32 Past Love

**** Flashback ****

Miranda Loux was an education department freshman in the same university as Leroy Richmond, who was her senior in a different department.

At the end of her first year, she chose to do her internship at Maxwell's middle school, where she first met Alex. And it was after that event she also became acquainted with Leroy.

** In Europe, a university student can do a 3 to 6 months internship starting in April. Sometimes it is mandatory, sometimes optional.

Since then, the three have often hung out together. Miranda Loux, who should have had little interaction with her student Alex Maxwell, was pulled into the little circle by Leroy's charisma.

After only a few months of hanging out together, the trio became inseparable. They consider each other as siblings, treating the 15 years old Alex like their youngest brother. Maxwell also relied heavily on the two. He was still shy and awkward with others but was comfortable around them.

When vacation and break came, they regularly planned something together, most of the time instigated by Maxwell.

This time in view of the summer vacation, Alex suggested their next activity.

"How about we go to the beach? Summer makes you think of the sea, right?"

"I don't know if it's a good idea to go on a trip with a minor student. I'm not a teacher, but the school may say something." Miranda hesitates, fearing it would be inappropriate for an intern teacher to go on vacation with her student. She was perplexed.

However, as usual, Richmond convinces her. "Why not? It's summer. And we just want to go and have fun with our friends."

"If you say so, I guess it's okay!" She speaks softly.

Each time, only Leroy could move her from her position. She was strict with the others, but she always softened around Richmond.

Her feelings were obvious. And it was more so for Alex, who is closer to them.

From the beginning, Alex noticed Miranda's behavior around Leroy. Although she tried to hide it, Maxwell could still see her bashful reaction when Richmond addressed her. He could sense her subtle cutesy mannerisms around Leroy, as he was always looking at her.

From that, Maxwell knew she liked Richmond.

Of course, that fact broke his heart.

He liked her.

Not wanting to destroy their friendship, Maxwell never attempted to confess. He even decided to support Miranda's relationship with Richmond silently.

"Since everybody is on board, should we go to our vacation home on the southern Azur coast?" Maxwell enthusiastically suggests.

And once again, Miranda wavers before Richmond intervenes. "Good! We can use our private plane, so transportation isn't an issue."And just like that, Miranda's worries disappear.

Maxwell never failed to notice the subtle differences in Miranda's reactions. His heart sometimes hurt when she agreed with Leroy instead of him. But even if he felt slight jealousy of her treatment, he never resented them for it.

____

The three stayed at one of the Maxwell family vacation homes. A villa that gave a panoramic view of the open sea, a few walk away from the white sand plage. The place was spacious enough for a dozen guests, and the trio were the only ones occupying it.

At the moment, Alex was with Miranda on the villa's patio. The two were watching the setting sun, having a conversation. While Richmond was in the adjacent open room of the living, having a nap on the couch.

"You like Leroy, right?" Alex confronted Miranda about her feelings.

"What are you talking about?" Miranda got flustered at Alex's comment, uncovering her secret sentiment about Leroy.

Miranda brushed her hair, feigning ignorance, but her response made it more obvious.

A stabbing pain invaded his chest after confirming her feelings from her clumsy reaction. He would have preferred that she openly admitted than vainly trying to hide her apparent love.

"There is no need to hide it." Alex laughed a bit, teasing her. "It's plain as a day."

"Is it?" She blushed and put her hand on her cheeks, akin to checking the color of her complexion. She gave in. "Well! I kind of like him."

"So! Are you going to tell him?"

"There is no way I can do that!"

"Why not? You know there are many women around Leroy. Someone is going to get him if you are waiting too long."

Maxwell just jested, but Miranda began to panic, thinking about the possibility. Even though he was a little jealous, Alex still laughed at her cute reaction.

He gave her a big smile. "Should I help you?" Alex proposed.

"Will you?" She was overjoyed, taking Maxwell aback. He quickly regretted what he said.

Despite his cheerful attitude, an uncomfortable feeling still tickled his chest.

"For sure!" He answered reluctantly., still keeping a smile to hide his hurt.

Even though deep down, Alex didn't want Miranda to end up with anyone else, he still offered to help. He hated to see her troubled face more.

"You are the cutest little brother ever!" Miranda said and hugged Maxwell tight in her arm.

The embrace made him happy, but what she said stung his heart even more.

____

Over the next few days, the three continued to enjoy their trip.

In the morning, they played in the sea and did fun activities. And in the evening, they gathered together around a barbecue, chilling around the hot grill far away from the chilly night breeze.

