Chapter 3

After saying that, Alex turned toward Richard Wilson, the owner of RW Company, and smiled, a smile that sent a chill down Richard’s spine. It wasn’t a gesture of goodwill but a harbinger of trouble.

Taking a few calculated steps closer, Alex's commanding voice sliced through the air.

"The show is over. Mr. Wilson, congratulations on opening your showroom in this mall and breaking the sales record."

Richard furrowed his brows, confused and increasingly uneasy. The sweat trickling down his temple revealed his growing apprehension. He could sense Alex wasn't in a celebratory mood. Forcing himself to remain composed, Richard gulped hard and asked in a low, cautious tone,

"What do you want, Mr. Fraser?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of Alex’s lips. These were the exact words he had been waiting for.

"I want every single piece of your newly launched watch, 3,000 pieces to be precise. Make sure every showroom gets the message: not a single watch from this collection is to be sold to the public."

Richard’s eyes widened. This wasn’t a financial blow, Alex could easily afford triple the value of the watches. But the implications were clear: his new collection, meant to capture public attention and elevate the brand, would never see the light of day. He couldn’t fathom Alex’s motive, the man was notoriously enigmatic, his actions often shrouded in layers of calculation.

Meanwhile, Alex’s mind was racing, piecing together the puzzle. He recalled seeing that girl, her, and her younger brother at the launch. They hadn’t come merely to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony; they had likely planned to purchase the new watch. He vividly remembered the boy’s excitement when he had spotted the same model on Alex’s wrist. The boy was clearly a passionate fan of RW watches, recognizing the brand and model in mere seconds.

Alex smirked as the plan solidified in his mind. If they couldn’t buy the watch, they would feel disappointed, out of place, inferior. This was the leverage he needed to remind her of her position and play his next move.

His secretary, nervously watching the exchange, interrupted cautiously.

"Sir, what about the media?"

Alex turned his head slowly, fixing the man with a sharp, menacing glare.

"Do I need to teach you your job?"

The secretary gulped and bowed his head apologetically. He knew exactly what Alex meant, buy out the footage from the reporters, as always, to maintain control of the narrative.

"I'm sorry, sir. It will be handled immediately."

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair before issuing his final order, his smirk returning, more sinister than ever.

"Let’s go back to the suite."

As they left, Alex's thoughts churned. The watches were no longer mere accessories, they were now tools in his escalating game of power and humiliation.

____

"Sorry, ma'am, it's already sold out," the worker replied in a calm yet apologetic tone.

Sam's face fell as he heard this for the third time. He had already lost hope after leaving the first mall, one owned by Fraser himself. He knew the craze for this watch collection; it always sold out within hours. But this was different. For the first time, it had vanished within minutes.

"It's been only an hour since the launch. How is that even possible?" Rainee asked, her voice tinged with disbelief and frustration.

Desperation gnawed at her. For the first time, she had taken a taxicab to rush from mall to mall, determined to buy the watch for her brother. But everywhere she went, the response was the same.

Around her, other disappointed customers murmured their own frustrations, some even angrily questioning the store staff.

"Sorry, ma'am," the worker added politely. "But we do have other watches in stock. Perhaps I can show you one of our most elegant designs?"

Rainee sighed heavily and turned to Sam. His expression was heart wrenching, his face had fallen, and there was a sadness in his eyes she had never seen before. Sam was always upbeat, rarely disheartened, but today was different. She felt a pang of guilt twist in her chest.

She blamed herself. If she hadn’t interfered with Fraser, perhaps Sam wouldn’t have missed this chance. And yet, a part of her refused to regret what she had done to the man who owned that empire.

"No, thank you," Rainee replied firmly. "We'll check another showroom. Let's go, Sam."

Before they could leave, the worker hesitated, then added, "Actually... don’t bother. We just got news that all the pieces were sold out in fifteen minutes after the launch.

Rainee and Sam froze, wide eyed in shock. Sam quickly pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling as he typed feverishly. Within seconds, he found the news and turned to Rainee, his lips forming a pout.

"He’s right," Sam muttered, his voice laced with disappointment.

"There’s no point going anywhere else. Let’s just go home... I’m tired of running around."

