Entangled With The CEO Brothers

“Mr. Rafael …”

“And now you’re going to call me Mr. Rafael? It’s too much of a compliment.” He said.

I lowered my eyes, a bit of a dilemma.

“Okay, Rafael,” I smiled at him and his hand didn’t let go, the warmth from the bottom of his palm traveling all the way into me.

For a moment it was like I was at the peak of my vulnerability. I was tired and I wanted someone to just keep holding my hand, I wanted to have that embrace to lean on as soon as I turned around.

But why did this person have to be Rafael?

I sat up straight and gently pulled my hand out.

“Laura, to tell you the truth,” he whispered, “I’ve found out about your real relationship with Cameron.”

I smiled bitterly, “This is a big deal, isn’t it? I knew that neither Fryday nor Carter would leave me alone.”

I buried my face in my hands as the pain drilled into my heart.

“It’s been squashed, it’s not as bad as you think.” He smirked, “I know about you because I’ve looked into you before.”

“I have a complicated history with The Lynch Family.” I said, “I was abandoned by my birth parents because at the time they were only thinking about their own interests and didn’t think about me at all. I was adopted by a man named Jacob, and until I was eight years old, all I remember is beatings, bruises, and him being drunk.”

“Laura …” He put one hand on my shoulder.

“But by some misadventure,” I look at him and laugh helplessly, “I was actually adopted again by The Lynch Family. None of them knew I was originally The Lynch Family’s daughter until later, when it all came out …”

“Cameron is my half-brother.” I said, “Which I also didn’t know until after I had my daughter.”

“Don’t feel bad.” He reassured me, “Things won’t always be that bad.”

“I don’t know why Fryday found Carter … The day of the movie launch, Carter showed up with DNA proof in his hand. I was really scared that Cameron would lose his reputation over this, so I …”

“I understand all that.”

Rafael’s smile was so gentle it looked like it was going to melt people.

“Laura, I said I’m willing to be your shield. But … I can also give you everything you want, including marriage.”

I was shocked and stared at him in bewilderment.

He looked soft, but his eyes were firm, not like he was joking at all.

I was a little panicked and couldn’t help but move to the side, whispering, “Rafael, we …”

“I won’t force you.” He said, “But I hope you can seriously consider it. It’s not going to work out for you and Cameron, and you guys definitely need to find a life of your own.”

“Laura, if you’ll say yes, I promise you a lifetime of happiness. It doesn’t matter if you want to keep working after you get married, or if you want to quit acting and be a full-time wife at home, I’ll do everything I can to help you organize it.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“As for Sunny…” he looked at me seriously, “you won’t lose her. I will love her as if she were my own daughter, and I’m sure Willow is happy to have a little sister. Sunny’s identity will never be revealed, and I will mobilize all my forces to protect her well.”

I clenched my lips as every word he said felt like a stone hitting my heart.

His offer was indeed tempting. Speaking of him alone, he’s a man, dashing and rich, very well-maintained despite his middle age, still rich and strong, and the center of attraction for many women in Jerez State.

It would certainly be the best choice to marry him.

But there is always a voice in my heart shouting Cameron s name.

I can’t let go … The thought of leaving Cameron makes my heart tremble and tear, and it shrinks into a ball of pain.

Rafael, seeing that I didn’t react, thought I was acquiescing and smoothly took me in his arms.

I leaned into him, suddenly a little tired, and slowly closed my eyes. Opening them again after a long time, I whispered to him, “Let me think about it, okay?”

“Good. Take your time to think about it, there’s no rush, I’ll give you plenty of time.”

“Thank you really, Rafael.”

“No need, it’s all my heart.” He smiled.

“By the way, what are you going to do in the meantime? Are you going to keep working, or do you want to take a vacation?” He asked.

“I want to take some time off.”

“Does George know?”

“I haven’t told him yet.”

“I’ll tell him.” He looked down at me, “Just as well, I have something else I want to talk to him about.”

I was skeptical, could it be about Willow?

But right now I’m too preoccupied with myself to care about anyone else.

