The car glided to a stop in front of an exclusive boutique mall. Leo blinked in confusion as Adrian killed the engine and asked him to get out.
Leo quietly followed him inside. He wanted to ask why they were here but fear kept it locked behind his lips. Adrian hadn't spoken to him since draping the jacket over him. But the silence throughout the way wasn't uncomfortable either. It's not like he can contribute anything if Adrian decided to have a conversation with him.
He clutched the oversized jacket around his thin frame, the sleeves were almost swallowing his hands, and the faint woody scent was the only comfort in this terrifying new world. He wasn't a slow walker but he was finding it very hard to keep up with Adrian.
Leo kept his head lowered to avoid the curious stares from the well-dressed shoppers. He couldn't shake the tiny thought in his chest that the other shoppers might look at him and see a beggar instead of a boy just trying his best.
Inside, the mall was very big with marble floors gleaming under crystal chandeliers, air scented with subtle perfumes and fresh flowers, soft classical music drifting from hidden speakers. Staff in uniforms immediately came running towards Adrian as soon as they noticed him. It wasn't always that their boss pays them a visit.
"Mr. Hale! Welcome back," a manager bowed slightly, after a while two assistants rushed back carrying champagne on silver trays. "It's an honor to see you here. How may we serve you today?"
Adrian accepted none of it, his deadpan gaze roamed all over them and ordered. "I need two wedding suits immediately."
The manager's eyes widened briefly in surprise. Wedding suits on such short notice? But she recovered with professional grace. What else could she say anyway? She can't say no to him. If he gives an order, it must be done. If it isn't, someone would definitely disappear from this mall without warning or explanations. So, it's better to just satisfy the devil before he devours everyone's jobs.
"Of course, sir. Right this way to your private salon. We'll have our top designs ready."
Leo trailed behind as they were led to an elevated lounge area. He watched silently and wide-eyed as the staff fawned over Adrian, adjusting lighting for optimal viewing and presenting designs after designs to him. They would be fast enough to compliment him if something caught his eyes.
"Your eye for quality is unmatched, Mr. Hale."
Adrian was treated like a god. Meanwhile, Leo felt like a street urchin who'd wandered in by mistake. His faded sweater and patched jeans stood out starkly against the luxury, he tugged self-consciously at the hem, shrinking into Adrian's oversized jacket. Standing next to Adrian, he looked ridiculous.
Adrian pointed to a suit and turned towards Leo. "I'll take this one. Choose one for him now."
The head tailor turned to Leo with a polite smile. "And for you, sir? What style do you prefer? Classic tuxedo, slim fit, perhaps something modern with a velvet lapel? We also have Italian wool, cashmere blends—"
Leo looked at her in panic as he had no idea what any of that meant. He'd never owned any suits because he never needed one. His mouth opened, but no sound came, only a soft gasp. His hands twisted in the jacket sleeves, his eyes darting wildly as if searching for escape. He shook his head minutely, shoulders hunching, blushing furiously under the attention.
Seeing the boy's paralysis, Adrian intervened without looking up from his phone. "Prepare a matching suit for him. He'll wear what I select."
The staff froze at his words. Matching suits? With him?
A heavy silence swallowed the room. Everyone was aware that their boss never shared anything. Slowly, their eyes shifted to the smaller man beside him and confusion turned to disbelief. Who was he to wear the same suit? To even stand that close to Adrian Hale?
However, the staff could only nod eagerly before scurrying off. Adrian sank onto a sofa in the private waiting area, crossing his legs confidently.
"Sit," he commanded Leo, gesturing to the spot beside him.
Leo obeyed instantly, perching on the edge like a bird ready to flee, and his small frame dwarfed by the jacket even more. He sat rigidly with his hands folded in his lap, rubbing them occasionally for warmth. This was his first time in a place like this, so he was overwhelmed. His gray eyes roamed curiously despite his anxiety, taking in racks of different styles of clothes.
He liked some, like the soft blue sweater but dismissed others as they were too flashy for him. Not that he could ever afford anything here, but if he could he would definitely get that sweater for himself. Blue was his favorite color. A tiny and unconscious sigh escaped as he tilted his head to admire a simple navy coat next.
An attendant soon approached with a tray laden with delicacies. Macarons in pastel colors, chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa, fresh fruit tarts, and artisanal teas.
"Compliments of the house, Mr. Hale," she offered the tray first to him. "Please enjoy while you wait."
Adrian waved it off dismissively, barely glancing up from his phone. The attendant bowed and left the tray on the table, not sparing Leo a direct offer, assuming, perhaps, he was merely an attendant for Adrian.
