Chapter 14
His words were clipped, full of intent, like he was plotting something in his mind. It wasn't clear, but the unease in his voice was unmistakable.
"I need information on a man named Steven. I sent you his picture," he continued, his tone cold, almost threatening. I felt my heart race at the mention of Steven's name.
No one who troubles you will remain standing, the thought echoed in my mind, a sense of dread creeping in. It was like he was preparing for something I didn't understand.
"You must stay in your best state… so I can be the one to destroy you," I thought I heard him whisper. The words didn't make sense, but the chill in my spine told me it wasn't just a passing thought.
I felt him pull me into his arms, wrapping me tightly against him. I was too drowsy to resist, so I surrendered to the comfort of his warmth, letting myself fall back into sleep in his embrace.
---
The next morning, I came down the stairs rubbing my eyes, still half asleep. What was all this noise? Why were their laughter and voices echoing all the way to my room? I paused, trying to make sense of the situation, and then it hit me—I hadn't been sleeping alone in bed. Wait... was he holding me while I slept?
"No, no way!" I cried out loud, my eyes wide in disbelief. My outburst caught the attention of a maid walking through the corridor.
"Is everything alright, ma'am?" she asked.
I didn't respond; instead, I hurried downstairs, desperate to understand what was happening. The voices in the living room were filled with warmth, laughter—something I hadn't felt in a long time. But what I found there wasn't what I expected.
Before I could make it to the living room, I felt fingers pull me back by the waist. He was standing there in his sports attire, his body covered in sweat, a black headband across his forehead. That smile of his, mischievous yet somehow comforting, sent a strange warmth through me. I took a deep breath as my gaze lingered on his perfectly sculpted figure, trying to ignore the way my pulse quickened.
"Good morning, my lovely wife," he said, his voice soft as he tucked a messy strand of hair behind my ear.
I blinked, feeling disoriented. "It's four in the morning. Have you all lost your minds? Who makes this much noise at this hour?" I muttered, still struggling to process everything.
But his hold on me only tightened. "Teal, I'm taking this marriage seriously. I don't know if you feel the same way, but I do care about you," he said, his dark eyes softening as they met mine.
The sincerity in his gaze caught me off guard. Was he telling the truth? Did he really mean it?
"Teal, sweetheart! Come watch this program. It's a comedy; you'll die laughing!" My mother's voice called out from the living room.
But here he was, standing so close to me, his lips dangerously close to mine.
"Alex... my mom's calling me," I whispered, turning my face away just in time to avoid his kiss.
"It's fine. Your mom won't be here forever," he said, stepping back a couple of steps.
I really had no plans of getting entangled with him—or falling in love, at least not this soon. After all, I still hadn't gotten over Steven.
---
Alexander's Point of View:
"I don't want to talk about Alexander, please. Who even cares about him? His attitude and the way he treats us are cruel," said my older sister. She had just finished nursing her baby. I know it's wrong to eavesdrop, but what choice do I have when their voices are so loud? Even before entering the famous Apex mansion, they had already turned it into a vegetable market with their chatter.
"It's his grandfather's funeral, and he didn't even bother to come. I have no idea what goes through his mind. His grandfather's only wish was to see him on the wedding platform, and that fool couldn't even grant him that," Aunt Bora said. Well, being the youngest and most domineering, her word is always final. She only listens to my sister, though.
Grandfather's death... Why didn't anyone inform me? I glared at my assistant, who denied having any information. Opening the door, I stood before them, anger boiling within me. I hadn't expected the "urgent matter" to be news of my grandfather's death.
"Well, well, look who finally graced us with his presence, Mr. Alexander," my sister's voice trembled with resentment as she glared at me. Teal, her name flashed in my mind as I pushed aside unnecessary thoughts to focus on this tragedy. "No one told you about Grandfather's death because, except for him, no one in the Apex family considers you one of us. Understand?"
Predictable. Aunt Bora didn't waste time attacking me. "What could we expect from someone who didn't even show up to his father's funeral?" she spat.
My sharp gaze turned to my sister. "This is different, Mandy. I don't owe you any further explanation," I said, running a hand through my hair as I exhaled slowly.
"Alexander, we hold you responsible for what happened to Grandfather. I don't know what you told him, but he had a heart attack after reading your letter. That attack led to his death."
Typical of Aunt Bora to blame me for every misfortune. I've grown used to being deprived of familial love. That's why when Bella confessed her love for me, it felt like the world had expanded and become brighter.
But now, things were back to how they used to be. "I didn't travel all the way from New York to Rome just to listen to your petty accusations. Grandfather's death saddens me, but blaming me won't change the fact that he's gone and won't come back," I said, sliding my hand into my pocket.
Bora approached, ready to slap me, but I caught her hand mid-air. "No, Aunt. Save your slaps for someone else—like disciplining your own son," I said coldly.
And there it was—the family drama I had come to expect. No wonder I didn't see that troublemaker, her son, among them. Bora bit her lip in anger. "Damn you, you brute!"