BRANDONI stroll briskly to the corridor toward the executive floor, walking past the secretaries’ cubicles. Remembering how I first started... I founded the company in my room, where I built my first mainframe computer system. I excelled in computer science and engineering as far back as high school. I was very advanced. And through Oliver’s persuasion, I took a graduate degree online for credential purposes. I immensely enjoyed discovering things, and technology has always fascinated me.
With Oliver as the face of Grethe & Elga Enterprises, the holding grew into an empire and branched into various divisions. Now I own one of the biggest consumer electronics and telecommunications companies in the market.
Nonetheless, it’s as if I’m a newborn in this environment; I still haven’t gotten used to the ringing telephones, the sound of the murmuring of employees, and people moving all over the place.
Especially now that Miss Garcia, Oliver’s prim and proper executive assistant, is following me, hugging some thick binders I would not like to see on my desk so early in the morning.
“Good morning, Mr. Lucien.”
“Good morning, Miss Garcia. Please don’t tell me that I’m going to have to sign everything in that folder.” I reach for the doorknob and walk into my office on the twenty-eighth floor of the building. I move behind my desk and sit.
“Well, that’s not entirely wrong, but I have your schedule for today. May I?” She lowers her eyes, and her cheeks flush as she places the folder on my desk.
“Continue.”
“The CEO of PTG Tech, Florence Gibson, is coming from London today, expected to arrive at three o’clock, and he is set to come here first. Do you wish to confirm this meeting?” she asks. “Otherwise, I can just tell Mr. Bowell, his assistant, that you still need to review their proposal.”
“Was Oliver expecting this?”
“Actually, he was still deciding the last time I spoke to him.”
I frown. “Then why are they still coming here?”
“Apparently, Mr. Katrakis likes some of their terms. The first page of this folder concerns his proposed partnership with our electronics division, so you might want to look through it first, also because he wishes to see you in person.”
I smirk. “Does he, now?”
Ever since my first appearance to the public, which was in Athens, the media won’t stop making a fuss about it. My face is displayed across every site, including social media, as if I were interested in that. I’ve been receiving press conference invitations, interviews, but my view on appearing on national television doesn’t change. I still despise people crowding around me. I’m pretty sure they’ll just try to ask about my private life.
I open the folder and scan the contents. PTG Tech wants to be one of our authorized distributors in the UK. And since my technology is listed in the global top ten, they’re expecting a boost to their stocks.
“Didn’t you say they’re contacting Systemax and Forerunner?”
“Yes, sir, but we are their top one.”
“I see. I’ll review this first until lunch break and then confirm. Anything else?”
“You have a ten o’clock with Mr. Crawford and a two o’clock with Mr. Jameson.”
“Hmm.”
“These are what you need to sign.” She places another two folders on my desk. “And here’s the updated balance sheet you asked from me last week.” She sets the last folder in front of me. “Also, you have unexpected visitors, and they’re in the conference room.”
“What?” I raise an eyebrow. “And you’re telling me this after you let them in, Miss Garcia?” I most certainly told her that I don’t accept unannounced guests; I’m not as welcoming as Oliver.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lucien. I thought it best to go over your schedule first, and as far as the visitors, I presumed this time might be an exception.”
“Why?” I try to hide my irritation.
“Because they’re your cousins, sir. Mr. Carmelo and Constantine Katrakis.”
I promptly spring up at the mention of their names. The twins never cease to amaze me. They never mentioned anything about coming to New York at all. I wonder why they’ve suddenly flown here.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I button up and smooth my jacket. “I’ll see them here. Please let them in, Miss Garcia—and oh! Bring us tea. Chamomile, please.”
“Right away, Mr. Lucien.”
Oliver’s assistant composes herself and heads to the conference room. A few minutes later, the twins come in. Cary is looking casual as usual in a black T-shirt and jeans, and I suppose no one could confuse them this time, as Cary is wearing black-framed eyeglasses as befits his more traditional personality.
“Wow. Look who’s getting used to the world?” Cary remarks with a smirk.
“Skáse!”“Welcome. Why don’t you sit down first?” I offer the chairs by my desk and walk toward them. “This is a surprise. Should I expect something big? It seems you even had to fly here to discuss it,” I add as we sit down.
Cary leans back on the chair, rests his ankle on his knee. “You can say that.”
I frown curiously. “What is this about?”
“First things first: We think we can help you find Oliver, although your Wolves are already on it,” Stan says.
“But it’s not just that,” Cary continues. “We found something interesting about your girlfriend. I’d like to see your reaction when we tell you.”
“Uh-huh, and you came all the way here for that.” I fold my arms, nodding. “What about Alayna?”
“We’ve been looking for the relation between Miss Hart and Annette, but we found something else,” Stan begins.
“And we’ve looked through Wolf’s profile, the one you sent us,” Cary continues.
I’m not sure I follow the connection. “What are you trying to say?”
The twins look at each other and then back at me. “Your girlfriend and the Wolf seem to be acquainted,” Stan states.
“Come again?”
“Miss Hart and Jason Valentine are acquainted with each other,” Cary repeats, then flashes a satisfied grin as he looks intently at my face. “It seems she’s not aware he’s a Wolf, but we are not sure about that.”