Rainee’s heart ached as she saw him like this. She had expected tears or anger, but Sam just looked drained and resigned. Gently, she reached for his hand, her voice soft and comforting.

"Alright, let’s go home," she said, squeezing his hand as they left the showroom.

As they walked away, Rainee’s thoughts raced. This wasn’t normal. Watches like these didn’t disappear in fifteen minutes. Something else was going on, and she had a strong suspicion who was behind it.

________

The siblings entered the house in complete silence. On the way back, neither of them had spoken a word. Rainee kept glancing at Sam, her heart aching for her younger brother. But no words came to her, she didn’t know how to console him or even what to say.

Once inside, Rainee glanced at Sam, who slump onto the couch beside their mother, sighing deeply. She racked her brain for a way to cheer him up and finally decided on something. Taking out her phone, she cleared her throat to break the silence.

"Mom, don’t cook lunch today," she said, forcing a cheery tone. "I’ve ordered fried chicken, dumplings, and ice cream from Sam’s favorite restaurant."

Her mother’s mouth fell open in shock.

"You did what?" she asked incredulously. She rarely allowed ordering from such an expensive restaurant, preferring homemade meals that were both economical and healthy. Ordering food was reserved for special occasions.

Rainee ignored her mother’s reaction, blinking a few times before turning toward Sam, whose face still hadn’t lifted. Seeing his slouched posture and defeated expression made her guilt deepen.

Their mother, Jessica Garcia, noticing the tension, clapped her hands and quickly joined the act. Jessica is a vision of timeless beauty, her golden long hair cascading softly down her shoulders, catching the light with a warm glow.

Her kind brown eyes are filled with tenderness, mirroring a soul that is gentle yet lively. A gentle smile often graces her face, radiating warmth and comfort to everyone around her. The delicate wrinkles that have formed over time only add to her charm, each one telling a story of laughter, love, and life’s journey.

Her personality is as enchanting as her appearance. She has a funny, light-hearted nature that can turn the dullest moments into cherished memories. Her friendly demeanor makes her approachable not just to her children but to anyone lucky enough to meet her.

She shares a special bond with her children, often laughing, joking, and creating a world where they feel loved and safe. It’s no wonder Rainee inherited her beauty, for it’s clear her mother’s grace comes not just from her appearance but from the love she carries within.

"O-oh... okay, great!" she said, feigning enthusiasm. "Yesterday, I bought a few cans of Coke. They’ll be perfect with fried chicken. Your dad’s been craving chicken too."

But Sam didn’t respond. Instead, he muttered, "Don’t bother. I’m not hungry."

Both women froze, their hearts dropping at his words. Rainee’s forced smile vanished, but she refused to give up.

"Alright," she said, feigning nonchalance. "I’ll cancel the order, then. Mom, don’t cook for me either, I’m not hungry anymore."

Sam clicked his tongue, irritation flickering across his face. He knew exactly what she was doing. He crossed his arms and glared at her.

"I’m not mad at you," he said quietly. "I just... don’t feel like eating."

Rainee huffed, trying to keep her anger in check. She didn’t want to lash out at him when he was already upset. But his indifference was testing her patience.

"And why not? What have you eaten today? You skipped breakfast, and now you’re skipping lunch too? Are you really going to make yourself sick over one stupid watch?"

Their mom, sensing the brewing storm, got up and retreated to the kitchen. She and their dad never interfered in their kids’ fights. They knew that no matter how intense things got, Sam and Rainee would always make up before the day ended, standing united against the world.

"You don’t understand," Sam mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "You don’t get how much that watch meant to me.

That was the last straw for Rainee. She stood up, her temper flaring.

"I DON’T UNDERSTAND?" she yelled, her voice trembling with emotion. "SAM, I’M YOUR SISTER! I’ve been understanding you since you couldn’t even talk! I knew when you were hungry, when you wanted to play, even when you needed to use the bathroom!"

Sam shot to his feet, frustration etched across his face. He hated when she brought up his childhood, especially now that he was navigating the awkwardness of puberty.

"CAN YOU PLEASE JUST BE QUIET? I’M ALREADY FRUSTRATED, DON’T MAKE IT WORSE!"

