WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU

Chapter 13- Unpleasant Arrival

Mickel Reynolds had accepted the scholarship offer, and Alex found himself more intrigued than he anticipated. He wanted to meet this young man who seemed to share the same last name as the woman who had been occupying his mind far too often lately. It was an odd curiosity, a need to understand who this Mickel was, beyond his impressive academic background and bright future. Part of him knew it was also a way to bridge the gap he felt with Mia, a way to get closer without overstepping his bounds.

When Mickel’s appointment was scheduled, Alex was surprised to receive a message saying that Mickel’s sister would be joining as well. He raised an eyebrow, but something told him that he knew exactly who that “sister” would be.

---

Mia adjusted her blouse nervously as she entered the luxurious building alongside her brother. She felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. After everything she and Mickel had been through, this scholarship was nothing short of a blessing. She wanted to meet the person behind the kindness, the one who’d helped pave the way for her brother's future. But as she walked down the hallway, her steps slowed as she recognized the building name – the same company that Alex Grey headed.

“Is something wrong?” Mickel asked, noticing her hesitation.

Mia forced a smile and shook her head. “No, just... taking it all in. I didn’t realize how impressive this place would be.”

Before she could second-guess herself, they reached the meeting room, where a secretary escorted them inside. Her heart pounded as she entered the room, and when she looked up, her worst fear and strangest hope came true: Alex was there, standing near the large glass windows, looking as composed as ever.

“Mickel, Mia,” Alex greeted them, his voice steady but carrying a hint of surprise as his gaze settled on Mia. “Please, take a seat.”

Mia exchanged a quick glance with her brother before sitting down. She could feel Alex’s eyes on her, and despite the intensity, there was something calm, even appreciative, in his expression.

Mickel spoke first, his tone respectful. “Thank you for the scholarship, Mr. Grey. I can’t tell you what it means to me... and to my sister.”

Alex inclined his head. “You earned it, Mickel. It’s a merit-based scholarship, and you proved you were the right candidate.”

Mickel beamed, and Mia’s heart warmed as she watched her brother. She then turned to Alex, her voice soft but sincere. “Thank you, Alex. You’ve given my brother a chance he never thought he’d have, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”

Alex’s gaze softened. “It was my pleasure, Mia. I’m glad to know the scholarship is going to someone so deserving.”

They exchanged a brief, meaningful look before Mickel broke the silence, asking Alex questions about the company and his future career prospects. As Alex answered, Mia observed him closely. He was polite, professional, but there was something else – an unspoken warmth that made her feel unexpectedly comfortable. It wasn’t long before they finished their meeting, and as she and Mickel stood to leave, Alex extended a hand, his eyes meeting hers.

“If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to reach out,” he said, his gaze holding hers for a moment too long.

Mia nodded, offering him a grateful smile. She left the office feeling a strange mix of gratitude, curiosity, and something else she wasn’t ready to name.

"I didn't know it was Alex, I swear it". Mickel whispered to his sister.

He had also been surprised to see Alex but he composed himself.

---

Alex received news that sent a chill down his spine. His father was back in town. It wasn’t a welcome arrival, and the mere thought of being in the same city as him stirred up old anger and resentment. He had managed to avoid his father for years, building his own life and his own reputation, away from the influence of the man who had caused him so much pain.

But avoiding him forever had never been a real option, and as much as he hated it, he had to face him now.

---

The atmosphere at the family mansion was tense as Alex walked in. His father was already there, seated in the grand hall, with a smug look on his face as he greeted his son. The air was thick with unspoken hostility, and Alex felt his anger bubbling beneath the surface.

“Alexander,” his father began, his voice laced with an arrogance that Alex despised. “It’s been too long. I see you’ve done well for yourself, though I expected no less.”

Alex’s jaw tightened. “I’ve done well despite you.”

His father’s smile didn’t waver. “Still holding grudges, I see. I thought time might have taught you forgiveness, but I suppose that was too much to hope for.”

“Forgiveness?” Alex’s voice was low, filled with barely contained fury. “You killed my mother, took away everything I cared about. And you expect forgiveness?”

His father’s expression turned cold. “Your mother’s death was unfortunate, but I did what I had to do. If you can’t understand that, it’s your own failing.”

“You refused her treatment,” Alex shot back, his voice trembling with anger. “She died because of you, and my twin brother... he died while trying to please you, you don't deserve forgiveness.”

His father’s expression hardened, but before he could reply, Grandpa Liam stepped into the room, his presence instantly diffusing some of the tension. “That’s enough,” he said, his voice firm but tired. “This is not the place for arguments.”

Alex’s anger simmered, but he held back, not wanting to upset his grandfather. Liam was the one person in his family who had always been there for him, who had taken him in and loved him unconditionally. But the stress of the confrontation proved too much, and before Alex could react, his grandfather staggered, clutching his chest.

“Grandpa!” Alex rushed to his side, helping him to a chair as his father stood by, looking disinterested. Alex shot him a venomous glare, his voice trembling. “This is your fault.”

They quickly called an ambulance, and Grandpa Liam was rushed to the hospital. Alex stayed by his side the entire time, barely leaving his grandfather’s room. He was filled with a sense of guilt and anger, blaming his father for every calamity that had befallen his family.

As he sat in the hospital room, watching over his sleeping grandfather, memories flooded his mind. His mother’s warm smile which he had always seen in photos. He couldn't remember his mother well enough. She died before he was 2.

His brother was the funniest person and kindest person he ever knew– they were both gone, stolen by his father’s selfishness.

Evelyn arrived at the hospital, looking pale and worried. She might have been his stepsister, born from his father’s later marriage, but she was family. Alex had taken her under his wing, rescuing her from their father’s toxic influence.

“Is Grandpa going to be okay?” she asked softly, sitting beside him.

Alex nodded, though worry lingered in his eyes. “The doctors say he just needs rest. But this... all of this is because of him.” He couldn’t even bring himself to say the word “father.”

Evelyn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I know, Alex. But you have us now. We’re a family, and Grandpa is going to be okay.”

Alex took a deep breath, feeling the weight of years of pain pressing down on him. He vowed then, silently, to protect his family from his father’s influence, to shield Evelyn and Grandpa from the darkness that man brought into their lives.

But as he sat there, a new thought crossed his mind, one that both scared and intrigued him. Could he ever build a different kind of family? A family of his own, with someone like Mia by his side? He shook his head, trying to push the thought away. But it lingered, like a whisper, a possibility he could no longer ignore.