I freeze, trying to digest what they have just said. Not only does it sound preposterous, but it’s also incomprehensible. But I’m aware of the twins’ investigative skills, and they traveled all the way here to tell me this. As far back as I can recall, Cary and Stan haven’t made mistakes. They’ve never been wrong, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.
“What on earth are you two playing at?”
ALAYNAIt’s usually quiet in the house, but unlike yesterday, I don’t have bitterness for breakfast. Casey has online classes, Cassius is at work, Ms. Lennie is busy ordering the maids around, and Pauline... Well, I don’t care to know what she is doing. On the other hand, I’m not sure how to tell them Brandon, and I reconciled.
Brandon promised he would be early tonight, and I wish to surprise him with a new dish. I choose to believe him for now, for usIn the afternoon, I try to make grilled chicken gnocchi. It’s an Italian version of gyoza or dumplings, but I use the chicken’s skin as a wrapper to retain the smoky flavor of the chicken when I grill it. I stuff it with mashed potatoes, minced garlic, ground chicken meat, green onion stalks, and brush the skin with sesame oil. I also make tomato salsa and a parmesan-based sauce for the final touch.
Whenever I made food like this, there was always Ollie to taste it first. Sometimes, he would suggest a spice to the recipe to perfect it. Every time I cook and try a new dish, I always think about him; it’s an automatic thing. He made my past year less lonely...
“Miss Hart?” Nina suddenly comes in, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Oh, hi.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, miss, but they came back.”
“What?”“It’s your friends from the other day,” she says politely.
I gawk at her, unable to gather my wits for a moment. They’re here. I refused to call the number on the card Jason left for me because I was not sure what to say. Heck, I don’t know if I can even say anything at all. The hammering thud in my chest begins again. My hands inside the gloves start to sweat.
“Miss Hart?”
“Nina. Yes, I heard you. Where are they?”
“They are at the gate, and they said they’ll be waiting for you.”
They. Hurriedly I take off my apron and rush out of my station while Nina follows me. Along the way, I bump into Ms. Lennie.
“Alayna? What’s going on?” she asks in concern, then looks at Nina.
“They’re here. My friends, they’re back. I’m going to look for them outside.”
“But, dear, it’s dangerous for you outside,” she says.
“They’re only at the gate, and the mansion is full of security guards right now. No one could possibly hurt or abduct me with them around,” I insist.
“Then let me come with you. I need to make sure who these people are.”
“Okay. Are you sure?”
She touches my cheek. “Of course.”
Electrified, nervous, happy, and furious, I open the door to the mansion. I’m not sure if I’m going to run while pulling Ms. Lennie along with me. Despite her initial cool attitude toward me, I found that she’s actually the warmest person in the house—like a mother.
After a long walk to the front porch, we reach the main gate, and the guards open them for us at Ms. Lennie’s request. Three guards stand behind us as we walk out. And there they are... but it’s only J and A. Where’s C?
“Laynie!” Arianna screams at the sight of me and immediately sprints over, squeezing me against her—oh wow... she feels so fit and toned.
“A?” “I knew it was you!” she sobs on my shoulder. “Oh, God! I can’t believe you are really here right now.”
And when I finally gather my composure, I tighten my arms around her and close my eyes, finally letting my tears fall. I still can’t answer with anything but silence.
She releases me, cups my cheeks between her palms, scans my face, and I now notice how beautiful she is. Her wavy red hair is long, and her emerald eyes are just as mesmerizing as ever but swollen with tears too.
“I haven’t seen you in forever.” She sniffles, caressing my face with her thumb. “Like since high school graduation....”
“Why did you leave me?” The question I wanted to ask all my life has finally been voiced.
“I’m so sorry, Laynie. I’m really sorry we left.” She pulls me back into her arms, and that’s all she has to say; my heart melts. All the heartaches are momentarily forgotten.
“I’ve missed you too...”
“Hello, Laynie. Don’t you miss me?”
I raise my head and shift my attention to the handsome man behind her, and he’s taller now than before. “Jason.”
“I thought you’d forgotten about me.” He beams, but his eyes are just as red as Arianna’s. He tries to hide the emotion with his smile and spreads out his arms. “Can I hug my sister?”
That’s who I am—their sister. I cry even harder.
“Jay!” I release Arianna and jump towards him. I wrap my arms around his neck as he catches me. I sob against his chest like my life depends on it. I hated them. I missed them. I longed for them. They’re the only people who know my life better than anyone else.
“It’s really you, isn’t it, Laynie?” he murmurs.
“Mm.”
“I’ve missed you. I didn’t lose a single moment after I found out you were in Manhattan. I never thought this day would happen.”
I laugh between tears. “I missed you, too—all of you. But you’ve got a lot of explaining to do. Where’s C? Does he know?”
Jason releases me. “He knows, we told him, but he’s in Berlin for work. He said he’ll try to come home. He’s happy we found you.”
“Oh.” I rub my eyes with my fingers, wiping away my tears. “It’s okay. You’re both here.”
He grins and looks at the mansion, raising an eyebrow. There’s a playful smile playing on the corner of his lips. “So, you live here now, huh?”
I grin back. “I do. I work here as a chef.”
“That’s your dream. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
A soft ahem“Oh, I’m sorry. Ms. Lennie, um, these are my friends—no, actually, my siblings