Chapter 164: What I Am To Be
The heavy steam in the bathroom slowly dissipates, clinging to the tall glass panels in fading rivulets of water.
Outside the shower stall, the bathroom is warm, bathed in the quiet glow of mid-morning light.
Orion steps out first, grabbing a thick white towel to dry his neck and shoulders. He pulls Adrien off the floor and carries him to the bedroom, before placing him down on the bed, all while being glared at.
He does not immediately reach for his own clothes.
Instead, his entire focus shifts toward Adrien. He wraps a plush robe around Adrien’s shoulders, pulling the sash taut around his waist with careful, almost delicate movements.
Every movement Orion makes is deliberate and tender, a stark contrast to the intensity he displayed only minutes ago against the shower glass.
He gathers a soft dry towel, gently rubbing it over Adrien’s brown, damp hair. He works through the strands with his fingers, making sure not a single drop of cold water lingers to chill his skin.
Adrien sits quietly on the edge of the large king-sized bed, letting Orion groom him. He doesn’t pull away, nor does he complain about being handled like a fragile piece of glass.
He simply leans back on his palms, watching Orion through calm, contented eyes, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He enjoys the luxury. He enjoys the quiet, lavish comfort of Orion’s personal estate, but more than that, he enjoys the undeniable shift in their dynamic. Not that he’d ever admit it out loud.
For seven long years, Adrien was the prey. He was the runaway, the boy hiding in alleyways, sleeping with one eye open, constantly terrified of the moment Orion’s shadow would stretch over him again.
But now, as he watches the most feared man in the city kneeling slightly in front of him just to fasten the buttons of his silk shirt, Adrien realizes the nature of their trap has changed.
Orion is still obsessed, yes. That manic, suffocating obsession will never leave his blood. But the focus of that obsession has tilted.
Orion is no longer consumed by the desperate, clawing need to hunt Adrien down and chain him to his side.
His sole, driving focus now is keeping Adrien thoroughly satisfied, comfortable, and completely insulated from the filth of the outside world.
Orion smooths down the collar of Adrien’s shirt, his thumbs lingering against the side of Adrien’s throat, brushing over the faint red marks left behind from the shower.
"You look beautiful," Orion murmurs, his voice low and smooth.
Adrien tilts his chin up, meeting Orion’s gaze with a sharp, biting glint in his brown eyes. "I always look beautiful. You, on the other hand, look like you’re about two seconds away from purring like a house cat."
Orion lets out a quiet chuckle, pressing a soft kiss to Adrien’s knuckles. "If being your house cat keeps you in my bed, I will gladly wear the collar."
"I thought you were going to leash me," Adrien snorts, though his fingers lightly weave through Orion’s hair, resting there for a quiet, affectionate moment.
For the first time in his life, Adrien feels a genuine sense of peace.
The public scandal, the leaked tapes, the endless noise of the world— it all feels miles away, locked outside the gates of this estate.
Orion has somehow built a silent, impenetrable bubble around them, and inside it, Adrien feels almost safe.
Then, three sharp, heavy knocks echo through the solid mahogany door of the master suite.
The brief, domestic warmth in the room vanishes instantly.
Orion’s posture goes rigid. The tender expression on his face hardens, replaced by a cold, distant mask in less than a heartbeat. He stands up smoothly, stepping away from the bed.
"Stay here, duckling," Orion says softly, his tone leaving no room for argument as he walks toward the bedroom door.
He slides the heavy door open just a few inches, stepping into the doorway to block the view of the bedroom behind him.
Standing in the hallway is Marcella, one of Orion’s most trusted, high-ranking people. Adrien recognizes her immediately. He passively wonders how Luca is doing.
The woman is dressed in a sharp black suit, her face pale and stoic, carrying a subtle tension that immediately catches Orion’s attention.
"What is it?" Orion asks, his voice flat, stripped of all warmth.
Marcella bows his head slightly, keeping his voice quiet, though the sharp silence of the hallway allows every word to bleed through the crack in the door.
