CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
SANDRO DAVALO
Bethany had come to the house. She knocked on the door with determination on her face. When I answered, I could see right away that something was off. “Is Alex home?” she asked, her voice tense.
I shook my head. “No, he’s not at home right now,” I replied, watching her expression fall slightly. She looked like the entire world was against her, and it pained me to see her that way. Bethany had always looked cheerful, even though there was always something sinister behind her look.
“Great,” she muttered under her breath before meeting my gaze again. “I want to talk to you, Sandro.”
“What is it, Bethany?” I asked, surprised by her sudden request. I didn’t expect her to want to talk to me.
“It’s about Alex,” she said, and the mere mention of his name made her look even more sad than before. I frowned, sensing the gravity of the conversation that was about to unfold.
“What about him?” I asked cautiously.
She took a deep breath, crossed her arms, and looked down for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “He’s been avoiding me,” she said finally. “He barely calls or texts. He doesn’t even take my calls or respond to my messages. When he managed to, he would always have an excuse ready in case I complained. I have no idea what is happening, Sandro.” Her voice quivered slightly as she spoke, a mix of frustration and hurt written all over her face.
I felt a twinge of concern. “I’m sure he still likes you,” I replied quickly, trying to lighten the mood. “Maybe he’s just busy with school or something. You shouldn’t worry too much. The contract says that he has to be with you for as long as our father wouldn’t get the monkey off our back.”
Bethany shook her head. “No, Sandro, it feels different. I think he’s losing interest in me.” Her words struck a chord within me. I could hear the pain in her voice, and it made my heart ache.
“What makes you think that?” I pushed back, trying to defend my brother a bit. “He wouldn’t just stop caring like that. It’s not like him, and you know it.”
“I suspect he’s seeing someone else and having a more personal relationship than hitting on random girls,” her brows knitted in frustration as she spoke.
“That’s not true!” I protested, caught off guard by her claim. “I would know if my brother was seeing someone else.” A wave of irritation mixed with indignation washed over me.
“Maybe he doesn’t trust you enough to tell you everything he does in the dark,” Bethany shot back, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Her words pierced through me like a dagger. The truth in what she said hurt, and I had to swallow hard to keep my composure. “You think?” I asked, managing a forced grin to disguise the turmoil brewing inside me.
“I know,” she said confidently, crossing her arms. There was a fire in her eyes as if she truly believed what she was saying, and I felt my defenses start to crumble.
“What if I prove you wrong?” I asked, a part of me curious and another part teasing. “What will I get in return?” My eyes wandered over her body, and I could see the spark of interest in her gaze.
Bethany stepped closer to me, gently touching my shoulder with a soft gaze. “I know what you want, and I will give it to you just how you want it,” she said, her touch sending a warm sensation all over my body, one I could scarcely resist.
“Then we have a deal,” I replied, feeling a rush of excitement. It was a dangerous game we were playing, one that could easily lead to complications, but the lure of her body was almost impossible to resist.
A couple of hours later, I thought I heard Alex’s voice and decided to go check his room. Maybe he had returned home without me realizing it. I walked down the hallway, but when I reached his room, the door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and stepped inside. Alex was nowhere to be found.
Disappointment washed over me, but as I turned to leave, something caught my eye on his study table. A letter lay there, and I felt an inexplicable pull to it. Curiosity nagged at me, and I found myself walking over to it. I picked it up, reading the name at the top: Nadia. My heart sank.
It was almost impossible to think that Nadia would write Alex a letter. That made me even more curious to know what was contained inside. I quickly opened the letter, and my eyes widened as I scanned the words written in neat handwriting. She thanked Alex for paying her college fees and for helping her out when she needed it.
Fury crashed over me. How could he? How could he help someone we both hated? I crumpled the letter in my fist as anger boiled inside me. “This is ridiculous!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the empty room, and bitterness invaded my thoughts.
Just then, I heard the sound of his footsteps approaching. He walked in, and as soon as he saw me holding the letter in my hand, his face went pale.
“What are you doing here, Sandro?” Alex asked, looking nervous.
“I found this,” I said, holding up the crumpled letter. “You might want to explain yourself.”
