Kabanata 4

Alexander's POV

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko ay may malaking bagay na hindi sinasabi sa akin ang aking kapatid.

Ever since our second family dinner, hindi na maalis sa isip ko ang mga kilos ni Nathaniel. I knew him well enough to recognize when something was bothering him. He's not the type of man who easily loses his composure, especially in front of other people.

But that night was different.

And what bothered me more was the fact that Arabella seemed to notice it, too.

I followed Nathaniel toward his private office. Pagpasok namin ay agad niyang isinara ang p***o at dumiretso sa kanyang executive chair.

"Have a seat, Alexander."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're acting like we're about to discuss a billion-dollar deal."

He chuckled briefly. "Well, technically, we might."

Umupo ako sa harap ng kanyang mesa habang inilalabas niya ang ilang dokumento mula sa drawer.

"What's this about?"

"An upcoming business transaction. I need your opinion."

Kinuha ko ang mga dokumento at mabilis na sinuri ang mga ito. It was a proposal involving one of our international business partners.

"Interesting. But why are you asking me about this? You can handle it yourself."

"I know. I just want another opinion."

I looked at him. "Since when did you become so considerate about other people's opinions?"

He shook his head, amused. "Still the same arrogant brother."

"At least I'm honest."

Napangiti siya nang bahagya, pero napansin kong hindi umaabot sa mga mata niya ang ngiting iyon.

I returned my attention to the documents.

"Everything looks fine, except this particular clause. Have your legal team review it before signing anything."

"Sure."

I placed the documents back on his desk.

"So, is that all?"

Nathaniel leaned back. "Actually, there's something else."

I crossed my arms. "Go ahead."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Have you noticed anything unusual about Arabella lately?"

Napakunot ang noo ko. Why would he suddenly bring up his wife?

"Like what?"

"Nothing. I'm just asking."

I stared at him. "You're asking me about your own wife?"

He let out a quiet laugh. "Don't make it complicated, Alexander."

"Then don't ask complicated questions."

He shook his head before standing up and walking toward the glass window overlooking the garden.

"She's been asking too many questions lately."

There it was. I knew something was going on.

"What kind of questions?"

Nathaniel turned toward me. "About my business. My whereabouts. The people I talk to."

I remained silent for a moment. "And what's wrong with that? She's your wife, Nathaniel. It's normal for her to be curious about your activities."

"I know."

"Then what's the problem?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked outside again. "Sometimes, it's better if she doesn't know everything."

I narrowed my eyes. "That doesn't sound reassuring."

He turned around and gave me a faint smile.

"You're overthinking."

I almost laughed. Funny, that was exactly what Arabella had said earlier. But unlike him, I wasn't convinced. After our conversation, I decided to leave his office.

I had other matters to attend to, and I wasn't particularly interested in spending my entire morning trying to figure out what was going on inside my brother's head.

Paglabas ko ay napansin kong may isang maid na nag-aayos ng mga bulaklak sa hallway.

"Good morning, sir."

I nodded. "Good morning."

I was about to head toward the main entrance when I heard a familiar voice coming from the living area.

"Could you please check if the delivery has arrived? Thank you."

She was standing near the sofa, holding her phone while speaking to someone. Nakasuot siya ng eleganteng blouse at fitted trousers. Her hair was neatly arranged, and she looked effortlessly beautiful even without trying too hard.

I stopped walking for a moment, then I remembered our conversation earlier. She's been asking too many questions lately. I wondered what exactly Nathaniel was hiding from her. When she noticed me, she immediately ended her call.

"Alexander?"

I turned toward her. "Yes?"

"Are you leaving?"

"Apparently, unless you have something important to discuss."

She smiled. "Nothing important. I was just wondering if you're having lunch here."

I slipped one hand into my pocket. "Why?"

"Well, I was planning to prepare something. Nathaniel mentioned that you might be staying for lunch."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did he?"

She nodded. "Yes. But if you're busy, that's perfectly fine."

I studied her expression. There was something about the way she spoke that made me pause.

She was always polite, but today, she seemed unusually careful with her words.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

She blinked. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You look tired."

She gave me a small smile. "I didn't sleep well."

"Again?"

Her smile slowly disappeared. "Again?"

I realized what I had said. I looked away briefly before returning my attention to her.

"You mentioned earlier that you couldn't sleep."

She lowered her gaze. "Yes. I guess I have a lot on my mind."

I wanted to ask her what was bothering her, but I stopped myself. It wasn't my place.

"Get some rest, Arabella."

"I will. Thank you."

I nodded before continuing toward the entrance.

But even after leaving the mansion, her words lingered in my mind.

By lunchtime, I was already at my office. My secretary had just finished presenting the schedule for my afternoon meetings when my phone vibrated. A message from Nathaniel.

Nathaniel:

Are you coming back to the mansion for lunch?

I stared at the message. I thought he had already made plans with his wife.

Alexander:

Why?

Nathaniel:

Arabella is preparing lunch. You might as well join us.

I leaned back in my chair. I wasn't particularly hungry, but something about his sudden invitation made me curious.

Alexander:

I'll see.

I put my phone down. A few seconds later, another notification appeared. This time, it was from an unfamiliar number.

Sir, the person you asked us to monitor has made another contact.

I frowned. I wasn't expecting any message from an unknown number. I checked the sender's details, but there was nothing familiar. Before I could respond, another message arrived.

Please advise if we should proceed.

I stared at the screen. What the hell was that?

I immediately replied.

Alexander:

Wrong number.

Then I put my phone aside. Perhaps it was just a mistake. But for some reason, I remembered Nathaniel's unusual phone call during dinner.

Could it be related? I shook my head. I was getting too suspicious. I arrived at the mansion shortly after one in the afternoon.