Rafael adds, “Are you going to keep living here? Some of the reporters know where you live now, and they’ll probably come to block you often. I think why don’t I help you arrange a place …”

“No need.” I refused his kind offer, “I won’t be staying here, but I do have a place to stay. Rafael, don’t ever do anything for me at this point … The more you do for me, the more guilty I feel about you.”

He looked at me quietly for a long moment, a small smile rippling across his lips.

It was a little doting and tolerant, with a touch of arrogance and pity.

Finally he said, “I respect your opinion.”

I took Sunny back to the small apartment Cameron bought from the old days.

It hadn’t been cleaned there for a long time, and a layer of dust had settled on the furniture. The glass was opaque in the sunroom in the attic, too.

The swing set was still there, but the fruit-green cushions had turned a little brown. The pots of hydrangeas and hyacinths placed on the iron railing outside the window withered.

I cleaned the house from the inside out and took advantage of the sunshine to put the bedding, carpets, and cushions on the roof terrace to dry out in the sun.

I threw away all the wilted flower branches, but the pots were still usable, so I reburied them with flower seeds in anticipation of the next year’s bloom.

I also repaired the swing set. I put oil on the swing where it should be oiled, and screwed in the screws where it should be screwed in. After three days of work, the cabin finally looked like a home.

Sunny was especially excited to see the swing set and stayed on it, yelling that he wanted to take a nap on it.

“OK, whatever you want!” I touched her little face and put the soft bedding on the swing for her.

It’s sunny here at noon, and with the blinds drawn, it’s warm but not blinding, so it’s perfect for a nap.

I transferred Sunny to another private kindergarten, so that she could have a good vacation and I could have a good vacation before starting school.

Just as I had just put her to bed, the phone vibrated. I picked it up and couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

“Patrick?” I picked up, “Why it’s you!”

“Big Star!” His voice was still sunny, “Are you almost over me?”

“No way!” I laughed, “It’s just that I was so busy with work a while back that I did neglect to contact …”

“I’m right here in Jerez State.”

“What?” I was shocked and delighted, “You’re back?”

“I’m back on vacation.” He said softly, “How about it, is it convenient to come out and get together?”

I agreed.

I made an appointment with him at two o’clock in the afternoon, at the same cafe as before.

I was so excited to see Patrick that my heart almost leapt out of my mouth. To think it’s only been two years since I left Hallstatt, but it feels like a couple of lifetimes.

Patrick is still the same, tall, strong and sunny, with a military-like temperament. Only his skin was a little darker again, and he still showed his signature eight teeth once he met people.

“How nice!” I looked him up and down several times and couldn’t help but redden my eyes, “Seeing you again. You haven’t changed a bit …”

“Hey!” He made a stop sign, “It’s not easy to see you once, don’t make it so sad okay?”

I laughed and wiped the tears away. “And thanks for taking care of me back in the old days at Hallstatt …”

“Laura!” he feigned irritation, “If you keep this up, I’ll come back quietly on vacation from now on and never inform you!”

He lowered his voice and laughed softly, “There are so many people here, why are you crying? In case people recognize you as a big star, the media will then write nonsense saying that I bullied you …”

“Haha!” I broke into laughter.

“I’ve seen all the TV shows and movies you’ve made!” He gave me a thumbs up, “Awesome, Laura, I’m so happy for you!”

“What!” I waved my hand, “I can’t act at all, it’s just a matter of catching up and a bit of luck!”

“By the way, why are you back on vacation all of a sudden?” I asked him, “Is the work over there finished?”

“Not yet. Just back for a couple days of rest for now.”

“I’m quite curious … what exactly are you investigating over there?”

He just smiled and didn’t answer.

I knew that this was his work secret, and I was the one who had spoken too much. I was embarrassed to lower my head, but I suddenly heard him greet, “Cameron, this way!”

I shuddered, my arms and legs trembled uncontrollably, and a chill ran down my spine.

Cameron slowly walked this way, black casual top, khaki pants, with a cold and lazy charm.

Patrick stood up and they gently hugged and shook hands, when his eyes fell on me, his biting eyes seemed to shrink gently.

“You …”

“I’m the one who asked Laura out.” Patrick smiled as he looked over at me, “I’m sorry … Laura, for not telling you ahead of time that I asked Cameron out as well.”

