"There seems to be some sort of a mistake—."
"What mistake? It's been decided in the agreement that you signed." She interrupted and sighed.
The woman envelopes Zane in a tight embrace. "I truly understand how you feel about all this, my dear. And I know, your father? He will be so proud of what you've become." Her voice is now gentle soothing my back a couple of times.
He's not Kaisen though however Zane can't say that. Being hugged like this reminds him the warmth of his mother.
The woman loosened first and holds both of his arms, her eyes locked with his. "Now, let's stay strong and hold on. You can still visit here when things have calmed down."
Before Zane can utter another word, Ms. Jang already dragged his baggage out of the suite.
Kaisen's phone beeped, displaying a notification from an unregistered number. With full access to the phone, Zane opened the message received.
From Unregistered
I'm sorry for deceiving you. I really am your twin but I can't meet you just yet. I hope I get to see you too but things aren't going well for me. Please do me a small favor of taking care of our father's company. You can trust Ms. Jang, she's like a parent to me. I'll make it up to you in the future.
Kaisen
Zane typed a message back, but the number had blocked Kaisen's number, and the message couldn't be sent. Zane huffed in frustration.
During the ride, Ms. Jang talked occasionally, but Zane remained silent, his mind consumed by deep thoughts. There must be a deep reason why Kaisen had deceived him – twin intuition? Must be. And his twin had signed a marriage contract of inconvenience with a typical reason that he read in books. Was he forced?
The car came to a halt in front of a huge mansion. Zane didn't even realize that they were already inside a huge villa and only able to collect his thoughts when Ms. Jang called his attention.
Her expressions are soft unlike earlier when she arrived at the hotel. "Call me when you need anything. And if I call, answer it if you're not busy. Take care of yourself and eat your meals three times a day. If you need to see me, I'm just at the company," she said.
Zane just nodded and took his baggage out of the car.
"Take this." Ms. Jang added while handing over the small suitcase that she had earlier. Zane just took it without question. When Ms. Jang had driven away, Zane dragged his suitcase on the left and carry the smaller one on his right hand inside the huge open door of the house's entrance.
"Mr. Ashworth, I am Laian. I will be assisting you during your stay."
A young woman in the maid's uniform approached him. She was at least younger or a bit older than him since she looked young.
"Just call me Kai—," Zane halted for a moment before finishing with, "Kaisen." There is a little bit of difference compared to his name so it'll do.
The maid bowed slightly. "Mr. Kaisen, I will show you to your room. May I assist you with your baggage?"
Zane wanted to correct her to call him only by his name but thought it might make her uncomfortable and decided to let it slide. He handed his baggage to her and followed behind her.
When they arrived, the maid told him to take a rest and only call her using the intercom to the maid's quarters if he needed anything. The room was extravagant, with a large bed, a walk-in closet, a spacious bathroom, a study area, and a mini living room, it was all different back home. The size of the room was almost the same size as the size of his mother's house in Germany.
Zane dragged his suitcase towards the bed and flopped himself on it, thinking about what he would do next.
Kaisen's phone rang for the nth time of the day. Zane answered without looking thinking it was Ms. Jang, she must've forgot something. But after a few seconds, the caller was silent. With brows furrowed, Zane checked the caller's ID only to find out that it was an unregistered number.
In a hurry, Zane sits up. "Hello," he said hopefully, thinking it might be Kaisen.
The phone beeped and the call ended. When Zane tried to contact the number, the same as before it couldn't be reached. Zane slumped himself back feeling frustrated.
The phone beeped indicating a message. Using another different unregistered number, Kaisen sent a message.
Unregistered number
I'm sorry for not saying anything. I know I don't have the courage to talk to you even on the phone. I just wanted to hear your voice. Please be well.
Kaisen
Then another message came in.
Unregistered number
Stay away from Zenon. File a divorce and fuck off!
Zane was shocked by the second message. Comparing the two messages, the last one was not from Kaisen based on how the message was composed. In all the messages Kaisen sent, he always included his name at the last part of the message. He checked Kaisen's inbox. There are a lot of unregistered numbers and most of them are saying bad things, some are threats, and some are pure hateful comments.
He should've changed his number. He has been receiving these kinds of messages for quite some time now.
Zane was in deep thoughts when three moderately loud knocks came from the door, followed by a soft voice of the maid, Laian.
"Mr. Kaisen, your dinner is ready. Would you like to eat in the dining area? Or do you prefer to eat it in your room?" the maid softly said.
"Thank you. I will eat it in the dining area." Zane responded.
Laian guided Zane to the dining area. The whole mansion was quiet. It's as if there is only him and Laian in the house. The dining area was equally silent, with Laian only talks when asked and him in deep thoughts.
