23 Chapter 23

The following morning, I woke up early to have a jog. And when I went back to my house, I saw Harffiel sitting on the couch while reading a broadsheet.

"Good morning!" I greeted joyfully and he turned to me in surprise but immediately recovered and he smiled sweetly.

"Good morning, wife." He teased.

"Sounds gross." I scoffed and rolled my eyes at him as I walked towards the kitchen.

"Isn't it?" I heard his voice and footsteps followed.

"Are you hungry? I will cook breakfast for us." I presented, looking for some foods inside the fridge.

"No need." He demurred. "I can do it by myself."

I scrunched my brows as I faced him.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yup." He nodded. I can feel overwhelming confidence in his voice.

"Okay. I'll just take my shower. I'll be right back, alright?"

"Yeah, sure. Take time."

I nodded and went upstairs to take a quick shower. After, I changed into a pastel pink jacket made of cloth, black ripped jeans and a pair of white shoes. And when I was done, I descended from the stairs and walked towards the kitchen. From here, I can smell pancakes, fried eggs, and bacons.

"Hmm," I hummed hungrily. "Smells good." I pleased.

"Which do you prefer? Coffee, milk or tea?" He asked, placing the pancakes on the table.

"I'll have coffee." I replied and took the vacant seat in front of me while he's setting our whole breakfast.

As he finished his chores, he occupied the seat across from me and we started eating.

"What else would you like to do here?" I suddenly asked, breaking the defeaning silence between us.

"What do you mean?" He asked back and stared at me.

"You told me you're here for business. Do Uncle Harffiel III already knew about this?" I knotted my brows in curiosity.

"Not yet." He shook his head off. "Actually, he doesn't know about this thing. I just told him I want to visit some places in the Philippines."

"And?" I shot my brows up and he shrugged, continuing his food.

"Then he agreed. He asked me if I could do some research here."

"Research?" I mouthed.

"Yup. For the business. He's planning to talk to Mr. Arthur Vega and I don't know when is that."

"Is there a possibility that your companies will be merged?" I asked curiously.

'Cause nowadays, businessmen are taking the risk in merging companies. Or more like corporation, partners, allies and such.

"No." He chortled softly. "Mr. Arthur Vega is not into merging. Also his daughter, Zette Vega."

"O...kay?" I contorted my face and he just smiled at me. "So that means you're not yet sure when you'll go back to Italy?"

"Precisely." He answered like I just mentioned an obvious thing.

After we had our breakfast, Harffiel and I decided to pay a visit in mom's condition. I hope she's awake now. It's just a mild migraine, that was what Royal told me and I hope so. I can't afford to lose her.

As we're getting near to mom's room, I can hear voices inside it. My heart abruptly hammered as I heard familiar voices. Royal's and mom's.

"You okay?" Harffiel suddenly asked, making my heart flinch and I nodded at him. "You look not." He commented. "What's wrong? Was it because of the coffee?"

I shook my head and looked away from him. Yet, I can feel his nosy eyes on me.

"Maybe I'm not just comfortable." I said as I turned to him. "I think mom's awake and Royal's inside the room."

He stared at me like he's trying to read my mind by looking at my eyes.

"Don't worry. Just go with the flow." He assured and I nodded. Without him, I don't know what to do.

He held the knob and twisted it before he opened the door. Just in, laughter settled down the moment we showed ourselves.

Mom's brows furrowed as she squinted at me. I abruptly turned to Royal whose eyes now are flaring.

"Mom?" I called out and ran towards her. I can see confusion in her eyes but I ignored it. I hugged her tight. Tears immediately pooled over my eyes. "Mom," I whispered as I loosened up from her.

"Alpha?" She mentioned, sounds unsure.

"Yes, mom. This is me." I smiled and hugged her again. I was caught off guard when she hugged me back.

"Oh, my baby." She said softly and I pulled my body away from her.

"How are you, mom? I'm so sorry if I wasn't there to-"

"Shsh." She shushed me gently and smiled at me. She hung her hand and caressed my cheeks using her thumb. "It's okay." She said, almost in a whisper.

"I wouldn't know about your condition until grandma told me."

"How is she?"

"She's fine. She's alone again. I mean, of course Nannies are there."

Mom smiled at me. A smile that could melt someone's heart.

Few seconds passed when she looked over my shoulder then turned to me again with her curious eyes. I smiled and stood up straight before I drew my body near to Harffiel.

"This is Harffiel, mom." I introduced my so called sexy husband to my one and only mom.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Madame." Harffiel formally stated and mom chuckled.

"Is that really how you greet people?" She chortled.

"He's a businessman, mom." I informed and mom nodded.

"He has a gorgeous physiques." Mom complimented and I can see Harffiel's mischievous smile behind my back.

"He's an Italian boy, mom. Expect it."

"How are you related to my daughter?" She asked the Italian boy and I abruptly turned to him who's plastering a victorious smile. There's a hint of amusement in his ocean blue eyes.

I shot my brows at Harffiel when I felt like he has no plan in answering mom's question.

"Her sexy husband, madame." Harffiel plastered an odd smile and I bit my lower lip as I strain myself from hurting him. I want to kill that dink in front of them!

"Sexy husband?" Mom mouthed, amused and I turned to her, plastering an awkward smile. "I don't know you're married already, Alpha."

"L-Let me explain, mom." I said and chewed my lower lip. I suddenly darted my eyes on Royal who's looking at me intently. From the way he stares at me is like he wants to see me lying on the floor, lifeless. Or maybe it's just me who assumed that he's not enjoying what's going on here.

