Gonzales mansion.
Amidst their cheerful banter, Emma's gaze drifted back to her son. "My dear boy," she began, feigning innocence, "I'm weaving the perfect plan to tie you up here. Forever."
Alexander straightened instantly. "May I know what kind of plan, my dear mother?" he asked, very well knowing her mischievous smile.
"Oh, you'll know soon," Emma smirked devilishly. "You just turned twenty-nine. The perfect age to get married. I'm not letting you wander around anymore."
Theo sighed, already sensing what was coming. "There she goes again."
But what came next stunned both parents.
Alexander didn't protest. He didn't storm off. Instead, he smiled faintly, almost shyly. A rare
blush dusting his cheeks.
Can a man blush? Absolutely. A man in love can.
"Maybe you're right," he murmured with a shrug. Theo froze. "Are you… really my son? Oh my God. You're an imposter. What have you done with my Alex?"
Alexander rolled his eyes at his father's theatrics. "If you don't want me to get married, I'm fine with that too," he deadpanned.
"Ouch, darling!" Theo yelped as Emma swatted his arm. "He finally agreed, and you're ruining it?"
"Alright, alright, I surrender," Theo said, hands raised. "Our son's getting married. Happy now?"
Emma grinned triumphantly while Alexander's mind wandered somewhere else. To a certain doctor with calm eyes and a quiet grace.
Dr. Zaria. Senior surgeon at RN Hospital.
A soft smile lingered on his lips.
Does she have a boyfriend?
No, she didn't seem like she had one. If she did, he would've been there when she received her award, or at least snapping her photos proudly. There had been no one. No one except reporters… and Rian. Rian?
He frowned. Of course not. I'd have known if there was something between them.
"Ahem!" Theo cleared his throat loudly, dragging him out of his thoughts.
"Alright then," Emma said, standing up. "I'm going to see Adel now. Alex, do you want to tag along? You could catch up with your friends too."
Alexander's brow arched. "Friends? You mean Rian? I already met him at the function. And I have no intention of seeing that arrogant sister of his, Miss Remington."
Theo blinked in surprise. "What do you mean, Alex? How can you say that? You don't even know her."
"Oh, I know," Alexander said dryly. "Arrogant to the bone when I last saw her."
Theo frowned. "You mean when she was eleven and you were sixteen?"
Alexander shrugged. "Old enough to know good from bad."
Theo sighed, defeated. "People change, Alex. So do children. You don't get to judge her for something she did as a kid."
"An eleven-year-old kid," Alexander muttered, unimpressed. Emma stepped in before the argument could continue. "Alright, enough. You don't have to come if you don't want to. Besides, Adeline said only she and brother Zach are home."
Alexander exhaled, tired. "Then goodnight, Mom. Dad."
"Goodnight, dear. Sleep well," Emma said warmly.
"Goodnight. And think about what your mother said," Theo added with a teasing grin.
Alexander gave a small nod before retreating to his room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Emma turned to her husband. "Alright, love. Your dinner's ready on the table. I might stay over at the Remingtons tonight."
Theo's eyes widened. "What? Why? How am I supposed to sleep alone?"
Emma chuckled, blowing him a kiss as she grabbed her purse. "Don't worry, darling. I'll send brother Zachary here to keep you company."
"But baby…..!"
Too late. She was already gone. Theo stared at the closed door, muttering, "Every time those two women meet, husbands are
doomed."