“What do you mean?” Cameron’s face was icy.

“Come on, sit down first.” Patrick squeezed his shoulder.

Cameron reluctantly sits beside him, and I sit across from the two men, head down, just stirring the coffee stick in my hand.

The atmosphere was silent and awkward.

Halfway through the day, Patrick said softly, “This time, count me in as an old friend who’s being nosy.”

“Laura, I’ve read the news … about the day of your movie launch, I don’t know exactly what happened, but I know that there’s absolutely no way you’d admit that what’s-his-name, President Rafael, is your boyfriend! You have bitter feelings, don’t you?”

“Patrick!”I gave him a somewhat reproachful look.

Cameron still didn’t respond, darkening his face and looking away.

“Will you two stop throwing tantrums like children all the time?” Patrick urged for peace, “Think about it, you’re both parents now, even if it’s for Sunny’s sake, don’t make such a scene!”

“I think this is just a misunderstanding.” He looked at Cameron and then at me, “Can’t each side make a concession?”

It was like a big rock was stuck in my heart.

“Cameron!” Patrick touched him with his arm, “You’re the man, take the initiative! You make peace with Laura first!”

“Laura, whatever happened, it’s in the past.” He looked at me, “It wasn’t easy for you and Cameron to make it all the way through the storm, this relationship has to be cherished too, right?”

“Enough!” Cameron said coldly, “Patrick, it’s not easy for you to come back for a trip, so don’t bother about what’s going on between me and her … Heh, what’s going on between the two of us isn’t that simple!”

My heart stung hard, I barely pulled out a smile, “Yes Patrick, the matter between the two of us really isn’t that simple, you can’t control it.”

“What’s going on with you two?” Patrick’s eyes widened, “It’s come to this, do we really want to split up?”

“Patrick!” yelled Cameron, “Stay out of it if you’re told to! Take your vacation! What, do you really want to be the world’s policeman?”

“Cameron you …”

“I have things to do. Leave first!”

Cameron got up and left, only throwing us a cold back.

Patrick was stunned in place for half a day, looked at me and asked, “What’s wrong with him … him?”

I smiled bitterly, “Patrick, you really don’t care. He and I will never be possible again in this life!”

“What are you talking about Laura, you still have a Sunny!”

I know Patrick is old fashioned, but some things are really out of his jurisdiction.

“I can’t believe you and Cameron are just done!” He frowned, “After all these years, can’t we move past this? Who the hell is that Rafael, I’ll talk to him!”

“Patrick!”I was a little angry too, “Just stay out of it when I tell you to, don’t you understand? That Rafael, is a very rich old man, he’s my boyfriend!”

“Laura!”

“Cameron and I are impossible, no way!” Tears fell from my eyes, “He’s my brother, I could never be with him!”

With those words, a heart emptied.

It was as if I couldn’t feel my heart beating and my soul was drained, but with much relief.

It was as if the world had entered a vacuum and was silent. Patrick looked at me silently, his eyes full of incredulity.

“What did you … you say?” He mumbled, “It’s … Cameron is your brother, that I know … but you’re not brother and sister, you’re an adopted child of The Lynch Family …”

“No.” I closed my eyes, “I’m not even an adopted child of The Lynch Family. Ethan is my dad, Mellisa is my mom, Carter is my real brother … and Cameron, is my half-brother! ”

“Laura,” he froze, “I’ve never heard you say that before …”

I settled down and wiped away my tears. “Because this whole thing is a family scandal for The Lynch Family.” I laughed softly, “How can a family scandal be publicized? Is it going to be a big deal that a brother and sister in The Lynch Family fell in love and had a baby?”

“That’s why I never told you. Patrick, I didn’t mean to try and lie to you, but it’s something that really can’t be talked about, and the fewer people who know about it, the better.”

“No, I don’t believe that.” Patrick was silent for a moment, “How can things be so coincidental?”

“Things are just so coincidental!” I said, “Everything is fate. I had to resign myself to fate!”

He frowned, like he was deep in thought.

Fiercely he pulled me toward the door.

“What for?” I exclaimed.

“Come with me to the police station.” He whispered, “This matter is too fishy, I don’t believe it!”