CHAPTER 3: THE KITCHEN INCIDENT

SUNDAY —

Elena was beginning to regret agreeing to spend her Sunday at the Whitmore mansion, not because she disliked Adrian's company, quite the opposite, she loved spending time with him, but apparently, Adrian had developed a new hobby: inviting her to his family home every chance he got.

"Are you almost ready?" Adrian called from downstairs.

Elena stood in front of her mirror, struggling with the clasp of her necklace.

"Give me a minute!"

"You said that ten minutes ago!"

"Then give me another ten!"

Adrian sighed dramatically.

"Women."

Elena finally secured the necklace, grabbed her handbag, and hurried downstairs, Adrian stood near the entrance, checking his watch.

"Finally."

She smiled.

"Good morning to you too."

He leaned forward and kissed her.

"Good morning, beautiful."

He took her handbag.

"Come on. My mother is expecting us."

Elena stopped.

"Your mother?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Adrian looked at her.

"Because she invited us for lunch."

Elena stared at him.

"You could have mentioned that before I got dressed."

He laughed.

"Would it have changed anything?"

"Yes. I would have worn something different."

"You look beautiful."

She smiled.

"Flattery will get you everywhere."

"Good. Let's go."

---

The moment they entered the mansion, Elena heard laughter coming from the kitchen, Isabella appeared at the doorway.

"Look who's here!"

Adrian spread his arms.

"Your favorite brother."

"Alexander isn't here."

Elena laughed, Adrian placed a hand over his chest.

"That was unnecessary."

Isabella hugged Elena.

"Come on. Mom is making lunch."

"Do you need any help?" Elena asked.

Isabella looked delighted.

"Actually, yes!"

Adrian immediately frowned.

"Don't recruit my girlfriend."

"Nobody asked you."

Elena laughed.

"Relax. I don't mind helping."

Adrian kissed her forehead.

"I'll be in the sitting room."

"Okay."

He disappeared down the hallway, Isabella grabbed Elena's hand.

"Come on. I need someone to keep me company."

---

The kitchen was enormous, with polished countertops, large windows, and enough cupboards to make Elena wonder whether the family ever ran out of storage space, Victoria was standing near the counter, supervising the preparation of lunch.

"Elena, sweetheart!"

"Good morning, Victoria."

"Come here."

Victoria embraced her.

"How was your night?"

"Lovely, thank you."

"Good. I hope Adrian didn't keep you awake talking nonsense."

Elena laughed.

"Not too much."

"Mother!" Isabella protested. "You're supposed to embarrass Adrian, not Elena."

Victoria smiled.

"He's not here, so I have to make do with someone else."

Elena laughed, she was beginning to understand why Adrian was so comfortable around his family, despite their wealth, they seemed surprisingly relaxed.

"Could you pass me that bowl, dear?" Victoria asked.

"Of course."

Elena reached for it, at that exact moment, Isabella accidentally knocked a glass of juice with her elbow, the glass tipped, before anyone could react, the juice spilled across the front of Elena's dress.

"Oh my goodness!"

Isabella gasped.

"Elena! I'm so sorry!"

Elena looked down at herself, for a moment, she simply stared, then she sighed.

"Well, there goes my dress."

Victoria quickly reached for a towel.

"Don't worry, dear. It should come out."

Isabella looked horrified.

"I swear I didn't mean to."

Elena laughed.

"It's okay. Accidents happen."

Victoria examined the stain.

"Unfortunately, it's quite noticeable. Why don't you go upstairs and change? Adrian has some clothes you could borrow."

Elena nodded.

"That would be lovely. Thank you."

Isabella pointed toward the hallway.

"His room is the second door on the left."

"Got it."

Elena hurried upstairs.

---

Adrian's bedroom was exactly what she expected, a little untidy, there were clothes draped over a chair, books on the bedside table, and a pair of sneakers lying near the wardrobe, Eena shook her head.

"Men."

She opened the wardrobe and searched for something comfortable, after a few minutes, she found a loose white shirt, it looked like something Adrian would wear, she changed into it, folded her stained dress, and placed it over her arm, the shirt was slightly oversized, reaching halfway down her thighs, she slipped off her heels and decided to go downstairs barefoot, she was almost at the kitchen when she remembered she had left her phone upstairs.

"Great."

She turned around, but before she could take two steps, a voice stopped her.

"Well, well."

Elena closed her eyes, not him, and not today, she turned slowly, Alexander stood at the kitchen entrance, holding a mug of coffee, his gaze briefly moved from her bare feet to the oversized shirt, then he looked at her face.

"Interesting outfit."

Elena frowned.

"Good morning to you too."

He took a sip of his coffee.

"Didn't know we had a dress code."

"We don't."

"Clearly."

She folded her arms.

"Do you have a problem?"

Alexander leaned casually against the counter.

"Not particularly. I'm just curious."

"About what?"

"Whether you've started borrowing clothes from every man in this house."

Elena stared at him, then she looked down at the shirt.

"It's Adrian's."

"I didn't ask."

"Then why are you commenting?"

"Because you're standing in my kitchen looking like you lost a fight with a wardrobe."

Elena gasped.

"Excuse me?"

Alexander chuckled.

"Relax. It was a joke."

"Well, it wasn't funny."

"That's unfortunate."

She rolled her eyes and walked past him, at least, she tried to.

"Where are you going?"

"To get my phone."

"Upstairs?"

"No, Alexander, on the moon."

He laughed.

"You're quite unpleasant before lunch."

"And you're quite unpleasant all the time."

He placed his mug on the counter.

"Careful, Elena, you're beginning to sound like you enjoy arguing with me."

