His Devious Rule

Dropping Zane to school, Anya turned to Alvin who had followed her. Her first urge was to ask him to work without following her like a bodyguard. But the past few days had taught her a lesson. Cherish the time he goes with her.

The cops would arrest Flora Dalton, Logan Hale, and his secretary very soon. They would do the interrogation. Her presence wasn't required as Alvin had frighted Logan on the previous day.

Hence she was planning to visit the villa. Anyway, she asked him, "What's the plan?"

Alvin was in stylish casual wear and Anya was chic in ripped jeans, and sports shoes, paired with an oversized knitted chunky crop top that covered half of her palm. Her peeking slinky waist from her movements wasn't failing to grab the eyes on her.

Alvin's hands itched to hold the hems of the top and pull it down. Nevertheless, he was satisfied with the clothes collection the Watson companies sent for Anya.

His hand reached for her shoulder, turned her around, and took her to the car as he added, "To go on a date." He just said it so casually.

Anya grinned like an excited girl who was going on her first date, but she forced her lips to contract. She tried to sound unamused, "Okay."

Alvin smacked her head seeing her act up. He opened the shotgun seat door for Anya who slipped his hand and went to the driving seat.

Alvin: "..."

He got in the car and dropped a message to Liam, [Didn't work.]

Embarrassed to ask over a voice call, Alvin had messaged Liam asking how to make his wife feel special or loved. Because Alvin didn't understand their concept of love, like, or want. He just wants or doesn't want it.

Liam who grew up with Alvin for two decades knew Alvin too well. Instead of saying just take care of small things of Anya, and create new experiences together by planning special time together, he had sent him a large message of various actions with a keynote, 'chivalrous never goes out of fashion.'

It was a different thing that Alvin was dismayed knowing men should hold the hands of their women while getting off the stairs or open the door for her first.

Couldn't women do it on their own?

Why should they treat her as physically disabled?

Anyway, Liam's most important advice at the end was, 'She likes you as you are, don't behave like a new person.'

Anya looked at Alvin in confusion. She was getting goosebumps with his stare. "What's wrong? Do I have to drive the other direction?"

Alvin tried another action from Liam's list. 'Compliment her,' "​​You're absolutely glowing!" Well, she was. But his words came out a bit more stiff instead sweet and romantic.

Anya: "..."

Why was she hearing warning bells in her ears?

Anya reached to touch his face and touched her neck with her backhand. He didn't have a fever, he wasn't drunk. Anya uneasily shifted on her seat flashing a smile at Alvin.

Alvin: "..."

He read her smile and actions and messaged Liam again, [Compliments don't work.]

Anya drove to the cafe Alvin mentioned. Getting out of the car, she saw Krystle's car in the parking lot. They went together but Anya sat next to Krystle who was there with Linus.

"Did something big happen without my awareness?" Anya whispered, hugging her friend.

Looking at Anya's eyes following Alvin, Krystle asked with curiosity when they broke the hug, "Why are you being mysterious?"

"He asked me out on a date in front of the school. He kept staring at me in the car, then complimented me so weirdly. And he keeps messaging somebody. I never saw him use mobile so much before." Anya reported everything to her friend in a low voice.

Krystle knew Alvin was bossy. Even if he plans a date he wouldn't tell or ask. So she could guess from Anya's words that Alvin was behaving what he wasn't, "Looks like he is trying to impress you."

Anya pulled her sleeves and showed the goosebumps to her friend. "Yeah, right."

Krystle burst into laughter grabbing attention from the men. "Alvin Matthews, why are you…."

Anya shut her friend's mouth with her palm and awkwardly laughed at the two men in front of them, "Stop digging my grave. I am barely surviving nowadays." She reprimanded her friend who continued to laugh.

Linus was about to ask, but Anya quickly diverted the topic, "Are you guys dating now?"

The smile on Krystle's face vanished. She snorted and looked grumpy in a split second. Linus said yes but he hadn't spent time with her by just repeating busy. He invited her to the cafe. She happily went there assuming it was a date before knowing they have to wait for Alvin and Anya.

Linus shook his head in resignation and pushed a file in front of Alvin. He was yet to speak, Alvin asked solemnly, "How much investment are you looking for?" Alvin was straight to the point.

Linus's lips twitched uncontrollably. He was indeed looking for investments in his small-scale business. But his brother wasn't playing on terms.

"Bro, shall we do it like a business partner?" Linus requested so that they could discuss and know the potential of his proposal.

Krystle and Anya looked at each other. While Anya smiled at Linus's efforts to take a step closer to her friend, Krystle pretended to be dumb. She announced, crossing her arms, "I will invest."

Linus bluntly turned her down, "No."

"Hey, if you can take…" Anya tugged Krystle and shushed her.

Anya could guess Linus didn't want to depend on Krystle's money. Even if he could return the money to Krystle, Linus was thinking long-term. Nobody will get a chance to point at him as he took money from his girlfriend.

Krystle hatefully looked at the brothers and ignored them.

Alvin looked at his brother. If he was right, Linus's business plan might be to secure his life but his goal would still be related to social work. Thus investment wouldn't be large scale. Hence they didn't actually need to follow the formalities.

However the cold words slipped his lips, He was the boss and he had people to do the basic work of the business. "Then look for my secretary."

When he was ready to give the amount to him, by just being brother, Why was he bringing business between them?

Linus: "..."

Anya kicked Alvin under the table and pointed her chin to the file. Linus wasn't just looking for investments but also suggestions and corrections.

Thus for the next two hours, the two men discussed the business idea and scope. Alvin's hunch was right. Linus was planning to employ the refugees, the victims of the natural disaster.

His first plan was to resource the people to various companies and firms depending on their skills. Driving, security, labor at factories, and so on.

Most of the time, the victims are from rural areas where agriculture and animal rearing would be the occupation of the people. If they couldn't return to their place, they should be able to work in their company place to grow vegetables, greens, or rearing animals. Handmade items would be helpful for women.

Linus was good at establishing connections so he was confident in finding dealers, and companies. Nevertheless, most of his profit was going back to the NGO.

Alvin suggested a lot of changes in business strategies and financial planning. While Anya understood the numbers, Krystle felt her head spin.

In the end, Alvin added, "I will appoint an assistant for you." And that assistant will guide Linus about business.

Linus didn't turn down because there were a lot of things he wasn't aware of. He only had ideas and was determined to work hard. But the preprocess and post-process of business weren't easy.

Krystle cupped her face and watched Linus for a good few seconds then she complained, "You wouldn't have time for me at this rate."

Linus shut the file and mused with a wink, "Then you find me." He was going to be dead busy for a few months until he learned to manage.

Anya: "..."

Are we invisible?

She signaled Alvin to leave and she left with him hearing the two argue but actually flirting.

Well, she was happy for Krystle and impressed by Linus's devotion to his social work. It's truly hard to find a selfless person who worries and works for strangers, unlike the people who show fake compassion on the social media.

Anya tugged at Alvin to walk slowly and looked at him in awe. May it be studies or business, he was just impeccable., "How do you shine in whatever you do!?" Her voice was filled with pure admiration.

Alvin smirked hearing her but his lips twitched. Wait, why did her compliments work but his?