Chapter 17 Unbuttoned truth
But Alex didn’t wait. He didn’t look back. His hands trembled as he drove off, his jaw clenched tight enough to snap bones.
That night, Nathan called repeatedly. His nonstop text messages were filled with apologies, explanations, and pleas.
Alex ignored every one of them and drove to a quiet bar, rage bubbling under his calm exterior as he drowned himself in whiskey shots.
Hours later, the bartender called him to report that Nathan had shown up on the other side of the same bar, drunk out of his mind, causing a scene, crying and slurring apologies to an invisible Alex.
Despite the pain, Alex went and picked him up. Took him home, cleaned him up, and even stayed by his side as he threw up everything he drank.
On waking up with remorse, Nathan spilled everything, explaining how the ex showed up unexpectedly, how it “just happened,” how it meant nothing, how it was a “mistake.”
Alex had listened in silence. Then, finally, he said, “I forgive you,” with open arms, hugging him with pecks on the forehead. But deep down, something in him had already changed.
Forgiveness didn’t equal trust. And trust, for Alex, had already cracked. That was one thing he couldn't give a second chance to.
Insecurity crept in like a silent fog, cold and heavy. He found himself pulling away, growing distant, unsure if he would ever look at Nathan the same way again. Fear of going through another experience related to James’s betrayal.
That night might have salvaged their connection on the surface, but beneath it, Alex had already grown cold feet. However, he tried not to be harsh on him.
Anyways, back at the office, Nathan kept pleading, his voice softer now, laced with desperation. “Alex… please, just look at me. I know I messed up. I just want to fix things.”
Alex sighed, finally lifting his gaze to meet Nathan’s. Those familiar blue eyes locked with his—and for a brief moment, his mind flicked to the night before… to that stranger with the same eyes who had called him ‘cutie’. Then hours ago, he disappeared into the traffic.
Alex’s chest tightened. As he stared at Nathan, he couldn't give him the smile he needed. Raising a hand, gently, he stroked Nathan’s cheek, his voice calm but distant. “Nathan, I just had a lot on my plate. I needed space to sort myself out. I don’t want to—”
Knock knock.
Alex’s words were cut short by a knock on the door.
He turned toward it, relieved. “I need to attend to this. We’ll—”
But Nathan was already crossing his arms on his chest, pouting like a child who didn’t get dessert.
“I’ll wait,” he said quickly, his voice determined. Without waiting for a response, he sauntered toward the far end of the office where a plush sitting area was set up. He flopped onto one of the couches, dramatically turning his back to the desk.
Alex resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He adjusted his shirt collar and called out, “Come in.” as he headed to his desk.
Dan stepped in, sharp as ever in his dark suit.
Alex raised a brow, the stress still lingering in his voice. “Dan… don’t tell me you’ve joined the gossipers who call me the wicked CEO now, huh?”
Dan smirked, “Come on, big guy, wicked CEO?” Dan chuckled, closing the door behind him. “That’s too harsh for a gentleman like you. Sure, your temper’s legendary, but it doesn’t make you wicked.”
He walked over, dropped a sleek laptop on Alex’s desk, and flicked it open. “Besides, I know you’ve been itching for answers all day. Let me show you what I found.”
Alex crossed his arms, watching silently as Dan tapped a few keys. The footage began to play—grainy clips from Club Unite’s interior cameras. Dan had trimmed the useless parts and zoomed in on the suspicious scenes. He’d done his homework.
“Here,” Dan said, pointing. “That’s when the guy’s cocktail was switched. And this, this masked guy was responsible for spiking yours. You have even sipped a little out of it before Annie finished it off.”
Alex leaned forward, tension tightening in his jaw. “Play it again,” he ordered.
They watched it twice, then Dan clicked to another clip.
Alex's brows furrowed deeper with each frame, then he slammed his palm on the desk. The echo startled even Nathan on the couch.
“Damn it,” Alex growled. “Why are both cowards in masks? No clear face, no fingerprints. We have them on tape, and still they’re damn near ghosts.”
Dan nodded, frustrated too. “They knew exactly what they were doing.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “I want to talk to that girl—the one who handed the cocktail to that guy. I’m not letting her walk until I squeeze something out of her.” Alex stood up and started pacing.
Dan blinked. “Wait, the guy who got drugged? Do you know his name?”
“No,” Alex muttered, pacing. “I only knew that his father orchestrated it. I’m sure of it now. That same bastard hired the man in the face cap. And I’m convinced this isn’t the first time they’ve spiked his drink.”
Dan stood straighter, tension rising. “This might not be just a plank, it might be bigger than we thought.”
Alex stopped pacing, eyes burning. “Start with that girl. And for the juice, I need you to trace those two guys. I want names, addresses, their work, in fact, I want everything on them.”
“Alright, boss, we will find them, but it will take days since we don't know their names and their faces were hidden,” Dan responded, reaching for the laptop.
“And one more thing…” Alex added, his tone sharper now, eyes flicking up. “That brown-haired guy—the victim. I need everything on him. Full name, background, contacts… whatever you can find.”
Dan’s hand paused mid-zip. He raised an eyebrow, giving Alex a pointed look. “Developing interest in another brown-haired beauty, huh?”
Alex's eyes narrowed. “Dan, that’s none of your business. Just do your job and get me the damn details.”
Dan smirked, stepping back with a mock salute. “Alright, boss,
Message received. I’m on it and will keep you updated.”
With that he exited with an easy swagger, the door clicking shut behind him.
Alex exhaled, finally sinking back into his chair. The tension in his chest hadn’t gone away. He leaned back, fingers subconsciously drifting to the pendant at his neck as his mind drifted to his mystery guy. The brown curls, the flushed look, the moment their eyes met.
Alex let out a long breath and ran a hand down his face. There was no space in his life for half-hearted love, not when the mystery brown-haired guy had left a mark deeper than kisses ever could.
“Dan, you'd better find him,” Alex whispered under his breath. “Because I won’t let him slip through my fingers again.”
Lost in thought, he didn’t notice Nathan moving until he heard the quiet click of the lock. Nathan has locked both of them inside the office.
Alex stiffened, lifted his eye, and saw as Nathan crossed the room, eyes locked on him with a soft, sultry gaze. “Nathan… what are you doing?”