Alex’s lips tightened, and he shook his head slowly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh? You don’t know what I’m talking about? This letter is from Nadia! You can’t deny it!” I snapped, feeling the anger swelling inside me like a volcano ready to erupt.
He hesitated, and then the truth started to unfold. “There’s no harm in helping someone in need,” he replied, his tone defensive.
“Not someone we both hate!” I exploded. “How can you even think that? This makes no sense! Bethany came over today. She was here and told me you’ve been avoiding her.”
“I’m not ignoring her, I just-” Alex started, but I cut him off.
“She said she’s worried you’re not interested anymore! That you don’t care!” I blurted out, my frustration boiling over. “She thinks you’re seeing someone else! Is it Nadia?”
“No! I just needed some space,” Alex said, throwing his hands up in exasperation.
“Space? What do you need space for?” I demanded, stepping closer, my emotions weighing heavily on me. Alex had changed, and this wasn’t the brother I knew.
“I’ve been dealing with a lot, Sandro. It’s complicated,” he replied, looking away.
“Complicated how? Because of Nadia? Are you trying to make a fool of Bethany?” I asked, my voice rising.
“I’m not making a fool of anyone!” He sounded defensive. “Nadia is just someone I helped. There’s nothing between us, and you know it.”
“Then why didn’t you tell Bethany you were helping her?” I countered, watching as his frustration grew.
“Because I didn’t want her to worry!” he snapped back, his cheeks flushing. “Stop acting like you don’t know how jealous she can be,” he swiftly added.
But I wasn’t getting fooled by his words.
“Have you ever considered what Bethany must be feeling? She’s upset. You can’t just avoid her like this!” I argued, determined to make him understand.
Alex collapsed back onto his bed, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. “I know, I know! I just needed to think.” His voice was quieter now, almost defeated.
“Think about what? Being with someone who would take advantage of you, like we did to her?” I felt my heart race, pouring my emotions into every word. “This isn’t just about you anymore!”
“Fine!” Alex shot back, meeting my gaze with a defiant stare. “Maybe I just don’t want to deal with relationships right now! Can’t I have a break?”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in my chest. “A break? Alex, you can’t just push people away like this. Being with Bethany is important. If you keep running away, you’ll lose her.”
He looked away. “Maybe that’s what I want.”
I was stunned into silence. How could he say that? Did he feel that way?
“Think about what you’re saying. You’ll regret it,” I warned him, but he remained silent, staring at the floor.
“And another thing,” I added, my tone more serious. “If you don’t stop avoiding Bethany, you will lose her to someone who will appreciate her. And at the end of the day, who will you have left?”
Alex remained quiet for a moment, finally meeting my gaze again, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “I don’t know, Sandro. I just… I need to figure things out.”
“Then figure it out with Bethany,” I replied firmly. “Talk to her. Don’t let her think she’s losing you because of your silly pride. You’re making a huge mistake.”
For a long moment, the tension hung in the air between us, and I could see the wheels turning in Alex’s mind. Slowly,
“You think I’m making a mistake?” he asked quietly.
“I know you are,” I affirmed, my voice steady. “Don’t let your feelings push her away. You care about her; deep down, we both know it.”
Finally, he sighed, looking defeated. “Okay, I’ll talk to her,” he murmured.
“Good,” I said, relieved to see a faint spark of resolution moving within him. “But you need to do it soon before it’s too late.”
As I turned to leave his room, I glanced back one last time. “And Alex?”
“Yeah?” he replied, his expression uncertain.
“Remember, you can’t get too soft with Nadia. Bethany should be your priority.”
“You seem to forget that this is just a game we are playing just to get Dad and Mom off our backs,” Alex countered. “Don’t fall too deeply in love with Lara, else you won’t get out when it’s time,” he added.
“You’re right, but it doesn’t mean we should make a fool out of them. Every game has a rule, and we must stick to it,” I informed.
With that, I left his room, hoping he would finally come to his senses. I wished he would see that pushing Bethany away would only benefit me…
Even if it’s for a one-time thing with her!
How could he even let go of that body!?