Return of the supreme Consortium heir

Chapter 6

Brandley, still reeling from the turn of events, could only watch in disbelief as Alex delivered a mocking wink, his intentions clear. The realization of Alex's taunt left Brandley seething with anger, unable to contain his frustration and disappointment. 

"Are you sure that's all?" Alex asked after seeing the few things they Via added to her collection.

"Can I add more?" Via asked.

"Of course you can. All bills on me." Alex replied confidently.

Via seized the opportunity to explore the racks she had previously been denied access to and as she did, a sense of exhilaration surged through her. She scanned the array of clothing with a newfound freedom, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she spotted a beautiful dress that caught her eye.

"Do you like it?" Alex inquired, his gaze fixed on her with a hint of amusement.

"Yes, I do. Can I have it?"

Without hesitation, Alex nodded in agreement, his gesture fueling Via's excitement even further. This was her moment, a taste of the lavish lifestyle she had always dreamed of.

Unable to contain her joy, Via's smile widened as she accepted the dress, her heart brimming with gratitude. This was the kind of boyfriend she had always envisioned, one who could fulfill her every desire with ease.

Alex too, ceased the opportunity to regal her with tales of his travels in Monaco and Paris, Via listened intently, captivated by his stories of adventure and luxury. From the glitz and glamour of the Monte Carlo Casino to the iconic beauty of the Eiffel Tower, Alex painted a picture of a world beyond her wildest dreams.

Brandley could still not believe his eyes. He didn't know which was more embarrassing - his card being blocked in the process of carrying out a transaction or his half brother taking his girl friend from him right before his very eyes.

Unable to take it anymore, Brandley confronted Alex.

"Alex, what do you think you're doing?" He asked.

"What does it look I'm doing?" Alex replied, his tone filled with mockery.

"Via's my girlfriend!"

"I'm not your girlfriend." Via retorted with utter disdain.

"Via..."

"Brandley, can you quit making a scene? You're embarrassing yourself." Via scoffed, her patience wearing thin.

"Via.." Brandley said trying to hold her hand but Via snapped at him angrily.

"What's your problem Brandley?"

Brandley's shock and disbelief deepened as Via's words pierced through him like a dagger. He felt a wave of humiliation wash over him as the reality of the situation sank in. Despite his attempts to reach out to Via, she rebuffed him with a forcefulness that left him reeling.

"Brandley, stop this!" Via's voice rang out, her frustration and anger palpable. "I'm not your girlfriend!"

The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, casting a shadow over Brandley's already tumultuous emotions. He felt a sense of betrayal gnawing at him from within, his heart heavy with the weight of rejection.

Unable to find the right words to express the turmoil raging inside him, Brandley stood there, his mouth agape, his heart shattered into a million pieces. 

The reality that Via whom he had sacrificed so much for in trying to please her and make her feel special, now denying ever having anything to do with him, hit him really hard. He had no choice but to step out of the way for she and Alex to continue with what they were doing. He almost felt like crying but he refrained himself from doing so seeing that he was in a public place and there are people staring. The embarrassment he was facing at the boutique was too much already and he couldn't afford adding to it.

Via and Alex walked up to the cashier with all the stuffs they've got. She had no reason to be afraid as it was obvious that Alex would foot the bill with ease. She noticed the cashier had looked at her in a way she didn't quite understand but she wasn't moved. 

Picking the items one by one, the cashier scanned each one calculating the bills. Brandley was looking from where he stood and then he heard the beep for the total bill.

"Your bill is $500,000." She announced.

Alex wasted no time in handing her his debit card. She ran her fingers on the machine and asked Alex to input his pin.

Brandley watched as Alex inputted his pin, and then the machine beeped.

"Transaction approved."

Thank you sir." The cashier greeted.

"You're welcome," Alex replied stylishly pulling out his card. He turned to Brandley with a smirk. Brandley's eyes met his as well as Via but she looked away.

After settling the bills, Brandley watched as Via and Alex tugged arms as if they were already a couple. Right in front of him, Via and Alex walked past without looking at him. He felt like the ground should just open and swallow him to hide him from the embarrassment.

He was still in thoughts when someone tapped him. Brandley turned and saw a man wearing a dark-colored suit with a badge. His sturdy build, conveyed a sense of physical presence and capability. Without being told, he knew he was one of the security personnel and he had come to escort him out of the boutique.

"Sir, I think you should leave now," the security man requested politely. 

Brandley with his face bowed to the ground walked out of the boutique with the man following behind until he got to his car. 

He opened the car door and entered quietly. The embarrassment was too much that he couldn't even bring himself to start the car. He noticed the security personnel had not yet left as he was waiting for Brandley to leave before returning to his duty post.

Brandley started his car and drove away. While going home, he couldn't erase the pictures of what had just happened to him at the mall. The fact that Via had openly denied him in the presence of his half brother was a blow to him. Gripping the steering wheel he stepped on the throttle, the speedometer responding like an obedient servant.

Just then, his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and it was his mother. He was almost tempted not to answer after trying several times to reach her earlier at the boutique but to no avail. But the call came in a second time and this time he answered and surprisingly, his mother was in tears.

"What's wrong, mom?" He asked.

"Please come to the house immediately." Stella replied and then the call ended abruptly.