"Sir, a direct message was just delivered from the main family estate in Greece," Marcella reports smoothly. "Lady Dimitra Vassilis has summoned an immediate family meeting. She expects your presence before the end of the day."
Orion tilts his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Tell my aunt I am busy. She can handle whatever mundane family affairs she wants on her own."
"With all due respect, sir... she anticipated that answer," Marcella replies, taking a small breath. "Her messenger brought a direct verbal command from her. She stated that if you do not arrive in Greece by sunset, she will be forced to act on her own regarding the media scandal and the family registry."
"And she explicitly added that whatever steps she takes next will not be in your favor, nor in the favor of your new spouse."
A cold, dangerous silence falls over the hallway.
Inside the bedroom, Adrien sits up straight on the edge of the mattress. He heard every single word.
Orion’s jaw tightens, a spark of cold fury flashing in his eyes. "Is that so?"
"Yes, sir," Marcella says calmly. "She has already gathered the senior family council at the main estate. She is waiting."
"Understood," Orion says, his voice dangerously quiet. "Prepare the private jet. We leave in twenty minutes."
"Right away, sir." Marcella bows and quickly turns down the hallway, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Orion closes the bedroom door, turning back around to face the room. His expression softens slightly as his eyes land on Adrien, but the tension still lingers around his broad shoulders.
Adrien is already standing up from the bed, watching him closely.
"So," Adrien says, crossing his arms over his chest. "Your aunt is demanding an audience."
Orion walks over to the dresser, pulling open a drawer to grab his watch and coat. "It is nothing you need to concern yourself with, duckling. Just family politics and empty threats from the old hag, who thinks she still holds total control over my movements."
"She didn’t sound like she was making empty threats," Adrien points out, watching Orion adjust the leather strap of his watch. "She mentioned the media scandal. She mentioned our marriage."
"And I will handle her," Orion replies smoothly, stepping toward Adrien and placing his hands firmly on Adrien’s shoulders. "You are not going to Greece. I am having Marcus prepare the jet to take you straight to my private island in the Mediterranean. It is completely isolated and quiet. You can lie on the beach, drink whatever you want, and rest. You do not need to deal with the nonsense of the Vassilis family."
He bends down, kissing Adrien’s forehead with gentle, protective intent. He wants to keep Adrien here, locked safely inside the golden bubble he created.
He does not want Adrien anywhere near Lady Dimitra, nor does he want him anywhere near the violent, messy confrontation that is about to take place in Greece.
Adrien stands perfectly still, letting Orion finish his speech. Then, he reaches up, taking hold of Orion’s wrists, and firmly pushes his hands away from his shoulders.
"No," Adrien says clearly.
Orion blinks, caught off guard. "Adrien— "
"I said no, Orion," Adrien repeats, stepping closer until his chest is nearly touching Orion’s. He looks directly into Orion’s soulless eyes, his expression fierce and devoid of any fear. "I am not going to your private island. I am not going to sit on a beach like some helpless little prize while you go off to face your family."
Orion’s brow furrows, a hint of genuine frustration breaking through his calm facade. "Adrien, you do not understand how my aunt operates. The old hag likes to believe that she is calculating and ruthless. She is the head of this family for a reason. She will use every trick she has to tear you down the moment you set foot in that house."
"There is no reason for you to waste your time subjecting yourself to that."
"There is every reason," Adrien counters sharply, his voice rising with confidence. "Do you really think I survived all these years just to run away and hide in a golden cage the second things get uncomfortable? Seven years ago, I ran. I ran from my family, I ran from the world, and I spent years hiding in the shadows because I thought that was the only way to stay alive."
He pokes a finger firmly against Orion’s chest, his brown eyes blazing with conviction.
"I am done running, Orion. I am your husband now. We signed those papers. If your aunt wants to challenge our marriage, if she wants to talk about my scandal and try to ruin us, then she can say it to my face. I am not going to be the dirty little secret you keep hidden on an island."