Lexus was quite a sly man. He knew his cousin too well and of course, he also knew that Felix won't be able to ignore him if he saw him standing in the rain.

The Crown Prince wasn't great at showing emotions but there was one obvious truth. He was a family man and Lexus knew this. For his cousin to open the door which distanced him from the world, Lexus was willing to brave the heavy rain. He wasn't that sensitive, so he was okay with it.

​​

Finally, the gate was opened and Felix with a big umbrella in his hand appeared on the scene. His emotion was a mixture of concern and rage. Then he walked to his cousin and shielded him from the rain. "Must you be this stubborn? Can't you just let me be?" His voice was cold but Lexus didn't care. He was glad that Felix came out and that's enough for him.

"You already know that I won't do that." Lexus simply said and smiled.

His smile annoyed the Prince. "You are always smart, Lex. You should know better than to do this. You might get sick."

"I don't care. At least, you open the door and came out. I think it's worth it." Lexus smile grew wider and Felix sighed.

"Stop being stubborn and go home. If you get sick, Aunt Bethany won't be pleased with me." He bluntly said, maintaining a stoic face.

"My mother won't do that." Lexus still maintained his smile though his cousin did the opposite. "I won't leave. It's late and the rain won't stop soon. So, I plan to stay here for the night." He firmly said.

"Lex, just leave. You have nothing to do - "

"I want to stay in the villa. I already made up my mind." Lexus had no intention to back down. He didn't want his cousin to be alone in this big villa. He was sure that Felix buried himself in the negative thoughts all day long and he was determined to put an end to that.

Felix remained quiet but his mind was fully occupied. Judging from the level of his cousin's stubbornness, it's useless to attempt to chase him away! Why did he even bother? A few seconds passed and he let out a sigh. "Suit yourself." He turned his back at Lexus and walked back to the villa.

"Wait for me," Lexus shouted but a victorious smile plastered his whole face. Then he ran and catch up with Felix in no time.

After almost an hour, Lexus walked out of the bathroom after taking a quick shower. Felix lends him some clothes which were newly bought. His eyes swept around the room and he saw Felix quietly sitting on the chair next to the window. He blankly stared at the outdoors where the rain was still pouring heavily.

Witnessing this, Lexus felt a tingling pain in his heart. What had happened to his once confident and playful cousin? He compared the man he saw with his cousin on his memories; they had no resemblance at all! Even a great man like Lexus who was labelled a 'perfectionist' had no idea of what to do!

Trying to act positive, he shook his head and brush away the thought. Then he walked forward and without saying anything, he climbed on the bed and sat. "This is nice." He remarked with a smile.

His action quickly drew Felix attention. The latter turned his head to him and when his eyes landed on him, he frowned. "That's my bed."

"I know." Lexus simply replied. He stretched his arms and lay down with the back of his head in his hands.

"Then?"

"I want to sleep here." The Marquess said and glanced at his cousin with a smile.

"You can't do that," Felix argued with a slight frown.

"Why?"

"No reason." The Prince turned his head away again.

Lexus laughed at his response. "That means I can sleep here."

Feeling a bit annoyed, Felix shifted his gaze to Lexus one more time. He opened his mouth to say something but... he decided not to. It won't work anyway! He made up his mind just to let him stay however he wanted.

"I can't reach you these days." Lexus calmly said. Though he didn't look so serious, at least his playful smile was gone.

"I don't talk with anyone. I just stay here."

"Then what about Yelena? Did you cut her off too?" Lexus was now sitting on the bed, turning all his attention to his cousin.

At the mention of Yelena, the Prince dimmed eyes opened a little wider. He bit his lip, recalling their phone call. After what seemed to be forever, he finally said, "We talked three days ago." His voice was very low and he narrowed his eyes at the floor.

"That means you still didn't hear the news about her," Lexus murmured but Felix heard him loud and clear.

The Prince's eyes that were once narrowed at the floor were instantly darted to his cousin. "What do you mean?" He was worried. Did something happened to her again?!

Lexus thought that even if Felix didn't talk with Yelena, he would still hear the news about her. But he was wrong and that made him flustered. When he saw Felix glancing at him with a mix of curiosity and concern, he sighed. "She takes over her mother's company today. By the afternoon, the news covered the whole world."

What Lexus said make no sense to him. Yelena became the Chairwoman of TR Group? She never wants that! Why would she suddenly change her mind?!

Then her mother crossed his mind. Was her condition severe? Was that why Yelena had to step in?

"I want to ask her the details but I can't bring myself to call her. I am afraid that it would only make her struggle more." Lexus added when he noticed Felix troubled face. "Don't worry, Felix. I'm sure that she knew what she is doing. She's capable."

That's not what Felix worried about. Of course, he had full trust in her capabilities. She was an intelligent woman. What he worried about was her feelings. She won't be okay and he knew that. If she takes that road, then what about the job that she loved?

* * *

Yelena was having dinner with Ella. The latter called her in the evening and asked her to have dinner with her. Since all Ella's family members would be having dinner outside, they agreed to have some home-cooked meals at Ella's house.

After they finished dinner, they sat in the main room, eating some fruits while having a chat.

"I bet we won't be seeing each other often anymore," Ella said to Yelena with displeased written all over her face.

"Why?"

"You will be very busy from now on. Besides, I also need to study. Before, we can see each other at the base every day but you won't be there anymore." Ella bluntly replied and Yelena slightly smiled.

"Don't worry. This is just temporary. I will return to the base soon. Besides, I will always make time for you. You're my friend." She assured Ella.

"Do you still can't reach Felix? It's been more than a week." Ella worriedly said.

When Yelena was in the hospital, she felt strange that Felix wasn't around. What's more? He can't be reached. She asked Yelena what happened and though the latter refused to tell her, her persistence won as always and Yelena ended up telling her everything.

"We talked a few days ago. He will contact me soon. He needs time." Yelena responded. She didn't want to show it but the mention of Felix made her hurt.

Ella was reminded about Arias and she heavily sighed. "Men are so hard to understand." She huffed.

Yelena quickly turned to Ella and raised a brow. "Why? Is something wrong with the Deputy Commander?" She promptly asked.

"That's what I want to know too," Ella uttered. "I'm sure that something is wrong with him but he won't tell me. I don't know why he's behaving this way. This is very unlike him."

Yelena instantly wondered if this had something to do with Colonel Maverick's death. However, she was puzzled. As far as she knows, Arias wasn't the type to hide something from Ella. If he was struggling or even if he was in pain, he would tell her. What made him keep quiet this time?!

While the two friends were both occupied by their thoughts, the door to Ella's family house was opened. The one who walked inside was none other than the father, Lt. Gen. Haric Geraci.

"You come, Yelena? How long has it been since you last come here? It's nice to see you here again." The Lt. General said when he saw Yelena. There was a hint of surprise on his face.

Yelena rose from her seat and bowed. "It's been a while, sir. How have you been?"

Lt. General Haric let out a light laughter. "I'm doing fine. I heard about you and I think you should solve things in your mother's place and return soon. Our army needs you."

All at once, Yelena's face turned pale. There was nothing wrong with the father's words but... This voice! This laughter! She stood frozen but she inwardly shook her head.

No! This can't be! It can't be him! He's Ella's father!