The Billionaire's Dangerous Obsession - Chapter 78: Chapter 78

The morning sun filtered in softly through the long curtains of the dining hall, casting golden hues across the table.
Nivera stirred her coffee absently, the spoon clinking gently against the porcelain.
Across from her, Alejandro sat with his phone in one hand, flipping through something with practiced disinterest, but she could tell he wasn’t really reading anything.
He looked as poised and unreadable as ever, clad in a dark button-up shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing the now-bandaged knuckles she'd tended to the night before.
Their quiet breakfast had been peaceful, but the silence, as usual, wasn't uncomfortable. It was amazing to see how much things had changed when they could just sit in silence.
"How is she?" Nivera asked finally, setting down her cup.
Alejandro's brow quirked. "Who?"
"Zabelle," she clarified, voice softer now. "How is she doing?"
Alejandro leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other as he regarded her. “Still recovering, but she's stable.”
Nivera nodded. "Are you going to see her?"
"Yes, I was planning to, after breakfast.
"Can I come along?" she asked.
That gave him pause. He hadn’t expected that. "Why?"
"Because I have nothing else to do," she said simply, then after a breath, added, "And the least I can do is pay my respects.”
She looked away briefly, then back. “Also… I still feel a little guilty for how I treated her at the wedding. She was almost cute, and I was… not."
It wasn't one of her finest moments, and it was all thanks to the arsehole she was looking at.
Alejandro's lips tugged into a lopsided smirk. "Not your finest hour."
"Shut up. I was pissed. You dragged me there like a trophy."
"You looked like one too," he mused, rising from his chair. "Come on, or do you want to change your clothes?"
“No, this is fine,” Nivera responded as she stood as well.
The drive was filled with the low hum of the engine and the occasional tap of Alejandro’s fingers on the steering wheel. Nivera sat beside him, legs crossed, face angled toward the window.
"You didn't sleep much last night," she remarked after a while.
Alejandro glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Is that a question or an observation?"
"Both."
He was quiet for a second. "Did you?"
"Eventually.”
"Any particular reason you’re keeping tabs on my sleep habits?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe I'm just wondering what you were doing out at two in the morning," she said casually.
Alejandro’s fingers paused momentarily. She didn’t look at him, but he knew she noticed.
"You were up?"
"I get thirsty sometimes," she said, shrugging. "The hall was empty. Your room door was wide open."
He didn’t reply immediately, but a subtle twitch of his mouth betrayed him. "You following me now, Cabezota?"
"Maybe," she said lightly, but her gaze stayed on him. "Or maybe I know how your face tightens when you’re hiding something."
That earned her a brief glance and a smirk. "Impressive observation."
"So," she continued, "you met someone last night?"
He was silent for a moment. Then: "Yes.”
Alejandro exhaled slowly. "I had to take care of something."
“It involved breaking someone's bones, didn't it?” Nivera declared, and Alejandro let out a chuckle.
“Why did your brain go there? What do you take me for?”
“The devil himself,” Nivera answered without missing a beat.
“I can be nice as well,” he cried out, subtly shifting the subject.
Not that he was going to tell Nivera the truth even if she pushed, but he wasn't ready to lie so early in the morning.
That was another lie, but who was counting?
“Yes, and it scares me when you are.”
Alejandro chuckled as he turned down the hospital road. "We're here."
"Oh," she muttered, as she got distracted much to his satisfaction.
The hospital smelt of antiseptic and cool air. Alejandro led the way down the corridor with practiced ease, with Nivera trailing silently beside him.
Nurses and doctors passed them, some giving Alejandro a polite nod.
When they reached the room, Alejandro paused before knocking lightly and opening the door. Inside, Zabelle lay propped up with pillows, pale but awake.
Zabelle’s eyes widened slightly in recognition when she saw him. "Oh my goodness, you're awake," Alejandro said, breaking into a smile.
Then he turned to glare briefly at Antonio, who was seated beside Zabelle, clearly not having mentioned her awakening.
"I woke up not long ago," Zabelle replied with a smile of her own.
