Kabanata 3

Alexander's POV

"Sir, Mr. Nathaniel is here."

I was reviewing an acquisition proposal when my secretary informed me about my younger brother's arrival.

"Send him in."

"Yes, sir."

A few seconds later, bumukas ang p***o ng opisina ko.

"Good morning, brother!"

I glanced at Nathaniel, who entered with a wide grin while holding a cup of coffee. "You're unusually cheerful today."

He chuckled and dropped himself onto the chair in front of my desk. "Can't a man be happy?"

"Not when he has a business proposal waiting for my approval."

He laughed again. "You're always serious. Relax."

I closed my laptop halfway. "What do you need?"

Nathaniel placed a folder on my desk. "It's about the real estate acquisition in Makati. I want to move the transaction forward."

I opened the folder and started reviewing the documents. For several minutes, silence filled my office except for the occasional sound of pages turning. Then I stopped at one particular section.

"Who prepared these financial projections?"

"My team."

"Tell them to revise this."

He leaned forward. "What's wrong with it?"

I turned the folder toward him and pointed at the figures. "Your projected expenses are too high. The estimated returns don't justify the investment, and some of these figures are inconsistent."

Nathaniel frowned. "Are you sure?"

I slowly raised my eyes. "Do you want me to approve a proposal without checking the numbers?"

He leaned back. "Alright, I'll have them revise it."

"Good. I don't want unnecessary losses because someone failed to do their job."

He shook his head with a small laugh. "You're still the same, Alexander. No wonder people are afraid of you."

"That's their problem."

Nathaniel took a sip of his coffee. "Anyway, how's everything?"

"Fine."

"Still buried in work?"

I gave him a flat look. "Unlike you, I actually have deadlines."

He laughed. "Touch."

I returned my attention to the documents, but his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen.

Something changed in his expression. It was subtle, but I noticed it.

"Excuse me."

He stood and walked toward the windows. I continued reading the proposal, although his voice occasionally caught my attention.

"Hey, beautiful."

I paused, that wasn't the way he usually spoke to business associates. A moment later, he laughed.

"Of course. I'll see you later. on't worry about anything. I'll take care of it."

I slowly placed the document on my desk.

Nathaniel ended the call and returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

"Everything alright?" I asked.

"Yeah. Just a friend."

I studied him for a moment. "You're getting a lot of calls from friends lately."

He laughed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

I pushed the folder toward him. "Have your team revise the proposal. Send it back to me once it's ready."

"Sure."

He picked up the folder and stood. "I'll see you around."

I nodded, he was almost at the door when I spoke again.

"Nathaniel."

He turned. "What?"

"How's Arabella?"

For a second, his expression seemed to stiffen.

"Why?"

"Just asking."

"She's fine."

"Good."

He gave me a brief nod before leaving. I stared at the closed door for a moment. I wasn't particularly interested in my brother's personal life. However, I couldn't ignore the fact that he seemed unusually uncomfortable whenever I mentioned his wife. Perhaps I was reading too much into it. I returned to work, after all, I had an empire to manage.

Later in the afternoon my secretary entered my office carrying a tablet. "Sir, your mom called again."

I removed my reading glasses. "What does she want this time?"

She smiled politely. "She would like to invite you to dinner this weekend."

I sighed. "Didn't we just have dinner together?"

"She said she wants everyone present this time."

"Everyone?"

"Yes, sir. Including Mr. Nathaniel and Mrs. Arabella."

I leaned back in my chair. Mom was becoming increasingly determined to gather the family together. "Did she mention anything else?"

"She said she hasn't seen Mrs. Arabella in a while and wants to spend some time with her."

I looked at the tablet in her hands. "Tell her I'll be there."

"Certainly, sir."

When my secretary left, I returned to my computer. But something about the invitation made me remember our previous family dinner.

Arabella's quietness, her barely touched food, and that unusual question she had asked me on the balcony.

I frowned, why was I still thinking about that? I shook my head and focused on the screen. It wasn't my concern.

At the Del Fuego mansion, Saturday Evening.

"Alexander, you're finally here!" Mom greeted me at the entrance.

I kissed her cheek. "Good evening, Mom."

"Come inside. Everyone's already here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Even Nathaniel?"

"Of course. And Arabella is helping me with something in the garden."

I nodded and followed her inside. The mansion was filled with the familiar smell of freshly prepared food. Several servants were arranging the dinner table while Mom continued telling me about the upcoming family charity event.

Then I saw her, Arabella was standing near the glass doors leading to the garden. She wore a simple cream-colored dress, and her hair was tied loosely behind her shoulders. She was listening attentively to one of the housekeepers.

When she noticed me, she smiled. "Good evening, Alexander."

"Good evening."

"How was work?"

"Busy as usual."

She gave a small laugh. "I suppose it always is."

"Unfortunately."

Mother approached us. "Arabella was helping me choose the flowers for the charity event. Isn't she lovely?"

I glanced at my sister-in-law. "She has good taste."

Arabella smiled. "Thank you."

Before anyone could say anything else, Nathaniel appeared. "There's my favorite brother."

I looked at him. "I'm your only older brother."

"Exactly. That's why you're my favorite."

Mom rolled her eyes. "Both of you, stop teasing each other. Dinner is ready."

We headed toward the dining room. Dinner started with casual conversations. Mom talked about the charity event, while Nathaniel discussed a new business opportunity with our father. I listened, occasionally giving my opinion whenever the conversation involved the company.

