"How did you know i was doing an internship at the company?" He inquired with interest
"Mmm, i'm really attentive about what people say" she swallowed the food before answering "The beautiful woman you were talking with happened to talk about it with someone near me a while ago. She's so into you"
"Ah, Emily she's a distant cousin of the family. You did encounter her in the past, you seem to not remember her"
"Really? You know the Wheelers tree much more than me"
"Not really, just some who frequents the company. She is the granddaughter of the chairman's younger brother" he said
"Is she working there or doing an internship with you?"
"internship, she is well versed in Marketing. She will have a good future with her skills, no wonder with how bright and sociable her personality is"
The man talked about the woman like he was referring to someone he was very fond of.
"You both seem very close"
"Yeah, we're long time classmates"he clearly stated
"Don't break her heart. I mean she is so transparent with what she feels and that's a good trait i very much like in a person"
"Yes very open to others" he said with an embarrassed expression "She already confessed her feelings but i couldn't accept it" he declared
"Why not?"
"I don't see her like that. I see her as a sister"
"What a pity but you know feelings can't be forced but sometimes it is better to try to love someone who loves you than always being persistent with the one you love and doesn't love you back" she told him with a thoughful look
"Did you ever experience something like that?" he asked
"What? loving someone and not being loved back?"
He nodded and she shook her head "No, but i'm the kind of person who accepts rejection easily. No pursuing"
He laughed in a low voice and said "I'm clearly hitting on you and you push me to love someone else"
"She was throwing daggers at me since earlier" she said as she looked behind him where a woman was glaring at them from a distance
Alan looked behind him with a frown
"It's like i stole something from her" she playfuly said and then she finished putting some food on her plate and said"It was a pleasure to see you Alan, i hope to see you around again" she told him and patted him on the shoulder before going away
The man just looked at her departing figure and let out a sigh
Golden Coast
Joaquin was reading on his phone with one hand supporting him on the bed and his legs spread apart
He scoffed after finishing and threw the phone on the bed.
He vaguely recalled the girl in the past. She was just an adoptive child whom he was not that close with. The impression he had of her in the past is that of a mute girl who never interacted with anyone, she was solitary and complexed child.
His mother took good care of her and loved her like her own daughter. He was not in their house at that time as he passed his childhood in his grandparents former mansion. He didn't grow up with his mother's love but his grandmother, instead the love that was rightfuly his was stolen by an unknown kid. He doen't keep grudges about such petty things, his distant attitude towards his mother wasn't due to reproach but pure indiffrence. She was just the one who gave birth to him and whom he called mother.
The file contained all about her life before the adoption, the small girl resided in an orphanage since she was a baby and grew up there. The orphanage didn't exist anymore and it was reported that the whole house was burned to ashes with all the records and items inside. It happened after one of the nun's death who was said to be the director. The children were fortunately transfered before the tragedy. With the vanished records, no one could probe into her origins. It's not like he was that interested in her life, he didn't even read all of the things inside apart from some points.
After being fetched from that place at six years old, Winter lived with his mother and two brothers for three years before going to England with his aunt's family and Liam. She grew up like any other girl and lived normally, nothing interesting.
When he was about to stand up a message was sent to him
[There is a welcome party at home. I don't care about your differences with grandfather just come here and welcome us properly. Your lovely cousin Brianna]
"How did she get my new number?" he thought
Joaquin ignored the text and went to take a shower.
Back to the mansion
"I texted him but he just ignored it" she said to her sister who was with her in a corner
"I told you it was pointless. Is Mateo coming at least?" Jennifer asked
"No. He just sent me the number and precised he was not coming. He added that we shouldn't give this number to anyone"
"What are you too conspiring together?" Liam approached them
Brianna immediately hide the phone behind her as she turned around "We aren't doing anything" She said with a poker face "Where is Jarine?"
"With Winter" he pointed at their direction
"I didn't ask before but how is the company doing?" Jennifer asked out of the blue
Liam froze at the question but soon regained his composure "Good" he smiled stiffely
Jennifer just hummed seeing that her cousin seemed to not want to talk about it
"It's very sad that Joaquin and Mateo left. Those idiots didn't even call us once to say welcome back" Brianna tried to bring up the matter
"Yeah, just let them be" he responded with a lost look
"If you are in any kind of pressure, you can tell us okey?" Jennifer smiled
"Don't worry about me. Just think about settling your business here. How is it going?"
"I need to recrut a new team but i think it will go smoothly"
"Glad to hear that" He sincerely told her and suddenly declared "Actually, i'm thinking of fighting seriously for uncle's seat"
The women's eyes went wide hearing him
"What? but what about your career?"
Brianna exclaimed "You did medical studies for so many years after you graduated in finance"
"I have to take the decision for our family. Kris is beginning to gain the shareholders approval. Before Joaquin, i worked hard at the company with father and i don't want to waste it"
"Liam..." Brianna wanted to retort but Liam just cut her off
"i already made up my mind" he said and walked away
"What's with your husband?" Winter looked at what seemed like a disagreement between them
Jarine eyes followed the man who went away
"He is just stressed about something"
Winter didn't ask further and continued their discussion
"As i said, i want to keep boxing"
"There is a boxing gym in our district. It's not far you can go there whenever you want. I'll send you the adress" she paused and asked
"Were you able to put yourself in touch with your anger issues?"
"Lately yes. Well, no one tries to pick on me so it's not hard"
"Keep going, How is the coming of age preparations doing? it's also your birthday after christmas"
Winter frowned
"What? you're still not going to celebrate it this year?"
Jarine was the only one who talked openly about her past and the taboo things no one would bring in front of her
"No. Don't try to remind everyone about it"
"Fine. Mother was talking about your dress with me a while ago, you two are going to have a shopping day tomorrow"
"what a pain"
"Don't be so moody, she's really trying to give you a normal life"
"I already said yes anyway. The shopping is still bearable but the training with the old woman is going to be the worsr" She complained
"You are going to be introduced to the high society. Not everybody can have that chance"
"No thanks. I know the real purpose of that soiree"
"Let me guess, you think that's for selling you?"
"What else. They want to find a prospect husband for you and make a good deal with the opposite family who is sure to be filthy rich as well"
"You just have to let them see your own purpose then"
"You'll see"
"I'm looking forward to it. I gotta go, i don't know where liam went to"
Winter gave a silent nod
The party ended with small gifts offered to the hosts. It was a traditional gesture.
Alan and Emily took leave together. The woman didn't forget to glare at Winter despite thanking and wishing them goodbye on their way. She just gave a playful grin at her in response.