Alex POV
“Ah! I’m going to lose my mind,” I groan for the fifth time as I slam my hands on my desk and spring up to my feet. It has been one week since I last saw Ariel, and I think I’m going to go crazy if I don’t see her. Is this how much I’ve fallen for her? This was supposed to be planned, but I think I’ve lost my guard.
“She is carrying your brother’s child, do you know that?” My subconscious mind reminds me, but I don’t really care about that. My love for her doesn’t even give a damn about her being pregnant for my brother.
My phone suddenly starts ringing, and when I check the screen and find out that it’s Alicia, I hiss loudly. I have been trying to play it cool with her because I still need her help, but it seems like I’m running out of patience now. I don’t want to see her again, so it’s best if we just make everything thing fast so we can all go our separate ways.
“Hey, baby,” How much I hate calling her this, but I have to pretend if I want to get what I want.
“Sweetheart. Good morning. Did you sleep well?” Her voice irritates me so much that I want to puke.
“Yeah, what about you?” I reply to her.
“Yes, I did. I was just missing you this morning, so I decided to call you and hear your voice. Have you gone to the office already?” She inquires, and I roll my eyes as I throw myself back on my chair.
“Yes, I’m in the office,” I reply to her casually.
“Do you want me to come over? No, I want to come over and see you,” She whines, and I scoff silently.
“You can’t come here, babe. Max will be coming to see me in my office today, so he may suspect us if he sees us together,” I explain to her, even if it’s not the reason. I just don’t want to see her, and that’s all.
“Alright, I understand. Are you free tonight? Why don’t we have dinner together after you get off work?” She inquires.
“What about your husband?” I ask her, and I hear her scoff.
“What’s wrong with you, Alex? I told you to stop calling him my husband. Anyway, I think he will be spending time with his newfound lover later, so he won’t bother us,” Her reply makes me feel a sting in my heart, and I slowly clench my fingers around my phone. The thought of Ariel and Max being together and probably doing some shit together annoys me so much, and I can’t even deny it. I love her, so it’s only right that I feel this way, right?
“Oh, that… that’s nice then. Uhm… Still, I don’t think I can make it later. I have a business appointment tonight, so I don’t think that will work,” I turn her down, and silence creeps in the other end. I know she’s feeling sad, but I don’t really give a damn about how she feels, because why should I?
“Oh, alright. What about…”
“Babe, why don’t we talk later after I get off work? I have a guest now,” I cut her off, and quickly end the call before she can say anything.
“Fuck!” I groan angrily as I drop my phone on the desk, and recline on the chair. I suddenly feel my blood boiling in rage, my heart beating rapidly like it’s in a race, and I quickly adjust my tie when I feel my breath hitching. I feel so enraged, and I just feel like punching Max hard in his face, and breaking his nose. How dare he!
“Sir, may I come in?” My secretary’s voice sounds from outside, and I scoff angrily.
“Just get away from there and don’t you dare disturb me!” I scream at the top of my voice, and I hear quick receding footsteps, which means she has gone back to her post. The door suddenly opens, and I snap my head to bark at her, but I stop when I see Max standing with a smirk dancing around his lips.
“What is wrong with my brother? Why are you so pissed this morning? Didn’t you have a good night’s rest?” He asks sarcastically as he pulls out a chair and sits on it.
“To start with, I didn’t remember having an appointment with you, so what the hell are you doing here? Wait a minute! Who the hell asked you to come inside my office without permission?” I know I shouldn’t be like this, but I can’t help it.
“That’s a bit harsh and disrespectful, Alex. Did you have a nightmare or something? Why are you so enraged?” The more he asks, the more I feel infuriated.
“Can you just leave? I want to be left alone, please,” I say to him dismissively, and he rolls his eyes as he reclines in his chair.
“I didn’t come here to be thrown out of your office, you know?” He smirks at me, and I sigh briefly. How could I have forgotten how annoying Max can be? We are of the same blood, so I shouldn’t expect less from him, right?
“That’s why you should’ve told me before coming here. If you are not going to leave, then maybe I should leave the office for you,” And with that, I stand up and pick up my phone and car keys, heading to the door.
“I love Ariel,” His words bring me to an abrupt halt, and I slowly clench my fists as I stare into space. I bite my bottom lip as I feel the burning rage again. I have always known he was in love with her, but hearing it from him now makes me so angry.
“How is that supposed to be my business?” I turn to see him already on his feet, and he sighs briefly.
“You know I don’t like someone else coming close to my property… Don’t ever come anywhere close to her,” He replies to me, and I bite my lip as waves of anger spur through me.
“What about your wife? What about Alicia?” I ask him as I turn to face him fully. Of course, I know he doesn’t love her anymore, but I just want to hear it from him.
“Don’t meddle in my family’s affair… Stay miles away from Ariel, brother. I love her,” He further says before he walks past me and heads to the door. I watch as he walks out of my office, and I slowly clench my fists beside me. What guts!