CHAPTER 2: THE ARROGANT BROTHER

Elena had been at the Whitmore mansion for barely fifteen minutes, and she was already beginning to understand why Adrian complained about his family, well, one particular member of his family, "Alexander", she sat on the large cream-colored sofa beside Adrian, listening as Isabella enthusiastically explained how she had recently returned from a vacation in Italy.

"And the hotel was absolutely beautiful," Isabella continued. "You should have seen the view from my balcony. It was breathtaking."

"That sounds lovely," Elena replied.

"It was. Next time, you should come with me."

"Don't invite her anywhere without me," Adrian interrupted.

Isabella rolled her eyes.

"Nobody invited you, little brother."

"Good. I wasn't interested."

Elena laughed, across from them, Alexander sat comfortably in an armchair, scrolling through his phone. He had barely participated in the conversation since returning to the sitting room.

Every now and then, his phone vibrated, and every time it did, a faint smile appeared on his face.

Elena wasn't particularly interested in what he was doing, at least, that's what she told herself.

"Alexander," Victoria called from the entrance.

He didn't look up.

"Yes, Mother?"

"Your father wants you in his study."

"Tell him I'll be there in a minute."

Victoria placed her hands on her hips.

"You said that twenty minutes ago."

Alexander finally raised his head.

"Then I suppose I'm consistent."

Isabella burst into laughter, Victoria shook her head.

"You're impossible."

"I've been told."

He slipped his phone into his pocket and stood, as he passed the sofa, his eyes briefly settled on Elena.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Elena smiled.

"Very much, thank you."

"Good. I was worried my family might bore you."

She tilted her head.

"Why would you worry about that?"

"Well, you seem to have a short attention span."

Elena's smile slowly disappeared, Adrian immediately looked up.

"Alex."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Elena leaned back against the sofa.

"Don't worry. I can entertain myself without needing everyone in the room to perform."

Isabella covered her mouth, Alexander stared at her for a moment before a small smile appeared.

"Touché."

Then he walked away, Elena watched him disappear.

"Does he always behave like that?" she asked.

Adrian sighed.

"Unfortunately."

Isabella leaned closer.

"You'll get used to it."

Elena shook her head.

"I don't think I want to."

---

4:15 P.M. — THE GARDEN

After spending another twenty minutes inside, Elena decided she needed some fresh air ,the mansion was beautiful, but there were too many rooms, too many expensive decorations, and too many people who seemed to have something interesting to say.

Adrian was still talking to his mother, while Isabella had disappeared upstairs to answer a phone call, Elena quietly slipped through the glass doors leading to the garden.

The garden was enormous, a beautiful swimming pool occupied one side, surrounded by white lounge chairs. Beyond it stood a small outdoor dining area, while colorful flowers decorated the edges of the walkway, she smiled.

"This is beautiful."

"Glad you think so."

Elena turned, Alexander, Of course, he stood a few feet away, holding a glass of water. His sleeves were still rolled up, and his phone rested in his other hand, Elena gave him a polite smile.

"Hello."

"Hello."

She looked around.

"Do your family own this entire place?"

He glanced at the garden.

"No. We borrowed it from the neighbors."

Elena stared at him, then she realized he was joking.

"Very funny."

"I thought so."

She turned away, intending to continue admiring the garden.

"Wait."

She looked back.

"Yes?"

"You're Adrian's girlfriend, right?"

Elena blinked.

"Didn't he already introduce us?"

"Just checking. You know, I've met quite a few of his girlfriends."

Her eyebrows rose.

"Quite a few?"

Alexander took a sip of water.

"He's popular."

"That's an interesting way of putting it."

"Would you prefer irresponsible?"

Elena laughed.

"At least you're honest."

Alexander studied her face.

"You're not what I expected."

She folded her arms.

"And what exactly did you expect?"

"Someone quieter."

Elena gave him a look.

"Why?"

"Adrian usually likes women who are..."

He paused.

"Less argumentative."

She laughed incredulously.

"Are you saying I'm argumentative?"

"I haven't known you long enough to make that judgment."

"Yet you've already made it."

Alexander smiled.

"You're catching on."

Elena shook her head.

"You're unbelievable."

"I get that a lot."

"Do you ever have a normal conversation?"

"Depends on the company."

Elena opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Alexander's phone began ringing, he glanced at the screen, his expression changed slightly.

