ALEXANDER

Chapter 25

"Happy birthday!"

Augustus has been bombarded by a lot of birthday greetings. Today is his 80th birthday so everyone gathers in the mansion to celebrate. However, the party is only exclusive to their family and relatives, and a few people who are close with the family.

"Thank you for coming."

After having a pep talk to some of the guests, Augustus is now leaving the party, going back to his room to rest. He's not feeling well and his illness makes him difficult to mingle with them.

"Let me..." Says Andrae to the nurse who pushes the wheelchair towards the elevator,

"Yes, sir." The nurse steps back and let Andrae while following them behind.

"Are you alright pop?"

"This is what you get if you prioritize work than your health. Don't follow my footsteps, young man. Enjoy your life while you can."

This is the main reason he doesn't want Alexander to be like him in the future. He wants Alexander to marry the woman he loves and who loves him genuinely. He's seeing Alexander doing what he was doing when he was young and he's afraid for Alexander's health in the future. He's too busy making money and not considering his own happiness and health.

"Yes, pop." Andrae nods as they enter the elevator going up.

There's an elevator in the mansion. It's also helpful for Augustus to easily go downstairs and go back to his room, especially in his condition right now. The medicines have only stopping the pain. It seems not making his health better. The doctor already told him there's no cure for his disease. If it wasn't Cassidy's laughter medicine, he would just wait for his last breath while being lonely. Now, he would happily die knowing Alexander has already found the right woman.

"How's school?"

"Good. Just a bit stressful but you know me pop."

Augustus nods as he smiles at his grandson. Andrae is an easy go lucky guy. He's the opposite of his brother.

"Sir, Miss Lopez is calling." The nurse interrupts them. Then hands the phone to Augustus.

Andrae is just watching his grandfather. Surprise to see his pop's gloomy face lights up.

"Hi, sweet pea."

"Hi, popsy. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday... Happy birthday popsy!" Cassidy sings a birthday song to Augustus on the phone while the latter chortles upon hearing.

"Thank you, sweet pea. You just made my day!"

Whereas, Andrae is curiously watching Augustus. His brows contort as he stares at his pop. He looks at the nurse and asks her who his grandfather talking to.

"It's your brother's girlfriend, sir."

"Oh! Isn't she here?"

"I haven't seen her yet, sir. She's not with your brother as well."

"I see. Okay." Andrae looks back at his grandfather who's still talking on the phone.

"I'll wait. Okay, sweet pea. Of course!" Augustus is also assuring Cassidy he will a take rest.

"I'll see you soon, popsy. God! I felt bad for not being with you on your birthday. I have planned to tell you another joke that I'm sure you will laugh about."

"Haha! I can't wait to hear it. Just come once everything is okay there."

"Yes. But I'll try to go there later."

"You don't have to, sweet pea."

"Thank you, popsy. Oh, do you wanna hear a joke?"

Augustus chuckles. "Alright, hit it."

"Okay. So, I called a telecom company and spoke to a woman. Then I said. "I need to report a nuisance caller. But she said, 'Oh, no! Not you again!' And she hung up on me."

Cassidy snorts at the end of her joke. It's a lame one.

When Augustus hears it, it takes him fifteen seconds to analyze and then laughs at it.

"Hahaha! I made you laugh, popsy! I was actually unsure if you'll laugh because the joke is not really funny.

"Haha! That took me a few seconds but that's funny."

"I have another one!"

"Alright. Spiel it."

"What do you call a fake noodle?"

"Hmm... plastic noodle?"

"Nope!"

"Alright. What is it then?"

"It is impasta!" (impostor)

Augustus laughs while Andrae and the nurse are smiling watching him.

"That's-- that's funny."

"Haha! Cool! Anyway, I have more funnier jokes in store. I'll tell you on my next visit. Oh, I gotta go, popsy. See you soon."

"Alright. Thank you, sweet pea."

"You're welcome. Bye..."

Once the call has ended, Andrae asks.

"You look happy, pop."

"Uh-hmm. Just heard some funny jokes..."

"Really? Was that Alex's girlfriend?" Andrae pushes the wheelchair out when the elevator doors open.

"Yes. You must find a woman like her."

Andrae doesn't respond, but nods at Augustus. Though inside him, he's interested to meet the woman his grandfather and brother so fond of.

MEANWHILE...

"Where's Cassidy?"

"She's not here, Sab." Says Alexander.

"Why? Did she not know? Didn't you tell her?"

"She knows. She has urgent matter to attend to."

"Hello, Alex." Another relative approaches and disturbs their conversation.

"Jane." Alexander hugs her back and does a quick cheek to cheek kiss.

"Fancy seeing you here, Sabrina. Thought you're still on your honeymoon." Jane greets her too.

"Well, a month of honeymoon is enough, Jane."

"Bet, you're right."

"Anyway, Alexander I haven't seen your girlfriend. Haven't you invited her?"

"I have. But she has a last minute urgent matter to attend to."

"Oh! I see... well, send my regards to her then."

"Will do."

After Jane leaves, Sabrina and Alexander looks at each other. They both have the same thoughts.

"I guess her job best suits her." Says Sabrina.

Then there's a ruckus in the living area that catches their attentions.

"Is that Cheska?!" Sabrina asks.

"What is she doing here?" Alexander also asks.

"I don't know. Did you invite her?"

"No. Who invited her?"

"I did. I invited her. She's my date."

Jane comes back with a glass of wine. Sabrina and Alexander turn around to look at her.

"You invited her?!" Sabrina asks in disbelief.

"Yes. Besides, grandpa approved it. I asked him first if it's okay I bring her with me."

Alexander excuses himself from them and walks over to where Cheska and his mom are.

"Mind if I talk to her in a bit."

"Of course, son."

The moment Athena leaves them, Alexander angrily asks Cheska.

"Why are you here, Cheska?!"

Cheska does not faze by his voice. She smiles sweetly instead.

"I was invited, Alexander. I am not here for you. If that's what you're worried about."

"Leave." He firmly states.

But Cheska scoffs, "Leave? You can't force me to leave. Unless, Augustus asks me to."

Someone has secretly takes picture of them while their talking. Though they're arguing, but the way it looks in the picture is far different. They look like having a good conversation.

"Don't dare to use my grandfather for your own motive, Cheska."

"What are you talking about? I am here because it's Augustus birthday. I'm here to celebrate another year of his life. I'm here for him."

"Hey, brother." Andrae interrupts them. "Hey, Cheska... I didn't know you're part of the family, too."

"I... I was invited! Hmp!" Cheska feels ashamed by what Andrae says. She immediately walks away on a scowl face.

"I didn't see you arrive. Mom, didn't tell me." Says Alexander.

"She hasn't seen me yet. I went straight to pop when I came. Dad is probably with uncle. I haven't seen him as well."

"Okay." Alexander responds and about to leave.

"Wait. That's it?" Andrae doesn't expect Alexander would just leave.

"What do you mean that's it?" Alexander is baffled.

"I was expecting you to question me about the pregnant ex of mine."

"My secretary had already taken care of your problem, Andrae, which means she already told me what happened. You're lucky you're not the father. But you will not get any help from me."

Andrae sniggers while watching Alexander leave. He's getting more interested about his brother's girlfriend.

"Cassidy... what have you done to get my brother's full attention?" Andrae thought. Watching Alexander's back until he lose sight of him.

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