The morning sun littered in softly through the long curtains of the dining hall, extting golden hues across the table.
Nivea stined her coffee absently, the spoon clinking gently against the p
i porcin.
Across from bey, Alejandro sat with his phone in one hand, flipping through something with practiced disintered, but she could tell he won’t many reading anything
He looked as poised and unreadable as ever, d in a dark button up shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing the now bandaged knuckles sha’d tended to the night before
Their quiet breakfast had been peaceful, but the silence, as usual, wasn’t ufortable, it was amazing to see how much things hade could just sit in silence.
“How is she?” Nivera asked finally, selling down her cut,
Alejandro’s brow quirked, “Who?”
“Zabelle,” she rified, voice softer now, “How is she doing?
Alejandro leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other as he regarded her.” “Sull recovering, but she’s <b>stable</b>,”
Nivera nodded. “Are you going to see her?”
“Yes, I <b>was </b>nning to, after breakfast.
“Cane along?” she asked.
That gave him pause. He hadn’t expected that “Why?”
“Because I have nothing else to do,” she said simply, then after a breath, added, “And the least can do is pay my respects.”
ped when they
She looked away briefly, then back. “Also… I still feet a little guilty for how I treated her at the wedding. She was almost cute, and I was… not
It wasn’t one of her finest moments, and it was all thanks to the arsehole she was looking at.
Alejandro’s lips tugged into a lopsided smirk. “Not your finest hour.
“Shut up. I was pissed. You dragged me there like a trophy.”
“<b>You </b>looked like one too,” he <b>mused</b><b>, </b><b>rising </b>from his chair, “Come on, or do you want to change your clothes?
“No, this is fine,” Nivera responded <b>as </b>she stood as well.
The drive was filled with the low hum of the engine and the asional tap of Alejandro’s fingers on the steering wheel. Nivera sat beside him, legs crossed<b>, </b><b>face </b>angled toward the window.
“You didn’t sleep muchst night,” she remarked aher a while.
Alejandro nced at her from the corner of his eye is that a question or an observation?”
“Both.”
He was quiet for
“Eventually.”
second. “Did you?”
Any particr reason you’re keeping tabs on my deep habba<b>?</b>” He called an eyebrows.
“Maybe <b>I’m </b>just wondering what you were doing out at two in the morning,” the said casually
<b>Alejandro’s </b>fingers paused moltentarly. She didn’t look at him, but he knew the noticed.
“I get thirsty sometimes,” she said, shrugging. “The hall was empty. <ol><li>y. Your room door was wide open </li></ol>
He didn’t reply immediately, but a subtle twitch of his mouths betrayed him. “You following me now, Caberota?
“Maybe,” she said lightly, but her gare stayed on him. “Or maybe I know how your face tightens when you‘ hiding something”
That earned her a hnef nce and a smirk. “Impressive observation.”
“So,” she <b>continued</b>, “youret someonest night?”
He was silent for a moment. Then: “Yes.”
Alejandro exhaled slowly, had to take care of something
“It involved breaking someone’s bones, didn’t it?” Nivera dered, and Alejandro let out a chuckle.
“Why did your brain go there? What do you take me for?”
“The deal himself,” Nivera answered without missing a beat.
“I can be nice as well,” he cried out, subtly shitting the <b>subject</b>.
Not that he was going to tell Nivera the truth even if she pushed, but he wasn’t ready to le so early in the morning
That was another Ee, but who was counting!
“Yes<b>, </b><b>and </b>it scares me when you are.”
Alejandro chuckled as he turned down the hospital road. “We’re here.”
“Oh,” she muttered, as she <b>got </b>distracted much to his satisfaction
The hospital smelt of antiseptic and cool air. Alejandro led the way down the corridor with practiced ease, with Nivera trailing silently beside him.
Nurses and doctors passed them, some giving Alejandro a polite nod,
When they reached the room, Alejandro paused before knocking lightly and opening the <b>door</b>. <b>Inside</b>, Zabelley propped <b>up </b>with pillows, pale but
Zabelle’s eyes widened slightly in recognition when she saw him. “Oh my goodness, you’re awake, Alejandro said, breaking into a smile.
Then he turned to re briefly at Antonio, who was seated beside Zabelle<b>, </b>clearly not having mentioned her awakening.