"Excuse me."

He answered the call and walked a few steps away, Eena didn't intend to listen, but his voice carried across the garden.

"Hello, beautiful."

She rolled her eyes , of course, a few seconds passed.

"Tonight? I don't know. I might be busy."

Another pause, he laughed.

"Don't sound so disappointed. I'll make it up to you."

Elena looked away, she suddenly remembered what Natalie had told her, Alexander Whitmore, the charming playboy, she shook her head.

"Unbelievable", she muttered 

---

5:00 P.M. — THE SITTING ROOM

When Elena returned inside, Adrian was waiting for her.

"There you are."

"Here I am."

He stood and walked toward her.

"Where did you disappear to?"

"Your garden."

"Did you like it?"

"Very much."

He smiled.

"Good. Come on. I want to show you something."

He took her hand and led her toward a hallway, they passed several framed photographs.

Elena slowed down when she noticed one particular picture, it showed four people standing in front of what appeared to be a large house.

A younger Alexander stood beside Adrian, with one arm around his shoulder. Isabella was standing in front of them, laughing, while another man Elena assumed was their father stood behind them, they all looked happy.

"Is that you?" she asked.

Adrian stopped.

"Yeah."

Elena pointed at the picture.

"You look so different."

"I was seventeen."

She looked at Alexander.

"He looks different too."

Adrian chuckled.

"Not really. He's always been like that."

"Like what?"

"Annoying."

Elena laughed, Adrian continued walking, but she remained beside the photograph for a moment longer.

There was something interesting about seeing Alexander smiling so freely, it was difficult to imagine the man she'd just spoken to laughing without some sarcastic remark attached.

"Are you coming?"

She turned.

"Yes, I'm coming."

---

6:30 P.M. — DINNER

The dining room was almost as impressive as the rest of the mansion, a long polished table stood in the middle, surrounded by beautifully upholstered chairs. Several dishes had already been arranged across the table.

Elena sat beside Adrian, while Isabella occupied the chair opposite them, Alexander arrived a few minutes later, he was no longer wearing his white shirt. Instead, he had changed into a black fitted shirt and dark trousers, he pulled out a chair beside his father.

"Sorry I'm late."

Sebastian glanced at him.

"Again?"

Alexander smiled.

"Traffic."

"You live here."

"Exactly. Terrible traffic in the hallway."

Isabella laughed, their father gave him a disapproving look.

"One day, Alexander, you'll learn to take something seriously."

"I take plenty of things seriously."

"Such as?"

Alexander picked up his glass.

"My investments."

"Your responsibilities should come before your investments."

"Then perhaps you should stop giving me more responsibilities."

Victoria sighed.

"Can we please eat without arguing?"

Alexander smiled at his mother.

"Of course."

He picked up his cutlery, for a few minutes, everyone concentrated on the food, then Sebastian turned toward Elena.

"So, Elena. Adrian tells us you're working."

"Yes, sir. I'm currently working with a marketing firm."

"Interesting. What do you think of the industry?"

Elena smiled.

"It's competitive, but I enjoy it. There's always something new to learn."

"Do you intend to remain in that field?"

"Yes. I'd eventually like to start my own company."

Sebastian nodded approvingly.

"Ambitious. I like that."

Alexander, who had been quietly eating, suddenly spoke.

"Starting a company isn't as easy as it sounds."

Elena turned toward him.

"I didn't say it was."

"Good. At least we're starting from the same understanding."

She stared at him, Was he seriously doing this again?, Adrian gently touched her hand beneath the table, Elena took a breath.

"Thank you for the advice, Alexander. I'll keep that in mind."

Alexander looked amused.

"You're welcome."

Isabella leaned forward.

"Alex, must you challenge everyone?"

"I'm not challenging anyone."

"You've been doing it since Elena arrived."

"Perhaps she's challenging me."

Elena almost choked on her drink.

"What?"

Alexander shrugged.

"See?"

Adrian put down his fork.

"Can we please eat?"

Victoria gave Alexander a warning look, he smiled and returned to his food, Elena leaned slightly toward Adrian.

"Your family is very interesting."

Adrian whispered back.

"You haven't seen anything yet."

---

7:40 P.M. — AN UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION

Dinner had ended, and everyone had moved to the sitting room, Elena was laughing at one of Isabella's stories when a woman walked through the front entrance, she was tall, beautiful, and dressed in a short red dress, her blonde hair fell in perfect waves around her shoulders.

