22 Chapter 22

"I-It's you... Alpha." He mentioned the obvious and I looked away from him. I turned to mom who's lying sick on her bed.

"Mom." I called out in a whisper and walked towards her. "Is she okay?" I asked him while checking mom.

"Y-Yeah," he stammered and I turned to him. I caught how he gulped once as his breathing ragged.

"What happened to her? I don't know she's sick."

"It's just a mild migraine. She passed out during the meeting."

"But why? I don't know her condition."

"Who would know if you're far away from her?" He scoffed and I knotted my brows together as I glared at him.

"Are you insulting me?" I gritted my teeth and his lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"Not yet." He replied arrogantly and leaned on his chair, crossing his arms in front. "So? How was Italy?"

I clenched my jaw in frustration. I was about to answer him when someone opened the door, making us turn to someone who came into view. He looked at us one by one in surprise then stopped his eyes on me.

"Alraine." He called out and stepped inside. I walked towards him and I can see Royal's dangerous eyes on me. "Who is he?" Harffiel asked curiously as he took a glance from Royal.

I heard someone dragged a chair and I turned to him whose eyes are flaring up.

"Isn't it I should be the one to ask who are you?" He asked playfully and I glared at him.

"He's Royal." I stated and turned to Harffiel who's glaring at Royal.

"Royal." He mouthed while nodding. "Royal Mocetti, aren't you?"

"Do I know you?" He asked back in his cold voice. I can feel the tension between them.

"I'm Harffiel." Harffiel smirked as he introduced himself braggly. "Harffiel De Marco IV."

"Who are you to her?"

"Why would you even care?" He asked back playfully and I saw a hint of anger in Royal's eyes.

"I'm Royal Mocetti, her brother." Royal showed off.

"Okay." Harffiel nodded in an annoying manner. "Nice to meet you, bro. I'm Harffiel De Marco, Alraine's sexy husband."

My eyes widened at his word. My heart hammered foolishly to the point that I want the ground to open up and swallow me wholely.

"Husband." I can hear the amusement in his voice. "My sister hasn't informed me yet about you."

"Well," Harffiel shrugged off. "I pressume you're not really his brother. And you're not even related to her."

Royal tilted his head and darted his dangerous eyes on me. I gulped once and looked away. Silence followed.

"You know her that much, don't you?" Royal broke the silence between us.

"Of course." Harffiel bragged. "I believe it's your nature to know someone you love the most."

Royal never said a word again. So I faced my back at him to face Harffiel who seemingly enjoys the situation and I gave him a "pay me later" look but he just shrugged off as he winked at me.

Later that moment, Royal went out. He told us he'll be back later when he's done with his stuffs. I didn't have the guts to ask him further informations. I don't care about him. I realized it's good that he had hurt me 'cause he made me stronger. He made me realize that he's not the only man existing in this world.

"Now that we're all alone, mind to explain to me what you did earlier?" I shot my left brow at him and he just chuckled at me.

We're still inside mom's room. Mom's still sleeping. I don't know when she'll wake up.

"If only you know his reactions, Alraine. It's damn priceless!" He exclaimed in extreme happiness.

"The hell, Mister? What if he'll believe we're married?"

"So?"

"What "so"?" I slapped my forehead in disbelief.

Oh, goddess. What is he thinking?

"I got it." He stated in chortle. "You still love him, don't you?"

"N-No." I quickly objected.

"Hmm," he hummed playfully. "Sounds defensive." He teased.

"I'm not!" I whined. "Will you please-"

"Okay. Okay. Okay." He hung his hands in the air while laughing. "But for the mean time, let's just pretend that we're married."

"You're so gross!" I grunted and he grimaced playfully.

"This face is gross?" He pointed himself. "You're even lucky 'cause I claimed you as my wife."

"Should I be thankful, then?" I scoffed.

"Of course!" He insisted. "Damn, Alraine. Do you even know how many girls are dying to see me?"

I mocked at him and bursted into a laughter. Here we go again with his arrogant side.

"You know what?"

"Yes?" He shot his brows up as he leaned closer to me. Good thing he's sitting across from me.

"You would look beautiful with scars on your face." I propounded.

"Where are we? Ethiopia?"

"Sort of." I joked and he grimaced. I bursted into a laughter at his reaction.

"Your face is priceless." I commented while laughing.

"You're rude." He pouted and I laughed even more. He looked childish.

"I know." I wiggled my brows and winked at him seductively.

"Don't ever dare." He warned teasingly and I licked my lower lip seductively. I love how he blushed at my actions. His ears turned into a shade of red.

"Come to me, Mister." I challenged seductively and he stood up and ran towards me. I squirmed as he lifted me up.

"You're a bad seduction." He commented as he tickled me so hard, making me shout as I tried to get off from him. But he's to firm that I couldn't even move him a bit.

"Stop!" I cried while laughing so hard.

Oh, goddess. I might die in pain he caused.

"Please stop!" I shouted and forcefully pushed him away from me. Good thing he pulled away and caught his breath.

My breathing became rag. I inhaled deeply as I tried to fill my lungs with air.

"Now, do it again." He challenged and I bursted into a laughter, so as him.

"I won't." I declared as I stepped back.

"Come on. It's been awhile since the last time I spat out."

"Oh, goddess." I gasped. "You're a dink."

"I know." He bragged. "And I'm warning you, don't do it again 'cause I'll make sure you'll find yourself naked in front of me."

I laughed instead of feeling threatened. I know he can't do it. But somehow, a part of me believes his words.

