Kabanata 6

Alexander's POV

Hindi ako sanay na maagang umalis sa opisina, pero ngayong araw ay may ilang bagay akong kailangang asikasuhin sa mansion.

My investigator had sent me another update regarding Nathaniel's mysterious activities, but the information was still incomplete. The woman in the photograph remained unidentified, and the transactions connected to my brother's private account were still being traced.

I was beginning to lose my patience.

"Sir, your ten o'clock meeting has been moved tomorrow," my secretary informed me.

I nodded without looking away from my laptop.

"Anything else?"

"Mr. Nathaniel called earlier. He asked if you could attend the business meeting next week."

"Tell him I'll check my schedule."

"Yes, sir."

Pagkalabas ng secretary ko, agad kong kinuha ang aking cellphone. May bagong mensahe mula sa investigator.

Investigator:

Sir, we have confirmed another visit to the private property. Mr. Nathaniel was accompanied by the same unidentified woman.

I stared at the message, again? I locked my phone and leaned back. Whatever Nathaniel was doing, it was becoming more suspicious by the day. Around four in the afternoon, I arrived at the mansion.

Pagpasok ko pa lamang ay napansin ko nang tahimik ang buong living area. I loosened my tie and placed my car keys on the console table.

"Good afternoon, sir."

I turned toward the housekeeper. "Good afternoon. Where is everyone?"

"Mr. Nathaniel left for a meeting, sir. Mrs. Arabella is upstairs."

I nodded. "Alright."

I was about to head toward my office when I heard something fall. A loud crashing sound came from the second floor. I immediately looked up.

"Arabella?"

There was no response. I hurried upstairs and followed the sound toward the hallway. Then I saw her.

Arabella was sitting on the floor beside a small table. Some broken pieces of glass were scattered nearby, while one of her hands was pressed against her other palm.

"Arabella!"

She looked up, clearly surprised. "Alexander?"

I quickly approached her. "What happened?"

"Nothing. I accidentally dropped the glass."

I glanced at the broken pieces before looking at her hand. "Let me see."

"It's fine."

She finally extended her hand. There was a small cut on her palm, and a tiny amount of blood was beginning to appear.

I frowned. "Does that look fine to you?"

She gave me an apologetic smile. "It's just a small cut."

I took a clean handkerchief from my pocket and gently pressed it against her palm. "Hold this."

She followed my instructions. "Thank you."

I looked toward the housekeeper who had just arrived. "Please bring the first-aid kit. And have someone clean these broken glasses."

"Yes, sir."

I turned back to Arabella. "Can you stand?"

She nodded.

I offered my hand, and she accepted it. But the moment she tried to stand, she slightly lost her balance. Instinctively, I caught her by the waist.

"Easy."

Her other hand landed against my chest. For a second, we both froze. She looked up at me, and I noticed how close we were standing.

"Sorry," she whispered.

I cleared my throat. "You're hurt. Just be careful."

I helped her sit on the nearby sofa. And for some reason, I didn't immediately let go of her hand.

A few minutes later, the housekeeper returned with the first-aid kit. I took it from her.

"I'll handle this."

Arabella looked at me. "You don't have to do that, Alexander. I can manage."

I opened the kit. "Apparently, you can't even manage a glass."

She laughed softly. "You're making fun of me again."

"Just stating facts."

I carefully cleaned the small wound and applied antiseptic. She winced.

"Does it hurt?"

"A little."

"Then stop moving."

"I'm not moving!"

I looked at her. "You're arguing with someone who's trying to help you."

She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

"Fine."

I continued treating her wound before placing a small bandage over it. "There, done."

She examined her palm. "Thank you, Alexander."

I closed the first-aid kit. "Next time, call someone instead of trying to reach everything yourself."

She tilted her head. "Are you always this bossy?"

"Only when people refuse to take care of themselves."

She laughed. "Noted."

I shook my head, there she was again, that smile.

For someone who had been looking troubled during the past few days, she still managed to find a reason to laugh. And I couldn't deny that I liked seeing her that way.

"By the way, have you eaten?"

