flashback 4

"Come here," Alex pulled her back on the couch and raised her face with his hand, making her look into his eyes.

"Tell me what happened, why are you suddenly so emotional?" He asked, but deep down, he wished it was the right question. He's struggling inside course he usually run away from scenes like this. 

"I was scared, those guys also said sweet words, they all look as sincere as you look right now, they look like they couldn't wait to see me again; but in the end, they stayed away from me, some embarrassed me when i approaches them." Stella said, and sniffed, "will you leave as well? are you for real or is this still some kind of a joke? I'm scared, course I think I really fell for you yesterday, i don't want you to leave, I.. I don't think I can still maintain my nonchalant facade if you do." she added.

Alex frown slightly, 'thinking about it, how come the so called brother got hold of his contact info so fast? Could it be that he has been toying with a girl's feeling all this while? All for his selfish reason of wanting her?' He thought.

"Hey!" he raised Stella face back up; as she was already looking away, "Are you sure you fell for me?" He asked.

Stella nodded her head and soon found herself in a hot kiss, which made her almost forgot how she had embarrassed herself by losing control of her emotions a while ago. 

She gasped for air as Alex pulled back, her chest heaving up and down; that was unexpected.

"I will never leave you Stella, I'm a man of my word, so have some confidence in yourself. I'm not someone who fancy women, but I felt something I've never felt before when our eyes met yesterday, I'm gonna hold onto it and cherish it". He said and pulled her into his arms, his heart beating really fast.

Feeling the beating of his heart, Stella felt her adrenaline rush, as her heart beat in response, "This is love." She said.

Alex smiled at her word, while Stella bit her lower lip hard. She meant to say that in her mind, but ends up speaking it out loud.

They chatted more and asked about things they were curious about each other, Alex teased her about the safe sex case he saw, and laughed uncontrollably when Stella admitted it was her mother's handiwork.

Everything went smoothly and he dropped her off at her house, after promising to call or drop messages to make her feel assured that he plans to stay.

Alex thought everything was fine, that maybe he was wrong about Shane until his family business started going through some problems. Their projects got snatched by Shane's company and other threatening issues like hacking of their company server and many more.

Alex got very busy and just like Shane wanted, he didn't get to meet with Stella anymore; course when he's done dealing with a certain issue, another arises. But being a man of his words; he dropped messages for her, no matter how busy he was. 

Alex made his research and later found out the reason behind it, he was flabbergasted by the length Shane went just to make him stay away from a woman, he had this bad feeling that such person is capable of killing, just to get what he wants.

He counter his attack, and they both began their vice president status fight, but their are limits to how Alex can fight back; as he doesn't own the company yet. Shane on the other hand have the full support of his father to do as he pleases, also because they are involved in the underground dirty business.

Shane was having fun, going all out and even poaching some of Alex's important staff. While Alex is being careful; as his father is getting worried about it.

His father lose confidence in him and take matters into his own hand. Originally, he planned to make Alex succeed him if he could deal with the problems. But things are getting out of hand, the shareholders faiths are crumbling, they are demanding an explanation.

When his father finds out it's because of a woman; as Shane directly contact him to make his son give up on his woman, if they want peace. He got angry with Alex, but knowing how strong headed Alex was; he knew trying to make him give up with fatherly talk won't help. So instead, he requested that he leave for their branch in New York City, which Alex did without suspecting a thing. 

He believed, his father had his reasons; as he always trusted him with important things. Shane relaxed his nerves after Alex left, even though it seems like he was having fun; he was actually scared of losing Stella.

None other women interest him, he didn't even spare them glances. He had no idea why he's so obsessed, course despite Stella being a very attractive lady, there are others with better look, yet he only sees them as tools.

He was raised to control, raised to be a leader, raised to rule. The only person he wishes to acquire, the only person his heart and soul craves for is Stella, she's the only being he didn't feel superior to.

Her sweet smile made him feel real, he really wanted her and he swore to have her no matter what. 

He contacted Alex father because his company is also starting to feel Alex counter attack, if not for his father complete trust in him, he might have interfered. 

Even though his family is close to Stella's, to his parent, it was all lies; as they do not care about them. He knew this and didn't care about them as well. At least he's different from his parent; pretending to care on the outside but didn't on the inside. If he didn't like someone, he makes the person realises it and stayed away from them.

Alex is a strong opponent to him, as he didn't waver, despite the loss his enterprise suffered from, but now it's over, Stella is free from men again, she will soon realise that he's the only one for her.

Shane breathe a sigh of relief and dialled Stella number, his sources of warmth, the only person that brought a smile to his face, aside from watching people that crossed him got tortured.

"Brother, how are you?" Stella voice came through. Just as how Alex has been super busy, Shane was busy as well. Alex still made sure to drop messages but it's been a while she spoke with Shane.

Mel has left for another town after her marriage to Tony; as Tony succeeded his father business immediately after his marriage. He's now a busy man and didn't have time to talk with Stella, he only asked his wife to greet her on his behalf.

She missed them so much, but knew she would be seeing them soon; as it's near time for Mel to give birth. Now that Alex has travelled, it's only her brother left in town with her.

"I'm good and you?" Shane replied, already having a gentle smile on his face. 'she's my joy.' He said to himself. Hearing her voice alone calm his heart.

"I'm good too," she replied him cheerfully, not realising the kind of person her assumed brother was.

"Can't you love me as a man? We are not blood related. Can you look at me and not see a brother, but a man worthy of you?" Shane suddenly asked.

Stella felt her skin crawl with the tone in which he uttered those outrageous words. She's used to this and already considered it some kind of anthem, but the tone this time scares her. It doesn't seem like a joke or teasing, she felt there is more to it.

Instead of replying to him like a cute angry sister like she used to, "brother let's meet, where are you?" She asked.

Shane felt his heart skipped, 'she finally realised it?' He thought with butterflies in his stomach; as Stella didn't argue like she used to. "I'm in my office, where are you? I will come." He said.

Stella frown her face on the other side of the line at the excitement in his tone. "I will be in your office in a while." She said and hung up.

She needs to clarify things with him, she's really tired of ridiculousness. It's starting to scare her.