After they all left his room, Nathan finally found peace. The new cell phone Alexander had given him lay on the bed. He had no intention of touching it because he felt defeated after receiving it. But he did not want Nael to get his hands on it.
He realized that the cell phone was just another way for Alexander to control him. But every few seconds, his eyes returned to the object. He could not deny that deep down, he wanted it.
Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he picked it up. The phone felt cold and expensive. When he turned it on, the large screen shone with a clear light that made his eyes widen slightly. Nathan tried to act normal, but slowly he began to be captivated.
He set the wallpaper, tried the camera, then secretly took a picture of himself before quickly deleting it. After that, he found a built-in game, an RPG full of colorful animations. Without realizing it, the corners of his lips lifted slightly when the little character on the screen leveled up.
He then tried another game, tapping the screen quickly, grumbling every time he lost, then smiling again when he won. For the first time since arriving at this mansion, Nathan completely forgot his hatred.
He lay on the bed playing the games there, which he could only play before if Vale was kind enough to lend him his phone. Now he could play to his heart's content.
As he was absorbed in his newfound pleasure, a notification suddenly popped up. A group notification. His eyes narrowed as he read the name of the WhatsApp group.
The Brothers.
What is that name, he thought, feeling cringe.
From the pop-up, he read Malvin's name: "Tomorrow we are going shopping for Christmas decorations, who can come with me?"
There was no reply for a while. Nathan ignored it and went back to playing. Then another notification appeared, one after another.
Roger: I will be busy all day. Nael and Nathan will definitely be happy to come with you.
Nael: I will go! I want to buy some wrappers too.
Lucas: What wrappers for? Silly! Btw what time? I can go after 3.
Then the conversation continued. Nathan just watched, with no intention of joining in. Instead, he went to his contacts, where his brothers' numbers were already saved. He knew immediately that Alexander had opened the phone before giving it to him.
He wanted to delete everything, but he did not want to act dramatic. Now he was busy trying to find out where he could turn off the notifications because he had absolutely no interest in knowing about all the plans they were making.
And he managed to mute the group notification.
He went back to playing. He did not realize it was already past midnight. Even though he was sleepy, he still did not want to sleep. He was too absorbed in his new phone.
***
It was very cold that morning when Nael opened the balcony door. He quickly closed the door again and immediately grabbed his navy jacket from the table prepared by Isabel, the elderly senior maid there, who was like a mother to them all.
The door opened, and Ronald, one of Alexander's bodyguards, poked his head inside.
"Are you ready, Young Master? Do not be late again," he warned.
"It is still 7 o'clock," replied Nael, grabbing his tie and putting it on in front of the mirror.
Ronald stood in the doorway. "You should eat breakfast first."
Nael just nodded. "Can I take the car myself? I can drive," he said.
Ronald was about to reply, but suddenly a voice interrupted.
"You are not old enough to drive."
Ronald and Nael were surprised to see Alexander walking into the room.
Ronald saluted. "Good morning," he said.
Alexander nodded. "Good morning, you can wait outside. I want to talk to Nael."
Ronald immediately nodded and closed the door, leaving Alexander with Nael.
Nael swallowed hard. He stood where he was.
Alexander walked closer, untied Nael's tie, which looked messy because it was half done, and fixed it.
Nael immediately tensed up. He did not know what to do. For years, Alexander had hardly ever spoken to him. Even when he did speak, it was brief and stiff.
Now, his brother had entered his room and was standing this close to him.
"Thank you," said Nael stiffly, holding his tie.
Alexander looked at his brother, who seemed tense and avoided his gaze. He realized how distant their relationship was at the moment.
"Are you listening to me, Nael? You cannot drive alone. Do not try it, even without my knowledge. Until you are eighteen, I will not allow you to sit behind the wheel," said Alexander.
Nael swallowed again and nodded. His chest was pounding. Had he done something wrong that his brother came to his room?
"Answer me, Nael," continued Alexander, seeing that Nael only nodded.
"Yes, I was just asking. I will not drive alone," said Nael.
"Good."
Alexander reached into his black suit pocket, took out a white box, and handed it to Nael.
"I did not mean to delay it, but I could not give it to you last night," said Alexander, handing him the same cell phone box he had given Nathan.
If he had given it to him last night, Nathan would not have wanted to negotiate with him.
Nael was not focused on Alexander's words. He stared at the cell phone. Then he looked up at his brother. The man had given it to him himself.
"You bought this for me?" His breath caught. He felt happy but also incredulous.
Alexander nodded once, not expecting Nael's reaction to be so full of gratitude. The boy's face lit up, making him smile unconsciously.
Nael held the phone as if afraid it would disappear from his hands. For years he had seen Alexander so close to his other siblings, Lucas, Malvin, even Roger, but not him.
He always felt inadequate. Always felt wrong. Always felt unwanted.
And this morning, everything felt like a dream.
"Thank you," he whispered. His face softened, his eyes glistened, but he tried to hide it.
Alexander did not move away. Instead, he patted Nael's head gently. He had just realized how sensitive his younger brother's feelings were. That made him feel even more guilty. He smiled slightly, stroking Nael's cheek.
When the young man looked up at him, he pulled him into an embrace.
Nael froze. His breath stopped for a moment. He did not know how to respond. It all happened so fast.
The embrace felt warm, calming his pounding heart.
"I am so sorry. I never meant to distance myself from you," said Alexander. His voice was low and hoarse. His hand gently stroked his brother's back.
Nael swallowed, unable to say anything. He could feel his brother's breath on his hair. And he was too nervous to answer. He did not even know what to say. He was too happy at the moment.
"We have to make Nathan feel accepted. I hope you are not jealous if I do more for him right now. He never got anything we ever got," Alexander continued, trying to make Nael understand.
Nael took a deep breath and nodded. He never felt left out knowing Nathan's current situation. He actually felt guilty that his twin hated him. He just did not understand why Alexander hated him, but that feeling was now gone.
"You do not hate me, right?" asked Nael, after letting go of his brother's embrace.
Alexander shook his head firmly. "No. Never. I love you. I will protect you as I can. Do not ever think like that again."
Nael felt his chest swell. He smiled happily.
"You know, I thought you really hated me. You never talked to me at all," Nael complained.
"I have a lot of things to think about and I do not always have time to chat. And you had better leave now. Or you will be late," said Alexander, looking at his watch.
Nael immediately realized. "Right, I have to leave now!"
He quickly grabbed his school bag, then stopped in the middle of the room to look at his brother. "Thank you for the phone."
Alexander smiled. "Do not forget, never try to break the rules about driving. I am serious."
"Why do you not believe me? I will not! Bye!" Nael immediately ran out of the room.
Ronald, who was waiting for him in front of the room, was a little surprised because the boy seemed so cheerful today.