Her question caught me off guard. I looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because it's already late afternoon, and I don't think you've had anything since lunch."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you monitoring my eating habits now?"

She smiled. "No. I just noticed."

I stared at her for a moment. "Well, I haven't eaten."

She immediately stood. "Then I'll ask the kitchen to prepare something."

I reached for her arm. "Wait, you're supposed to rest."

She looked down at my hand before looking at me. "I was only going to ask the housekeeper."

I slowly released her arm. "Then ask her from here."

She laughed. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn."

She shook her head before calling the housekeeper. A few minutes later, we were sitting in the living area while waiting for the food. Arabella was holding a glass of water with her uninjured hand. I noticed her struggling slightly.

"Give it to me."

She looked at me. "What?"

I took the glass and placed it closer to her. "Your other hand is injured."

She smiled. "Thank you."

I nodded.

It was such a small gesture. But when she smiled at me, I found myself looking away first. Damn.

While we were eating, Arabella suddenly mentioned something.

"Alexander?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think Nathaniel is happy?"

I slowly put down my fork. "Why are you asking?"

She looked at her plate. "Sometimes, I wonder if he's happy with our marriage."

I remained quiet, she continued. "He used to tell me about his day. Even the smallest things. Now, I barely know what's happening in his life."

I studied her expression. "Have you told him how you feel?"

"Yes. But he always says he's busy."

I took a deep breath. "Being busy isn't an excuse to neglect someone."

She looked at me. "That's what I think, too."

For a moment, I wanted to tell her about the photograph, about the woman and the mysterious property, but I stopped myself. I needed evidence before saying anything.

"Arabella, don't let unanswered questions consume you."

She smiled sadly. "I'm trying."

I looked at her. "And don't forget that you deserve honesty."

She seemed surprised by my words. Then she gave me a genuine smile. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

I nodded and returned to my food. But inside, I was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable.

Because I knew something she didn't. And I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep it to myself.

Later that evening, I was preparing to leave when Arabella approached me near the main entrance.

"Alexander."

I turned. "Yes?"

"Thank you for earlier."

I slipped my car keys into my pocket. "You've thanked me several times already."

She giggled. "Because you helped me several times already."

I smiled faintly. "Then we're even."

She shook her head. "Still, I appreciate it."

I looked at the small bandage on her palm. "Take care of that wound. Don't get it wet."

She raised her hand. "Yes, doctor."

I chuckled. "Very funny."

She smiled. Then, just before I could leave, she said something that made me pause.

"By the way, you should smile more often."

I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"You always look serious. Sometimes, I wonder if you even know how to smile."

I let out a quiet laugh. "Are you criticizing my face now?"

"No!" She laughed. "I'm just saying."

I shook my head. I stepped outside, but her words followed me all the way to my car.

You should smile more often.

I couldn't help but smile to myself. Ridiculous.

IN my private office I had just finished reviewing a few documents when my investigator called.

"Sir, we have an important development."

I immediately straightened. "Go ahead."

"We've identified the woman in the photograph."

My expression turned serious. "Who is she?"

The investigator mentioned a name. I listened carefully. Then he continued.

"She has been meeting Mr. Nathaniel regularly. We also found several financial transactions between accounts connected to her and a private company."

I narrowed my eyes. "What is the connection between that company and Nathaniel?"

"We're still investigating, sir. But there's something else you should know."

"What?"

"The woman appears to have a personal relationship with Mr. Nathaniel."

I tightened my grip on the phone. "Are you certain?"

"We're gathering additional evidence, sir."

I stood and walked toward the window. So this was more than a business transaction. But I wasn't going to make assumptions. "Continue your investigation. I want everything verified before you send me another report."

"Understood, sir."

I ended the call. For a few moments, I stood motionless. Then my thoughts drifted toward Arabella. I remembered her question earlier. I closed my eyes. If my suspicions were correct, then she was asking the wrong question. The real question was whether Nathaniel had been honest with her in the first place.

I picked up my phone and stared at the photograph again. My jaw tightened.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Nathaniel."

And this time, I wasn't sure I could stay out of it.