Chapter 38

Heather was still dubious of how to interpret her unexpected encounter with Mabel. Even though she did not consider Mabel malicious, she did not want to take a chance and put her trust in her just to have it violated in the end.
She did not know the lady, yet something in her heart told her to put faith in Mabel. Moreover, she was Mathilda's friend. But she also cannot dismiss the fact that she did not know Mathilda. This was the first time she had met her.
Heather could not help but let out a frustrated sigh while the pot of veggies simmered on the stove.
“What is distressing the lovely lady at this time of the day?” Juan asked as he entered the kitchen along with Alexander, who had a scowl on his face.
“Please stop wooing my Heather,”
“Oh brother, what use do I have in your life if I don’t tease your woman. Furthermore, it was sheer luck that you found her before I did because else, she would have fallen for my charms. Isn’t that right, Heather?” Juan teased his brother, making him more annoyed than before.
Alexander interrupted Heather before she could reply, saying, "Heather, you must rectify my brother for his incorrect thinking."
“Well, Alexander, I must confess that your younger brother has more charisma than you do,”
As Juan had a smug expression on his face, Alexander was startled by Heather's candor regarding Juan's character. To say he was envious would have been an understatement.
Looking at Alexander’s speechless expression, Heather could not help but laugh as she approached her man after witnessing Alexander's face of incomprehension.
“Alexander, my dear man. Juan may or may not be more charismatic than you, but my heart belongs to you. Nobody can have that, not even your own brother.”
“I won't have to battle to win your affection for anybody else, then. I enjoy a good fight, but I don't want to win by having you as my prize. Heather, you are not a thing to me. You are everything to me, and I want you at my side.” Alexander mumbled to her.
“Do not even believe for a second that you would need to battle anyone to get me; you will always find me standing with you.”
Juan chimed in, "And most definitely not me, brother. I do like to see your ambivalence, Alexander, but you have my word that my feelings for Heather are pure brotherly affection.”
“So now, don’t we all have a meal?” Heather asked as she plated the food, and they all sat with each other. She did not want anyone to go deep into this conversation as it was all in jest. Her heart only belonged with Alexander, and that is what was to be conveyed.
“Heather, this is delicious,” Juan said as he took the first bite of the vegetable soup she had prepared. “I cannot thank you enough for having me here,”
He did appreciate both Alexander and Heather for involving him during their meals. Initially, when Heather came with Alexander, he was quite sad with the prospect of having meals alone like he had often been having since past few months since Alexander left, and when he returned with his lady, he doubted that Heather would not be pleased with his intrusion and would want him to give them space and let them live their own life. However, his heart swelled when Alexander told him about Heather’s insistence on having Juan with them during mealtime.
Along with losing his heart to someone else, he won't lose his brother. Alexander meant everything to him, and he was relieved that with Heather in his and their life, he would not only have a brother but also a sister who did care for him.
In the little time, he spent with Heather, he could state with certainty that his heart would undoubtedly shatter if things did not work out between Alexander and her. Even the thought of her permanently departing their lives makes him sad.
However, at present, Juan, along with Alexander, could feel that something was distracting their dear Heather. Even while cooking in the kitchen, her mind was present elsewhere.
“Are you alright, Heather? You look distracted.” Unlike Alexander, Juan could not resist asking her.
Alexander had in his mind to speak with in the night in private. That is in the absence of Juan. He did not want to force Heather to share her issues in front of anyone she did not feel comfortable with, even if he was his brother. Nonetheless, he was looking at Heather with curiosity, concerned with her whereabouts.
“You did not have any problem with working alongside Hans,’ did you?” Alexander asked.
“No. Certainly not. Han’s are lovely people. They remind me of the Oscars. I am actually content to work with them.” Heather said with a smile on her face.
Alexander exhaled a breath of relief and said, "I'm glad to hear that. But did any of the locals start a problem? You can tell us, Heather. We can talk to them or fix whatever issue you are having.”
"Heather, he's correct. I know we all are complete strangers to you, but you have both Alexander and me by your side. While you have only known me for a short while, I solely have your best interests in mind.”
“Thank you, Juan. I genuinely believe that all is well. I was just thinking about a few things. Apologies if you two mistakenly believed differently.” Heather said.
“You do not have anything reason to apologise, Heather. But maybe you could run your thoughts through us, and we could help you with it.” Alexander suggested.
“Actually, today, at the end of the day at Hans’, I had a brief encounter with Mabel.”
The mention of Mabel aroused the curiosity of both Juan and Alexander.
“Mabel?” they both repeated the name at the same time.
“Yes,” Heather nodded and continued her tale about how she met her and how she already knew her name.
Brother listened with intent, and in the end, they both had a smile playing on their lips. In the end, Alexander kept his hand on hers in assurance, “Do not overthink what Mabel has told you and what anyone may say. Do not even for one second think that Mabel is going to cause you or anyone harm. Her behavior might say otherwise, but she is of no harm. I feel it is because she has certain unexplainable powers which make people fear her.”
“I do understand that, Alexander. I don’t know, I was just shocked.” Heather said.
Even though she had complete faith in Alexander, she was not comfortable sharing everything that Mabel told her, especially in not front of Juan. He was still unaware of all her abilities, and according to Mabel, she herself is yet to discover some of her own.
"Mabel has a knack for surprising people. Her aurora also comes across as eccentric, but she is harmless. In fact, it was she who encouraged me and gave me the push to embark on the out-of-the-blue voyage. Now that I think about it, maybe I would never have met you if it weren't for her. She led me to you.”
Juan was surprised at his brother's words as he was not aware of this, “Well, now that’s something. But Alexander is right here, Heather. Mabel is a really nice woman. We both would not have asked you to work with Hans if we considered Mabel toxic. I think everyone knows that, yet some people like stirring up a needless fuss.”
Heather nodded. She felt comforted, and her fears subsided after hearing their statements. Even though she believed them more than Mathilda, she could still not curb her worry or explain the connection she felt with Mabel.