A knowing smirk tugged at Rick's lips.
"Hi, I'm Fredrick. You can call me Rick," he introduced himself to Ria.
She smiled warmly. "I'm Zaria…"
"And you should just call her that," Alex cut in, jealousy dripping from his tone.
Ria giggled softly at his possessiveness.
"Okay then, you go safely. I'm leaving," Alex said, his eyes lingering on her. She nodded.
"Shall I help you get in the car?" she asked, concern clear in her voice.
"Oh no need, SIL," Rick chimed in teasingly, SIL as in Sister-in-law.
Alex's heart did an involuntary flip.
"SIL?" Ria repeated, confused.
"It's nothing. He's just like that, talking nonsense everywhere," Alex muttered, shooting Rick a murderous glare. Rick actually shivered.
Rick laughed awkwardly. "I mean…sister. I'll help him get in. Yeah. That's what I meant."
He steadied Alex carefully and helped him into the car, Alex glaring daggers the whole time.
"Bye! Take care, SIL!" Rick shouted as he hurried into the driver's seat before Alex could retaliate. The engine roared to life, and Ria waved at Alex with a shy smile.
"What is this SIL…?" she murmured to herself.
Shrugging, Ria turned and headed back into the hospital.
Inside the car.
A stupid grin was plastered across Rick's face, irritating Alex to the core.
"What?" Alex snapped.
"Ahem." Rick cleared his throat dramatically.
"You got a throat problem?" Alex asked dryly.
The car stopped at a signal. Rick turned towards him, wiggling his eyebrows like a lunatic.
"Hey… what's going on?"
Alex leaned back with a small smile tugging at his lips.
"You yourself called her sister-in-law and now you're asking me what's going on?"
He quickly masked the smile with his usual poker face.
It took Rick a moment to register, and when it did, he squealed.
"Oh my God! She's going to be our sister-in-law!"
But just as fast, his excitement died. His face fell.
"But… there's a problem."
Alex frowned. "What problem?"
Rick started driving again.
He shrugged casually. "She's too pretty and innocent to be with a bull like you."
"You..!" Alex lifted his right arm to hit him, but..
"Ugh!" he winced in pain.
The sound made Rick's expression turn serious. Only then did he remember Alex was actually injured.
"You didn't tell me when or how it happened," Rick muttered, frowning.
"This morning. Secret mission," Alex said calmly.
Those two words were enough. Rick nodded, understanding immediately.
"It's rare… What happened to the great General? Distracted?"
Alex scoffed. "You think I'd ever get distracted?"
Rick shook his head.
"Then, a rat?"
Alex chuckled.
Rick's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"I told you so many times, something is off about that Colonel," Rick sneered.
"I know," Alex replied, unbothered.
"Soon he'll be caught in his mouse trap."
Rick smirked. "Then start the real game soon. I'm eager for a play, you know."
Alex's chuckle was dark.
"What about Rian and Ben? Was Ben with you this morning?" Rick asked.
"No. He was given the actual mission. I was only there to play with the Colonel."
He paused. "About Rian…" Alex shrugged. "He's busy dealing with his bratty sister's tantrums. No time for real problems. So I didn't inform him."
Rick's eyes widened. He slammed the brakes abruptly.
"What the..!!" Alex yelled.
Rick blinked twice, needing confirmation.
"Can you… can you repeat what you just said?"
Alex rolled his eyes. "I said Rian is now busy with his bratty sister."
"You're joking, right?" Rick asked, disbelief coating his voice.
Alex frowned. "Why would I joke about that?"
In Rick's mind: 'This idiot is clearly in love with her without even knowing she's the same girl he used to bad-mouth.'
Rick shook his head and cleared his throat, restarting the car.
"Ahem… Alex, my friend, you know… you shouldn't talk about her like that."
"About whom?"
"You know, Rian's sister."
Alex scoffed with pure hatred.
Rick continued, "People change, you know. Maybe she's changed too. What if she's a kind young lady now? Then you'll regret saying all this. Remember, Rian dotes on her a lot. So don't say something rude about his sister."
Alex seethed.
"Really? I don't believe that spoiled brat can ever change. And about Rian, he was always on my side against her back then. Don't know what got into him now."
"That's why I said maybe she has changed. That's why he cares so much now."
Alex sighed and leaned back, done with the conversation and still unconvinced.