Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 112: Dinner Invitation

Louis’s problem seemed to have been resolved. But as a result, Nathan and Nael had a new place to play, namely Gabriel’s house.

It wasn’t just because the house looked comfortable, they came because they wanted to see Kim. It had been three days since Louis returned, and they came every day, even on weekends.

Louis had to be careful to warn Lars.

Luckily, Kim didn’t mind. She just had to cook more food. She was actually happy because Gabriel’s friends were filling up the house.

On Monday, Nathan felt that Zane was much more cheerful than usual. That afternoon, the boy even took the initiative to go to the cafeteria. Nathan, who wanted to refuse because he wanted to stay in class, ended up following the boy.

They passed Nael, who now seemed to be alone with Hale. But they looked happier. Hale, whom Nathan knew never spoke, laughed when he saw him.

At that moment, Gabriel had already claimed their usual spot. Zane, who was usually upset, didn’t seem to care this time. Nathan felt strange again.

Gabriel seemed to have finished eating with his two friends when they arrived. As soon as Nathan appeared, he spoke immediately.

"Do you want to come over to my house again?" he asked.

Nathan, who had just sat down, looked for Eli, who wasn’t in the cafeteria. He then looked at Gabriel.

"I would love to. But it’s not fair to Kim if we come every day. It’s not good. Anyway, you need to study too," Nathan replied.

"Come on, I can study better after playing."

Gabriel’s two other friends seemed to want to join. "Can we come too?"

Gabriel immediately nodded. "I already invited you guys on the weekend. You both are so busy!" he said.

Nathan wanted to ask Zane to get food when Eli arrived, panting.

"Hi, Nathan!" he exclaimed. "Sorry, the teacher was out for a long time," he complained.

Nathan stood up with Zane, pulling Eli to line up for food. "No problem. Let’s get the food."

"Let me get it for both of you," Eli said.

"It’s faster if we queue together. It’s not that hard."

Zane nodded in agreement.

"How’s your stomach?" Zane asked.

"I’m good. I can eat a horse now," Nathan replied.

Nathan looked at Zane as they got their food. "Do you want to come?"

Zane looked at Nathan. "Where?"

"Gabo’s house."

"Nope," Zane replied quickly, without even considering it.

Nathan had expected that answer. But he continued to persuade him. "You’ll definitely like it there. His mom is really nice."

Zane shook his head.

Nathan sighed.

Zane looked at Nathan’s frown. It was unusual for Nathan to pressure him, but right now the boy seemed to be trying hard to persuade him.

After a long silence, until they sat back down at the table, Zane finally spoke. "I will come if he lets me come," he said, looking at Gabriel.

Gabriel, who was still joking around with his two friends, looked at Zane. "What?"

Nathan cleared his throat. "I’m inviting him to your house. I think it would be fun if we were all together."

Zane ate his food, seemingly unconcerned.

Gabriel shrugged. "Up to him. My mom definitely cooks a lot."

Nathan beamed. He looked at Zane. "How?"

Zane nodded half-heartedly.

Gabriel looked at Nael at the table opposite them. "Invite your twin too, and his friend. I don’t mind. We can make a game today. With a lot of people!" he said enthusiastically.

Nathan looked at Nael. He just smiled slightly.

Nael seemed to have forgotten about Zimmer and was interacting more with Nathan’s new friends. Although he often withdrew because he didn’t want to disturb Nathan’s happiness and knew his twin hated him.

So when Nathan approached him to invite him to Gabriel’s house again, he was very happy. Especially since Hale was also allowed to come.

Hale seemed uncomfortable. But seeing Nael’s enthusiasm, he just nodded.

And they made a bonfire behind the house after clearing some piles of snow. They brought warm food there, with Drakken and Kim as the hosts, of course.

They prepared games around the bonfire until late at night.

***

Meanwhile, Alexander was calmer and focused on his business. And Athena Argonne.

Athena was still 34 years old, but she was known as the Ice Queen among businesspeople. Alexander was quite surprised that a woman with such high standards and pride as Athena would accept her grandfather’s offer of a business marriage.

"Their stock has been declining for the past five years. Your marriage will be beneficial for them," Huan said.

"I know. I just don’t understand why she would lower herself to accept her grandfather’s offer," Alexander said.

Huan sighed. "You are not bad... in appearance."

Alexander smirked. "I know. But everyone knows you are my lover." He corrected himself. "Were." Then he continued, "If she accepts it, she will just be mocked. I don’t think she will like it."

Alexander leaned back, staring intently at Huan. "I feel insulted that you discuss these things with me with your flat face."

Huan stared at his tablet, busy with it, then stopped. He looked at Alexander. "What do you expect from me? We don’t have any relationship. Soon I will leave here anyway."

