15 Chapter 15

"You can stay in your Aunt Graciana for awhile while we're out of town." Mom informed me.

Today is Saturday. We're having our breakfast together, which is very new to me. Usually they don't join me with my breakfast. So it's really surprising. And now, they're telling me to stay in Aunt Graciana's house because they'll be off to other country. In Italy, specifically. Maybe they'll visit grandmother and I heard mom has a new exhibition of her new masterpieces.

"Until when?" I asked, trying to sound okay.

Honestly, I want them to stay. I don't want them to leave me but who am I kidding? I cannot give them reasons to stay. They might just bring up the topic about Omega's death. And I'm so tired of proving to them that it was just an accident. Who would believe in me? No one.

"We don't know." Dad replied in his baritone voice. "We'll visit your grandma as well."

"Okay," I nodded as a response. I don't want any further discussion.

After we had our breakfast, mom told me to pack my things up 'cause in any moment, Aunt Graciana's son will come her to fetch me. I wonder who is he. I know Aunt Graciana. I've been hearing her name since then. She's the wife of Mr. Kirby Mocetti, a well-known Italian tycoon. But her son, who will fetch me, I don't know anything 'bout him.

After I packed my things, I told Nanny Paula to bring my things down as I wore my off shoulder red dress with long sleeves, paired in red pumps. I have to look presentable in front of that man. His imaginative image lurks inside my head. I hope he's good, you know. He's not that strict and cold hearted man.

I was in living room when the doorbell rang. Nanny Paula immediately moved to check who was that then came back here with her red cheeks.

"Mr. Mocetti is here." She said between a smile.

"Oh!" I heard mom blurted out. "Tell him to step inside."

"Sure, madame." Nanny replied with a nod then opened the main door to do what did mom tell her. And just in few seconds passed by, a familiar man came before my eyes and my breathing hitched as I realized who he was.

Royal?!

Royal is Mr. Kirby and Mrs. Graciana's son?! How come?! He's a Mocetti?!

Cold feeling ran all through out my body. My breathing hobbled as our eyes met. I can't believe my eyes! For all the man who will fetch me here, it's Royal?!

Oh, goddess! What am I supposed to do?

"Hijo!" Mom greeted, followed by the sound of her heels and Royal smiled sweetly, making my heart skip a beat.

Mom hugged Royal for few seconds before she loosened up to scan the man's body with astonishment.

"You look great as always, hijo." Mom complimented.

"Thanks, tita." Royal smiled then turned to me. He stared at me for how many seconds and mom noticed him so she turned to me.

"This is my daughter, Alpha." She declared. "I guess you already know her?"

"Yes, tita." Royal smiled at mom then to me. "She's Desirque's bestfriend."

"Yup." Mom agreed. "I wonder why you know Desirque."

"She's my cousin." He replied.

"Oh, really? I don't about that. She's a good girl, you know. Her parents are so lucky to have a daughter like her."

I looked away as I felt the pang in her words, slowly killing me. Does she have to flaunt how good Desirque is under my nose?

I rolled my eyes mentally. Should I hate my bestfriend now? I shouldn't, right? She's none of her business here. She's innocent.

"Name it all, tita." Royal agreed and smiled.

"Oh, yeah. Are you in hurry?" She changed the topic.

"Nope. I have nothing to do in my house."

"Good," mom smiled. "I hope this can't bother you."

"Yeah, sure." Royal nodded.

After that, we decided to drive off into his house. He brought his own car, the same black car with a windmill logo. I love how he handles his things. They always look like a brand new.

"Are you okay?" He suddenly asked, making my heart jump.

He stopped the car for a moment because of the traffic light, so he had the chance to take a glance from me.

"Y-yeah," I stammered. I bit my lower lip, trying to hurt myself because I can't take his presence. I feel like I want the ground to swallow me alive. I don't even think I'm wide awake. I feel like dreaming.

Really, goddess?! Royal Mocetti is with me right now?!

He chuckled under his breath then drove away again. I don't know what made him do that.

"You look like a scared cat." He commented between an amused smile. "Am I scaring you?"

"No." I quickly replied. From the tone of my voice, I sounded defensive.

"I see..." he chortled softly. My cheeks heated up because of his laughter, which radiates like a tidal wave into my ears.

He turns left and just in a moment, a big white gate welcomes my eyes. He decreases his speed as the gate slowly moves apart until it finally opens and the car speeds up again before he parks it in front of the main door.

I gasped in silence. I'm still inside his car but I know how beautiful the entire place is. I have spotted a fountain in the middle of the ground with blooming flowers around it. And I must admit, I'm fidgeting right now.

"Relax, Alpha." He said, cupping my hands on my lap and I looked up at him. His deep set coffee eyes are mesmerizing. I haven't seen any eyes like he has except from Desirque. Desirque's eyes are crystal light brown in color. "No one will hurt you here."

I blinked once and stared at his hand holding mine then immediately eyed him as I gulped once. My heart is beating so fast that I could barely breathe. I don't know and I don't understand what's going on but one thing I'm sure, Royal Mocetti is with me, holding my hand!!!

"Alpha?"

