5 Not Welcomed

Adam squirmed about in Joel's hold, but he couldn't help but wonder of the man's strength. There was no doubt Joel was tall: likely two meters in height, and certainly towered over him. Yet, to be ambling up two flights of stairs with him in his arms and not looking like he was about to burst a few veins.

"Just how strong is this bastard?" He thought to himself with a grumble. There was no use struggling when he was still recovering his body strength. So he sank further into Joel's hold, with the intention to apply as much weight on the man as possible. If he couldn't break free, he could be as much of a heavy-weight burden.

"Let's see how much of me you can carry up to the last flight." He smirked, thinking of the steep climb to his apartment's landing and its windy length.

Indeed, he noticed some straining on the man's face. But Joel grinned and kept his cool.

"You're a bit heavy for this steep flight." Joel stopped to adjust his hold on the man, drawing him closer to his face and lips. "Why don't you wrap your arms around me? Make it easier for both of us."

Adam gulped, as he couldn't help but relish the warmth from the man's breath, mingling with the sweet cologne he was wearing. He hissed and struggled to wobble out of his hold. "Forget it. I can do it from here."

He ambled up the last few steps to the landing before his apartment door, using the wall for assistance. A groan escaped him when he saw a few suitcases near the door.

"If they're yours, I'm placing them on a Council Clean-up."

How the heck did the man get into his building to park his luggage before his door?

He checked his pockets for his key card and keys, then groaned... again.

"I took the liberty to safeguard your spare keys, on the off chance it may be needed." Joel smugly answered Adam's unspoken question.

"Get you and your luggage out of here. You're not welcomed." Adam defiantly declared.

"Hmph. Is that any way to talk to your boss, and the man who just saved you back here?" Joel yawned, not reacting to Adam's willfulness.

He stood before him and wrapped his arms around the man's waist, which felt a lot skinnier than what he had first thought.

"Villainous man! I quit. Now let me go!" Adam struggled to free himself from the hold, but it only made him feel weaker, and not just because of the drug he had been recovering from.

When he looked into Joel's calm, green eyes, a strange sensation flowed through his body. One that was both terrifying and unexpected. Suddenly, he couldn't move or turn away from the man's gaze.

"Suddenly quiet? You're more gentle looking this way. Or a tad more honest." Joel coolly commented with neither sarcasm nor accusation in his voice; rather, a note of satisfaction.

Adam felt heated again, and had control over his body. "Give me my keys."

Joel waved the key card before him, then pocketed it before Adam could grab it. "Also, I've decided that you quitting T-Strike is no longer an option. I doubt you'd want to be thrust into the media spotlight, which is still having fun writing tales about your uncle."

"Are you threatening me?!"

"Tsk, tsk. Only thugs do that. I'm a CEO. Naturally, I'm full of transparency," Joel said with convincing airs. "While you're employed in our company, we'll give you protection."

"Hmph. Protection. Right. You sound like every other suspect organization." Adam huffed.

Joel frowned and grabbed Adam's face by the jaw, making sure the man could only stare into his eyes. "I and maybe T-Strike may be many things, but we are not suspect nor do we trifle with integrity. There are many things that can be criminal, except for data security and networking capabilities that could affect thousands, if not, millions of lives."

He let go of Adam and turned away to inspect his two large suitcases and a couple of small luggage.

Adam gulped as he rubbed feeling back into his jaw. In all of his years growing up within a cutthroat business family, it was the first time someone of similar standing to his uncle and father had said such a thing. He shook his head, finding it hard to imagine a CEO with genuine integrity. And so far, the Joel he had been seeing had been on par with his image of a typical one. But it was the first time he had had a glimpse of something contrary. Joel was certainly becoming… problematic.

But, whatever, he was tired, and it seemed Joel wasn't going to budge. And as much as he hated the idea of the man staying a square meter in his home, the idea of having media intrusion was a worse thought. It wouldn't take much for some ruthless reporter, like Job Anderson, to connect his involvement and become a parasite to him for an inside scoop.

"Fine. The moment, you annoy me. I quit and you get out. I'm no stranger to underhanded tactics done on me." Adam huffed as he opened his door and stormed inside.

Joel grinned and grabbed the handles of his suitcases to wheel them inside before Adam had a chance to change-mind and slam the door in his face.

"Although, not that it would keep me away." He thought of the key card in his pocket.

He closed the door behind them and began making himself at home.