Inside the car.
Alex sighed and leaned back, done with the conversation and still unconvinced.
Then Rick asked carefully, "What about Dr. Zaria?"
"What about her?" Alex arched a brow.
"Are you sure… about your feelings toward her?"
Alex looked out the window.
"More than sure," he whispered, like a promise to himself. A small smile tugged on his lips.
Rick was now thoroughly confused.
'Should I tell him? If I blurt it out now, he might hurt her and she clearly likes him too. Better he finds out himself… I can help a little, right?'
He kept glancing at Alex.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Alex snapped.
"Nothing… I'm just afraid you'll hurt her," Rick admitted honestly.
Alex frowned. "Don't tell me you…"
Before he could finish, Rick cut him off.
"What the hell, man? It's not what you think. She's like a sister to me. From the first moment I saw her till now, and even in the far future, she'll remain a sister."
Alex let out a sigh of relief.
"And you know who my heart belongs to," Rick added softly.
Alex nodded.
"What I mean is… she's too kind and innocent to be played with," Rick said.
"I know, Rick." Alex's voice softened. "I'm going to propose to her once this problem with the 'Thimothees' is over."
Rick smiled. "Yeah, clear them fast. They can be a threat to your close ones."
Alex nodded.
"Do you love her in any condition?" Rick pressed again.
"Are you interrogating me now?"
"Yeah. As a brother."
Alex chuckled.
"I do. I always will. She's too precious to be hurt."
His tone suddenly darkened.
"And don't let anyone hurt her."
A satisfied smile curved on Rick's face.
"Okay, we're here," he said as they pulled into Alex's private villa.
Alex couldn't go to Gonzales Mansion in this condition, his mother would roast him alive, so he chose to stay here until his wounds healed.
"See you tomorrow," Rick said as he drove off.
Alex nodded and went inside.
Alex got inside and immediately called Ben. He picked up within a few seconds.
"How was the mission, Ben?"
"It went well. Everything happened as planned. The reports will be on your table tomorrow morning. You okay now?" Ben's voice carried concern.
"Hm. Nothing to worry about."
"In our next move, we're going to eliminate him, the rat," Alex said coldly.
"That's good. But you should get well first."
"I told you, I'm fine. And there isn't much time left. I have to be at Gonzales Corp in a week."
Ben hummed in agreement. "Alright. I'll meet you tomorrow at the military camp."
With that, he hung up.
Inside an apartment.
Two people lay tangled on a huge bed, hugging each other; Rian and Meg.
Meg rested her head on his chest, absent - mindedly playing with the buttons of his shirt while he scrolled through his phone.
Suddenly, but cautiously, Meg asked,
"Rian…?"
He hummed in response.
"How would you react if you found out our baby Ria… likes someone?" she whispered quickly, almost too soft to hear.
That snapped his attention instantly.
"What did you say?"
"I'll tell you… but you have to promise me you'll listen to everything first and not act recklessly." She held out her hand.
Rian sighed, then took her hand firmly.
"Promise. And I know you, if it were anything harmful to her, you would've already eliminated it."
Meg smiled sweetly. "Exactly."
"In these days, our baby Ria has changed a lot, don't you think?" she continued.
"Has she?" Rian frowned, then thought back to her recent behaviour.
"…She does seem different."
"Yeah. I think she's too happy lately."
"That's it, she got a new friend. Ever since he appeared, she's been glowing."
Rian narrowed his eyes. "Baby, please don't beat around the bush. Tell me."
Meg exhaled and finally said, stressing each word,
"General Alexander Gonzales, also known as the COO of Gonzales Corp, is Ria's new friend."
Rian's frown deepened, his eyes darkening dangerously.
"What does he have to do with my sister?" he said through gritted teeth.