“SIR, I’M sorry you can’t come in. Sir Amadeus is still in a conference call…”
Amadeus’s conversation with the Mindanao regional manager of Brava Hotel was interrupted when he heard his secretary’s protest at the door. He strictly instructed not to disturb him now that they were polishing the final details of the island resort he would build in Palawan.
He was in a good mood after last night's party. Despite Aiden and Esmeralda's sudden departure from the party, it did not affect him. He got positive feedback from some old-fashioned colleagues and investors. They said he would become more responsible now that he's in love. Those old croons believed that only having a family could straighten up his life and his business. They were suddenly not too harsh on him.
They had no idea that he stirred up a snake den. He saw how Aiden and Esmeralda’s world come crashing down. He didn’t care. What mattered to him was that his plans succeeded. Just as he expected.
“I don’t care,” he heard a man growled.
It seemed alien to his ears. The angry voice belonged to Aiden. He was always calm and collected. He had never seen him get mad before. He thought the younger man was too soft.
“Sir, I told you you can’t,” his secretary protested.
The door opened, and a very furious Aiden appeared. Amadeus bid goodbye to the video conference and motioned at his secretary. "It's okay, Marjayrie. Please prepare a cup of coffee for my brother.”
“I don’t need that freakin’ coffee. Just leave us alone!” Aiden roared.
“Yes, Sir,” Marjayrie said, fear evident in her eyes, before leaving the room to follow his orders. She was one of Aiden’s admirers. She probably changed her mind.
His brother was only wearing a casual striped polo shirt and pants. He did not show up for work and his secretary, Lexie, attended the meeting. He was already expecting his brother's outburst in his office.
Amadeus stood up to meet him. “Where are your manners, Aiden? I thought you were brought up a fine gentleman. You scared…”
Aiden interrupted his teasing when he released a strong punch that hit his jaw. He didn't expect that, and it made him dizzy. "You have no business giving me a lesson on how to be a gentleman. You idiot!”
Amadeus almost fell on his mahogany office table if his hands did not support him. He stood up and caught his hurt jaw. He could swear he tasted blood. “Language, little brother…”
“Shut up! That was nothing compared to what you did to Esmeralda,” Aiden said, panting in anger. “What you said at the party were all lies.”
Amadeus’s eyebrow arched. “Is that what she told you?”
“You’re really not in love with her.”
He laughed blandly. "Doesn't mean the rest of the story is a lie. I just put some romantic spin to make it palatable. You should thank me because only a few people knew about your upcoming wedding. That woman is unfaithful. Cancel the wedding, and you can still save face. You don't have to thank me, little brother."
Aiden’s eyes narrowed. He grabbed the collar of his suit and shoved him to the wall. “You are a monster. She saved you, and this is how you repaid her. You seduced her, promised her you'd come back, and embarrassed us in front of the world. You are enjoying the drama."
Amadeus wriggled his jaw. "You should be thankful that not many people know about your wedding with Esmeralda. I can even refund the expenses for the cancellation of your wedding if you want." So his brother would think that he was not the enemy here. They were allies. He was still protecting his younger brother.
A grin formed on Aiden’s lips. “Don’t bother. I don’t have any plans of calling off the wedding with Esmeralda. I already forgive her. I will still marry her.”
Amadeus clenched his fist. "How could you still marry the woman who liked someone else? You were planning your wedding, but she gave herself to another man. You deserve better."
“Better? And what right do you have to tell me what’s best for me and what’s not? You don’t even treat me like a real brother. And because of what you did to Esmeralda, I can’t bear to call you my brother. She had nothing to do with your games.”
“You are a fool, then. You are the one being played, brother. It was me that she wants.” He wanted to point out how Esmeralda melted in his arms. But that would be too much. What mattered was that he had proven his point.
“Good thing I am not like you. I’d rather be a fool than heartless. You wanted to destroy Esmeralda to prove me wrong. You just wanted to be the one who’s always right. You wanted to be the best.”
Amadeus stared at his brother intently. Something was off. Was that how easy for his brother to forgive the woman who cheated on her? Was that how good Esmeralda at manipulating him? Or was there more than that?