Chapter 165: PHONE DRAMA

SIENNA

My phone was gone. Alex had confiscated it. After he caught me red-handed talking to Leo yesterday, he hadn't said anything about the phone again. I wonder how he managed to unlock my phone.

My password was so complicated that only I could access the phone.

It was morning now, and he would be leaving for school tomorrow.

That phone mattered so much to me. In fact, it was my life.

Because it was the only means I had of reaching out to the man I love.

I was supposed to go to the office with Dad this morning. It was my second day of training, and I needed my phone with me.

Maybe I should go speak to Alex about this matter. Dad must never find out why my phone was seized in the first place.

I promised him the last time that I would never get into a relationship, and he had believed me. His trust would be completely shattered if he found out I was involved with someone—not just any random person, but Leo, his enemy.

Disastrous.

With my mind made up, I crawled out of bed and immediately left for Alex's room.

I knocked... once... twice.

“Alex... it's me,” I said, leaning against the door.

Silence followed.

“Please open up. I know you can hear me,” I said again.

A few moments later, the door opened. Alex stood by the doorway, his head tucked slightly behind the door.

“What are you doing here?” he asked coldly.

He's still mad at me, I guess.

Narrowing my eyes, I noticed one of the maids walking toward Alex's room.

“Can we talk privately inside your room?” I asked.

“Just five minutes.”

He pulled his head back and shut the door.

I froze and sighed.

When the door opened again, I walked into the room. Alex lay flat on his back on the bed, his face clouded and pale.

“If it's about the phone, then forget it,” he replied coldly.

I had barely reached his side when he spoke those words.

I stopped on the spot.

“Is seizing my phone part of the protection you're offering me?” I asked.

He didn't say a word. Nothing.

“Have you ever cared to find out why I can't let go of Leo?” I asked, and his head snapped toward me.

“Leave this place if that's all you have to say,” he said firmly, his eyes fixed on empty air.

“I understand how that name makes you feel...” I exhaled softly. “But can't I get my phone back at least?”

“No,” he said firmly, his mind made up.

Silence filled the room, and for that moment, it seemed as though neither of us existed.

“You've been saying all manner of things about me to Leo, right?” he suddenly asked, breaking the awkward silence, his eyes fixed angrily on me.

I was puzzled.

“I don't understand,” I said, my eyes darting in confusion.

He didn't shift those burning eyes away from me.

“Why are you this complicated? Answer me.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Oh, yes, you do, Princess.”

“Then make me understand.”

He scoffed, finally shifting his gaze away.

“Oh, she doesn't understand,” he muttered, turning away.

“I’m not here to argue over anything with you, Alex,” I said softly.

“I know,” he agreed with a smile. “You're here for your phone, aren't you?”

I didn't respond.

I looked at him. His face was marked with disappointment.

“You're right. But that isn't the only reason I came.”

“What other reason do you have?” he asked.

“To talk. I came to talk to you about us—”

“Like the same way you've been telling Leo about your family, right? You even shared my secrets with him,” he interrupted.

“What secret are you talking about? I never told Leo anything.” I stood firmly on my ground.

It's true. I've never discussed my family with Leo before. What then was Alex talking about?

“You didn't mention anything to Leo, but he suddenly finds out I'm gay?” he chuckled painfully.

My jaw dropped.

“What did you just say?” I rushed from where I stood to where he was.

“What did you hear me say?” he retorted angrily.

Broken, I quickly hugged him tightly, my arms wrapping firmly around his neck.

Something in him shifted because of that single hug. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew something had changed.

“I never mentioned anything about your sexuality to anyone. I don't know how Leo found out. Believe me,” I said, my voice cracking.

His breath hitched. I could feel his heart beating slowly even as I held him close.

It pained me so much that someone had found out about what Alex had confidently revealed to me in pain.

I couldn't possibly reveal something like that to anyone. It wasn't possible.

I loved Alex so much that I would keep every secret he shared with me locked away in my heart.

He sighed deeply and gently unwrapped my hands from around his neck.

Then he walked coldly back to the bed and sat down.

A mixture of pain and guilt flooded my heart. I walked back to him.

“Believe me, Alex. I never mentioned anything to anyone. Did Leo say I told him that? Tell me,” I rushed out my words, curious and pained at the same time.

“Can I ever trust you again, Sienna?” he asked coldly, his heart clearly broken.

Tears ran down my cheeks.

“How did this even happen? You know me, Alex. I'd never say such things about you—”

The door creaked open, interrupting me.

We both turned toward it.

Dad stood there.

“Oh, you two are here,” he said, walking toward us.

Very quickly but casually, I wiped the tears from my eyes so Dad wouldn't notice anything.

Alex would never let Dad find out about me. He would deal with it himself before ever taking the matter to him.

Even with the secret relationship between Leo and me, I knew Alex would never reveal any of it to Dad. Never.

I couldn't do otherwise either.

Alex was all I'd got, and I was all he'd got.

“Dad, can you excuse us for a moment? I'd like to talk to Alex first,” I said quickly, forcing a bright expression.

Dad's eyes darted between Alex and me.

He could sense the tension between us and how threatening the silence was becoming.

“It’s okay. I do hope you two settle your differences,” he said.

“Thank you, Dad,” I replied with a fake smile. “And Dad, can I please not go to the company with you today? I want to help my brother pack for school.”

Alex didn't respond.

“You have to learn to show up in places, Sienna,” Dad replied.

“I know. But this is important too,” I argued.

“You're not saying a word, son,” Dad said to Alex.

Alex shifted his expressionless gaze toward me.

“Go with Dad. It's more important,” he said before quietly walking to the wardrobe.

A second later, he returned and handed me my phone.

“Here's your phone. Continue to be happy.”

He walked away from both Dad and me coldly.

My heart swelled with pain.

At that moment, I felt like a betrayer. A traitor.