"Alexander!"

Elena looked up, Alexander, who had been checking something on his phone, raised his head, his expression immediately changed.

"Well, hello."

The woman walked straight toward him.

"I've been calling you."

Alexander stood.

"I've been busy."

"Busy doing what?"

"Living."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, then she kissed his cheek, Elena looked away, Isabella leaned toward her.

"That's Vanessa."

Elena nodded.

"His girlfriend?"

Isabella gave her a knowing smile.

"Not exactly."

Before Elena could ask what that meant, Vanessa pulled away from Alexander.

"Are you still coming tonight?"

"We'll see."

"Alexander."

He smiled.

"Don't start."

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

"You're impossible."

"I've heard."

She playfully hit his chest, Elena watched the exchange for a moment before turning her attention back to Isabella.

"Are they together?"

Isabella shook her head.

"Alexander doesn't really do relationships."

"Then what does he do?"

Isabella laughed.

"Whatever he wants."

Across the room, Alexander glanced in their direction, his eyes met Elena's, he seemed to notice the conversation, a faint smile appeared on his face, Elena immediately looked away, she had no interest in understanding Alexander Whitmore's complicated love life, none whatsoever.

---

8:15 P.M. — GOODBYE

Adrian finally announced that it was time to take Elena home, Victoria hugged her before they left.

"It was lovely meeting you, dear. You must visit again."

"I will. Thank you for having me."

Isabella hugged her too.

"And next time, we're going shopping."

Elena laughed.

"Definitely."

Sebastian shook her hand.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Elena."

"Likewise, sir."

Then Alexander appeared from the hallway, holding his car keys.

"Leaving already?"

Adrian nodded.

"Yes."

Alexander looked at Elena.

"Well, it was nice meeting you."

Elena smiled.

"Nice meeting you too."

He tilted his head slightly.

"Try not to miss me too much."

Elena stared at him, then she laughed.

"Trust me. I'll manage."

Isabella burst into laughter, Alexander placed a hand over his chest.

"That hurts."

"Goodnight, Alexander."

"Goodnight, trouble."

Elena turned toward Adrian.

"Can we go now?"

Adrian laughed and guided her toward the door, as they walked outside, he shook his head.

"I see you've already met my brother properly."

Elena glanced at him.

"Your brother is exhausting."

Adrian laughed.

"That's Alexander."

---

9:05 P.M. — THE DRIVE HOME

Elena rested her head against the passenger seat, watching the lights outside the car, Adrian reached over and took her hand.

"So?"

"So what?"

"What did you think?"

She smiled.

"Your mother is lovely. Isabella is hilarious. Your father seems nice."

"And Alexander?"

Elena groaned.

"Must we discuss him?"

Adrian burst into laughter.

"That bad?"

"Adrian, does he ever stop talking?"

"Actually, he can be quiet sometimes."

"Really?"

"Yes. Usually when he's asleep."

Elena laughed, then she looked at Adrian.

"Is he always surrounded by women?"

Adrian glanced at her.

"Why?"

"No reason. I was just curious."

He smiled.

"Alex has never been particularly interested in settling down. He dates, enjoys himself, and moves on."

"Sounds exhausting."

"That's his business."

Elena nodded, she wasn't going to pretend she hadn't noticed Alexander's appearance. He was undeniably handsome, but that didn't mean she liked him, there was a difference, a very big difference, Adrian brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"I'm glad you came today."

Elena smiled.

"Me too."

He glanced at her.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

She leaned back, feeling content, but somewhere across the city, Alexander Whitmore was sitting in his bedroom, looking at his phone, a message appeared.

Vanessa: You disappeared again. Are you coming over tomorrow?

He smiled and typed a reply.

Alexander: Maybe. Depends on how much you miss me.

Another message arrived almost immediately.

Vanessa: You're impossible.

Alexander chuckled , he placed his phone on the bedside table and leaned back against the headboard, for a moment, he remembered the girl who had spent the afternoon arguing with him, "Elena Bennett".

His younger brother's girlfriend, he shook his head with amusement.

"Interesting girl."

Then he reached for his drink, he had no idea that the next time he saw her, she would be standing in his kitchen, barefoot, wearing one of his brother's shirts, and looking at him as though he were the last person she wanted to see, and somehow, that would become the beginning of their problems.