Startled, my body jumped off as I heard Riley's voice. I was so lost! I forgot I am with Riley right now.

"S-sorry?" I clarified out and he chuckled at my reaction.

"Where were you? I've been talking to you the whole time but you weren't even listening. How lucky." He said between his laughter and I looked away because of embarrassment. Instead of getting mad at me, he laughs because of what had happened and he seemingly sounded sarcastic in his last line.

"I-I'm really sorry." I said, blinking twice. I just can't believe I was having a throwback in my head the moment I saw Royal.

And speaking of him, I gulped once as our eyes met. He scrunched his brows at me then stepped forward, clarifying if it's really me.

Yes, Royal. This is me. The girl you hurt so much. From now on, I will build a sturdy wall between us. You can no longer reach nor touch me. I'll make sure of that. After what you did to me? I don't think I can still trust you.

"Alpha," he called out emotionless.

"Hey, man!" Riley butted in, greeting his soon to be cousin.

"Where the two of you are going?" He asked me, ignoring Riley.

"We'll be having a date." I answered confidently and Riley turned to me with his confused face and nosy eyes. And I smiled at him, assuring him everything's doing well.

"A date?" He mouthed in furrowed brows. "Since when you two are hanging out?"

Riley didn't say any word so I decided to think of a good answer and I smiled at him sweetly.

"Just now." I answered with a sarcastic sweet smile.

"Really?" I could hear the sarcasm in his voice. "You didn't tell me about this, Alpha." Now he sounds threatening.

"Ow," I faked a grin. "I'm sorry. I haven't informed yet that it's my obligation to tell you about my personal stuffs."

"I'm your brother, Raphaela. And it's my responsibility to know who you're hanging out."

I shot my brows in disbelief. I can taste the venom in every word he utters.

Brother? Really, Royal? You're my brother?

Indeed, Raphaela. He only sees you as his so called younger sister. You were never a lover of him. Might as well, he was never your lover.

And what do you expect? He'll love you more than just a sister? That he will feel a love stronger than he feels for Ria? Come on! You're just making yourself a fool in front of him.

I smiled mockingly at him then turned to Riley and to him again.

"I'm sorry, fratello. I forgot about this thing." I paused, taking a deep breath. "But anyway, I'm happy that you're engaged with Ria. I hope you won't let her go again. I hope you two are ready to settle things down." I smiled bitterly. I strained to hold back my tears as well as my feelings. I'm so hurt right now. I feel like betrayed behind my back.

I thought he loves me more than just his good sister. I thought our hearts beat at the same time. Guess it's only my thought, my blind optimism. I was so wrong for investing. I made a wrong choice. I should have known about it before things get complicated.

And now I regret. I hate myself for loving someone who does nothing but to treat me like his sister. I hate myself because I love him more than anything else even if he only sees me as his family.

"T-Thanks," he said, a little bit stammering. I saw how his throat moved as he looked away.

"Ahm," Riley hesitated to butt in and I turned to him with a smile.

"Let's go?" I asked him in shot brows and I saw at the corner of my eyes that Royal eyed me. I pretended that I'm okay even if in any moment, I will break down into tears.

Damn, Royal. I never thought you could hurt me this way. 'Cause maybe I'm too assuming. I assumed that you love me too. You lifted me up so high that I don't know how to go down.

"Yeah, sure." Riley answered in a smile then turned to Royal, so did I. "Would you mind if we'll go ahead?"

Royal pierced his deep coffee eyes into mine. I can see blazing fire on it and I don't care whether he's fuming in anger right now.

"He won't." I answered with a sarcastic sweet smile as I turned to Riley. "For sure it's not his business anymore. Right, fratello?" I shot my brows at him between a smirk.

Royal remained stolid. I can feel myself going deeper under his skin. Oh, well. Let's play it cool.

His jaw moved tight. I can feel him straining himself from bursting into anger.

"Yes, baby." He answered playfully and my breathing automatically twitched when I heard how he called me. And maybe he noticed my reaction, he slowly curled his lips into a smirk.

"Okay," I answered cool then turned to Riley. "Let's go." I smiled and whirled around to walk away.

After all, I'm still the loser. Alraine Raphaela Marcos will always be the loser. When was the last time I won? Can't remember it.

"You okay?" Riley suddenly asked and I nodded as a response.

We're inside his moving car. After what had happened, I decided to shut my mouth. Riley kept on asking about me but only a nod and shaking head he got from me. I don't have any strength to say a word. I lost it the moment I realized I lose in the game.

He stopped the car and that's the moment I knew where in front of our campus. I unbuckled my seatbelt, so as him then opened the door and stepped outside. He turned around and I watched his moves until he opened my door with a smile.

"Thanks." I said and he nodded as his response then I stepped outside.

The cold breeze of an air welcomed me as I wandered my eyes around. Riley, in the other hand, shut the door then turned to me with a smile. He looks gorgeous with his crystal dark brown eyes.

"Are you cold?" He asked and I stopped my eyes from wandering to face him.

"A little bit. But I'm fine. I just need to see my friends."

"Okay. So, let's go?"

"Yeah, sure." I replied with a nod.