"Okay." I rolled my eyes as I puffed and huffed. "Now, what's your plan? In any moment, Royal will arrive."

He pouted as he looked up, holding his chin. And seconds passed, he looked down and caught my eyes.

"Nothing."

I abruptly knotted my brows together.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing?" He replied, sounded questioning.

"You're a bitch!" I whined and he giggled at my reaction. I was about to jab his face when he spoke up.

"Kidding, missy." He teased and I frowned at him.

"This is your fucking fault!" I squawked.

"I'm no guilt." He said innocently.

"No guilt your face!" I bit my lower lip in frustration. Why am I here with him?

"Relax, okay? He'll soon know the truth. And will you please stop acting like you're in trouble."

"What do you expect?" I asked in irritation. "You should have shut your pricking mouth."

"Sorry, okay?" He sarcastically blurted out and I firmly closed my eyes and rubbed my temple.

Why am overacting? I should care less about Royal, shouldn't I? So what if I'm so called married to this Italian boy who did nothing but to cause trouble?

"Alraine?" He called out and I opened my eyes to look at him. "Did I make a wrong move?"

I glared at him and sighed exasperately.

"No." I shook my head. "Okay... let's keep it this way. But make sure no feelings involved, alright?"

He stared at me like reading my mind then nodded subconsciously.

"Come here." He demanded gently and I followed him without any hesitation. I came closer to him and he pulled me closer to his chest and cherished me in his arms. "I know he's the reason behind your heartaches." He said and I gulped once.

He knows Royal. I have told him few informations about that man and he knows why I don't want to go back here 'cause I don't want to see the same face who had me broken.

"I was just trying to protect you."

"I understand." I quickly replied and pulled my body away from him. His ocean blue eyes are screaming sincerity. "And thank you for helping me."

He smiled bitterly. "All for you, Alraine. I don't want him to break you again 'cause if that so, I will break his soul. And if only love exists in my heart and brain, I would have married you the moment I laid my eyes on you."

"Cheesy." I teased and he smiled.

"I'm serious." He insisted and a sigh followed. "But I know I can't love you."

"But why?" I frowned.

"I can't love someone who's in love with someone else."

I nodded and smiled bitterly.

"That's good to hear, then." I muttered.

"Close your eyes." He demanded and I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Just close your eyes." He mouthed and I had no choice but to shut my eyes. "Don't even dare to peek." He warned.

"Okay." I nodded. I don't know about his ideas but because I trust him, I did what he just told me.

I heard a sound of an opened door and just in, I felt Harffiel's lips against mine. I didn't had the chance to react because he pulled me closer to his chest, telling me to keep still.

Few moments passed when Harffiel loosened up from me and I opened my eyes. I felt tipsy as I looked directly at his eyes.

"Harffiel..." I called out, confused, but he just smiled at me and planted a kiss on my forehead.

Someone cleared his throat, making my heart jump.

"Royal!" Harffiel called out joyfully.

I took a glance from Royal. His eyes were deeper and darker. I can feel a knife slowly making its way to my heart. And I know how dangerous they were because if only glare could kill, I have been lying down on the floor, lifeless.

"Did I interrupt your honeymoon?" He scoffed in cold voice.

"Not yet." Harffiel replied teasingly and I turned to him who only gave me a wink.

I caught my breath in silence. Now, prove to them he did the right thing, Raphaela. Show to him how happy you are with Harffiel. Even if it's just a play. Make him realize what he had lost.

I yawned and I immediately covered my mouth.

"Woah!" Harffiel exclaimed amusingly. "Seems like my preggy wife needs a beauty rest."

"You're pregnant." Royal muttered, sounded clarifying and I smiled because I'm starting to enjoy the situation.

"Two months?" I replied, unsure.

Me? Got pregnant by an Italian boy, Harffiel De Marco?

I am so dead!!!

I felt Harffiel wanted to burst into a laughter but I suppressed him by squeezing his arms, making him groan.

"C-Congrats, then?" Royal knocked me off my trance and I turned to him while cocking my brows together.

"Thanks." I smiled sweetly. I am enjoying what's happening here. I hope I won't regret after.

"Anyway," Harffiel cleared his throat. "We'll be back here tomorrow. My wife just needs a rest."

"Sure." Royal nodded.

"Thanks." Harffiel nodded as well and we past by behind him. He opened the door for us and before we stepped outside, I turned around to face him. He was watching us leaving.

"It was nice to meet you again... fratello." I said and smiled. I felt my heart fluttered at my own words. I felt light and flying. Finally! I had the closure that I've been craving for.

We took the elevator and while we're on our way down to the foyer, he was laughing his ass out.

"I just can't believe you did that!" He exclaimed while laughing and I rolled my eyes between a smile.

"You're right, Fiel. All I need is a closure."

His face became stolid as he turned to me. My smile vanished as he narrowed his eyes on me.

"Don't look at me like that." I warned, scowling at him.

"You think you feel better now?" He asked, sounded troubled.

"I guess so?" I shrugged.

"He might believe in us."

I grimaced and rolled his eyes.

"Let him. He deserves it." I coldly stated.

I scowled at nowhere. If he only sees me as his younger sister, there's no need to feel any abhorrence towards everything, especially in me. If he only sees me as his younger sister, he'll be happy for me, for what I have now in my life. He had hurt me. And I believe he's married now. I believe he's happy with his life too. He shouldn't meedle with mine for I have cut any connection we had before.