Mom shook her head between a smile.

"No need, Alpha. Besides, you're old enough to make your own decision. I'll just hope that you will be happy with him."

If you only know I'm not freaking married with this man! Goddess! This is Harffiel's fault. I think mom believes that I married this Italian boy who has ocean blue eyes.

Goodness! I would kill myself before I get tied my knot with him. He's not even a material husband. He's not compatible or perfect to be called "husband" because he doesn't even know the word "love" and "commitment". This man doesn't know how to stick to one.

Later that afternoon, we took our lunch together. Royal was the one who brought foods for us since he has a resto.

"I'm glad you're staying here for awhile, son." Mom declared, referring to Harffiel.

We're still inside our room. Doctors told us mom can go home by tomorrow. So far, her body is reacting with her medications and I'm glad 'cause she's feeling better now. And to my surprise, mom and I are having a good relationship. Also dad, who's here with us right now.

"My dad told me to do some research here 'cause I think he has a plan in creating business here."

"Really?" Mom blurted out, sounds surprised and amused. "I assure you you can find perfect places to build a business."

"We can help you." Dad butted in, making us turn to him. "I can help you to find a place for your business."

"Thank you." Harffiel smiled with a nod. "Dad will be so happy with this."

"When will we meet him?" Mom asked, making my heart flinch and Harffiel turned to me with his blank eyes.

"H-He's a busy businessman, mom." I explained and she turned to me.

"Yeah, you have a point there." She nodded and I sighed in relief.

Harffiel and I went out after we had our conversation. He's laughing his ass out 'cause he found me funny. He's laughing at my reaction when mom wanted to meet Harffiel's dad.

"You're a pricking dink!" I squawked and he laughed even more. "Don't laugh at me!" I jabbed his chest and he stepped backward because of what I did.

"I'm sorry, okay?" He said while laughing. "I just can't help myself."

"You made them believe that we're married!" I whined.

"Why? Aren't we?"

"Stop playing, will you?!" I yelled at him and his face became stolid and stern. "Now look at what you did." I grunted. "And you got the guts to laugh?"

Harffiel rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Which do you prefer? Royal will think you're still single after what he did to you?"

"Why do you even care?" I quickly huffed.

"Yeah! Why do I even care? Right? Why do I give a damn about you getting hurt because you met him again and you know in yourself that he's happy with someone else? Why do I fucking give a damn if I see you crying because you know it in yourself that you still love him? What do you think, Alraine? Why do you think I care?"

My breathing twitched and I looked away from him. I can feel my chest tightening and few seconds past by, my eyes stung as tears pooled over my eyes.

"Why do I even care?" He asked exasperately. "I told you, Alraine. I will do everything to protect you from him."

I remained my eyes away from him as silence followed. Only my heartbeats were heared by my ears. It was a defeaning silence that took over us.

"Just trust me, okay?" He spoke up, breaking the silence. "I can handle this. Don't worry, we'll make him realize what he had lost when he lost you."

I looked directly at his eyes and tears made their ways to my cheeks. I broke down into tears and he pulled me closer to his chest, cherishing me in his arms. I hugged him back as I felt the guilt slowly swallowing my pride.

"I'm sorry," I cried and he shushed me soothingly. "I just don't know what to do now." I pulled my face away from him but I still remained in his arms. "I am so confused."

"I know." He said, almost in a whisper. "But you trust me, don't you?"

"I do." I quickly answered. "But please, tell me about your plans."

"O-okay." He nodded and I hugged him again. I am so thankful I have him. Without this Italian boy, I would look like an awful loser.

Later than six when we went back to mom's room and to my surprise, Royal's around. I don't know how long he's been here but I can say that he hadn't stepped outside yet.

"Mom." I called out as I walked towards her. I kissed her cheeks, so as dad's.

"We already took our dinner, sweetheart. What about the two of you?"

Harffiel stared at me like he's waiting me to answer mom's question.

"We're full, mom. Worry not about us." I said reassuringly.

"Okay. That's good then." She nodded then took a glance from Royal. "By the way, Royal will go home soon. Would you mind to go with him?"

I furrowed my brows and I turned to Royal who's lips were curled into a smile.

"I believe he can handle himself, mom." I demurred. My heart hammered foolishly. I don't know what makes me feel comfortable. His eyes or his smirks?

"We know." Dad butted in and I abruptly turned to him. "But of course, we have to pay his kindness."

"No need, Uncle Raphael." Royal spoke up and I gritted my teeth. I know he's talking opposite of what he wants to happen. "Just like she said, I can handle myself."

"No, Royal." Mom quickly objected. I can hear determination in her voice. "My daughter will go with you to get some things for us. We will sleep here together."

"But mom!" I whined and she widened her eyes at me.

"You cannot say "no" to your fratello, Alpha. Besides, don't you miss him?"

I grimaced as I turned to Royal whose eyes were screaming amusement and victory.

"Why would I miss someone who broke me?" I coldly asked, but it sounded more like a statement. I looked into Royal's eyes and I saw a hint of regret on it.

"Alpha." Dad called out in warning and I gritted my teeth, emphasizing I loathe Royal.

"Fine." I sighed in resignation. "But ask my husband first."

I turned to Harffiel who looked caught off guard but immediately recovered and he smiled at me.

"It's okay, wife." He said and turned to Royal. "Just please take care of her."

Royal silently clenched his jaw tight.

"I will." He curtly said.