Page 73 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

The night we went to the park. That night, I felt her withdrawing from me. She’d probably already started discovering the truth by then.

Why didn’t I just tell her everything?

“Truth is, I thought I was trying to protect her. When we first met, I saw her as the enemy, you know. I didn’t know any better then. She’s the CEO of the company I’m trying to take over because their shady underground deals are sickening. Anyone in my place would have thought the same thing.”

Nodding, Alex lifts his glass for a sip of champagne.

I clear my throat, before continuing. “When I decided to take the extra step and infiltrate her life, I started with lies. Soon, I understood what was really going on, but even though I knew Melissa was more of a figurehead, who also had good intentions, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her.”

“I feel you, Richie. At least, you could have told her something, though.”

“I know, but I just couldn’t! When I found out she was your sister, it became a lot harder. Then, we became a couple, and –”

Alex, with an arm stretched as if clapping the air, cuts me short.

“Hold on. Wait a minute. What did you say?”

I raise an eyebrow. “It became a lot harder, because I found out you’re her brother?”

“No, not that. Okay, let me ask you a question. A simple one. What’s your relationship with Melissa?”

Why’s he asking me when he most likely knows already?

“We were a couple. It was brief. She told you, didn’t she?”

In the twinkle of an eye, Alex is on his feet again, fists balled. My eyes widen as it dawns on me. Melissa didn’t tell him.

“Now I get it. I asked Melissa many times about what her relationship with you is supposed to be, but not once did she give me an answer. Now I know why. She was too ashamed to say it.”

I shoot to my feet. My mind floods with thoughts on how to salvage the situation.

“Lex, calm down. We can talk about this…”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, man! I don’t want you bullshitting me anymore! Oh, so I tell you to watch over my sister, and you decided to take it a step further?”

“No. That’s not what happened. Listen, I can explain,” I say, taking a step closer to him.

Alex stops me with a raised finger. “Don’t you take any step further. You’ve lost it, Richard. My respect. You just threw it in the trash.”

“I can’t deny the fact that Melissa and I had something between us. And I’m done with hiding things. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know, but what’s done is done. Also, we’re a thing of the past now.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it’s not. I don’t see how I’m supposed to accept my best friend dating my baby sister easily. Honestly, I wish it wasn’t you, Richard. Anyone, but you.”

“Lex –”

Alex storms away, tipping over a glass of champagne in his hurry. The liquid runs through the table and onto the floor, first in gushes, then trickles, until only drops fall on the carpet.

I’ve done it again. I betrayed Melissa’s trust by lying to her and keeping secrets, and now Alex is mad at me. I don’t blame him. It’s not that he’s worried about the kind of person I am or anything; I know that much. He’s angry simply because I dated his sister behind his back.

Sitting on the armchair nearby, I take the bottle of champagne and drink a huge amount in one gulp. I rest a moment, before going again. The intercom buzzes just as I’m going for my third.

“Mr. Burnes. Um, there are some people here to see you. They said you requested a meeting?”

Some people?

“Describe them.”

“They look like normal businessmen, but they didn’t mention their company or purpose. They just asked to see you. I think they’re a group of agents or something.”

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