"It's good to have you back," Alejandro said just as Antonio’s phone rang.
“I have to take this; I’ll be back,” Antonio told his wife, kissing her forehead before glancing at him.
A subtle tap on his shoulder and they both stepped out, leaving Nivera and Zabelle alone.
Alejandro stepped aside, watching his brother disappear through the door, as they had pending matters to discuss.
For a moment, the room was silent, and Nivera stepped forward, uncertain for a heartbeat.
"Hi."
Seriously? That was the best she could come up with?
Zabelle blinked. "Hi," she returned.
The silence that followed was brief but palpable.
"I’m sorry I didn’t bring flowers," Nivera apologized, her voice genuine. Okay, that seemed like a much better thing to say.
Zabelle gave a small smile. "It’s okay. I’m not a big fan of flowers."
Nivera returned the smile. "I’m Nivera,” she formally introduced herself.
"Zabelle. But I guess you already know that."
"Everyone knows who you are," Nivera replied easily.
Zabelle tilted her head slightly. "Please, have a seat."
Nivera moved to the stool beside the bed and sat, her back straight.
"You looked familiar. Like someone I’ve seen on a screen."
Nivera smirked faintly. "It’s good you don’t know who I am. I’m tired of people recognizing and stalking me. I’m a nobody."
Zabelle chuckled softly at Nivera's words.
Outside the door, the brothers were discussing a recent update from Martin about the men involved in the attempted murder.
They both knew who was behind it. Proving it was the difficult part.
Alejandro’s voice was low but sharp. “Without proof, it’ll be hard to move on either of them.”
Antonio sighed. “Then we need to find proof.”
"By the way, I hope you trust Nivera well enough, considering you brought her here," Antonio said.
Alejandro narrowed his eyes. "You don’t have to worry about her. She won’t spill."
He was sure of that, just as sure as he was of his name. Nivera wouldn't do something that would harm Zabelle.
Antonio arched a brow, and Alejandro squinted his eyes in response, as he could tell the idiot was about to say something he didn't like.
"Is she the one who’ll finally make you settle down?"
Alejandro scoffed as he glared at Antonio. "No."
What was up with everyone wanting him to settle down? And no thanks to Antonio getting married, the pressure doubled.
He had never been interested in settling down, nor would he ever be. How hard was it to grasp?
“Right,” Antonio muttered, unconvinced.
When they peeked into the room again, both women were laughing.
"Whatever this is between you and Nivera," Antonio said under his breath, "it better last." They seem to be getting along."
Alejandro leaned against the doorframe and watched them. "I’m not making any promises,” he responded, to which Antonio glared at him.
Meanwhile, back inside, Zabelle tapped her fingers lightly as she listened to Nivera tell her side of the story regarding what happened at the wedding.
"Wait, how many women glared at you?"
Nivera scrunched her face in annoyance. “More than I can count.”
Zabelle laughed again.
“No, seriously, how is it my fault that they didn't make the cut to be by Alejandro's side?”
“I know, right? I get such stares from Antonio's admirers,” Zabelle agreed.
“And Antonio is even as free as Alejandro when it comes to people. I need a shot of the audacity they have.”
Zabelle laughed so hard, tears welled up. "You’re funny."
"Only when I’m not being a disaster,” she responded.
"Honestly", Nivera continued, "I was so bitter that day. I spent the whole reception glaring at your dress like it was responsible for my suffering.”
Before more could be said, the door opened and Alicia and William entered.
Nivera immediately stood, smoothing her skirt. "I’ll give you guys some time."
Zabelle looked like she wanted to say something else, but Nivera had already slipped out.
Outside the room, Alejandro had just ended his conversation with Antonio. He looked up the moment he saw her approach.
“How was your little meeting with Zabelle?” He inquired.
"She’s nice."
He smiled before continuing the conversation. “Are you done?”
“Hmm, she's with her in-laws.” She nodded.
“Well then, time to leave. Come, let me drop you home.” He held out his hand. She took it without hesitation.
And they walked out together.