17
1019 Words
Alexander felt Elena stiffen beside him. The tension in the room was so thick that even he could feel it. He was about to step in and stop his grandfather before things got worse, but Elena beat him to it.
“It’s finally nice meeting you, Mr. Hartwell,” she said.
Her voice was calm and steady, even though Alexander could see the nervousness hidden behind her eyes.
Patrick raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Elena continued. “And I must admit, you’re every bit as intimidating as people say.”
Patrick’s sharp gaze remained fixed on her.
“But tell me something,” she said, forcing a small smile. “Do you act this way because you enjoy scaring people away? Because if that’s the case, then I should warn you—I am anything but weak.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Elena wanted to disappear.
What had she just done?
This was Patrick Hartwell. A man whose name alone made powerful businessmen nervous. Challenging him was probably the worst thing she could have done.
The room fell silent.
Patrick simply stared at her.
One second passed.
Then another.
Elena could practically feel Alexander’s shock beside her.
Finally, Patrick hummed thoughtfully.
“Hmm.”
To Elena’s surprise, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
“Sit.”
The command caught both Elena and Alexander off guard.
Patrick turned and walked back to the dining table as if nothing had happened.
Relief washed through Elena. At least he hadn’t thrown her out.
Dinner began shortly afterward, but the atmosphere remained tense. Elena barely tasted the food in front of her. She knew Patrick wasn’t finished. A man like him would never accept her without asking questions.
Sure enough, after several minutes, Patrick set down his wine glass and looked directly at them.
“So,” he said casually, “how did the two of you meet?”
Elena’s stomach tightened.
The questions had begun.
She quickly recalled the story she and Alexander had prepared.
“We met at Alexander’s charity event,” she answered.
Patrick’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“A charity event?”
“Yes. My brother was receiving treatment at a hospital that Alexander’s company was supporting. We met there.”
Patrick turned toward Alexander.
“You organized a charity event?”
Alexander remained calm.
“It was company business.”
Patrick snorted.
“That sounds trite, Alexander. How come I never knew about it?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be publicized, grandfather. I wanted to help people without the media in my face.” Alexander answered.
“I see.” Patrick said coolly.
Elena nearly sighed with relief.
At least they had survived the first question.
Patrick took another sip of wine.
“And after that?”
“We kept seeing each other,” Alexander answered smoothly.
“Seeing each other?” Patrick asked.
“We ran into each other a few times and eventually got to know each other. And when I became the CEO, I discovered she worked as a staff in the company.”
Patrick seemed unconvinced by that narrative. His attention shifted back to Elena.
“What attracted you to him? What is your motive here?”
Elena almost choked on her water.
She could feel Alexander’s gaze on her.
Quickly, she remembered their rehearsed answers.
“He’s dependable,” she said.
Patrick’s expression remained unreadable.
“Dependable?”
“Yes. When Alexander says he’ll do something, he does it. He takes responsibility. He’s reliable.”
Those words were easier to say because they were true.
Patrick said nothing.
Encouraged, Elena continued.
“And despite how intimidating he can be, he genuinely cares about people.”
For the first time, Alexander looked at her.
There was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite understand.
Patrick noticed it too.
The old man’s gaze shifted toward his grandson.
“And what about you?” he asked.
Alexander looked up.
“What about me?”
“Why her?”
The question hit the table like a bomb.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Patrick leaned back in his chair.
“You’re Alexander Vale,” he said. “You’ve been surrounded by beautiful women your entire life. Models. Socialites. Women from influential families.”
His eyes moved toward Elena.
“So why her?”
Elena lowered her gaze.
It was a question she had secretly asked herself.
Why her?
Of all people.
For the first time that evening, Alexander didn’t answer immediately.
His eyes settled on Elena for a moment before he finally spoke.
“Because she treats me like a person.”
The room went still.
Patrick’s expression hardened slightly.
Alexander continued.
“Not like a billionaire. Not like a business asset. Not like someone she wants something from.”
His voice was calm.
“Just a person.”
Elena’s heart skipped.
The words sounded far too real.
Patrick studied them both carefully.
His expression revealed nothing.
Finally, he nodded once.
“I see. And what if she’s pretending to like you for you?”
“I know that she’s not pretending. She didn’t even want me at first. Every other woman would throw themselves at me.” Alexander said firmly.
Patrick picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip before setting it down again.
Then a strange smile appeared on his face.
A smile that instantly made Elena nervous.
“One final question.”
Elena’s stomach twisted.
Patrick folded his hands together and looked directly at them.
“If you’re truly in love,” he said calmly, “then this should be easy.”
Neither Elena nor Alexander spoke.
Patrick’s smile widened slightly.
“Tell me.”
His gaze moved between them.
“What is the name of my daughter, Alexander’s mother?”
The color immediately drained from Elena’s face. She had no idea what Alexander’s mother’s name is or maybe she saw it in the document but couldn’t remember. Alexander had never mentioned her. This was bad, she thought.
Beside her, Alexander went completely still.
- Writer
