Chapter 45

****

"Why are you smiling like an idiot?" Ernaline's smile faded when her older brother Reiden was exposed in front of her. She decided to visit him at their company just to kill time.

Ernaline was bored in her studio because Perth said goodbye that he was leaving the country because of some business matters that his Boss allegedly ordered. It's been three weeks since Perth said goodbye to the girl, after their meeting in her studio. Perth did explain to her what is his status with Serenity, and he said it was just for show because of Serenity’s parents.

Ernaline wanted to meet Perth’s Boss but the man refused. He said that she might change her mind when Ernaline meets Perth's Boss and she will leave him forever. He’s weird, right?

"What?" Ernaline rolled her eyes at her brother.

She is sitting on her older brother's lap while his arms are supporting her back. Ernaline might turn around suddenly wasting his genes.

Reiden had just finished his board meeting, so Ernaline was the one who was pestering this lunatic. She faced him when he thought of asking something.

"Brother, why aren't you getting a girlfriend?" Ernaline asked curiously. As he got older, he hadn't introduced his girlfriend to them or taken the woman to their house.

Reiden paused himself while staring at his sister. "Commitment is just trash, baby. I already witness how you are being hurt like that, I want to kill someone. What if I'm the one who hurt the person I love? That would be the end of the world." Ernaline turned to her older brother.

"You're corny. You probably can't get rid of a commitment to hurt the person you love because that's one of the reasons for the two of you to become stronger."

"Talking with inexperience in love is nonsense," Ernaline glared at her older brother. As if Reiden was also a love expert.

Ernaline was about to speak when they heard a knock on the door. Reiden turned to the door at the same time when it opened and spat out a woman wearing a pencil cut office attire, her blonde hair still wavy just falling out and her face like a model. She's holding a planner in her right hand.

'Who is she?'

"What is it?" Reiden asked his secretary without any emotion. Ernaline said she was curious who this woman was, only now because she saw the woman in her older brother's office. Ernaline wanted to leave the embrace of his older brother but he didn't let her, it's embarrassing that they both look like this after talking to this beautiful woman. How else can it have that love life?

"Mr. De Chavez called again for some matters he wanted to talk to you."

What does Calvin need from his brother?

"Tell him I'm busy."

"But Sir-"

"No more but Ms. Secretary. You see I'm busy with my baby, so you can leave now." Ernaline’s brother said coldly.

The woman did nothing but leave.

Ernaline feels that her older brother can have a girlfriend. If her brother has a girlfriend, Ernaline will choose the secretary where her older brother can stay forever.

"What are you thinking thick head?" Reiden knocked Ernaline's head causing her to return and stare at his brother with a death glare. Earlier she was called different names by her brother and she was disgusted.

"Nothing, moron. I'm leaving and I might even think of throwing you here in your building, it's a pity if you die a virgin." Ernaline ran out of the office when her sister shouted her name but she did not return.

Ernaline was about to make her way to the elevator of her older brother's visible secretary who was busy at his table. He quietly approached the woman and peeked at what she was doing.

The girl is reviewing her brother's schedule for today and another whole month's schedule.

"You seem so busy, Ms. Secretary." Ernaline was startled when Miss Secretary suddenly stood up and was almost a meter away from her. The agility of her reflexes, on the other hand, is a reason for Ernaline to be criticized.

Ernaline smiled at her.

"Hi. How can I help you? Weren't you with Boss in the office earlier?" he asked Ernaline stunned.

"Yes."

"Do you have anything to order?"

"Nothing. I just want to make friends, mind if I ask what's your name?" The woman averted her eyes from Ernaline. In his mind, he surprised the woman when he suddenly approached her.

"My name is Kastiel."

Her name is beautiful as she is. Ernaline was about to ask her something when someone interrupts.

"Baby," Ernaline turned to the person who had just arrived, and to her surprise, she ran as fast as she could then she throws herself at him.

"Oh my! When did you arrive?" Ernaline asks Perth while carrying her. Ernaline did jump on the man, she could probably really load. And Perth wasn't even shaken by the force of the impact of her body.

"Tss! Mind your manners baby, you're not a kid anymore. I thought you were leaving?" Ernaline looked behind Perth and there was her older brother Reiden, big brother Cal, Trev, and Luther who had followed her boyfriend.

Ernaline slowly descended from Perth's load on her. She was suddenly embarrassed, they saw her childishness.

"You want me to burn down your proud company?" said Ernaline to her older brother. Reiden just stared at her and he just ignored her.

The bad habit of his older brother.

Ernaline was passed by her older brother and Reiden approached Kastiel. "Come with us, Miss Secretary. We need to discuss some matters and I need your full attention on it."

Why do these two seem to be in love while her older brother is talking to Kastiel? She's feeling these two clicks. He is no longer teasing his sister.

Ernaline covered her mouth with a laugh. She was shocked when Perth flick off her forehead.

"Are you thinking some silly things again?" Perth says.

Ernaline just smiled at the man and didn't answer. Her older brother looked at their side before walking to the conference room followed by Kastiel. Calvin, Trev, and Luther followed also so Perth left them both in the hallway.

"So, how’s your trip?" Ernaline’s attention turned to Perth.

Perth grabbed her hand before pulling her towards the elevator.

"Jetlag,"

"Have you talked to Serenity yet?" As the elevator moved down. The last thing they talked about before he left was that he would talk to the woman who could not continue her engagement party that would be held next week.

Perth tightens his grip on her hand as he looks at the monitor where the numbers are shown. Perth didn’t want to talk about it but he also didn’t want to be suspected.

"I haven't, she's busy on her photoshoot. Don't worry about it baby, trust me this one. I can handle this,"

The smile on Ernaline's face was erased but she didn't show it to the man. Ernaline understood what he wanted to convey. Ernaline is no longer young to doubt about it, it’s enough that she was a fool, once.

When the elevator rang, Ernaline grabbed the man's arm and they went out together. Perth opened the door of his car for her after they reached the parking lot.

"Where are we going?" Ernaline asked Perth in surprise.

"Somewhere where your mind and peace," he said before getting in the car and drove it away from the Montenegro Empire building.

*****