8 Child Memories

"Tsk! Don't you think asking like that is rather impolite?" Axel shot a reproachful glance at Alex. "Bro, I still want to chat with Mel. It's been long since I've seen her, okay!"

Amidst his phone, Alex's gaze gradually lifted, his eyes sharp as they locked onto Axel.

"It seems someone gave up their CEO position," Alex remarked nonchalantly, but his words struck Axel like a blow to the head.

Axel gasped, grappling with the idea that his older brother was seriously making a power play. 

'He's just bluffing, right?' Axel wondered, shaking his head while attempting to divert his attention back to Mel.

Without skipping a beat, Alex continued, his tone unyielding, "So, you doubted my ability to replace you?"

"B-bro, you can't..." Axel's response faltered. Deep down, he acknowledged the truth. Despite his standing in the military, Alex discreetly held the lion's share of Hill Group's ownership, granting him full authority to strip him from the CEO position.

"Ugh, alright, alright... I'll leave you two to catch up," Axel said, a smile framing his face despite a multitude of curses he mentally hurled at his brother. He promptly rose while glancing at Mel. 

"Mel, can I have your phone number?" His expression and tone held a pitiable plea.

Feeling a pang of sympathy for Axel, she couldn't resist his request, and she nodded. She reached for Axel's cell phone and dialed her number without hesitation.

"Thank you, Mel!" Axel expressed his gratitude. And then Mel gave the cell phone back before he exited the room. A broad smile graced his face.

Mel could only smile as she watched Axel's departure, yet soon she sensed the room's temperature drop to zero. Her attention shifted to Alex, her surprise growing as his face darkened.

"B-brother, are you alright?" She asks, confused, looking at his unusual somber expression — a sight she had never witnessed before.

"I'm fine," his lips curved into a chilly smile.

"Okay. Then tell me something. Why did you treat Axel so harshly?"

"He deserves it," Alex responded, his attention divided between typing on his phone and looking at Mel. After a moment, he continued, "You seemed quite pleased to see him?"

"Hmm, yes, I was." Mel's smile wavered as she perceived his expression growing even more sullen. Hurriedly, she added, "Well, it was just fun to tease him. I found amusement in his annoyance. It's unbelievable that he hasn't changed a bit; he's still the same Axel from when we were kids..." A chuckle escaped her lips as she immersed herself in fond childhood memories.

As Alex, who had appeared somber moments earlier, gradually eased, his irritation slowly faded. A soft laugh escaped him as he joined in Mel's reminiscence of their childhood memories.

"What's been keeping you busy these days?" Alex asks. 

"I've been preoccupied with several office projects," Mel said as Alex's eyes turned warm again. Before, Alex's eyes were always cold and unfriendly when Axel was in the room. 

"Brother, is there a mission you need my help with?" She continues her words. 

Alex nodded. "Yes. Can you spare your time?"

Mel affirmed with a nod. "Absolutely. What's in your mind?"

"Good. Tomorrow at 8 in the morning, I'll come to pick you up. It's a relatively quick mission. Probably around 2 to 3 days max."

"That quick? Hmmm..."

"Do you have any prior commitments?"

"No, nothing at the moment. I'm just surprised by how brief it is. I'm ready, though. Count me in for tomorrow," Mel said with determination.

Alex's satisfied with her answer, and he nodded.

"By the way, what company is Axel working for now?" Mel inquired.

"Hill Group."

"In what position? CEO, right!?"

Alex confirmed with a nod, adding, "Though Grandpa still holds the title of the group's President, so he remains under supervision. What's with the sudden interest?"

"Nothing. Just curious," Mel paused briefly as if contemplating something. After a moment of silence, she continued, "...In case my company encounters any issues, maybe I can seek his assistance," a playful grin graced her features.

"You needn't contact him directly; you can contact me instead. My significant shares in the Hill Group allow me to influence any decisions at the Board of Directors," Alex explained calmly.

"Wow! Really?" Mel expressed her surprise.

"Yes. Grandpa handed over all his shares to me. I initially declined due to my lack of interest in business, but he insisted. So, I had no choice but to accept," a faint smile tugged at the corners of Alex's lips.

Amused, Mel chuckled. "I hope Grandpa Tanner takes a similar approach, leaving all his shares to me. That way, I can bypass the hassle of building MT Group from scratch," her voice trailed off suddenly, her gaze shifting away to conceal her sadness.

Noting her change in mood, Alex broached the topic, "Have you visited him yet?"

"Not yet. Ah, brother, I hope Axel didn't tell Grandpa Hill I was here. I fear he might inform my grandfather. I'm not quite prepared to face my grandpa, not at this moment."

"No need to worry. I'll ensure Axel will keep his mouth shut," Alex reassured her.

"Thank you, brother," Mel responded with relief. She longed to see her grandfather, yet her heart wasn't prepared for that encounter. Not just yet.

...

"Shall we?" Alex rose from his seat, exiting the VIP room. "I'll accompany you to the grocery store," he offered.

Mel glanced at him, a grateful smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, brother. It's a great help, especially since I'm not a fan of shopping alone."

"Why not try shopping online? There are numerous apps now that provide online grocery shopping services," Alex suggested. 

"I've attempted it several times, but their system is awfully unreliable, not to mention issues with delivery accuracy. They've sent the wrong items on numerous occasions. So, I've grown wary of online grocery shopping."

Mel's frustration emanated from instances where she had ordered specific items only to receive something entirely different. She had thought about complaining, yet each time, she hesitated, feeling sorry for the trouble the low-wages delivery personnel would face if she did. Given the frequency of such mishaps, she chose to return to conventional shopping. 

"Why not ask your assistant to take care of it? What was his name again?" Alex inquired, his gaze steady on the road ahead.

"Hiro!"

"Yes, Hiro. Why not delegate this task to him?"

Mel chuckled. "Oh, Hiro is the CEO of MT Group now. It wouldn't be right for me to burden him with such mundane chores, would it?"

"Mmm, you have a point," Alex mused briefly before continuing, "Then, why not ask me to accompany you?"

Mel's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze turning to him with a gasp. "You're joking, right?"

"I'm serious," Alex replied earnestly. He recognized Mel's independent nature and knew she rarely sought assistance, especially for personal errands. Learning that she required company for grocery shopping, he viewed it as an opportunity to extend his help.

Mel rolled her eyes, disbelief evident in her expression. She found it hard to believe Alex had spare time for such tasks. As far as she knew, Alex had always been busy with his responsibilities as the Commander of the Special Forces, XTeam. He hardly had time for himself, let alone for others like her.

"Brother, I'm afraid if I start having you accompany me every time I run out of groceries, the military might come after me for diverting your attention," she said, a smile tugging at her lips as she shook her head slowly in a playful manner.

Alex didn't respond with words, his reply manifesting as a wordless smile.