She turned around.

"Trust me, if I had a choice, I would avoid you completely."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Then why are you still standing here?"

Elena opened her mouth, closed it, then pointed a finger at him.

"You're impossible."

His smile widened.

"I've heard."

She turned and marched upstairs, Alexander watched her disappear, then he shook his head, laughing quietly.

---

Elena returned downstairs several minutes later with her phone, Alexander was still in the kitchen, he stood near the counter, scrolling through his phone while drinking his coffee.

Elena decided to ignore him, she walked toward the refrigerator, opened it, and searched for a bottle of water.

"Looking for something?"

She sighed.

"Water."

"There's a tap outside."

She slowly turned toward him.

"Do you ever get tired of talking?"

"Not when I have good company."

"Then you must be exhausted around yourself."

Alexander laughed, before he could respond, his phone rang, he glanced at the screen, the smile disappeared from his face.

"Excuse me."

He answered.

"Yes?"

A pause.

"I told you I'd handle it."

Another pause, his jaw tightened.

"No. I don't want excuses. I want results."

Elena quietly took her water and moved toward the doorway.

"Listen carefully," Alexander continued. "I don't care how much it costs. Fix it before Monday."

He ended the call and tossed his phone onto the counter, for a brief moment, he stood completely still, the playful expression he usually wore was gone, he looked tired, almost angry, Elena hesitated, then asked,

"Everything okay?"

Alexander looked up, his expression immediately changed.

"Why? Are you worried about me?"

Elena regretted asking.

"No. I was just being polite."

"Don't strain yourself."

She shook her head.

"You know what? Forget I asked."

"Gladly."

She turned to leave.

"Elena."

She stopped.

"What?"

He glanced at the shirt she was wearing.

"Tell my brother he has terrible taste in clothes."

She stared at him, then she laughed in disbelief.

"You're unbelievable."

"And yet, here we are."

She walked out, Alexander picked up his coffee, a small smile returned to his face.

---

Everyone was gathered around the dining table when Elena returned, Adrian immediately looked up.

"There you are."

He pulled out the chair beside him.

"Did you find something to wear?"

Elena nodded.

"Yes. Your shirt."

Adrian looked at her outfit, then he smiled.

"You look better in it than I do."

"Obviously."

Isabella laughed, Alexander, seated opposite them, took a sip of water.

"She certainly seems comfortable."

Elena looked at him.

"Do you have something to say?"

Alexander smiled.

"Nothing at all."

Adrian looked between them.

"Have you two been arguing again?"

"No," Alexander replied.

"Yes," Elena answered at the same time.

Isabella burst into laughter, Victoria shook her head.

"Alexander, please leave the girl alone."

He raised his hands.

"I haven't done anything."

Elena muttered under her breath.

"That's debatable."

Alexander heard her, his lips curved.

"Did you say something?"

Elena smiled sweetly.

"I said the food smells wonderful."

Isabella nearly choked on her drink.

---

After lunch, Adrian received a call from one of his friends, he stepped outside to answer it, leaving Elena in the sitting room with Isabella.

"I swear, my brothers are going to be the death of me," Isabella complained.

Elena laughed.

"What happened?"

"Alexander keeps stealing my parking space."

Elena blinked.

"You have your own parking space?"

"Of course."

"How many cars do you people have?"

Isabella grinned.

"Enough to cause problems."

Elena laughed, just then, Alexander entered the room.

"Isabella, have you seen my keys?"

She pointed toward the table.

"Where you left them."

He picked them up.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now move your car from my parking space."

Alexander stopped.

"No."

"Alexander!"

"I was here first."

"You were not!"

He looked at Elena.

"See what I live with?"

Elena shrugged.

"Maybe you deserve it."

Alexander stared at her, then he laughed.

"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Very much."

He shook his head and walked away, Isabella watched him disappear, then she turned to Elena.

"You know, I think you're the first person I've met who actually argues with him."

Elena laughed.

"Maybe everyone else is afraid of him."

Isabella smiled.

"Perhaps."

Adrian eventually returned, announcing that he needed to take Elena home, Victoria hugged her goodbye.

"Come again soon, sweetheart."

"I will."

Isabella hugged her too.

"And next time, we'll go shopping. Without the boys."

"Definitely."

As Elena reached the entrance, Alexander appeared behind them.

"Leaving?"

Elena turned.

"Yes."

He nodded.

"Finally. Peace and quiet."

She stared at him.

"You're welcome."

Alexander laughed, Adrian shook his head.

"Both of you need help."

Alexander slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Enjoy your evening, Elena."

She smiled.

"You too, Alexander."

Then she walked out with Adrian.

---

ALEXANDER'S ROOM

Alexander stood near his bedroom window, watching Adrian's car disappear through the gates, then hos phone vibrated, he picked it up.

Vanessa: Are you free tonight?

He stared at the message for a moment before typing.

Alexander: I might be.

Another message arrived.

Vanessa: You always say that.

He smiled faintly.

Alexander: And you always ask.

He dropped the phone onto his bed, his attention shifted to the photograph on his bedside table, it showed him with Adrian and Isabella when they were younger, his smile slowly disappeared, for a few seconds, he simply stared at it, then he turned away, there were things he preferred not to remember, things he had spent years trying to forget, and no amount of parties, women, or expensive distractions seemed capable of making them disappear completely, he picked up his phone again, butt before he could reply to Vanessa, another message appeared.

Unknown Number: We need to talk. It's about your father.

Alexander's expression hardened, he stared at the screen, then he slowly sat down, for the first time that afternoon, he wasn't smiling.