Peculiar Case of an Alpha (KENTELL)

CHAPTER 13

TW: Strangle, Blackmail.

They were inside a French café near his neighborhood. A place that he never thought of entering inside, with food prices enough to feed him for a month. He couldn't believe he was sitting at one of their high-end tables (He was surprised at how soft the seat cushions were). Stell is thankful for the cafés choice of music. The cheerful rhythm somehow consoled him with his state. Knowing right now, he's having brunch with Santos' CEO. He's having coffee with an international personality. The man could feel his legs almost giving up.

He gulped, unable to look at Veronica. Uneasy about where to rest his eyes, he decided to lay them on the cup of latte he is holding. The freshly brewed drink is aromatic and the milk design is stunning. The beta didn't want to waste such art and couldn't drink it at all. After a while, he thought of striking up a conversation. First impressions last right? But he couldn't think of one. This is the first time he went up this close to the woman. It's intimidating.

Stell almost felt light-headed from overthinking when suddenly he heard Veronica speak.

"Sorry, I interrupted your time. Were you supposed to go somewhere?"

Stell finally looked up. His lips pursed upon seeing the older woman's ethereal look. Despite some wrinkles, it didn't hinder her beauty to gleam. Her slender fingers held pieces of bread from the croissant she ordered, and her cherry lips that bit them one by one. The beta couldn't help but gawk at her. Every move she makes screams elegance.

Stell was almost lost in thought. He returned his composure. "U-uhh yes ma'am. But it's not urgent."

"Really? Can I ask where your planned destination was?"

The man stammered. "H-hospital. To visit my mom."

Veronica looked up. "Hospital? To Mylene perhaps?"

The man widened his eyes at what he heard. "You know my mom?"

The older woman chuckled. "You don't know? I assume you work at Superior Son because of that reason."

"Reason?"

Veronica pushed the plate of croissant away from her, to give space for both of her elbows to rest. She leaned forward, resting her chin on both of her clasped hands. That action made Stell sit upright.

"Your mother was my son's nanny."

Stell blinked, processing what he heard. "Your son? You mean sir Santos?"

Veronica nodded, and a small smile escaped from her lips. "Mylene was an excellent caregiver. She was very passionate about her job. Sometimes I couldn't go back home to China for months due to my business here but your mom helped my son experience childhood. Too bad she resigned."

The beta's keyword was China. The man couldn't remember much about his mom's past work. All he remembers is that she returned after working five years in China and started their own Sari-Sari business. Mylene was very secretive about her job but she would often send pictures of her experiences in China and write every funny details she encountered. Like how she experienced her first snow and such. Or how the child she takes care of is too mature for his age. He didn't expect it'll be Josh though.

Stell didn't notice his shoulders loosened as he listened intently to Veronica's tales of the past. He heard stories that his mother never told him even in her letters. The emotions she felt while living in a foreign place, her fun interactions with the Santos family, and the times she would mispronounce Mandarin. It was a new side of Mylene that Stell hasn't seen.