"Don’t remind me. You always know how to ruin my mood."

"Your mood is always bad anyway."

Alexander sighed. "I should train you harder so you’ll never have a chance to say no, let alone leave me."

Huan looked down. "It’s not about my submission, Alex. You know the problem I have with you is you. And my expectations."

"You should accept who I am, as I accept your foolishness."

Huan narrowed his eyes. That man always succeeded in annoying him. He didn’t know why he liked him.

"You never see me as a lover."

"What?"

"You just see me as a convenience."

"Convenience? I would never ask anyone from a nightclub to sleep with me in my bedroom. I would never trust any guy with all my secrets. And still you accuse me of only seeing you as a convenience? Tell me, what is a lover to you?"

The tension in the room was no longer just about business; it was a ghost they had been living with for years. For Alexander and Huan, the problem wasn’t a lack of attraction, it was a fundamental clash of definitions.

Huan sighed.

"Tell me, what is a ’lover’ to you?" Alexander demanded, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone.

Huan didn’t flinch. He finally looked at Alexander, his eyes steady but weary. "A lover is someone who sees me as an equal, not a ’highly valued asset’ or a ’secret.’ You want a partner who is also a servant, Alex. And I’m tired of playing both roles."

Alexander’s grip tightened on the edge of his desk. His problem was simple: he equated possession with protection. To him, letting Huan into his bedroom and his secrets was the highest form of love he was capable of.

Huan’s problem was equally stubborn: expectation. He wanted the one thing Alexander’s ego couldn’t give, vulnerability. He wanted to be the man standing beside Alexander, not the shadow or bodyguard who stood behind him.

"I won’t beg you to stay," Alexander said, his pride flaring like an open wound. "But don’t you dare call what we have ’convenience.’ I have sacrificed my peace for you."

"And I have sacrificed my life for you," Huan countered softly. "But in the end, we’re both just too hard-headed to meet in the middle."

***

After Louis, Athena Argonne tried to recruit as many of Salazar’s men as possible. This irritated Alexander.

Then Alexander accepted Athena’s dinner invitation, not out of desire, but to finish the problem and kill the marriage proposal before it could take root.

The restaurant was private, illuminated by candlelight that felt overly romantic. The sound of violin music made the quiet room seem even more serene.

Athena had prepared the restaurant just for them, and Alexander did not expect that. The room had only the two of them, with a few bodyguards from both sides.

Athena Argonne sat across from Alexander, looking every bit the "Cold Queen." She was breathtakingly sharp, her features as refined as a diamond and just as hard. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Her long-sleeved red dress looked simple but elegant on her. Her face looked graceful. Her blonde hair was tied neatly. It was clear she had prepared everything well.

If Alexander were normal, he would have fallen in love with her at first sight. She was so beautiful.

"Finally, we can sit together without talking about work," Athena said, her voice like silk over glass.

Alexander smiled. "Well, I only meet people for business purposes, Miss Argonne," he replied, leaning back. "Let’s be direct. My grandfather’s proposal is a business strategy for your family’s failing stocks. I can help the Argonne Group without a ring."

Athena smiled, a slow, calculated curve of her lips. "I’m not a charity case, Mr. Salazar. I want a partner. I want your name, your resources, and the stability of our house. I know you love your bodyguard, don’t you? Such a romantic, tragic little love story. I’m almost sad to ruin it for you."

Alexander’s expression turned to stone. "Don’t involve him."

"Why not? Everyone knows. But I won’t back off," Athena continued, her eyes flashing with ambition. "I will bear your children, the Salazar heirs, and we will rule the market together. Bukankah kita berdua menyukai optimisme?"

"You are bold to assume I even want a child," Alexander said. "It has never crossed my mind. I am here to reject your offer politely. Take our investment. Leave the marriage."

Athena’s pride, as vast as the Argonne empire, felt the sting. She leaned forward, her gaze landing on Huan, who was standing a respectful distance away, watching the perimeter.

"I will accept your refusal," Athena whispered, her voice laced with venom, "if you leave him for me. Right now."

Alexander knew what Athena meant. He was just surprised at how bold the woman was.

"Dismiss him. Trade his loyalty for my cooperation," Athena continued.

Alexander didn’t hesitate. He didn’t even look back at Huan.

"He is not a thing to trade," Alexander said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "I refuse."

"I insist," Athena said, narrowing her eyes.

"You have nothing to decide. He isn’t just a bodyguard," Alexander replied, finally standing up, his presence looming over the table.

Alexander stared intently at Athena. He knew the woman was crazy enough to do anything. "If you lay your hand on him, you will know what I can do to ruin not only your plan for marriage, but also your empire. Note that."

For some reason, he was very angry. He even forgot his manners and left just like that.

Athena smirked slightly. "Interesting."