer, lowering his voice to a teasing whisper. "Perfect. I can’t wait to see my older brother’s face when you propose to him."

Adrian’s breath hitched, his smile melting into a deep blush as he shot Maxwell an embarrassed glare and playfully smacked his arm. "Stop teasing me, Max!" he groaned. "Besides, I hope he actually loves it. I just realized your brother only wears custom-made jewelry."

Maxwell chuckled and leaned back against the plush leather seat. "Don’t worry. I know a place that specializes in completely bespoke pieces. Whatever design you’ve got in mind, they can bring it to life."

Adrian’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? Then let’s go there."

"Alright," Maxwell replied with a grin, then gave the driver the address. With everything settled, the driver pressed down on the accelerator, and the luxury car whisked them toward the high-end shopping district.

Not long after, the vehicle glided to a stop in front of the boutique. Before Adrian and Maxwell got out, two bodyguards climbed out of the vehicle behind them and moved ahead to secure the path.

They walked into the lavishly appointed boutique, where a senior jewelry consultant immediately stepped forward to greet them.

Maxwell gently nudged Adrian. "Go ahead. Tell them what you have in mind. If they don’t have a sample that matches your vision, just describe the exact design you want. They can custom-make it for you. We can even have both your names and Matteo’s engraved inside the bands."

"Alright," Adrian murmured, casting a critical eye over the velvet-lined display cases. When nothing on display quite captured the vision in his head, he turned back to the jeweler and began describing every detail. He explained the exact width of the band, the setting of the stones, and the custom inscriptions he wanted engraved along the inside of the rings.

After answering a barrage of technical questions, the jeweler nodded respectfully.

"We can certainly have them ready for you in a week, sir."

"I need them in three days," Adrian said firmly, placing a card on the counter. "Whatever the rush fee is, charge it."

With the transaction finalized and the receipt safely tucked away, they stepped back out into the sunlit avenue. They spent the next hour moving from one exclusive boutique to another. Adrian eagerly picked out several tailored outfits for Matteo, along with a few new additions for himself, while Maxwell browsed the racks as well. By the time they finally called it a day, the two bodyguards trailing behind them were carrying armfuls of designer shopping bags.

Letting out an exaggerated sigh, Maxwell turned to Adrian. "My feet are killing me, and my stomach is begging for food. I’m starving."

Adrian laughed softly. "I’m not familiar with the restaurants around here."

Maxwell grinned. "Don’t worry. I know an incredible restaurant just around the corner. Let’s go refuel."

"Sounds perfect," Adrian agreed, running a hand through his hair.

They climbed back into the car, and the driver whisked them to the nearby fine-dining restaurant. Once inside, they were escorted to a private booth near the back. After settling into the plush seating, they opened the leather-bound menus and took a few moments to browse the selections before signaling a waiter to place their order.

While waiting for the food to arrive, the low murmur of the restaurant faded into the background as they discussed the proposal decorations and venue. Maxwell watched with an amused smile as Adrian eagerly mapped out every little detail, a grin of excitement spreading across his face.

Not long after, their food arrived, beautifully plated and rich with aroma. They enjoyed the meal, chatting easily between bites. Once they finished, Maxwell wiped his mouth with a linen napkin and stood. "I need to use the restroom. Give me a minute."

"Alright," Adrian replied. "I’ll head out and wait by the car."

Maxwell nodded. "Okay. I won’t be long."

Adrian stepped out into the crisp air and made his way toward the vehicle parked outside. Before he reached the door, his phone buzzed in his hand. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Matteo—calling because Adrian had left his messages hanging for the last hour.

Adrian swiped to answer, a soft smile touching his lips. "Hey, baby."

"Where are you?" Matteo’s deep voice came through the speaker, laced with a hint of impatience and concern. "You’ve been ignoring my texts."

"I’m fine, babe. I’m not ignoring you. I’ve just been a little busy," Adrian assured him, leaning against the side of the car. "We’re just wrapping up a few errands. We’ll be home soon."

"Alright," Matteo murmured, his voice softening. "Hurry back to me."

"I will, Daddy," Adrian replied with a smile.

As the call ended, Adrian slipped his phone into his pocket and looked up just as another car pulled into the parking lot. The door swung open, and James stepped out. He wasn’t alone. Another man climbed out right behind him, his arm wrapped firmly around James’s waist as if he had no intention of letting go.

James caught sight of Adrian standing beside the luxury vehicle and immediately stiffened, his eyes widening. "Boss!"

Adrian turned fully toward them, raising an eyebrow. "James?"

James took one of the man’s hands as they hurried over, offering respectful nods. Even then, the stranger’s other arm remained firmly wrapped around James’s waist.

"Boss, how have you been?" James asked with a smile.

Adrian didn’t answer the question. Instead, he shifted his gaze from James to the other man, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Tilting his head slightly, he asked, "Is this your boyfriend?"

A bright blush spread across James’s face as he glanced at the man beside him. "Yes, Boss."

"Well, well, well... that didn’t take you long."

A smooth, amused voice came from behind them.

Adrian and James turned at the sound of the voice.

Maxwell was walking toward them with an easy grin, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.

James’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Maxwell?"