Alex leaned back in his chair. The quiet in the cabin was comforting, until his phone rang, slicing through the silence.
He didn't even bother checking the caller ID.
"Hello," he said lazily.
"Hello, sir. It has been ages since you graced us commoners with your esteemed presence," camea reply in an overly formal voice.
Alex instantly recognized the tone and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Don't irritate me, Rick."
It was Rick, Fredrick Filsch on the other end. Rick, along with Ben and Rian, had been Alex's childhood best friends. The four of them were inseparable once. Rick was the second son of the prestigious Filsch family. His older brother headed the family's luxury hotel chain, while Rick handled Gonzales Corp on Alex's behalf whenever Alex was tied up with military duties. In short, he was Alex's unofficial assistant… and an official headache.
Rick, being Rick, continued poking him.
"I am only doing my duty, sir. Your signature is needed on certain documents, and I humbly request your royal presence."
"I'm busy now, Rick. Call you later."
Alex ended the call before Rick could say anything else.
Finally, he leaned back again, hoping to catch a peaceful nap.
Hours passed.
When Ria returned, she found Alexander sleeping peacefully on the chair, his head slightly tilted, the soft rise and fall of his chest the only movement in the room. She quietly picked up his jacket and draped it over him, her movements gentle, almost protective. With one last glance at him, she left to freshen up.
Gonzales Corp.
Theodore walked in with his usual effortless grace. One by one, employees rose to greet him, and he acknowledged each of them with a warm, polite smile. Rick approached him with the same bright energy he always had.
"Good morning, sir," Rick said.
Theo smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Drop the formalities, Rick."
Rick grinned. "How are you, Uncle?"
"I'm great. See?"
Theodore ran his fingers through his hair and struck a dramatic pose.
"Still young and handsome."
Rick couldn't help but chuckle.
As they walked toward the President's cabin, Theo's cabin, Rick handed him a stack of papers.
"Uncle, these are the documents."
Theo took them with a nod.
"Did you contact Alex?"
Rick sighed helplessly. "Yeah, I did. And guess what he said…"
Theodore let out a resigned breath. "I know." He side-hugged Rick.
"Thank you, son, for being here instead of my useless boy."
Rick chuckled. "Don't thank me, Uncle. I'm doing this because I want to."
Theo removed his glasses and gave him a knowing look.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm aware. Your old man, Filsch, keeps complaining that you're not returning to manage the hotels."
He narrowed his eyes playfully.
"And I know you. You're here just to hang out with my idiot son and his friends."
Rick looked away, caught red-handed, smiling sheepishly.
"Whatever you do, at least visit your parents," Theodore said softly. "I know how much they miss you. I'm a witness."
Rick smiled, but it was a smile that never reached his eyes. A quiet pain lingered behind it.
"I can't, Uncle. I can't go there now. There are… reasons," he said in a dismissive voice.
Theodore didn't push further. He simply patted Rick's shoulder and walked into his cabin.
Rick turned and headed toward his own office, carrying a heart heavier than he showed.