Red String of Fate

Chapter 8: Leverage

"Okay, Dad." He said as Dustin and Alexander started to leave. He followed them out of the conference room and nodded his head at Dustin when the young lawyer bade him and Alexander goodbye. "Alex." He called his brother.

"Bakit?"

"Nakabuntis ka ba?" Nickolai asked and Alexander's face registered confusion.

"Saan nanggaling yang tanong na yan? Sa ating dalawa ikaw yung may girlfriend, hindi ba dapat ako ang magtanong sayo nyan?"

"Kailangan ba ng girlfriend para makabuntis?" Asked Nickolai and Alexander frowned at him. "Is that why you're acting weird these past few days kasi nakadisgrasya ka ng babae?"

"Nick, minsan sa tingin ko mas bagay sayo maging writer kesa maging abogado." Alexander retorted and Nickolai laughed.

"I'll send you the files later para ma-review mo. Kumusta na pala si Alexa?"  

"Ganun pa rin." Alexander distractedly replied.

"What do you mean ganun pa rin?"

"Ganun pa rin sya kung paano sya dati."

"Alex, take the afternoon off for Pete's sake. I am worried with this new level of idiocy that you're displaying. You can't even answer a simple question articulately. Are you doing drugs?"

"Tarantado. Mukha ba akong adik?" Alexander asked as Alexa stepped out of her father's office.

"Alexa!" Nickolai called and she turned her head to look at them and smiled.

"Hi, Nick." She greeted back. "Hi, Alex." She added as an afterthought. Her lack of enthusiasm in greeting him wasn't lost on Alex and he felt a little put-off.

"Kumain ka na ba, Alexa? Masyado mo yatang siniseryoso ang pagtratrabaho baka magkasakit ka nyan." Nickolai said and Alexa laughed softly.

"Bababa ako to have coffee." She replied as the three of them headed to the elevator.

"Alex, samahan mo si Alexa na mag coffee tutal di ka na rin lang nakakausap ng maayos at parang wala ka sarili mo." Nickolai instructed. "Bear with my brother's company, Alexa. Ewan ko ba anong problema nito, babae yata." He unwittingly added and Alexa hid her surprise behind a smile.

"Okay." She said. Nick waved goodbye at the pair and they proceeded to the elevator quietly. When the elevator door opened Alexa stepped inside and Alex followed. "Saan yung coffeshop?" She asked.

"Fifth." Alexander replied without looking at her and she felt a little bewildered. Ano ba tong lalaking to, hot one minute and cold the next. Not that I mind. She thought. When they reached the fifth floor, she stepped out of the lift and walked ahead of him. She saw the café and went inside not waiting for Alex. She placed an order for a slice of cheesecake and coffee americano and took a magazine from one of the racks. Alex sat down beside her after a few minutes and proceeded to ignore her. Ano bang problema nitong manyakis na to at di na lang namamansin bigla? Alexa asked herself but she would rather jump off a building than initiate a conversation with him.

"One cheesecake and one venti coffee americano for Ms. Alexa." The barista announced and Alexa stood up but Alex's leg was barring her way. Ano na namang plano nitong baliw na to? She grumbled to herself. The barista repeated her orders and smiled at her when she noticed her. "Ms. Alexa?" She smiled inquiringly and Alexa nodded her head. Bwisit talaga tong lalaking to! She gritted her teeth, as Alexander remained unmoving.

"Alexander, move." She finally said but he just looked at her. She arched her brow but his face remained deadpan. "Padaanin mo ako!" She repeated. "Alexander!"

"Ma'am, we'll just bring your order to your table." The barista volunteered as she smiled anxiously at Alexa before she glanced at Alexander. Alexa nodded her head as she sat back down.

"It's frustrating isn't it when you don't get what you want?" Alexander muttered. "Now you know how I feel." He said as one of the coffee shop attendants placed Alexa's order on their table. They ate in silence and Alexander stood up when she did. They rode the elevator quietly and nodded at the employees who greeted them.

"Thanks." Alexa murmured when they reached her father's office. She let herself in and was surprised when he followed her inside. "Stop this, Alex. This is getting tiring and childish." She uttered  with a sigh as she starting walking towards her father's table.

"Alexa." He called and she turned to face him. She was surprised when he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. 

"Alex! Stop it!" She hissed as she started to struggle against him. "Ano ba!"

"Please isang minuto lang." He murmured against her hair and the tenderness in his voice made her cease her movement. Gradually, she relaxed against him as her heart drummed crazily inside her chest. "I miss you." He whispered and she instantly grew weak-kneed. " I have been missing you like crazy these past two days." He added before he kissed her on the forehead and left without a backward glance.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hello, friends! Thanks for your undying support! I posted an update early because the Romance Genre Rankings inspired me. Advance Happy Valentine's Day!

♥ jennicka