AllFreeNovel
Share Us
BellaandIarrivehome at three in the afternoon, and ever since early morning, I’ve beenseething.
Bella did not seem to give it much attention at first, but now that we’re alone, it is evident, and she won’t leave me alone about it.
“C’mon, why are you so angry?” she asks, dropping her purse over the coffee table and then plops dramatically over the couch.
I sit too, with my arms crossed and one foot underneath me. Only then do I realize I’m pouting like a duck, which only makes things worse.
“It’s your brother, okay?” I finally confess.
She snickers, then blinks profusely, looking at me with utter confusion. “But why?” she wants to know.
I obviously can’t tell her the real reason. A man has never been that gentle with me, only to reject me like that. Hell, I’m not even sure anymore if I’m angry with him for the reason I think, but one way or the other, she needs an answer.
“I’m sorry. I know he’s your brother, but…”
“But what?”
“He shouldn’t have volunteered me to be the photographer. He’s not the boss of me! And he’s way too self-important, Bella!” I say, half-shouting.
And she laughs, bracing herself, nearly cackling. She takes a deep breath to catch her breath, and then lies back against the cushions of the two-seater.
“First of all, you were always going to be the photographer on this! You agreed to be when I pitched the idea to you before we went to his party.”
I grimace at the mention of the party, but she doesn’t seem to notice.
She continues, “And about him being self-important, well yes, maybe a little, I’ll give you that,” she says lightly. “But I can guarantee it’s not to get on anyone’s nerves. That’s just the way he is.”
“Powerful and almighty?” I say, rolling my eyes.
She laughs again, “Yeah, after striking it rich by investing in his buddy’s cybersecurity startup, he created his own solar power company. Even though he is the founder and CEO of it, it’s now become more established, allowing him to delegate so others do most of the work for him. So, he now has more flexibility to do things he enjoys. A big part of his enjoyment is doing charity work, and he won’t shut his mouth about it, so…”
I look at her with a small smile, then catch myself chewing on my thumbnail, and quickly finding myself getting curious about him once again.
“What’s his deal, huh? You didn’t tell me he was married…” I say, ready to hear a confirmation that he is so I can go back to hating him.
“He’s a widower!” she says, quickly coming to his defense and demanding respect for him. “His wife caught the nastiest case of pneumonia and died about four years ago.”
“Oh my God!” I place a hand over my heart. “That must have been tough on the kid.”
Bella nods, then crosses her legs before continuing, “I remember Mom wanted to move in with him to help raise Harlan, but Dad totally freaked out. They live in Texas so it’s pretty far and also Mom has been in a car accident around that time and was going through physical therapy. Luckily, she is just fine now, but letting Harlan live with them was also a no-go, so Alex made do with a full-time nanny until not too long ago when he started kindergarten.”
“He has no nanny now?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Only before and after school as needed, and during some select nights,” she says. “Please don’t tell Alex I told you about any of this, okay? It still really hurts for him.”
It’s my turn to nod, and after adjusting myself a little better on the couch, I reply, knowing I should stay away from her brother, “No worries. I don’t plan on talking much to your brother.”
She throws a couch cushion at me, which I catch in the air, and with a laugh she says, “I still don’t get why you don’t like Alex? Everybody likes him!”
“Um,” I shrug. “Just because you’re a philanthropic billionaire doesn’t mean you’re worthy of my attention.”
“Nah, he’ll grow on you!” She waves me off. “Wanna grab a bite?”
I snicker, her never ending appetite never ceases to amaze me, especially considering her slender frame.
“No, I’m good. We had lunch at the office, woman!”
“But I’m hungry again…” she pouts. “I’ll order takeout!”