“I woke up not long ago, Zabelle replied with a smile of her own.
“It’s good to have you back,” Alejandro said just <b>as </b>Antonio’s phone rang.
“I have to take this; I’ll be back, Antonio told his <b>wife</b>, kissing her forehead before ncing at him.
A subtle tap on his shoulder and they both stepped out, leaving Nivera and Zabelle alone.
??
Chapter <b>78 </b>
Alejandro stepped <b>aside</b>, watching his brother disappear through the deer, as they had pending matters to discina.
For a moment the room was silent, and Nivera stepped forwed, uncertain for a heartbeat.
Seriously? That was the best she coulde up with?
Zabelle blinked. “Hi,” she returned,
The silence that followed was brief but palpable.
“I’m sorry I didn’t bring flowers, Nivera apologized, her voice genuine. Okay, that seemed like a much better thing to say.
Zabelle gave a small smile. “It’s okay. w not a big fan of flowers.”
Nivera returned the smile I’m Nivera,” she formally introduced hersel
“<b>Zabelle</b>. But I guess you already know that.”
“Everyone knows who you are,” Nivera replied easily.
Zabelle tilted her head slightly. “Please, have a seat”
Nivera moved to the stool beside the bed and <b>sat</b>, her <b>back </b>straight.
“You looked familiar. Like someone I’ve seen on a screen.”
<b>Nivera </b>smirked faintly. “It’s good you don’t know who I am, I’m tired of people recognizing and stalking me, I’m a nobody.”
Zabelle chuckled softly at Nivera’s words.
Outside the door, the brothers were discussing a recent update from Martin about the men involved in the attempted murder.
They both know who was behind it. Proving it was the difficult part.
Alejandro’s voice was low but sharp. “Without proof, it’ll be hard to move on either of them.”
Antonio sighed. “Then we need to find pract
“By the way, I hope you trust Nivera well enough, considering you brought her here,” Antonio said,
Alejandro narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to worry about her. She won’t spill.”
He was sure
<b>was </b>sure of that, just as sure as he was of his name. Nivera wouldn’t <b>do </b>something that would harm Zabelle.
Antonio arched a brow, and Alejandro squinted his eyes in response, as he could tell the idiot was about to say something he didn’t like.
is she the one who’ll finally make you settle down?
Alejandro scoffed as he red at Antonio. “No.”
What <b>was </b>up with everyone wanting him to settle down? And no thanks to Antonio getting married, the pressure doubled.
He had never been interested in settling down, nor would he <b>ever </b>be. How hard was it to grasp?
“Right,” Antonio muttered, unconvinced.
When they peeked into the room again, both women wereughing.
“Whatever this is between <b>you </b>and Nivers,” Antonio said under his breath, “it bester taut,” They seem to be getting along
Alejandro leaned against the doorframe and watched them “I’m not making any promises,” he responded, to which Antono red at lên.
Meanwhile, back inside, Zabelle tapped her fingers lightly as she listened to Nivea to her side of the story regarding what happened it u
“Wait, how many women red at you?”
Nivera scrunched herce in annoyance. “More than I can count.”
Zabelleughed again.
“No, seriously, how is it my fault that they didn’t make the cut to be by Alejandro’s side!”
“I know, right? I get such stares from Antonio’s admirers,” Zabelle agreed
“And Antonio is even as free as Alejandro when ites to people. I need a shot of the audacity they harm.”
Zabelleughed so hard, tears welled up. “You’re
funny
“Only when I’m not being a disaster,” she responded.
“Honestly“, Nivera continued, “I <b>was </b>so bitter that day. I spent the whole reception ring at your dress like it was responsible for my suffering”
Before more could be said, the door opened and Alicia and William entered.
Nivera immediately stood, smoothing her skirt. “Till give you
ou guys some time.”
Zabelle looked like she wanted to say something else, but Nivera had already slipped out.
Outside the room, Alejandro had just ended his conversation with Antonio. He looked up the moment he saw her approach.
“How was your little meeting with Zabelle?” He inquired.
“She’s nice.”
He smiled before continuing the conversation. “Are you done?”
“Hmm, she’s with her inws.” She nodded.
“Well then, time to leave Come, let me drop you home.” He held out his hand. She took it without hesitation.
And <b>they </b>walked out together.
AD