Flashback A ten-year-old Kent was playing outside their mansion when a young boy who was two years younger than him was outside the gate with his mom.
Kent who saw them accidentally hit the boy with a stone. He thought he's a thief because he didn't see the lady beside him. He cried and Kent ran inside the mansion to hide. His father saw what happened from the window. Alexander who just got up from their bed knows she would come early while his wife was sleeping.
Rachelle, his wife will understand his fault. He knows how good and obedient his wife is.
He hurriedly went downstairs and ambled outside to open the gate.
"Please, take care of him as your son. I won't bother you anymore." His mistress Adelle said while giving him their son.
"Mom, please, don't leave me here. I promise to be a good boy. Please." Gale begs his mom while grabbing her dress, but Adelle's decision was fixed.
She pushed him to Alexander.
"Hurry. Take him. Bye, and thank you." Adele said trying to hold her tears from her weary eyes.
"Don't worry, I will make him just like me someday. Come on, let's go inside, your brother is waiting for you." Alexander said to the little boy, his bastard son.
Gale followed the old man as he keeps sniffing and making soft sobs. He's only eight years old and his young mind can't visualize what's right or wrong.
As soon as Alexander came inside, his older son Kent was hiding behind her mom. Rachelle's face looks fierce to see the young boy beside her husband. Her eyes narrowed towards him were wrinkles on her forehead started to become visible.
“Who is he? Is he your bastard with Adelle? Take him away! How dare you let him live with us!” she yelled at him and Alexander understands his wife, but Adelle is dying, and no one will look for Gale.
"He will stay. If you're mad, be mad at me but not to this child. I know I made a mistake, but it happened." Alexander told her while looking at his son Kent who was glaring at Gale.
“Son, meet your little brother, Gale." He said while making them close to each other, but Kent won't accept him.
"Mom said he's not my brother. I hate you, dad! I hate you!” Kent shouted and ran back to his room.
Alexander clenched his fist while staring at Rachelle.
“What did you tell our son? Don't brainwash him with your stupidity, Rachelle. He doesn't know how to yell at me!” Alexander said but his wife didn't answer him and stormed back to their room. Gale was left on the couch.
Alexander just set a blank gaze at him.
"Come. I will show you your room," he said.
---
Ten Years Later Gale was upset after his dad bought Kent a new car because he just graduated from college with Eloisa. He's pissed since Eloisa was the apple of his eye. He took away everything. His mom left him because their dad urges her to take him to their mansion and his father hid his mom's illness until she died in loneliness.
He always had their dad's attention and love. After his stepmom, Rachelle died because of the accident, he felt sudden privacy and freedom. Now, he had Eloisa and a car. He swears to me, someday, he will take everything that his brother's owned and cherished especially what makes him happy.
Me, I'm still a puppet to Alexander, our dad. I was in the wine area when dad came. He was with a girl. She's blonde and sexy. I guess she's another candidate to be my girlfriend.
"Oh, Gale, I'm glad you're here. Meet Cindy, she's my friend's daughter." Dad introduced her to me.
She looks stunning in her red cocktail dress and black stiletto heels. She seems friendly and well-educated.
"Hi, nice to meet you, Gale. I didn't expect Uncle Alexander to have a hot son like you!” she complimented on my looks.
I raise one of my brows at her and set a smirk on my face. I saw her soft hands waiting for my handshake, but I didn't take it.
“Gale, why don't you take Cindy outside. Go out for dinner. It's time to gain new friends." Dad did it again.
All of our decisions will be made and decided by him. We can't move and think to ourselves. He has the access and authority in our life like we were bound by him since we were young.
Even I'm not in the mood to go outside, I force myself to follow dad's orders. As my eyes studied her body, I set a sneering look since I'm bored, maybe I can make her my pet.
“Sure. Let's go, Cindy?” I mustered her.
Her white teeth and deep dimples came out when she quickly smiled.
"Okay. Uncle Alex, we're going." She said to my dad.
I saw how happy my dad was when he saw me, and Cindy walked outside the main door.
Even I'm not in love with her, after two months of our dating, I proposed to her to be my girlfriend.
End of Flashback ---
Gale POV
I was on my way home when Kent suddenly called me. I don't know why it's urgent because it's evening.
"Is there any problem, my big brother?” I asked him while pulling back to my car's destination.
“Nope. I prepared a small dinner. Can you bring your wife? I and Eloisa just talk about it this evening." He told me so I drive back home to pick up Greta.
As I opened the main door, I saw her sitting on the couch while drinking wine. She didn't notice me at first, so I cleared my throat while walking towards her.
"Oh, Gale, you're home. How's your day? Is everything okay?” she seems different today.
Did Lucy know about my plan? I hope she didn't because I'm not yet ready to see her crying.
“Oh, you know what I did a great job! Kent had no idea that their one VIP investor renewed his contract with us! Now, Zeus Palace and Gale's Resto will become one of the top spots to visit!” I can't hide how happy I am to her.
I almost forgot that my brother Kent and Eloisa invited us for dinner. I sat beside her, but she twitched when my hands touched her arms. She looks scared and reserved. It's noticeable on her shivering hands while holding the glass of wine.
"Kent just called. They invited us to attend the dinner. Dress up and I'll wait here," I said.
"Are you ready to face them again? You know the deal, right? You can tell me if you can't come, and I will call them to—"
“Don't worry, I can handle my feelings but seeing Austin call Eloisa his mommy will make my heart ache!” Her voice rumbled.
I took her near me and began to comfort her. I caress her hair with my palm. I feel sorry for her that I want to pamper her.
"Just cried. I'm right here to protect you!” I whispered near her ears.
Lucy already knew what Gale is planning to do about her. She lost interest in helping him anymore. She changed their plan. She would find a way to find the culprit who shot her in Tagaytay first. She will also find evidence to make sure that Eloisa and Gale are seeing each other. Although she had no proof yet, time will come she will tell Kent how his wife was doing behind his back.
She just hugs Gale to make him believe that she's hurt, and she only believes him not anyone else.
--
Gale and Greta just arrived at the Stone Residence and as Greta get out of the car, Austin ran towards her and hug her tightly.
“I miss you, Aunt Greta!” he said after wrapping his little hands to her legs.
Eloisa noticed how close Austin was to her. She started to get suspicious about Greta's hidden identity.
"I will skin you soon, Greta Stone!” Eloisa told herself while looking at them.