Leo turned his attention back to the clothes, trying to ignore the tantalizing fragrances wafting from the tray now placed on the low table before them. But his stomach betrayed him with a loud embarrassing growl, echoing in the quiet lounge. Leo's cheeks flamed crimson, he pinched his side hard under the jacket in an attempt to make it stop.
Adrian turned his head and raised a brow as he registered the noise. A humorless chuckle escaped him and watched the color deepened of the boy's cheeks.
"Eat if you're hungry."
Leo's blush worsened and spreading to his ears. Adrian noticed that whenever embarrassed, the boy's face would turn pink.
Interesting, Adrian thought detachedly, filing it away.
But Leo didn't move to eat and shook his head shyly. He doesn't have any money. What if he eat and they demand payment for that? Eyes fixed on his lap, he nervously fidgets with the jacket's zipper.
Adrian sighed faintly in annoyance. Seeing the boy wouldn't budge, he reached over himself, selecting a chocolate dessert tart from the tray and plating it quickly.
He extended it toward Leo without ceremony. "Take it."
Leo's eyes widened, locking on the treat like a starving creature spotting food. He gulped as his mouth watered at the sight, rich ganache atop flaky pastry, topped with a single raspberry. It looked heavenly. His lips parted slightly in awe, a silent exhale escaping as he started at it for a long time. He swallowed the water in his mouth in greed.
Shyly, he glanced up at Adrian, then shook his head again, hands shaking in refusal.
Adrian read the hesitation easily and said. "They're complimentary. You can eat as much as they like. No one will charge you."
That sparked something in Leo's eyes, like a child hearing ice cream is free. His gaze darted back to the tart and his curiosity won over his caution. Adrian felt like he was coaxing a wary stray with treats.
He held the plate until Leo took it. Leo nibbled a tiny corner first. His eyes fluttered shut on their own at the sweetness that exploded on his tongue. It was so good he nearly teared up, the last sweets he had tasted were stale orphanage cookies years ago.
Without wasting time, he began to take small bites and chewed it slowly pausing in between to relish the taste, his cheeks puffing out.
Adrian watched him closely, unable to look away despite intending to. The boy's deliberate, almost reverent eating, small licks of chocolate from his lips, wide eyes lighting with quiet joy, reminded him again of an animal, cautious yet greedy once trust flickered. Watching Leo consume the dessert became oddly more absorbing than whatever the hell Aaron was blabbering about their next big deal.
The suits were ready after an hour. The staff knew his tastes intimately, midnight navy Italian wool, razor-sharp tailoring, no unnecessary embellishments. He changed in the private fitting room in under three minutes, emerging to the usual chorus of praise from the tailors and assistants.
"Exquisite, Mr. Hale."
"The suit fits you perfectly."
"You wear it like it was made for a king."
Adrian ignored their every word, and his expression remained a wall of ice. Flattery was a currency he neither spent nor accepted.
He returned to the lounge and waited. The staff had already taken Leo to a separate fitting room at Adrian's instruction.
Minutes later, the curtain parted and Adrian's thumb paused mid-scroll.
The boy who stepped out was transformed.
The suit was an exact mirror of Adrian's. But on Leo's slender frame it looked almost fragile, tapering at a waist Adrian hadn't previously registered, the trousers breaking cleanly over polished black oxfords that matched his own. The staff had clearly exceeded his instructions.
Leo's previously overgrown and tangled hair had been trimmed into a neat style that framed his freshly cleansed face. Pale skin glowed under the salon lighting. The unkempt street urchin was gone and in his place stood someone almost ethereal.
Adrian's gaze lingered longer than he intended.
The head stylist stepped forward with a proud deference. "We took the liberty of a quick trim and facial refresh, sir. The previous length clashed with the formality of the suit."
Adrian inclined his head once and said nothing. He rose and walked forward until he stood directly in front of Leo. Leo immediately dropped his gaze to the floor, shoulders curling inward as if trying to fold himself smaller. His hands clasped tightly in front of him, fingers twisting the cuff of the jacket sleeve in tiny, nervous circles.
The expensive suit felt foreign and terrifying against his body, he was convinced one wrong movement would ruin it. When Adrian stopped inches away from him, his breath caught in his throat. He stared at their shoes which were identical to Adrian and his heart hammered so violently he was certain Adrian could hear it.
Cold fingers settled beneath his chin and firmly lifted it up.
Leo's eyes squeezed shut instantly. His lips parted in a silent plea as he braced for a blow that never came. A faint tremor ran through him, lashes fluttering against his cheeks.
Adrian studied him in silence.
