<b>Chapter </b><b>136 </b>
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Alejandro buttoned thest button of his shirt slowly, watching his reflection in the mirror. His hair was still damp from the shower, and he raked his fingers through it before smoothing it back with theb that sat neatly on the vanity.
Every movement was deliberate and unhurried, even though it was already noon, and he was beyondte for the office.
There was no point in rushing when he was alreadyte. Plus, who was going to scold him foringte?
Behind him, sprawled across the tangled sheets, Nivera hadn’t stirred once.
He nced at the bed; she was still fast asleep, her body curled beneath the sheets, exhaustion carved into her delicate features.
The faint rise and fall of her chest told him she wouldn’t wake up anytime soon. She didn’t even stir as he was cleaning her up.
A smile tugged at his lips, not one of tenderness but of satisfaction.
He remembered vividly how he had punished her just like he said he would–how he had pushed her until she begged, her pride shattering beneath his control.
She had made him beg once, but he had made her beg multiple times, and each time ended with her shaking so badly she wasn’t able to speak.
The memory fueled him as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. What a fucking good way to start the day!
Hebed his hair back, smoothing it neatly, and once again his eyes flicked toward the bed.
Knowing just how well spent she was, he crossed the room and adjusted the covers around her form tenderly.
Once she was secure under the cover, he then walked over to the windows and drew the curtains closed so no sunlight would disturb her rest.
Darkness fell across her delicate figure. He lingered onest second, then turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
“Serve her lunch as soon as she wakes up,” he ordered on his way out, the words moremand than care.
The head helper bowed in acknowledgement, and Alejandro descended the staircase with his usual grace.
Minutester, he slid into the backseat of his car. His driver shut the door, and the engine purred to life.
As soon as they were on the road, Alejandro pulled out his phone, immediately proceeding to dial the office.
“Is Antonio in the office?” He asked as soon as the call got connected.
“No, sir,” came the reply. “Mr. Garcia hasn’te in yet.”
Alejandro frowned as he immediately proceeded to dial Antonio’s number, the screen reflecting his sharp gaze.
As the line rang, <b>a </b>notification lit up his phone. A piece of breaking news–Antonio’s sister–inw, Vanessa, caught in a scandal. Alejandro’s brow arched as he read the headline. <b>A </b>chuckle escaped him. How interesting.
The scandal was messy, public, and exactly the kind of entertainment Alejandro relished.
Judging by what had happened in thest couple of days, this had Antonio written all over it.
“Change of ns,” Alejandro told his driver. “Take me to Antonio’s mansion.”
The car swerved smoothly, redirecting toward his brother’s <b>estate</b><b>. </b>
By the time he arrived, Alejandro’s amusement had only deepened. <b>He </b>let <b>himself </b>in without hesitation<b>–</b><b>he </b><b>never </b><b>bothered </b><b>with </b><b>knocking </b><b>when </b><b>it </b>came
<b>1/3 </b>
to <b>Antonio</b><b>. </b>
This was his brother’s house<b>, </b>after all, and he had long discarded the concept of privacy when it came to Antonio.
The house was still, faint traces of life lingering in the air. Alejandro was about to head upstairs when a sound caught his attention–a low murmur of voices, followed by a faint tter,ing from the kitchen.
Antonio never wasted time in kitchens so he has properly heard wrong. Curious, Alejandro changed course and followed the sound.
He moved silently, his footsteps purposeful yet quiet, like a predator stalking prey. As he neared the doorway, the words became clear.
“You’re driving me crazy,” he heard his brother say.
His oh–so–rigid, ever–controlled brother had Zabelle pinned against the counter, their lips locked in a kiss so intense Alejandro almost felt scandalized.
Alejandro froze, his head tilting as interest sparked. He stepped closer, careful not to reveal himself too soon.
Zabelle’s response came in the form of movement—he saw the knife she was holding tter onto the counter as she turned.
Alejandro smirked, watching as Antonio wasted <i>no </i>time pressing his lips to hers. It wasn’t a chaste kiss. It was hungry, insistent. Zabelle melted almost instantly, her hands gripping Antonio’s shirt like she had been waiting for this moment all along.
Alejandro leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. The scene unfolding before him was better than any breakfast entertainment.
The scene made him tempted to go back and have his session with Nivera. At the thought of that, a slight frown appeared on his face; the nerve of the couple to rub it in that he had to leave her.
“Well, this is interesting,” Alejandro drawled finally, his voice smooth as silk but dripping with mockery.
The effect was immediate. Zabelle jumped, ripping her lips away from Antonio’s. Her eyes widened in horror, her cheeks flushed crimson.
Alejandro’s smirk widened as he straightened slightly, enjoying every second of her embarrassment.
“Don’t mind me,” he saidzily. “Please, continue. This is better than the breakfast I came here for.”
Zabelle’s face burnt, and like a frightened girl, she buried herself against Antonio’s chest, hiding from Alejandro’s gaze. He chuckled, savouring the sight.
Antonio growled, his protective instincts ring like a guard dog’s. He red at him with eyes that could have cut steel.
Did it faze him? Not even in the slightest.
“Alejandro,” Antonio said, his tone dark and warning. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Alejandro shrugged casually, clearly enjoying the scene in front of him.“I came to check on you, but clearly, you’re doing just fine.”
Zabelle whimpered softly<b>, </b>clutching Antonio tighter, and Alejandro’s amusement doubled as if that would erase what he had seen.
“Get out,” Antonio snapped, and he could tell his brother’s patience was wearing thin.
Alejandro chuckled, lifting his hands as if in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. But seriously<b>, </b>lock <b>the </b>door <b>next </b>time–or better <b>yet</b><b>, </b>take <b>it </b>upstairs. It’s <b>a </b>little indecent in the kitchen, don’t you think?”
He gave them onest mischievous grin and turned away, hearing <i>Antonio’s </i>muffled curse behind him. He didn’t need to see Zabelle’s <b>face </b>again to know <b>she </b>was mortified.