The rest of the night was a blur for Alex. As much as he wanted to ask Edward and Chloe both to leave, he knew removing Edward, a Noble of Sharp Edge, would be political suicide.
So the two stayed, laughing and drinking as they made their rounds through the crowds. Edward made sure to glance at Alex from time to time, giving him a beaming smile when their eyes met. He knew full well what he was doing, and that Alex had no choice but to play along. Alex, for the most part, kept his distance from the pair throughout the night.
But time passed, and the crowd in Alex's home began to dwindle in the early hours of the morning, and soon the three were alone. Alex made no effort to engage either of them and instead made himself busy cleaning up the kitchen and living room. Alex could feel Edward's gaze but didn't dare look him in the eyes.
"Quite the party Alex, and I don't think I mentioned how nice the new house is," Edward said as he watched Alex clean dishes in the kitchen sink.
"Thanks, Edward," Alex replied dryly.
"No, really. I mean it. I'm proud of you," Edward said. Alex had to give him credit, he really did sound like he cared. In that briefest of moments, he sounded like the old Edward. Alex heard a flush from the downstairs bathroom, and Chloe came out to join them. She and Alex caught each other's gaze for a moment, before looking away awkwardly. Edward took a swig of his beer and smirked.
"Jesus, can we just bury this hatchet already?" Edward asked.
"I told you not to bring it up," Chloe said quickly, eyeing Alex apologetically.
"Oh come on. You two look fucking miserable! That night... it was supposed to be a fun thing, it wasn't supposed to go this way. Come on Alex, we were friends once, right? Are we really going to let this misunderstanding get in the way of our friendship?" Edward walked over to Alex, his large frame towering over Alex.
"Is this why you two came? To try and make amends?" Alex asked, still washing the dishes calmly. Both Edward and Chloe spoke simultaneously.
"Yes," Edward said.
"No," Chloe said.
Alex looked up from the dishes and raised an eyebrow. Chloe glared at Edward who simply shrugged apologetically.
"Well, at least now I know you two haven't gotten your story straight behind my back. That's a start at least," Alex said. The three laughed together for a moment.
"Seriously, Alex. All this, it's a huge misunderstanding. Chloe is fucking miserable all the time. You should see the way she's moping around the office these days. And for what? A little slip-up during a fun night? Shit, even I'm miserable... sometimes," Edward said.
"But, she's still your secretary," Alex said, doing his best to hide trembling hands.
"Is that what this is about? The work-wife situation? Look, I did it as a favor to Chloe, alright? Yes ok, the title is questionable, and... yeah ok we did fuck a few times but-"
"Edward!" Chloe hissed.
"Wait wait let me finish! BUT, and this is the big but, bud. She told me it was done, alright? She cut me off and Alex," Edward leaned into Alex, who turned to face him.
"As in, she's done being your secretary?"
"What? No man, she needs the job. Done with fucking me, and I fucking respect that shit. Got it? For her, for you. I fucking respect whatever fucking boundaries she puts up, alright? That means we're not fucking right now, for you!" Edward wobbled on his feet for a moment, Alex could smell the alcohol on his breath as Edward steadied himself by grabbing the kitchen counter. Alex looked at Chloe.
"Is that true?" Alex said. She hesitated a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, it's true. Like I said, that isn't what I wanted. Taking the job, it was never about fucking Edward, Alex. It was about making a better life for ourselves. I was doing it for us," Chloe replied.
"So that's it then, you guys aren't doing anything? You're done with all sex stuff?" Alex's eyes passed to Edward, who looked at Chloe.
"He's your true love, tell him the truth," Edward said.
"Yes Alex, we aren't doing anything," Chloe said. Alex glanced at her, then back to Edward, who gave him a smug grin.
"See? And she's doing that shit for you, Alex!" Edward's words hung in the air. Alex didn't respond right away, which made Edward sigh and shake his head. "Jesus, ok I still don't think you're getting it. Maybe a demonstration is in order. Let me show you what I mean," Edward walked over to Chloe.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Just work with me," Edward said as he stepped close to her side. "You see, this vixen is in love with you SO MUCH, that she won't let me touch her unless you're ok with it." Edward looked her up and down, then looked at Alex. "For example, I can ask her the following: Chloe, can I fondle your tits?"
"No!" Chloe said, looking at Alex nervously.
"You see?!" Edward pointed at Chloe. "She even looks at you to see what you really want! Everything she does, she does for you. But here's the fun part with all this. If YOU say it's cool, if you give her permission to go crazy, then she turns into a fucking animal." Edward paused for a moment, letting his words sink in.
"Now, for the big reveal. For the part you still haven't figured out." he continued, "If I were to ask you the same question. Suddenly everything changes. So, Alex, do you want to see me fondle Chloe's tits?"
Alex was stunned by the question.
"Alex... no. You don't want this, right?" Chloe said, trying to coax an answer out of him. Edward couldn't help but chuckle.