Up close, cleaned and properly dressed, Leo's features were unexpectedly beautiful, high cheekbones, a small straight nose, full lips. The gray eyes, when open, were large and framed by long dark lashes. There was a gentle beauty Adrian had completely failed to register before. The first meeting was obscured by garish makeup and forced clothes, and the second by tears and kitchen dirt.
Now, stripped of both, the face was almost disturbingly refined.
Adrian was neither straight nor gay, he simply disliked people as a rule. Physical contact or attraction was rare for him and intimacy was almost nonexistent. Yet he found himself cataloging details of Leo's face with quiet precision.
"Open your eyes."
It took several long seconds and when Leo finally obeyed, his gaze was wide and terrified, his lashes still trembling. He looked ready to bolt or beg.
Adrian held the contact without any mercy. "When I speak to you, you have to always look at me. Understood?"
Leo nodded at once, eager bobs of his head, several in rapid succession as if to emphasize obedience. His lower lip caught between his teeth for a split second, an unconscious nibble before he released it.
Adrian released his chin, feeling satisfied with the immediate compliance.
He turned to the manager and after they talked for a while, the manager quickly nodded and ran away, her two assistants following after her. Within minutes staff returned with dozens of neatly packed designer bags.
Adrian gestured towards Leo. "Give them to him."
Attendants transferred the bags into Leo's arms. The sudden weight made his slender frame sway, but he gripped them determinedly. He refused to let a single bag slip and make Adrian angry.
They left the boutique and drove in silence to the registry office. Adrian's influence cleared every queue, the process was quick. When they emerged, they were legally married.
Back in the car, Adrian spoke for the first time since the mall. "The certificate will arrive in a few days. When can you move in with me? I'd prefer sooner. Can you move in tomorrow?"
Leo's eyes lit up at that. He nodded with unmistakable eagerness, head bobbing several times in excitement he obviously failed to hide, hands clutching the seat belt strap so tightly his knuckles paled.
Adrian's mouth curved in the faintest hint of amusement at his reaction. He wasn't expecting the enthusiasm. "It's settled then."
His phone buzzed, it was Aaron confirming the restaurant reservation. Adrian drove to a Michelin-starred venue downtown. Valet took the car while staff bowed deeply as they entered a private VIP room.
The waiter greeted them with a polite smile. "Mr. Hale, your table is ready."
Adrian glanced at Leo, who hovered half a step behind. "Any specific preferences?"
Leo shook his head. He was just grateful Adrian bought him to eat. Now he doesn't have to worry about dinner.
Adrian ordered for both. When the plates arrived, Leo waited for Adrian to start first, he didn't want to be impolite. When he saw Adrian eating, he also started in tiny bites. He finished barely half his plate before he was full. Even though Adrian ordered so much for him, he couldn't eat more. He was used to eating less, so a little bit of food was enough to fill him up.
Adrian noted the minimal intake without comment until dessert, which was a single dark-chocolate soufflé for Leo, and an espresso for himself since he disliked sweets.
Leo's eyes widened at the soufflé. He took the smallest spoonfuls, but finished it whole. He scraped the ramekin clean with quiet thoroughness, spoon gliding along the edges to capture every trace of chocolate. When finished, he set the spoon down, then folded his hands in his lap, sitting straighter as if waiting for a judgment from Adrian.
Meanwhile, Adrian observed him with a raised brow. So the hamster has a sweet tooth.
They left soon after. Adrian drove Leo back to his house. At the curb, he stopped the engine.
"Pack whatever you need and I'll collect you tomorrow."
Leo nodded eagerly again. He was very happy today. Even though he didn't once smile, his happiness could be told by his peaceful expressions. Adrian was nothing like how he expected. He turned out so much better than his family. He never scolded or hit him for making mistakes. He even lets him eat as much as he wants. Leo made sure to always be obedient and useful to Adrian so that he never throws him away after this marriage.
With that determination, he reached for the door handle but Adrian stopped him. "Wait.
Leo paused, frowning in confusion and tilting his head.
"You're forgetting something," Adrain inclined his head toward the back seat, where the dozens of shopping bags remained stacked. "They're yours. Take them with you."
Leo stared at him in pure shock. His eyes rounded, darting from Adrian to the bags and back again. A faint flush rose on his freshly groomed cheeks. So, they weren't for Adrian but him. He thought Adrian asked him to carry them for him. Leo wanted to refuse but seeing Adrian's expression he knew he wouldn't accept no for an answer.
Leo hesitated, then gathered the bags with trembling arms, they were far too many for his small arms. He balanced them awkwardly as he slid out of the car. One bag almost slipped but he caught it against his chest with a huff.
Only when Leo disappeared inside the house did Adrian call Aaron.
"Send me the full report on Leo Ward."