Pagpasok ko sa dining area ay nadatnan ko si Arabella na inaayos ang mga pagkain sa mesa.

She was alone.

"Where's Nathaniel?"

She turned around, surprised to see me. "Oh, Alexander. You're here."

"Didn't you invite me for lunch?"

She smiled. "Of course. Please, have a seat."

I pulled out a chair. "Where's your husband?"

"He said he had an important call to make."

I looked at her. "Another business call?"

She nodded, although her expression changed slightly. "Probably."

I picked up my glass of water. "Does that happen often?"

She paused while arranging the utensils. "Recently, yes."

I watched her carefully. "Arabella."

"Hmm?"

"Have you tried asking him directly?"

She let out a small sigh. "Many times."

"And?"

"He always tells me that everything is fine."

I leaned back. "Then perhaps everything really is fine."

She looked at me and smiled faintly. "I wish I could believe that easily."

I didn't know what to say. There was something strangely unsettling about hearing those words.

I had seen people lie, manipulate, and betray each other in the business world. I've witnessed countless relationships crumble because of money, power, and greed. But seeing someone like Arabella quietly question her own marriage was different. She wasn't demanding anything.

She simply wanted an explanation. And apparently, even that was too much to ask.

"You're his wife," I finally said. "You have every right to ask questions."

She looked at me. "Do you really think so?"

"Of course."

She smiled. "Thank you, Alexander."

I nodded and started eating. For a while, we continued our lunch in silence. Until she suddenly spoke again.

"Can I ask you something?"

I raised my eyes. "Go ahead."

"Has Nathaniel always been secretive?"

I stopped moving my fork. That was an interesting question. "Why?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just want to understand him better."

I placed my fork down. "Arabella, Nathaniel is an adult. He has his own responsibilities, his own business, and his own decisions. But that doesn't mean he should shut you out."

She looked down at her plate. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm married to someone who only lets me see the parts of his life that he wants me to see."

I remained silent. That statement hit differently.

Because I knew Nathaniel. And I knew he was capable of keeping secrets. But I never imagined that his own wife would feel like a stranger in his life. Before I could respond, I heard footsteps approaching.

"Well, look who's here."

He walked toward us, adjusting the cuff of his expensive wristwatch. I looked at him.

"Finally. I thought you were planning to spend the entire afternoon on the phone."

He chuckled. "Business, brother. You should understand."

I glanced briefly at Arabella. She was already looking down at her plate. "Of course," I replied.

Nathaniel took the seat beside his wife and placed a hand on her shoulder. "How's lunch, sweetheart?"

"It's good."

"Good."

He kissed her forehead before reaching for his glass. Everything looked perfectly ordinary again.

But I wasn't buying it.

After lunch, I decided to spend a little more time in the mansion before heading back to my office.

Nathaniel received another call and excused himself. I was standing near the staircase when I noticed Arabella walking toward the garden. She seemed to need some fresh air. I watched her for a moment before turning my attention toward the hallway. Then I heard Nathaniel's voice.

He was speaking quietly on the phone inside his private study. The door wasn't completely closed.

I wasn't planning to listen. But then I heard something that made me stop.

"Not now. I told you to wait."

I frowned. There was a brief silence. Then Nathaniel spoke again.

"She must not find out. Do you understand?"

My jaw tightened. Who was he talking about?

And what exactly was he trying to keep from Arabella? I stepped away before he could notice my presence. I didn't want to be caught eavesdropping on my own brother.

But as I walked toward the garden, I couldn't stop thinking about what I had just heard. She must not find out. Those words kept repeating inside my head.

When I reached the garden, I found Arabella sitting on one of the benches. She was looking at the flowers while holding her phone. She looked peaceful. Almost unaware of the things happening around her.

"Enjoying the afternoon?"

She looked up. "Oh, Alexander."

I approached her. "Mind if I sit?"

"Not at all."

I took the seat beside her, leaving a comfortable distance between us. For a few moments, neither of us spoke. Then she suddenly asked something.

"Alexander, do you think people can change?"

I turned toward her. "What kind of change?"

She looked at the flowers. "Like when someone you know suddenly becomes different. Someone who used to tell you everything now has so many things to hide."

I exhaled quietly. "People change, Arabella. Sometimes for good reasons. Sometimes not."

She nodded slowly. "I see."

I studied her expression. "Are you talking about Nathaniel?"

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she gave me a small smile. "Maybe."

I looked away. I wanted to tell her what I had just overheard. But I couldn't. I didn't have the complete picture, and I wasn't about to create unnecessary trouble between a husband and wife based on a single phone conversation.

Still, one thing was certain. Something was happening behind my brother's back, or perhaps, more accurately, behind his wife's back. And I had a feeling it wasn't something small.

I stood up. "I have to go."

She nodded. "Take care, Alexander."

I gave her a brief smile. "You too."

As I walked away, I glanced at her one last time.

She was still sitting there, quietly looking at the flowers. And for reasons I couldn't explain, I found myself hoping that whatever Nathaniel was hiding wouldn't destroy her.

I took out my phone and called my private investigator.

"Good afternoon, sir," he answered.

"I need you to look into something."

"Of course, sir. What would you like me to investigate?"

My eyes drifted toward the mansion. "There's something going on with my brother's recent activities. I want to know if there's anything unusual happening with his business transactions and personal meetings."

"Understood, sir."

"And keep it discreet. I don't want anyone knowing about this."

"Certainly."

I ended the call. I knew I was crossing a line, and I shouldn't be investigating my own brother. But I had a responsibility to understand what was happening before things got worse. Especially when the person who might end up paying the price was someone who had done nothing but trust him. I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

What the hell are you hiding, Nathaniel?

Because if there's one thing I cannot tolerate, it's betrayal. And I have a feeling that someone in this family is about to discover just how ugly the truth can be.