03. Staying For A While

ALERIX

I couldn't take my eyes off him. His eyes were magnetic, attracting me to him and holding me captive. Joe had changed. He looked built now. He was… a man. That reality made dread coil in my belly.

I bit the inner of my cheeks as he quickly masked his shock with indifference. My left eye twitched and I looked away. The air in the room was tense. Almost everyone in the space knew what went on between us. Although he might not know completely, yet, he knew.

“Alerix.” He greeted, with no shock or surprise in his tone.

“Joe,” I mumbled in response.

He went on to tell Alec what he wanted to do and my brother gave him permission to leave. He walked out, not even bothering to look at me while I stared at him.

“Alerix, you should stay over. Our anniversary is in three days.” Alec suggested, trying to ease the tense air.

I bobbed my head. “I would love to but the… you know,” I gave him a sad smile. He knew what I was talking about. My children… I remembered when I had found out about having his kids. It was on the day he had gone with Lestiana to the airport. I wanted to tell him but… the way he longed for her made me give up.

Then Alec had found out the day I left. He had seen the result in my room. It had been so hard explaining to him and stopping him from confronting Joe. He didn't even bother asking me who it was, he already knew who it belonged to. What he did not understand was the fact that Joe was not aware of it and I had wanted it to remain like that.

Alec had been so angry that he wanted to fight with him but I pleaded with him. Since he kept rejecting me, I saw no reason to tell him about the kids. I didn't want them to be the reason we would be together. He didn't love me. He didn't want me. So why tell him?

Maybe that was his price to pay.

I swallowed tight, Micheal offered me his cup of water and I collected it, downing it in seconds.

Alec stared at me with a shadow clouding his features before Elristeya cleared her throat, leaning into her mate and he secured her waist with his arm.

“But you will have dinner with us today. Alec talks a lot about you and I know he is not showing how much he has longed to see you.” She said, looking at her husband with so much love.

I smiled, glancing at my brother who cleared his throat, blinking at her that she should keep quiet. I chuckled a bit. Micheal relaxed on the couch as the couple left us. We didn't say anything. Not that there was anything to say but the atmosphere was tense already, there was no need to add more so Micheal did his part. He told me about some of his business partners who were stubborn and didn't want to work with him.

“That was bad,” I commented, scoffing. He was talking about a partner who had blatantly called him out in the meeting with some shareholders.

He lifted his shoulders in a half shrug. “That is what you get when you are the CEO. Not everyone likes you. I have come to terms with that.” He muttered casually, tapping his knee.

I looked at him and noticed the expression on his face. “I’m sorry I didn't consult you before accepting to wait till dinner.” I apologized.

His brows creased before a funny expression took over his face. He waved his hands. “No, don't apologize. Apparently, your bother doesn't seem to take the fact that you have me close to you kindly.” He grimaced and I winced, remembering the way Alec had been glaring at him like he was the one who rejected me and not his best friend.

I offered him a soft smile. “He didn't mean that, you know.”

He bobbed his head. “I know.”

Hours later, Alec came out, his eyes looking at Micheal who didn't appear bothered. Sometimes I wondered who Micheal was. He had told me he came from a family who only cared about carrying the legacy of the family on from generation to generation. There was nothing special to talk about. I knew he was hiding some things but I didn't want to cross boundaries, I respected them.

Alec took a seat, clamping his palms together. “Okay. Would you introduce yourself properly to me?” He directed a look at Micheal who snorted ridiculously before he sat up.

“As you know, my name is Micheal Hart. I am your sister’s—”

“I want to know who you are.” Alec cut in. “There is no way I would allow a random man to be around my sister especially when she has little kids around her.” His jaw hardened. He always did anytime he thought about me.

Micheal went on to convince him even though I tried to tell him that it was not needed.

Even after everything Micheal had said— the company he owned and where he lived— my brother still found him fishy.

“You need to be careful around him.” He warned me through the mind link before his wife called us that Dinner was ready.

“You should trust him. He didn't hurt me ever since we have been together. At least he is better than Joe.” I snapped through the mind link. He sent a reprimanding glare across at me as we took our seats.

Elristeya had cooked so many dishes. “Since Alerix is back, I contemplated cooking some dishes and ended up with all of these, oops!” She grinned nervously.

I beamed a smile. “They look delicious and,” I picked up the spoon, packed some lasagna, and hummed at the sweet taste. “Taste delicious too,” I added.

Her grin widened in return. Alec leaned up to plant a peck on her cheek. I looked away, not wanting jealousy to eat me up.

He appeared before I could sense him. “Having dinner already?” His deep voice resonated with hidden desires within me.

Joe pulled a seat out and sat beside me. I stilled instantly, the heat of his body seeping into mine as his knee touched mine briefly.

Why does he still affect me this way?