Chapter 36 - Tears were beating his stony heart softly

"How dare you..." Lily struggled against his firm grip and tried to push him away. Her hands drummed on his chest. Suddenly her eyes became glassy and slowly round tears dripped down her cheeks.

Anger and something that Alexandre could not recognize was reflected in her gaze. In Alexandre's chest spread this inexplicable heaviness. He stared at her in silence for a moment.

He wanted to keep his levelheadedness. But her glassy eyes threw him completely off track. All his anger disappeared, as if it didn't even exist in the beginning. He did not know why he even was angry. Everything seemed forgotten. But when she sobbed loudly, his chest tightened. A tightness that made him fight for every breath. Something broke in him.

Alexandre pulled her close and pressed her to his chest. She tried briefly to fight him, writhing in his arms. But he held her until she gave up. Until she accepted his closeness. It was a strange feeling, but not a bad one. He had never consoled a woman. Usually he did not have to. Women were comforted by his nice gifts.

He felt guilty after he thought she was crying because of him. "Lily."

He stroked her soft hair timidly. It smelled of peonies. Delicate and sweet, like her. Her body was soft. She looked so delicate in his arms, as if she could break under his hands. He closed his eyes to stop yearning for her beautiful body. He felt helpless. Lost. "Please, look at me." Alexandre put his hand under her chin and gently raised it. Tears glistened on her red cheeks. The throbbing in his chest became heavier. She shook her head, wanting to shake off his hand. Shame were hidding in her eyes. "Let go of me."

His grip tightened. "I don't want to. I want to talk to you right now." His voice sounded desperate, almost helpless.

"I ... I .." A fresh barrage of tears rolled down her face. "What ... what do you want?" Her voice trembled.

"Please, talk to me."

"I've already said everything." Lily bit her trembling lips, "I don't know how to trust you anymore."

"Trust me. I swear I'll do things different this time." He felt tired. Desperate and confused. Alexandre did not know where, these feelings came from. But at that moment, he felt like trying to promise her everything, just so he would not have to feel guilty anymore. But the flood of tears only became denser. Her sobs gained strength.

Suddenly the door swung open and his second little roommate entered the room. His little hands rubbed over his red eyes. "Lily ?!" Adrien sniffed. Round tears streamed down the toddler's face as he approached uncertainly.

Adrien pressed his small palm on Alec's leg. "A..Alec ...?" He cried. "Don't hurt Lily." He looked silently at the little guy. "I won't!" Alexandre protested desperately, before pulling the little boy into his arms and holding Lily in his other. He heard the desperate sobs of his little family and felt helpless. He could not act, as usual. The two were not a business partner. He could fire or calm down with a bonus. He looked lost at the two figures in his arms. He had never been in a similar situation before. How was he supposed to comfort two people? He was lacking in words. Unable to withstand their cries, he pulled her closer to his chest.

"Shh .." he kissed them quietly on the forehead. He wanted to console them.

"Alec ...?" The word came out sounding like a sob. Alexandre looked at Adrien with a gentle gaze, giving a sigh before carrying them to a sofa nearby.

Lily curled up next to him. His shirt was wet with tears. He gently stroked her hair and patted Adrien's small back, hoping that the tender motions would eventually get them to calm down.

"I'm sorry. Everything will be alright" He promised. Adrien wrapped his little arms around Alexandres neck and was holding onto him firmly.

He did his best to hush the cries that continued to fill the room. While Alexandre was a powerful businessman, he had never learned to care about his fellow human beings. Everything was always served on a golden plate in front of him.

After ten minutes of failed attempts. He was sure he'd tried everything. Pacing. Comforting. Rocking.