There are familiar voices, whispers—I can hear them talking about me. One of the voices is Oliver’s, and the other is someone I don’t wish to hear again. I know that voice well.
Ah! My doctor. I want to move or open my eyes, but I can’t. I also can’t speak. Maybe they shot the medication into me again—the one they use to calm me.
“I know. I thought it was an opportunity, Cassius. He finally had a chance to get out of his comfort zone.” It’s Oliver’s voice.
“It is good for him, Ollie, yes. It is a good sign that he can actually let anyone in again.”
“Her name’s Alayna. She’s amazing. I’m in awe of her actions and strength. She’s an undeniably talented chef. Brandon told me he’s intrigued by her. I’ll introduce you to her later.”
“Ollie, don’t engage yourself too much with her,” Cassius warns. “Your eyes do not lie. I can see that she’s appealing to you.”
What? No. No way!“No, of course. You know me, brother. Besides, you know my current status, which I still haven’t mentioned to him.”
Status? What is it that he didn’t tell me?Cassius clicks his tongue. “Tell him right away, Ollie. It’s not good for Brandon if you are hiding something from him. You know what I mean.”
What the—what the hell was that about? Hiding what from me?Damn it.“He’ll understand. He’s more understanding than all of us,” Oliver states, almost certain. “I’m glad that part of him remains, but I thought his illness wasn’t going to bother him again. I thought he was healed.”
“His scars and the injuries, especially the one on his chest, are all healed, Ollie. What he is suffering from isn’t physical. It’s all in his mind. His body remembers the pain. I don’t know when it will stop. It depends on him.”
“I don’t know what happened exactly. Brandon was shouting for help, but he was already unconscious when I found him. It was after Alayna left,” Ollie explains. “Do you think something happened?”
Yes, she touched me, and I wanted her to. I thought I was fine. Everything felt right.
“Maybe she touched him,” Cassius guesses. “Do you remember what happened last year? It caused his last episode, and now...”
Ollie sighs, and silence follows.
“That’s also possible,” he concludes. “It happened before when you tried to calm him down.”
“I know, and it was my fault back then. I’m not going to give up on him—even if it takes a lifetime.” Cassius’s voice is low and full of guilt. “But thank you for calling me. I’m just worried he might not want to see me again.”
“You know Brandon. He would be glad to see you again. You needed to do what you had to.”
“How about you?” Cassius asks abruptly. “How are you? You don’t come home anymore. Mom is worried. You almost give your whole life and your freedom to this setup—his company, his life. When are you going to stop stressing yourself if you can get our help? I can help you, Ollie. You don’t have to tell him. Grethe and Elga Enterprises is a burden already heavy enough to bear. Do you still sleep?”
“Don’t worry about me. This is only temporary. You have a job. Take care of Mother. She needs you more. I just hope that someday Brandon will come out and finally face everything. He’s already done it once because of Alayna.”
Is that how much of a burden I put on Oliver? On everyone? I sounded pathetic in Cassius’s words, and I knew it was true. They should give up on me. There’s no more hope for someone like me.
“Anyway, I’ll still be in Manhattan until next week. We should grab a drink sometime,” Cassius adds.
“Of course. I was actually planning to go out this weekend with Betty, before her birthday,” Oliver says. “But yes, a night out sounds good since you’re already here. What do you think?”
Betty? “With Alayna?” Cassius asks curiously.
“I can’t see why not? She has to go out of the mansion and have fun sometimes.”
“Just make sure that doesn’t mean anything. Your fiancée might misunderstand.” He laughs.
“She’s beautiful, yes,” Ollie admits. “But no, Cassius. She’s off-limits. I think you know why, and that’s why I’m asking you to come.”
I can almost hear Cassius’s smirk. “Do you think Brandon likes her?”
“That’s a high possibility. He’s different with her.” Ollie chuckles. “But I should warn you too. She’s not a woman you see every day in Athens.”
“Mm. No wonder Brandon is so infatuated.”
“Hey, stay for dinner.”
“Of course. I have no reason to decline.”
Abruptly, their voices and footsteps fade away. The last thing I hear is the sound of a door shutting. Funny, I still can’t move.
ALAYNA“Alayna, do you have a minute?” Oliver asks when he and another young and very attractive man who resembles him come into my kitchen in the morning. I’ve just finished preparing breakfast and am about to take it to Brandon.
“Of course, Oliver.” I look from him to the other guy, whose eyebrow is raised at me. There’s an amused smile on his lips.
“I’d like to introduce you to my younger brother,” Oliver says. “This is Cassius. He’s the brother I told you about before, and he’s also Brandon’s doctor.”
Oh, I remember. Oliver told me about a brother who also lives in Manhattan.
My lips part at the sight of Cassius. He looks very stylish in his casual turtleneck and brown Hermès coat, and I must admit this man is breathtaking. His features are clean cut, his mouth firm, and he is also blond and tall, like his older brother, with a pair of deep sapphire eyes. And he smells sinfully good: of mild soap and spicy wood perfume.
Finally, he steps forward and reaches out a hand to me.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” he says in a baritone.
I shake his hand, and I instantly feel the warmth of his skin. His hand is a bit rough—and strangely, there is electricity running between our palms. I look up at him and study his face intently. He is much more handsome up close. He flashes out a playful smile, showing his perfect white teeth, and two dimples appear on his cheeks.
I smile back. “I hope you heard only good things. I’m Alayna.”
“Oh, you’re taking that to Brandon?” Oliver asks, referring to the food on the trolley.
“Yes, I was about to.”
“I’m afraid the food has to wait. He hasn’t woken up yet.”
“Oh.” I blink. Brandon usually wakes up early, so I wonder why he’s still sleeping. But then I realize it’s not usual for a doctor to be here early in the morning. “Did something happen?”
Oliver clears his throat in hesitation. “Brandon lost consciousness last night. I looked after him until this morning, before Cassius came. Alayna, we actually wanted to ask you what went on before you left.”
My eyes widen. “What happened?”
“That’s what we wanted to know,” he says. “Did something happen before you left his room?”
“We just talked,” I say—which is partly true, but we kind of had a moment, well... ish“What did you talk about?” Cassius asks smoothly, slightly startling me. I wonder if he can sense the effect he’s having on me. It’s making me uncomfortable.
“It was nothing important.”
“Are you sure?” Oliver asks again. “Because you are the last person he spoke with. By the way, I’m not implying anything. I just really wanted to ask you.”
“I know. Nothing’s going on between us, and besides, he was fine when I left. Really, nothing important happened.” I laugh nervously. “After we talked, he sent me away.”
He sent me away suddenly after a somewhat heated conversation. After he told me he wanted me...
Is he sick? Did I perhaps cook something that hurt his stomach?
“All right. I’m sure he’s fine.” Oliver nods and smiles again. “Anyway, I’ll take care of this,” he volunteers, holding the handle of the trolley. “Why don’t you prepare something for the three of us? Let’s have breakfast together when I get back.”
I nod. “Sure. I’ll get started right away.”
“Oliver, I’ll go with you,” Cassius says. “I need to check on Brandon while I’m still here. See you in a bit, Alayna.”
Cassius leaves with Oliver.