Relieved, Mel followed Alex, grateful they didn't have to look for another place to eat. She is really famished now.
However, something bothered her mind; how did Alex have a connection to the restaurant manager?
Observing Mel's confused expression, Alex leaned in and whispered, "This restaurant is owned by the Hill Group."
"Oh, that explains it. This is your family's restaurant!" She smiled.
...
As they approached the entrance of the VVIP room, a voice called out Alex's name from behind. Recognizing the voice, Alex turned to face him, his gaze cold as he said, "What brings you here?"
"When did you return? Are you back for good? Grandpa's been asking about you," The man's voice trails off as he notices the beautiful girl standing beside Alex. His eyes widened in surprise when something crossed his mind; this girl was Alex's girlfriend!?
"Uh, bro, why don't you introduce me to the lovely lady by your side?"
Mel was taken aback by the appearance of the young man. He bore a striking resemblance to Alex; they have sharp jawlines and amber-colored eyes. Yet, for her, Alex is slightly more interesting than this guy. Maybe it's because Alex is taller, and his skin tone is darker than this man's. Alex is also slimmer, while the other guys are beefier.
'Could he be Alex's brother, Axel Hills?' Mel wondered.
"You don't need to know who she is," Alex responded coldly to his younger brother, Axel. "I will go home when my business here is finished," he added briefly before holding Mel's hand towards the VVIP room.
Axel was left speechless. In a hurried attempt to catch up, he joined them inside the room, claiming a seat beside Alex and casting an intrigued gaze at Mel across from him.
"Brother, I'm starving too. I'll join you guys..." Axel said shamelessly.
Despite his initial silence, Alex eventually turned to Mel, his voice gentler as he asked, "Would you mind if he joined us?"
Axel was stunned as he witnessed Alex's uncharacteristic tenderness towards the woman. He knew his older brother well — Alex was typically aloof and indifferent towards any woman attempting to approach him. Yet, Alex's current interaction with this enchanting young lady perplexed Axel.
'This girl must be his girlfriend!?' Axel's gaze narrowed, his curiosity aroused as he stared at Mel, wanting to know her identity.
"No, not at all..." Mel replied.
"Hahaha, thank you, my lady," Axel chimed in with a wide smile.
Returning the smile to Axel, Mel shifted her gaze back to Alex, her brow slightly knitted as if wanting to ask him, 'Who is this shameless gentleman?'
Alex met her questioning expression. "He's my younger brother, Axel," he then turned his attention toward Axel, "...and her name is Melanie," he added.
"Melanie!?" He feels familiar with that name, but he forgets when he meets someone with that name. "Hi, nice to meet you," Axel greeted, extending his hand for a handshake.
However, before their hands could meet, Alex deftly placed the menu into Axel's awaiting hand. "Hurry and order the food; she hasn't eaten since yesterday!" he urged, his tone indicative of urgency.
Axel, "..."
Mel was amused to see the two men before her, reminding her of their past. Gosh!
...
Amid enjoying their meals, Axel abruptly lowered his cutlery. He turned his curious gaze toward Mel, and before long his eyes widened. Shocked, he finally recalled her.
"A-Are you... Mel, Melanie Tanner?"
Mel confirmed Axel's suspicions by responding with a slight nod and a friendly smile.
"REALLY!? WOW!! You look so different, Mel. Damn, you're so pretty now!" He stammered in shock. It was hard for Axel to believe that this slender and beautiful woman in front of him was his childhood friend, Melanie Tanner.
"You still remember me, right?" asked Axel again.
With a playful tone, Mel said, "Of course, I remember you. The boy who always bullies me!"
Her words hung in the air, momentarily halting Alex's meal consumption as he glared at Axel. If a glare could kill someone, by now, Axel already dies with Alex's sharp glare.
Sensing his older brother's wrath, Axel hastened to clarify, "NO. NO... PLEASE BRO, I NEVER DID!" His voice carried a mixture of panic and earnest explanation, fearing a potential outburst from Alex.
"Hahaha," Mel laughed. It was fun to tease Axel. "...Brother Alex, it's not true. I was just joking," she explained quickly, preventing Alex's hand from landing on Axel's head.
Axel, "..."
"Mel, it seems you haven't changed a bit. You still enjoy teasing me," Axel shook his head in a slow, fond gesture, a chuckle escaping his lips as he reminisced about their childhood.
Contrary to others' belief, he had been the one at the receiving end of Mel's teasing. Her frequent pranks had often left him irked, leading him to distance himself from her playfulness.
A question lingered in Axel's mind; why were they now so close? Didn't Alex dislike Mel? The question intrigued him, forcing him to know more about their story.
"Axel, eat. Less talk!" Alex's commanding voice cut Axel's impending words short.
Obeying his older brother, Axel returned to his meal, releasing a deep sigh silently. Despite his prominent position as CEO of the Hill Group — the country's second-largest company — Axel couldn't overcome his elder brother's authority.
Axel commanded fear and respect from employees and industry peers within the office and the broader business realm. However, this power didn't extend to his relationship with Alex.
He couldn't escape the clutches of his brother's influence. Alex held a significant stake in the company. As the youngest Major General in the country, he was even revered by the President.
Axel finds himself reluctantly submitting to this unequal power dynamic. Nevertheless, he still respects his older brother.
...
The thought arose again within Axel's mind, 'Could they be dating?'
He had observed his brother placing food onto Mel's plate several times, coupled with the distinct shift in Alex's expression, a departure from his usual demeanor.
"Mel, if my memory serves me right, you moved to country M, correct?" Axel asked when he saw her finish her meal.
"Yes."
"For how long have you been back?"
"It's been a while. I attended X University," she replied in a relaxed manner, her posture comfortable as she leaned back in her chair.
Across the table, Alex remained silent, absorbed in his cell phone, seemingly engrossed in something that bothered his mind.
"Really? How come I was unaware?" Axel's curiosity prodded him to delve further. "And why haven't you been to Hill Mansion? Grandpa asks about you often," Axel lied, his intention veiled. He sought answers regarding her sudden departure from the country and her prolonged absence from their home upon her return.
As Mel ponders her response to Axel's question, Alex's voice abruptly interjects, cutting through the air, "Axel, have you finished eating!?"
Caught off guard by the coldness in his tone, Axel swallowed audibly, turning to face Alex as he promptly nodded in response.
"Well then, are you waiting for something? You're free to go now. I'm certain the office demands your attention," Alex's words dripped with sarcasm, his gaze fixed on his younger brother.
Observing Alex scold his brother, Mel couldn't help but smile, finding amusement in the scene unfolding before her.