Chapter 23

Sandra's POV

"What did you say?" I asked again. Did I hear wrong? No, no, it can't be. It must be my ear buzzing with nonsense. It can't be possible.

"You seem like you still don't believe it," Alessia chuckled.

I shook my head "should I?"

"Yeah, you should because it's true" She nodded "there's nothing unbelievable you know. You just need to accept it and know things could change"

"But how come that could be possible?" I asked, still feeling myself hard to believe the information she gave. "I mean..." I shrugged, biting my lips. Mom was always curious to wander around and she even said she wanted to take a vacation in the far land with her friends to enjoy life. But because of my responsibility she was never able to gather enough time to plan for a long vacation. Her dream of roaming around only remained in dream.

But now thinking about her taking a vacation that too in France is something not adjustable at all. How can I believe it when I know our condition so well, I have seen her working hard to make our lives stable. Is it even real for her to go on vacation unannounced?

"Sandra?" A hand waved in front of me.

"Huh?" I looked at Alessia who was frowning at me.

"You are spacing out again? Come on it's not something too shocking" she laughed out again. "You seemed more like put into such a difficult situation, where you can't decide what should you do"

"For you it's not but for me it's more than shocking actually" I sighed, "the last thing I was expecting my mother going on a vacation in France"

"Why are you so shocked?" She asked again.

I shrugged "maybe because she always put my priority first besides traveling needs money, a lot of money. I even studied hard for the scholarship to get entry in University"

Alessia laughed "you sure know how to drag things to make it ummm...funny I think"

I rolled my eyes "what's funny in there? It's true" I shook my head "now, can I talk to mum?"

"Yeah you can. Andriel told me about it. He already asked someone to contact your mum this morning" she nodded with a smile.

"He did? When?" I frowned. He was with me in the morning right? How come that man acts so fast without me knowing? Though I was expecting him to do it, it was faster than I imagined.

"Well in the morning. I mean after he walked out of the room" she shrugged.

"Alessia, do you know when mum went on this vacation or should I say sent to this vacation?"

"The day after you arrived here"

"Really?" I was shocked. It's true that mum can't go by herself to France for a vacation so it's more assured to say he sent her there. But how did he do that? Mum won't go just because he asked or wants. Fuck he is a complete stranger to her. But double fuck to the trick he used on her for this vacation. Even though mom got all the advantages, still…

"Unbelievable right?" Alessia smiled "you will know my brother. Well he has ways to convince others to do things when he wants. He can go to any extent or even using dirty tricks"

"Hmm....I witnessed it" I nodded "but don't tell me did he threaten her or something like that?"

Alessia laughed "of course not. He won't do such a thing. But I guess he used another way to convince your mother. Afterall he is quite expert in that field"

I couldn't retort back because it's true. "Actually I am the living proof of his convincing ability " I mocked, making her laugh.

"He is stubborn but not bad. I hope by this moment you are agreeing with me?" She smiled.

Do I have a choice? He is stubborn and it's true but it's also true that he is not bad either.

"I guess so," I nodded.

"Good. I know you will understand him. I am so happy that you are taking a step further in this relationship. Please try to understand him more, Sandra. I guess you will be surprised at the end"

"Wow, I did not know your brother had some magical capabilities," I joked.

"No" she shook her head with a smile "but he will make you happy and will never let you down. He just needs someone who can stay by his side and understand him. And the only person who could do that is you"

I was speechless for a moment. I know Alessia is trying to solve whatever misunderstanding we have between us. And she is always trying to make me understand her brother's nature but she is also trying to make me comfortable. I don't know how this 'mate' thing works but I know that they value this 'mate bond' more than we humans do. Their mindset is different but they are determined. And I somehow like this fact. I can't help but think of him. The moment I met him I knew he was different. The first was blurry but the next one was sober and he also made sure that I am fully awake to take whatever he wanted to give me. And at the end I couldn't refuse it too.

It's really shameful to say that I am attracted towards my own kidnapper but my heart and my body was captivated by his charm. The way he shows the pleasure, I don't think I could get away from it, even if I had the intention.

"Wow, wow, what are these beautiful ladies doing alone?"

I heard a playful tone behind us. I turned my head to see Aldric was walking towards us with a smile. Well that's not a kind of smile - a genuine one but it's more like a devil smiling. I must say Aldric is really handsome. Compared with Andriel both are flawless. But Aldric looks more playful than Conall.

"Ay, you are here? Weren't you about to leave?"Alessia asked.

"I was but when I saw two beautiful gems here I thought I should pay a little visit. I couldn't leave such beauties alone can I?" he said with a smile.

Alessia rolled her eyes "use your flirting to those who want to die for it. Such action would only disgust me to the core"

"Are you telling me that my handsomeness doesn't have any effect?" He raised an eyebrow.

"There's nothing to look for. What do you want? We have more works than looking at you"

I chuckled when I heard Alessia's reply.

"Ay, what a shame! Even if you ignore my charm, what about you Sandra? Do you have the same opinion as her?" He turned to me and smiled.

I was startled. I didn't expect him to direct his attention towards me so fast. This man changes his attitude too fast.

"Go for it. Then I will have your eyes rolling on the floor before I kick it out of the pack house" another voice roared. He is here? My heart jumped slightly.

"You really have to interrupt?" Aldric made a face.

"Do you want me to kick you out of the pack?" I felt him coming closer.

"Fuck" Aldric cursed under his breath "chill man I was just taking some advice"

"I can give you more," Andriel replied as he stood behind me. I can feel his warmth and his masculine scent which flooded my nostrils instantly.

"No thanks I have other people for that" Aldric smiled retreating. His arms were raised in the air in a surrendering style.

Alessia laughed "is it done? You are chickening out now?"

Aldric turned to her "shut it. Do you need to speak at this time?"

"I was pointing out my opinion. At least it's better than your efforts" she smirked.

Aldric rolled his eyes then looked at me "no offense beautiful"

"Flirt with her once more, then I will show you there's also an 'ugly' word attached to it" Andriel reminded him.

This time I could not hold back and laughed out loud. But my laugh didn't stay long when my face was cupped in between two large hands and my head tilted to face the man who always managed to flatter my heart.

The depth of his orbs pierced my soul and before I could say anything he leaned and kissed me hard. Every Time he kissed me he made sure that he left me breathless. His tongue pushed inside my mouth forcing me to open up. God his kisses are so intense that it made my body hot. But today it made me blush even more because I am aware of the fact that we are in the room.

"Uh...I think I left my phone in the room," I heard Alessia say in the background. "I will get that"

"Fuck, why do you have to show such act in public you bastard" Aldric followed Alessia's lead cursing down. He swore a few more times before I heard his footsteps leaving the area.

Once they were gone, Andriel stopped and moved back. I took the chance to take a breath. I was almost out of breath and all of this because of this man.