In the end, I didn't get to eat any of the food I was craving. Alex only brought me to a quiet little shop that served chicken porridge—plain, boring, and completely unappetizing. I sulked the whole time, pouting like a child, throwing mini tantrums, but he stayed firm.
"My decision is final," he said sternly, sipping his warm tea. "Your stomach's still recovering. You just woke up from a long sleep. No spicy or greasy food for now."
Ugh. So hateful. So unfair.
In my heart, I made a silent vow: Never again will I eat at the same table with this man. If I wanted to indulge in something exciting, I'd ask Caspian instead. He wasn't like Alex. Caspian was open-minded and fun—he'd eat anything with me without nagging.
As Alex pulled up in front of the Ceneric mansion, he gave me one last look.
"Remember what I said, Mia," he warned. "Don't eat just anything. If you feel unwell, contact me immediately. I'll come straight to you."
"Okay, okay. I got it. You're busy, right? Just go already," I said, trying to shoo him away. I'd heard enough of his lectures to last a lifetime.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Take care of yourself, Mia. I'll call you later."
"Bye, Alex."
I stood there, watching his car drive away until it disappeared from view. Only then did I release a heavy sigh of relief.
This guy… good luck to whoever ends up as his girlfriend.
What's the point of having a handsome, caring man if he controls everything you eat? I'd starve from heartbreak before anything else.
I pulled out my phone from my sling bag, grinning to myself as I typed:
'Let's go eat spicy ramen this weekend.' I sent it to Caspian Aurelius.
Seconds later, my phone buzzed with a reply:
'Sure. See you this weekend, Mia.'
I chuckled to myself, heart full of joy. See? Caspian is the best. So easygoing and sweet. If I ever became his girlfriend, I'm sure I'd be spoiled rotten.
Hahaha!
***
Tok tok— A soft knock at the door stirred me from sleep. The room was dark; I'd forgotten to switch on the lights. I yawned, fumbled for the lamp, and shuffled toward the door, still half-asleep.
"Awake?" It was Matteo—the psycho—standing there with his usual smug expression.
"Ugh… Second brother. What do you want?" I mumbled, not really thrilled to see him.
"So rude," he scoffed. "Come down for dinner and take your meds after. Don't make me drag you."
"Yeah, yeah. Give me a moment to shower."
"Five minutes only," he said firmly, raising an eyebrow.
I closed the door with a slight slam. So annoying!
I took my sweet time in the shower, dressing simply. If he wanted to wait, fine. I wasn't about to rush just to face another round of lectures. Matteo could wait.
Twenty minutes later, I made my way to the dining room. Matteo and Mike were already seated at the table.
"Just you two? Where's eldest brother?" I asked, glancing around.
"He's got a dinner meeting with investors," Mike replied. "Come, let's eat before it gets cold."
He pulled out the chair beside him for me. "Thanks, Mike. Sorry for the wait."
"It's fine. We didn't wait long."
I picked up a clean spoon and scooped some meat onto Mike's plate. "Here, you like this, right? I remember you always grabbed this first."
Mike looked touched. "You remember that? I'm impressed."
"Easy peasy," I said with a giggle.
AHEM! AHEM! Matteo cleared his throat dramatically. "Hello? Am I invisible? You two just gonna ignore me?"
"Huh? Of course I see you. You're too big to miss."
"Then why didn't you offer me anything?"
"Get it yourself. You're not disabled."
Mike laughed nervously. "Alright, alright. Enough bickering. Here, second brother—have a drumstick."
"I want one too! That's my favorite," I said quickly.
Mike handed me another drumstick, but before I could take a bite, it was snatched away.
"Nope. Too greasy. Here—take the chicken breast instead," Matteo said, swapping it out and dropping the breast meat on my plate like I was a toddler.
"You—!" I was speechless with rage.
"He's right, Mia," Mike said gently. "You're still recovering. Be careful."
"Fine, fine. I'll eat it. Just stop lecturing me. You guys and Alex must be from the same annoying species."
"You deserve every lecture," Matteo muttered under his breath.
I glared daggers at him.
***
"Here. Take your medicine," Mike said, placing a set of pills in my palm. I turned my eyes from the television to him. After dinner, I move to the living room to watch a drama and also to avoid someone annoying.
"Ugh, do I have to? It's so bitter I almost cried last time…"
"You dare say that in front of me?" Matteo appeared behind me, placing a glass of water on the table with a thud.
"I do!" I crossed my arms defiantly.
"Hahaha—didn't Mike warn you never to make me angry?" he said darkly, turning to Mike. "Right?"
"Second brother, don't be mad. Mia, please. Just take your medicine and go to sleep. Don't be stubborn."
"He started it." I argue.
"Did I now?" Matteo said with narrowed eyes.
"YES!"
"Stop it, both of you," Mike interrupted, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Mia, take your meds. Second brother, go finish your conference paper. I'll handle her."
Matteo gave me a long, threatening glare before nodding slightly at Mike and heading back to the elevator. As soon as he was gone, Mike turned back to me.
"Mia, how many times have I told you? Don't make Matteo angry. You know how he gets."
"I remember. But I can't help it! He's so annoying. He nearly killed me once with that dumb horse of his! And don't forget the shrimp incident—he nearly sent me to the grave!"
"He didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident."
"Accident, my foot! Did you see his threat?"
"Okay, okay. I get it. Just ignore him next time. Now take your meds."
I made a dramatic face as I swallowed the pills. Yuck. So bitter!
Mike quickly offered me the water.
"Mike, can I ask you something?" I said hesitantly, handing back the glass.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Me and Alex… did we ever argue before? Or, like, separate for a long time?"
Mike's expression turned serious. "Why do you ask?"
"Well… back at the hospital, when I first saw him, he looked so shocked. He said something like, 'After all these years…' What did he mean?"
Mike hesitated. His gaze softened.
"Alright… I'll tell you what I know. You and Alex were childhood friends. You met when you were five and he was six, during a kidnapping incident. That experience bonded you two deeply."
"What?! Kidnapping?!"
"Yes. But you were rescued safely. After that, you became inseparable. He followed you around like a little guard dog—until he moved overseas at fifteen for school. But even then, you two kept in touch. You visited him sometimes."
"Then… five years ago, when you were eighteen, he came back. It was your birthday. He showed up unannounced…"
Mike paused again, clearly unsure whether to continue.
"To confess his love," he finally said.
I nearly fell off the couch. "What?!"
"But something went wrong. You two argued that night. He left again the next day—without even saying goodbye. And he didn't return until recently."
"Are you telling me… I rejected his love confession?!"
"That's what happened."
"But why? Why would I reject him?"
"That… isn't something I can explain. Not yet."
I sat there, stunned.
"…Okay. I understand."
Then I took a breath, eyes narrowing.
"One last question, Mike. Can I ask?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
"…Nelson Van Alistair. Who is he?"
!!!