Chapter 76_ Siblings Bond

The day went by working in the office until Arya and Victoria were the only ones left. Arya glanced at Victoria, who was at her desk, surrounded by folders and files. She walked up to her and said, “Hey, Victoria, how come you are still here?”

“I'm trying to sort out the concept car’s documentation. Drawings, photos, and reports are all mixed together,” Victoria answered.

"Why don't you finish tomorrow?” Arya asked, and Victoria sighed.

"Because tomorrow there will be another pile of messy documentation to sort out,” she said.

"But shouldn't you have an assistant for this?" Arya said, and Victoria sighed as she looked her in the eye.

“I should. But I have an agreement with Marco: I do the job myself and get the extra money. With a daughter to raise all by myself, I try to save all the money I can to secure her future,” Victoria explained, and Arya's thoughts immediately flashed to Alex.

“I can relate to that. I’ve got a little brother I look after. It's hard work, but it's totally worth it,” Arya said.

“Yeah. But sometimes I just wish money wasn't so hard to come by,” Victoria said, and Arya gave her a sympathetic look.

"I know, believe me," Arya said and mused, ‘I bet her daughter misses her badly. Alex was always waiting for me till late at night.’ Looking up at Victoria, Arya continued, “Why don't you go home to your daughter and I will finish up here?”

"Are you serious?” Victoria asked, surprised with widened eyes.

"Of course, I know enough about the project to do it myself. Just go and don't look back.”

"Thank you so much, Arya! You are the best," Victoria beamed, hugging Arya as she almost teared up with joy. After pulling away, she picked up her handbag and headed home.

Alone now, Arya got to work and organized all the documentation in a perfect binder as she finished the presentation. After completing her work, she couldn't help but think of her brother, Alex. ‘I should call him when I get to the hotel; I haven't spoken to him in a while now,’ Arya mused silently, making a mental note to call Alex once she reached her hotel room.

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Upon arriving at the hotel room, there was no sign of Kane; everything was dark and silent. “Kane?" Arya called out, switching on the lights and glancing around the room. Seeing no sign of him, Arya sighed and took out her phone to call Alex on a video call.

“Arya…” Alex’s voice rang through the line as he blinked his eyes in surprise.

“Hello, grown man, how are you?” Arya greeted.

"A little worried, actually," Alex answered with a scowl.

“Why? What happened?" Arya asked, concern etched on her face.

“I was worried I just imagined having a sister. So I was searching online for other schizophrenia symptoms; I really hope this call is real,” Alex said.

“You are right, Alex. I'm sorry for not reaching out to you. I have been so busy at work that I can barely walk to bed to sleep when I get home,” Arya said, and Alex's face softened at her words.

"I know. Kane told me."

“Kane?" Arya repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. He calls me every day, but he's always very evasive about details. I guess he doesn't want me to worry too much about you,” Alex said, and Arya couldn't help but feel her heart warm at the thought of Kane reaching out to Alex every day for her sake.

“I'm so sorry, Alex. I will do better. I'm just very busy,” Arya said.

"You’ve always been very busy, but you never put me aside. Are you coming back for my birthday?” Alex asked, looking at Arya with hopeful eyes through the screen.

Arya sighed and shook her head, a sad expression marring her face. “I don't think I can make it, Alex. I'm so sorry,” she said, and Alex frowned as he grumbled inaudibly to himself. Arya continued, “Alex, I know it's frustrating, but I'm just trying to build a better future for us.”

“I would like it if the present didn't suck so much,” Alex said, closing his eyes as he started breathing deeply.

“What are you doing?" Arya asked curiously.

“Meditation. It helps me control my teenage hormone imbalance and be more rational. Since Kane is always vague because he doesn't want me to worry, why don't you tell me what's really going on?” Alex said, and Arya nodded, knowing how smart Alex is; he wouldn't stop till he knew what was going on over there in Italy. So Arya went ahead and told him all the crazy things that had been happening to her.

“Whoa! War with a competitor, arson, sabotage, a mole... and the three stooges as top managers. Honestly, it's a lot worse than I thought,” Alex exclaimed, shooting Arya a worried look.

“I know. I keep thinking that one of the stooges could be responsible for the Nicholas group of companies sabotage. But I don't know how to prove it,” Arya said with a huff.

"You know what? I’ll search through Maranello's employee database and see if I can come up with something,” Alex said, and Arya's eyes lit up.

"Are you sure you can hack it?” she asked.

Alex bobbed his head at her and boasted, “Are you kidding me? I log in to read your file every time I miss my big sister.”

"Do you know that I love you more than anything else on the planet?” Arya said, and when Alex nodded at her, she continued, "Good. I don't want you getting into trouble because of me, so be careful, okay?”

“I will. I love you too!" Alex answered as the siblings looked at each other through the screen, with the same smile and loving eyes.

“Do you remember when you came into the office dressed like a pizza delivery boy?” Arya asked with twinkling eyes, as Alex's eyes mirrored hers.

“Of course I do. I ate three pizzas in a row. The best day of my life.” Alex beamed, and Arya heard Selma's voice booming on the call.

“Hey."

"I mean…. not counting when I met Selma, though.” Alex corrected, making Arya chuckle.

"Where's Chloe?” Arya asked.

"She's whipping up some dinner for us. Gotta go, big sis. Love you more than ever!” Alex said, and Arya nodded with a smile.

“Love you too. Be nice to him, Selma.” Arya said, and before Selma could respond, the call ended. Arya sighed with satisfaction at finally being able to communicate with Alex, and after a few moments, her phone rang again. Arya hesitated when she saw that it was an unknown caller; before the call could end, she slid across the phone and picked it up, placing the phone to her ear.