53rd Dawn - From Passion to Love

For some reason, the Baron's son popped out of nowhere like a new contender joining the fight.

"Lillian Daffodil, so you're saying that those sketches you picked up yesterday were intentionally thrown away? And this sister of mine did it?" he started before pacing towards Alessandra with a condescending smirk, hands in his pockets.

"That's plausible."

This cascading chain of events is draining me. I'm not sure why he's here or what he's up to, but he seems to be siding with me all of the sudden.

"So you're joining forces with a stranger now, Alex? You sure got a lot of time in your hands. Father's busy so just save your tantrum for now," Alessandra taunted, glaring at him menacingly.

"Joining forces? What about you, then? You're all clearly ganging up on her. If you want to punish the girl, do it in your office. Why are you showing off in front of these people...?" he trailed off, miffing her more.

"...Oh, right.... I forgot that you do have a thing for public humiliations."

At this, Alessandra finally erupts into a fit of pique. She begins spouting out an earful while he only saunters towards me, ignoring her all the while. Surprised, I just gawk at him as he stands and peers down at me. I then wonder why he's mustering such a smug expression at this situation.

"Also, I'm not here for my old man. I came to get your so-called contract princess."

Everyone has to double take on that.

Flummoxed, I also feel my jaw drop. But then, Alexander didn't leave any more room for retort nor did he wait for a coherent reaction since he suddenly grabbed my hand. He then proceeds to drag me out of the headquarter, leaving Alessandra and the others in dumbfounding silence.

These siblings are somewhat similar, after all. They're both pretty cunning.

For a while, I only let Alexander haul me to wherever his feet lead him to. We finally stop at a park, but even then, I can't seem to calm down. Still baffled, I just sit on a bench and heave an exhausted sigh. Though I'm grateful for the save, I don't feel assured at all.

"What are you scheming now?" I asked, too enervated to face him.

"I came to see you, didn't I say already? Don't act all grumpy now. I just saved you back there," he remarked pompously, much to my annoyance.

"That's strange. I wonder why would you do something like that to a 'weirdo' like me."

At this, Alexander only gives me a look. I'm relieved that I was able to escape that confrontation, but I still can't move on from what he called me yesterday. I was sure that he no longer has anything he wants to do with me after that. He seemed to pick up what I'm going on about when he showed the face of someone who just pieced the puzzle together.

"Okay, I give in... I apologize for my choice of words. I didn't mean to insult you. I was disappointed, that's all," he replied after a brief pause, much to my surprise.

"And also, you're probably right about us being similar. After seeing you earlier, I did find myself in you for a second."

With that, I finally look at him. He's now staring at the cloudless sky with a distant expression. Figure slowly shrinking, he appears as if he's unveiling a mask for the first time in a while. Then, as he suddenly starts confessing his past, I only keep my ears peeled open for him.

"Running a fashion business has always been in our clan's bloodline. Both our parents are fashion designers. However, Mom had to retire early due to a severe illness that eventually ended her life. Since Mom died, our relationship just keeps falling apart until it gets to this point."

Though surprised at this new discovery, I only stare at Alexander with an enlightened expression. This is probably what he means when he asked me not to compare our experiences.

"You see, Mom had a vision that my old man wasn't approved of. That's where I got my current goals. I vowed to carry them out in her place, but again, he wasn't happy about it. That's why after graduating from my apprenticeship under my old man, I immediately took off and strived to be independent. It may look like a family's squabble to everyone, but for me, this is also a fight for my dreams."

Indeed, Alexander isn't really what he seems. I find it admirable how he values his mother and her memories so much. It's as if he's really born for that particular calling.

"Is Miss Alessandra against that vision too?" I questioned, visibly intrigued.

"Not really. She doesn't care much about me. She doesn't even want to be a designer," he answered with a nonchalant shrug, flummoxing me.

"Huh?! Then why did she keep yapping about passion? She's also only second to your father when it comes to skills."

"That's only because she's perfect at everything she does. Jack of all trades, master to none.... And what she's really after isn't me or the company. It's the title of the head of the house, the Baroness."

Then, I gape.

That's quite mind-boggling. Now, I'm convinced that these siblings are both bizzare. The elder wants to inherit the house, while the younger's crazy for his passion. Speaking of titles, Lewis did tell me about a law requiring all heads of the noble houses to be male. Then again, the high society is basically patriarchal. Therefore, even though Alessandra is the eldest child, it'll be Alexander who has to inherit that title.

"So, she's just jealous of you?" I asked, earning a snort from him.

"She has no reason now, though. I mean, I already got disowned and everything. I also don't really care about being a Baron. All I want is to be a fashion designer..."

At this, Alexander justl slumps, a faint smile gracing his features. As a gust of wind passes by, I catch sight of a melancholic glint glazing his half-lidded eyes. That's only when I realize that I probably know too much now. Even then, however, I can't really say I don't need these revelations. If anything, they make me mull over my truest desires and innermost feelings.

"You're really passionate about fashion, huh?" I mused out loud.

"Passionate? What are you saying?"

Puzzled at his answer, I only watch him stand all of the sudden. His back is now facing me while I just keep staring at him in silence.

"I love fashion. That's why I'm doing all these."

At that, my eyes widened in astonishment before eventually softening as I find myself finally enlightened.