Rainee bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. He’d never yelled at her like this before. Her voice softened, but it still quivered with hurt.

"Fine," she said quietly. "I’m sorry. I’m sorry for ruining your day, for humiliating you, for standing up for you, for caring about you. I’m sorry for trying my best to make you happy."

Her mom, eavesdropping from the kitchen, stifled a laugh at her daughter’s dramatic speech. It wasn't something new to her, his melodrama is a part of their family's life. But Sam’s eyes began to tear up. Her words hit him harder than he expected. He blinked rapidly, trying to keep his emotions in check.

"W-who said this was your fault?" he stammered. "Who said I’m blaming you? I told you, I’m not mad at you!"

Rainee sniffled, wiping away the tears that had started to fall.

"Then why did you yell at me?"

Sam’s lips quivered. His resolve broke, and he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.

"I’m sorry!" he cried. "I didn’t mean it. I’m so sorry for yelling at you!"

Rainee hugged him back, her own tears flowing freely now. She caressed his back gently, relief washing over her.

"I know," she whispered. "I’m sorry too, for lashing out. I know how much that watch meant to you."

Sam shook his head, pulling back slightly to meet her tearful gaze.

"No," he said firmly. "You’re more important to me than any stupid watch. Don’t cancel the order, I really want fried chicken."

Rainee chuckled through her tears.

"They don’t even let you cancel orders on the app," she teased.

The siblings stood there, a teary, sniffling mess, but their bond had only grown stronger. Their mother smiled proudly from the kitchen, knowing that, as always, her kids had found their way back to each other.

"I'm home--"

Their father, Barron , paused mid sentence as he entered the living room, freezing in his tracks. Rainee's father is a quiet yet powerful presence in her life, a man whose actions speak louder than words. His gentle and friendly nature makes him approachable, a pillar of support his children can always lean on.

He respects their choices, offering guidance without ever imposing his own views, and he trusts them to follow their hearts. He’s the kind of father who believes in fostering independence, teaching his children the value of standing up for themselves and never tolerating less than they deserve.

Rainee’s strength and resilience are a reflection of the lessons he imparted, how to prioritize oneself without guilt and to pursue one’s dreams unapologetically. He doesn't express his love through grand speeches or frequent words but through thoughtful, meaningful gestures that leave a lasting impact.

Whether it’s a reassuring smile, a helping hand, or silent encouragement when they need it most, his quiet love is constant and unwavering. He has played an irreplaceable role in shaping Rainee into the strong, confident person she is today.

Two familiar figures stood in front of him, his siblings, stiff as statues, their eyes and noses red, their smiles forced and awkward. He instantly understood the situation. Clearing his throat, he announced.

"I'm going to take a shower. Carry on."

Without waiting for a reply, he walked toward his room, leaving Rainee and Sam to breathe a sigh of relief.

Sam turned to Rainee with a sheepish grin.

"Can you order steak?"

"No way, it’s too expensive!"

Sam pouted dramatically, but Rainee ignored him. Their brief fight earlier was already forgotten, and the siblings quickly returned to their normal playful selves. At lunch, the family sat together, eating and chatting, throwing sarcastic jabs at the people who had humiliated them. For Rainee, seeing her brother smile and laugh again was a relief.

By evening, the house had settled into its usual routine. Their mom was cooking dinner, their dad watching the news, Sam engrossed in his mobile game, and Rainee working on her project on her second-hand laptop.

The sudden chime of the doorbell disrupted the quiet. Their mom emerged from the kitchen, muttering curses about her "paralyzed and deaf family," before opening the door. She froze instantly, her nervous gaze fixed on the group of men in black suits standing on the porch.

She instinctively wondered if they had taken a loan from loan sharks but quickly dismissed the idea.

"Who-who are you?" she asked hesitantly.

Her voice caught the attention of everyone else in the house. Rainee closed her laptop and walked to the door. Her dad and Sam followed, equally curious.

"Is this Ms. Rainee’s house?" one of the men asked politely.

Rainee furrowed her brow and stepped forward.

"I’m Rainee. Why? Who are you?"

To be continued