He looked at the papers on his desk, he had kept them close for over a week and still believed that everything that had happened that night had been just another dream, however, Adrien's indifference and coldness brought him back to reality suddenly. He was no longer the person who followed him, he was no longer the person who longed for and smiled every time he brought her a rose and put it on her desk.
Apparently, they had returned to the same thing as more than four years ago: being complete strangers. But, there was a difference: Adrien no longer kept his gaze on him, he no longer greeted him with a huge smile and much less made an effort to talk to him. Adrien seemed to be forgetting about him.
Of course, he had wished countless nights for that day to come. He wished that Adrien Gautier would become disenchanted with him and push him aside, so he could return to his solitary routine, but now that he had achieved it, it was not as satisfying as he had imagined. He didn't feel happy, nor did he feel like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Instead, he was in a bad mood every day, filling himself with work and overtime to be as tired as possible and sleep for four or five hours, otherwise he would spend sleepless nights thinking about the same thing over and over again.
Subject that had a name and surname: Adrien Gautier.
“Sir, remember that you have a meeting with Judge Gautier today, I'll set aside time for lunch,” the kind secretary reminded him, opening the door slightly.
Carlo nodded and motioned for her to leave and close the door, she had surely been knocking and he hadn't even heard her. She put her elbows on the desk and covered her face with her hands, letting out a huge sigh that echoed throughout the office.
“Shit, Adrien, you're a fucking nuisance even when you're not here.”
...----------------...
Carlo knocked lightly on the door three times and heard the elderly voice on the other side: “Come in,” he said. Carlo made sure to straighten his tie before entering.
“Son, how are you?” the judge asked from the other side of his desk without looking up from the folder in front of him.
“Let’s just say I’ve had better days.” Carlo walked to the confectionery table in the corner and poured two cups of black coffee, walked to the desk and left one in front of the Judge.
“I would like to ask, but I know the reason for that.” The judge looked up and thanked him for the coffee, after taking a sip he closed the folder and put it aside. Gautier put his hands crossed on the desk and looked at Carlo. “When my wife was alive we also argued, sometimes she sent me to sleep in the living room, but…”
“Judge,” Carlo interrupted, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but… things with Adrien are too complicated.” I know you care about us, but it's not necessary, really.
"I understand, but..."
"Listen to him, Grandpa," Adrien's voice came from the front door. Carlo tensed and the judge looked up. Adrien walked over to them and took the free spot next to Carlo. He sat up straight, with his legs crossed and his hands resting on the armrests. "I told you before, these are our problems and we know if we solve them or not." Carlo furrowed his eyebrows and glanced at Adrien. He didn't want to. He swore he didn't want to see him. But he couldn't help it. Or he didn't want to.
Adrien was wearing a black turtleneck, a blazer of the same color, dress pants, and leather shoes, all in black, highlighting his pale skin. He was wearing a silver necklace with a small pendant, his jet black hair shining under the light from the spotlight on the ceiling, with a perfect nose and well-formed eyebrows, as well as long, curly eyelashes. It had been a long time since I saw him in such detail, but now that I looked at him properly, the title of “Ice Prince” didn’t suit him badly.
“From what I see, neither of you seem like an adult or responsible for your mistakes and feelings,” the judge’s words made Carlo look back at the front. The old man seemed a little disappointed, although he managed to hide it very well. “You treat each other worse than strangers, Adrien, you didn’t even greet him and you, Carlo, don’t dare to greet him either, even when you’re seeing him secretly.” Carlo tensed in his place upon hearing those words. He didn’t expect the judge to have noticed his gaze.
—That's partly because Mr. Mancini hates my presence —Adrien said before Carlo could answer—, Isn't that right, Carlo? —he questioned turning his gaze towards him. Carlo never thought that obsidian eyes could look so cold, distant and cute at the same time. He was going to answer, but Adrien spoke again first—, so, avoiding him, is only as a show of... affection?, you know grandpa, to avoid making him uncomfortable.
—With that you only reinforce my point, Adrien. Both of them have been together for years, I don't know what happened, but they can't keep behaving like teenagers, I've never seen them be so immature. —Carlo remained silent and Adrien too. Neither of them had explained that this "relationship" was nothing more than a signed sheet.
—Grandpa, actually we…
—I'm sorry, Mr. Gautier, I assure you that we will fix this and everything will be normal again —Carlo said suddenly, making Adrien open his eyes in surprise and turn to look at him. He was thinking of complaining, but before he could do so, his grandfather interrupted him.
—Very well, that's what I wanted to hear —he said with a smile as he picked up the phone—, Ross, bring the food, please —then he hung up—, let's eat and talk quietly. —The judge, Carlo and Adrien stood up and walked towards the small round dining room in the office. Carlo, as usual, moved the chair for Adrien to sit down, and although he looked at him in a bad way, he thanked him, making his grandfather smile with satisfaction—. I don't want you to think that I'm pressuring you, well, just a little, but it's because I care about you. —He mentioned while grabbing the cutlery.
Adrien remained silent, but he wanted to kill the person next to him. Something inside him made him boil, a mixture of pain, frustration and an irrational desire to hit something or someone. Every word Carlo spoke made him feel like his heart was twisting in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm out of respect for his grandfather.
"Are we going to fix it? Fix it, what? You huge idiot" thought Adrien.
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