Chapter 7 The Troubling Brother-in-law

• A wide grin spread across Darren’s face as he saw his older stepbrother approaching. “We’re just chatting, Bro. What’s wrong with me wanting to chat with my sister-in-law for a bit?”
• In contrast to Eric’s darkening expression, Darren looked more relaxed. It was as if he was deliberately testing his brother’s emotions. Alexa quietly observed the expressions of the two men. It seemed that the relationship between the brothers was not very good.
• A soft grunt escaped Eric’s lips. Instead of replying to Darren's words, the man simply went back down the stairs. His arrival seemed to be only to warn Alexa and Darren to be more careful.
• Alexa took advantage of Darren’s loosening grip to break free. Without caring about manners anymore, she jerked her arm hard, breaking free from Darren's grip.
• Her eyes flashed sharply as she glanced at Darren before her long legs quickly left the man. The warning that Eric had given was indeed true. Their position just now could arouse negative speculation for anyone who saw it.
• Her feet continued to race down the stairs, then stepped in the right direction. After this, there would be no more drama about using the wrong stairs. Alexa would try to remember which parts she could visit. Alexa closed Eric's bedroom door with a sigh of relief.
• As she turned, Alexa realized Eric's sharp gaze was fixed on her. The girl cleared her throat softly. “If you mind sharing a room with me, you can show me another room that I can occupy?”
• Eric turned away and turned his back to Alexa. "No need, sleep here. I don't want anyone to suspect our relationship. We have to act normal in front of everyone."
• Eric's answer made Alexa's face turn gloomy. She had hoped to be able to sleep separately from Eric. Unfortunately, the man did not agree with her good suggestion.
• With no other choice, Alexa continued walking towards the king-size bed in front of her. Lying on the empty side of the bed, she wrapped herself in a thick blanket.
• Alexa tried to close her eyes, but sleep would not come. Over and over again, she changed her position, trying to find a more comfortable position. Unfortunately, the effort was unsuccessful.
• "One more thing, don't get too close to my sister. Just be as necessary," Eric's baritone voice sounded again.
• Alexa glanced spontaneously at the source of the sound. Staring at Eric's broad back with furrowed brows. She thought the man was already asleep, but apparently not. Maybe Eric was disturbed by her inability to stay still.
• "Why? You can't just order without a clear reason," Alexa replied indifferently. "Didn't you say yourself that outside the contract we shouldn't interfere with each other's affairs?"
• Alexa waited for Eric's answer for quite a long time, but the man's voice was no longer heard. She turned back to the man and moved slowly towards him to see Eric's face.
• Eric's eyes were tightly closed with a regular breathing rhythm and occasional soft snoring. Alexa clicked her tongue in annoyance. After making her wonder, the man fell asleep first.
• Not wanting to waste the rest of the night, Alexa also closed her eyes with her back to Eric. Gradually, she really fell asleep.
• Alexa frowned deeply when she felt that her soft pillow was turning harder. She forced her still-closed eyes open. Her sleepiness suddenly disappeared, her eyes widened when she realized what was happening. Alexa slapped her cheeks repeatedly to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
• Alexa remembered clearly that last night she was sleeping with her back to Eric. Meanwhile, now she was in the man's arms. Even worse, she was sleeping on Eric's broad chest.
• Alexa tried to break free from Eric's embrace. Unfortunately, it didn't work. The embrace of a pair of muscular arms became stronger along with her movements.
• Without Alexa realizing it, Eric's eyes, which had been closed, began to open. "What are you doing?" he asked, as he released his arms from Alexa's body.
• Alexa raised her head with her eyebrows furrowed sharply. "You're the one who hugged me!" she replied angrily. Her face flushed. The girl immediately got out of bed and walked quickly to the toilet.
• When Alexa came out of the toilet, she didn't find Eric in the room. A soft sigh escaped her lips. At least she didn't have to be more embarrassed by the unexpected incident.
• Her long legs stepped towards the walk-in closet in the room. Alexa groaned softly when she didn't find a single piece of clothing that suited her taste there. As a result, she took one of the clothes at random to wear today.
• The clothes available were mostly dresses and other feminine clothes. No wonder Alice forbade her to bring clothes, it turned out that the middle-aged woman had prepared everything.
• After showering and changing clothes, Alexa immediately went out of the room. At the same time, one of the servants in the house approached her and said that she had been waiting in the dining room.
• Upon arriving at the dining table, Alexa found Eric who was already neatly dressed in a formal shirt. Their gazes met for a few seconds before the man lowered his head again and focused on eating in front of him.
• It was not only Eric who was there, but also Darren, Alice, and Gabriel—Eric's biological father. Of all the members of this family, only Gabriel had never said a word to Alexa.
• The middle-aged man who was using a wheelchair looked very arrogant. Now Alexa knew where Eric's annoying nature came from.
• "Good morning everyone," Alexa greeted as she pulled one of the empty chairs opposite Eric's seat.
• Only Alice and Darren returned her greeting. Everyone had been eating their respective food. A breakfast together that should have been surrounded by warmth was not seen here.
• Alexa was very happy to know that Eric went straight to work today. Although she didn't know what to do all day, at least she didn't have to face Eric until the evening.
• After finishing breakfast, one by one the people at the dining table left the place until only Alexa was left there. After finishing her breakfast, the girl immediately got up from there.
• Alexa continued to explore every corner of the house until she found a beautiful garden in the backyard of the house. Her eyes lit up, she immediately quickened her pace towards the place. Then, sitting on the lowest step of the stairs to enjoy the view in front of her
• "Good morning, Eleanor. May I join you here?" Darren greeted with a warm smile on his lips.
• Alexa just glanced at Darren briefly, then looked away again. The expanse of the garden with a man-made lake in front of her was much more interesting than looking at her brother-in-law's face.
• "Even if I forbid you, you won't leave, will you?" Alexa taunted with a straight gaze forward.
• Honestly, Alexa just wanted to be alone without being disturbed by anyone. However, she had no right to evict people who were also the owners of this house. Willingly or unwillingly, she had to suppress that feeling of unease.
• Darren chuckled softly, then sat next to Alexa. "You always know what I'm like." The man slowly shifted his body, narrowing the distance between him and Alexa.
• "Need a friend to talk to? Coincidentally, I still have some free time before going to college. I know Eric's attitude towards you is far from friendly," Darren whispered near Alexa's ear.
• If it weren't for politeness, it was certain that her fist would have landed perfectly on Darren's handsome face. Trying to hold back the emotions that were starting to surface, Alexa moved away from the man.
• "I'm sure you still remember Eric's warning last night. If anyone sees us this close, that person will misunderstand and think negatively." Alexa glanced sideways while giving a thin smile. "I hope you understand what I mean."
• Alexa did this not because of Eric's words last night. She was just uncomfortable being too close to Darren. Especially now that she was using someone else's identity. Don't let Eleanor's name be tarnished just because of her closeness with her brother-in-law.
• Instead of being offended, Darren laughed after hearing Alexa's warning. "Don't pretend as if the two of you are a harmonious couple, I know your secret."