Arabella sat beside Nathaniel. She was polite, attentive, and always ready to smile whenever someone addressed her. But I noticed something, she barely spoke to her husband. And Nathaniel hardly acknowledged her presence.

"Arabella, hija," Mom said. "Will you help me choose the decorations for the event next week?"

"Of course, mom."

"Wonderful. I would love to have your opinion."

"I'd be happy to help."

Nathaniel suddenly checked his phone, then he stood. "Excuse me. I need to take this call."

Mom frowned. "Again? Can't it wait?"

"It's important."

He walked away before anyone could respond.

I watched him leave. Dad shook his head. "That boy needs to learn how to disconnect from work once in a while."

I took a sip of water. "He's not discussing work every time he leaves the table."

My father looked at me. "What do you mean?"

I shrugged. "Nothing."

Across the table, Arabella quietly lowered her gaze. I noticed her fingers tightening around her napkin.

After dinner, I stepped outside to take a call from one of our overseas partners. The conversation lasted several minutes. When I finally ended the call, I noticed Arabella standing near the garden.

She was alone. I approached her, keeping a comfortable distance.

"Waiting for someone?"

She turned around. "Ikaw pala, Alexander. I was just getting some fresh air."

I glanced at the garden. "Then I suppose this is a good place for it."

She smiled and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then I asked, "Where's Nathaniel?"

"He said he had something important to take care of."

I raised an eyebrow. "Again?"

She looked at me. "What do you mean?"

I slipped one hand into my pocket. "Nothing. He seems to have a lot of important things to take care of lately."

She let out a quiet laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes. "He's a busy man."

"Apparently."

She looked toward the garden. I noticed how her expression changed whenever Nathaniel was mentioned. There was no anger, no obvious frustration. Just a kind of sadness that she was desperately trying to hide.

"Are you enjoying the event preparations?" I asked.

She looked back at me. "Yes. Your mom has been very kind to me."

"That's good. She likes you."

"I'm grateful for that."

I nodded, then she suddenly spoke. "Alexander, can I ask you something?"

I turned toward her. "Go ahead."

She hesitated. "Do you think a marriage can work even if two people barely spend time together?"

I stared at her, that question again. This time, I couldn't dismiss it as simple curiosity.

"Why are you asking me that?"

She immediately looked away. "Nothing. I was just wondering."

I studied her face. "Arabella, is everything alright between you and Nathaniel?"

She was silent, for a moment, I thought she might finally tell me something, but then she smiled.

"Of course, we're fine."

I didn't believe her, not even for a second. But I wasn't going to force an answer out of her.

"Alright."

She nodded. "Thank you."

I looked toward the mansion. "Come inside. It's getting late."

"Sure."

We walked back together. I made sure to keep a reasonable distance between us. She was my brother's wife, and whatever problems existed in their marriage were theirs to resolve. I had no intention of interfering.

I was about to leave when I noticed Nathaniel standing near the main entrance, talking on his phone. His back was turned toward me.

I wasn't trying to listen, but his voice carried through the quiet hallway. "Relax. I'll handle it. No, she doesn't know anything."

I stopped walking, my brows drew together. Who was he talking about? Nathaniel lowered his voice.

"Just wait for me. I'll see you tomorrow."

He ended the call and turned around. His eyes widened slightly when he saw me.

"Alexander."

I looked at him. "Who was that?"

He slipped his phone into his pocket. "Just a business associate."

I raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"

He chuckled. "You know how business works."

"Unfortunately, I do."

He shook his head. "Anyway, are you leaving?"

"Yes."

"Drive safely."

I gave him a brief nod. Then I remembered something.

"Make sure you take Arabella home."

His expression changed. "She's coming with me."

"Good."

I walked toward the entrance. But before I reached the door, I heard him speak again.

"Why are you so concerned about my wife lately?"

I stopped. Slowly, I turned around. "Excuse me?"

Nathaniel shrugged. "You keep asking about her. Is there something I should know?"

I stared at him for a few seconds. Then I let out a short, humorless laugh. "She's your wife, Nathaniel. I'm simply reminding you not to neglect your responsibilities."

His jaw tightened. "I know how to handle my marriage."

"Then I suggest you start proving it."

For a moment, neither of us spoke, he eventually looked away. "Good night, Alexander."

"Good night."

I left the mansion without saying anything else.

I loosened my tie as I entered my penthouse.

The city lights stretched across the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a beautiful view of Manila. I poured myself a glass of water and checked the messages on my phone. Several emails, two missed calls, one message from Mon reminding me about the charity event, nothing unusual yet my mind kept returning to the conversation with Nathaniel.

No, she doesn't know anything, who was he referring to? And why did he seem so uncomfortable when I asked about the person on the phone? I took a slow sip of water. Then another thought crossed my mind. Arabella, her question about marriage, her quiet expression during dinner and the way she defended Nathaniel even when it was obvious that something was bothering her.

I placed the glass on the counter, something wasn't right. I didn't know what my brother was hiding, and I wasn't particularly interested in uncovering his secrets. But I knew one thing. If Nathaniel was doing something that could hurt his wife, sooner or later, the truth would come out.

And when it did, I had a feeling it wouldn't be pretty. I looked toward the city again.

"Get your marriage together, Nathaniel."

I muttered under my breath before walking toward my bedroom.