Chapter 22: Who Is She?
The office always changed after work hours. During the day, StoneTech Solutions was alive with voices, heels striking across polished marble floors, phones ringing, and printers humming. But once the clock struck six, silence fell like a shroud.
The long corridors grew still, lit only by strips of soft golden light. The building seemed to breathe slower, its energy reserved for the few who remained. Raymond was one of them.
He stood tucked in the corner of the hallway, pretending to check his phone though his eyes were fixed on the glass doors at the far end leading to Jake’s office.
When he caught sight of Isabella Howell stepping out of the elevator, laughter spilling from her lips as Chloe walked beside her, his chest tightened in a way that betrayed him.
She looked lighter after the days work—relieved even. The tension he’d glimpsed on her face earlier in the day had softened, replaced by the quiet brightness that made people gravitate toward her. Raymond’s lips tugged into a faint smile before he caught himself.
Don’t be obvious. He told himself as he hid properly.
The women passed by, their heels clicking against the tiles. Isabella didn’t see him lurking around and he was glad. He wasn’t ready for her to. He couldn’t let her find out the truth yet.
But why? That’s what he didn’t even know the answers to. Or maybe he did. As much as he liked his brother, he didn’t want Bella to hate him by extension.
He remained there, watching with a smile on his face. Only when they disappeared around the corner did Raymond push off the wall, straightening his shoulders.
He ran a hand through his hair, forcing the warmth from his chest back into composure. He didn’t need anyone guessing what he felt—not yet. Especially not Jake.
The glass door at the end of the corridor was still lit. He walked toward it, knocked once, and stepped inside.
Jake was where Raymond expected him to be: behind his desk, sleeves rolled up, looking every inch the man their father expected him to be. He glanced up and, when he saw Raymond, he broke into a grin.
"Well, look who it is that decided to come say hello to his brother," Jake said, leaning back in his chair. "Haven’t you gone home yet?"
Raymond smiled faintly, shrugging as though it didn’t matter. "Nah. Not yet. Had some work to finish."
Jake laughed, a rich sound that filled the office. "Work? Don’t make me laugh, Ray. You don’t have to grind yourself down like the others here. You know if Father asks, I’ll always cover for you."
It was said lightly, almost teasingly, but the warmth behind it made Raymond’s chest loosen. His brother had always looked out for him, even when Father didn’t.
Seeing him now, Raymond didn’t know whether to still discuss Isabella with him.
He smiled. "Thank you," Raymond said sincerely. "You’ve always had my back. But you know how he is. Father’s already breathing down my neck about my management skills. If I don’t prove myself soon, he’ll never hand me the hotel business in Florittle like he promised."
Jake waved the worry off like it was a fly. "Forget that. I already put in a few words for you. Trust me, Ray—soon enough, the hotel will be yours."
Raymond froze, surprise flashing across his features. "You... you really spoke to him? About me?"
"Of course," Jake said smoothly, as though it were obvious. "You’re my brother. I’ll make sure you’re set up."
Relief washed through Raymond, warm and heavy. He lowered himself into one of the guest chairs, exhaling. "That means more than you know. But if I’m honest..." His gaze shifted toward the wide office window, where the city glowed faintly in the distance. "If I had a choice, I’d rather Father let me manage the interior design business here in Sweliss."
Jake’s brow shot up. "Really? Now that’s interesting." He leaned forward, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips. "Didn’t you swear up and down you couldn’t wait to get away from the family? That you wanted Florittle, wanted distance, wanted freedom? What’s changed?"
Raymond stiffened, his mouth opening then closing again. He tried to mask it with a chuckle, but Jake’s eyes were too sharp.
"Wait a minute..." Jake tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You’re blushing. Don’t tell me—it’s a woman, isn’t it?"
Raymond’s hand went to the back of his neck, rubbing it sheepishly. "Well... I wouldn’t exactly put it that way."
Jake barked a laugh. "Don’t play coy with me. I know that look. So, spill. Who is she?"
Raymond hesitated. He wasn’t ready to admit her name, wasn’t ready for Jake to start dissecting it the way he did everything. "It’s not official yet," he said carefully. "I haven’t told her how I feel."
Jake leaned back, folding his arms across his chest, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not official yet, hm? Want my honest advice? Don’t wait too long before telling her how you feel. Waiting can be very dangerous. Before you know it, someone else might just snatch her away—that’s not what I wish for you, though."
The words landed heavier than Jake realized.
Raymond thought of Isabella. The very idea of competing with his brother twisted his stomach.
"So, how has it been with your new assistant?" Raymond asked, wanting to know what Jake thought of Isabella.
"Why are you suddenly interested in my assistant? Don’t tell me she’s the one you like?" Jake teased.
"I..."
Before Raymond could say more, Jake’s phone buzzed loudly against the desk. He glanced at the screen, his expression softening immediately.
"It’s Mother," he murmured, before going ahead to answer it. "Hello, Mom."
"Jake," Evelyn Stones’ voice came, rich and commanding even through the phone. "Are you still at the office?"
"Yes, mom," Jake replied.
"And your brother? Is Raymond there too? I’ve been trying to reach him," she asked in a time that told Jake she was about to say something serious next.
Jake glanced across the desk at Raymond before replying. "Yes, he’s here with me."
"Good," Evelyn said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Both of you come home immediately. There’s something we need to discuss—as a family."
"Why? Did something serious happen?" Jake asked before he could stop himself.
"Just come home. Both of you," she said before ending the call.
Jake and Raymond exchanged a look, neither needing to say the obvious. Their mother wasn’t the type to summon them unless it was important. And whatever it was, it would affect both of them.