Zane was in deep thoughts that he stopped eating and just poking the food with the fork. Should he go back to Berlin? The reason he came here for isn't here. About their father's company? There's Ms. Jang, she seems like a trustworthy person. Besides, where's our father?
He was in that state when a tall man entered the dining area. The eyes that are cold as ice bore on Zane who was poking his food, clearly distracted.
"Is the food not to your liking?" His cold deep voice echoed through the quiet space.
The voice startled Zane, making him raise his head immediately to check who's the owner of that chilling voice and their eyes locked instantly.
Man, he's hot. He must be the alpha husband. His brother's alpha. Flushed, Zane dragged his gaze away. Remembering the threat he received not an hour ago, he must be Zenon.
"No, it's good. It's actually delicious. I was just―." He was cut-off when the man turned away, as if he was not there.
"Laian, tell Jake that I'm having dinner in my room." The alpha spoke without looking.
Laian bows at him before she left the dining table. And without sparing him another glance, the man proceeded to leave.
Baffled by this alpha's rudeness, his eyebrow raised an arc before let out a scoff of disbelief. "Even with a handsome face and endless money, your wife will no wonder run away because of your rudeness," Zane mumbled as he shoved his food to his mouth to finish eating, glaring to the door where the alpha exited.
Laian was back shortly and cleaned after him. Zane offered to help but was rejected and told to just rest in his room. He is not a sucker for household chores anyway so he went back to his room. If he hadn't met some maids cleaning along the way, he would think that there are only four people in the mansion.
Maybe because of the exhaustion of his travel but once his back touched the soft mattress, he fell asleep.
The shrill ring of the phone pierced the silence of the room, jolting him awake. He fumbled while his eyes close, searching for the source of the sound. Once he found it, he checked the caller's ID with half open eyes. It's Alec this time.
"I'm still alive, there's nothing to worry about," he remarked as soon as he pressed to answer.
"Of course, your ass is alive and didn't even bother to call. I knew you won't initiate to call so I let you rest first," the person on the other said but obviously he's not angry, just worried.
"Ah I feel so loved."
"Stop joking around. You didn't make trouble on your first hours in New York, right?"
"Now, I feel wronged." He remarked as if he is sulking. "Have I ever caused trouble?"
"Of course you do, I lose count of how much trouble you've caused since grade school." Alec reminded.
"Yeah, yeah. Gosh, can't you forget about it already." He rose from the mattress and went to the nearby window in the room and slide the curtain open. The sun rays that were blocked by the thick curtain was now freely shine to his room.
"Too many to forget. So, how is it?"
"What is?" he asked back as if he doesn't know what he is talking about.
"Cut the shit out! I know you flying to New York has something to do with having a twin." Well, isn't he like a girl. He shows different moods in a single conversation.
"Fine, geez. The situation is kinda difficult right now." Zane finally confessed. "I might take longer than a week."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"Actually, yes. My bike, don't let my bike feel lonely." Both of them let out a chuckle when he said that.
"T said he's in New York right now. If you found yourself in trouble, just call him for help."
"He's busy circumnavigating, why is he here?"
"Work."
"How about the boss?"
"He wants you back as soon as possible. You know he can't survive without his number one."
"He'll live since number two is there. Gotta go. Say hi to Annaliese for me."
Alec, like a mother to his son, let out a few nagging before he ended the call. Zane can only shake his head.
After the phone call, Zane decided to head to the kitchen for his morning coffee. When he arrived in the kitchen, someone is already there. She's probably the maid responsible for cooking since it's the first time he had seen her.
Zane greeted her 'good morning' with a bright face and the latter replied back with formality.
"What do you like to eat, sir? I can cook it for you." She asked.
Zane shakes his head. "I don't eat breakfast, miss. I'm just here for my coffee."
The maid put a lid on the pot where she was stirring a while ago. "How do you like your coffee, sir?"
"I'll make it myself, thank you." He makes a great coffee after all.
He headed to the other side of the kitchen counter and the cook, Marta, helped him find the ingredients he needed for his coffee. After making his coffee diligently, he was about to take a sip on it when a hot gorgeous alpha entered the kitchen.
"Good morning!" Zane greeted enthusiastically which made the latter look at him with furrowed brows. "Coffee?" he added raising his just made coffee but the latter ignored him.
Instead, he switched his attention to Marta who seems like it's not her business to pay attention to the tension between the two early in the morning.
"Bring it to the office once done," was the alpha's first words in a stern manner, eyeing on Marta who just nodded.
Zane rolled his eyes as he took a sip on his coffee because once again, he's been ignored.
"You!" Zane brings his attention to the grumpy alpha in front of him. He raised his eyebrow as if asking 'what?'.
Mr. grumpy gave him an eye, as if he dislikes what he saw, he pulled his gaze away attempting to leave the kitchen. "Change. You're coming with me."