On the last day of their stay, the trio was around the barbecue again, and they stayed up a little late in the night, chatting and drinking as they gazed at the stary dark-blue sky and the bright full moon.

The first tired but too lazy to take the stairs to go to his room, Maxwell just laid down on the living room couch.

Meanwhile, the other two, Leroy Richmond and Miranda Loux, left alone together and old enough to drink, stayed a bit longer and shared a bottle of wine.

A moment later, while Maxwell was awake for a brief moment, he saw Leroy carrying a sleeping Miranda in his arms, seemingly half-naked, up the stairs and entering his room.

Although he was half-asleep, Alex still could distinguish their silhouettes. Though, he didn't think much. He turned himself into a more comfortable position and returned to his dream.

But the following morning, Alex could palpate the awkward atmosphere around the house. He noticed the silence between Miranda and Richmond throughout their trip back.

Maxwell didn't try to inquire and shrug it off, thinking it was just exhaustion.

Later, however, when they arrived back in Leven and after Leroy excused himself first, Maxwell caught Miranda suddenly tearing up. She quickly wiped her eyes and ran to the powder room.

But this time, Maxwell knew things were not right. He promptly followed her and stood close to the entrance, patiently waiting but puzzled by what happened.

When she came out, she was all smiles again, but Maxwell didn't buy it.

"Is everything okay?" He asked her with a concerned look.

"Don't worry about it! It's nothing. I was just a little sad that our trip ended already." She smiled and patted his head to reassure him.

Alex was doubtful. He reminisced briefly of what he saw the previous night, conjecturing something happened with Leroy, but immediately killed the thought, unwanting to suspect his idol.

Maxwell never had a chance to get an answer from her, and a few days after that event, Miranda suddenly declared she would continue her studies abroad.

**** End of flashback ****

____

Late in the evening, after taking Lily Lambert home from their date, Maxwell goes to the Bluebass nightclub with Mathiew Calaway.

They made an appointment to meet Leroy Richmond in person.

Since Talon Hopkins's arrest, the club's doors were closed to the public. Without the loud music, it becomes a suitable place to hold a private meeting.

Maxwell and Calaway arrived early and roamed around the inside, looking at the place's decoration while waiting for Richmond to arrive.

After a while, they climb on the barstools to not keep standing. And a moment later, they see Richmond pushing the large door of the club's entrance.

"Alex! It's been soooooo long!" Leroy exclaims dramatically. Then he walks confidently towards the bar where Maxwell and Calaway were. Jasir Jiwari follows him from behind, staying silent and just smiling.

Seeing Richmond's calm and nonchalant demeanor, Maxwell's eyebrows twitch. He used all his might not to be seen trembling. He clenched his fist tight, trying to maintain his composure.

From the outside, it seems that Maxwell is serene. But within, he is furiously struggling with his emotions.

Alex greets Richmond blandly. "Long time no see, Richmond."

Not minding Alex's cold response, Leroy giggles a bit and goes behind the bar to serve himself a drink.

"I heard you created your own business!" He says and pours two glasses of cognac. "Only a few years we haven't seen each other, and my shy little brother became a man."

"To celebrate your success, this nightclub is now yours." He toasts with the other glass, then takes a sip.

Jasir put the nightclub document in front of Maxwell, but he looked at it indifferently.

Leroy continues. "You really have changed. You are no longer the young lad who stutters in front of strangers as you're now bold enough to take other people's properties." He sarcastically says, looking around the empty club.

He suddenly stops and turns to glare menacingly at Maxwell. "Or is it revenge because I fucked Miranda? Or was it Rose?" Leroy taunts Maxwell.

Mathiew quickly grabs Maxwell's arm when he sees the rage filling his expression.

"Is that the reason you quickly seal the deal with Lambert? You were scared I'll fuck her too?" Richmond continues to aggravate Maxwell.

He was about to explode, but Mathiew holds his arms stronger to calm him down. "What do you want, Richmond?" Alex looks coldly at him.

As if disappointed by the lack of reaction, Richmond continues to explain. "I know you plan something against me, little brother. That's cold of you. After all the adventures we have gone through together."

"It's not too late to back down, you know!"

Alex stays silent.

"Since you don't have anything to say and don't want to admit it. I'll take my leave." He says, looking bored, and walks toward the exit.

"Wait!" Alex suddenly calls, stopping Richmond in his tracks.

"I'm sure you knew what Hopkins did, so why did you help him?"

Richmond gives Maxwell a warm and friendly smile and simply says. "Because I can!" Then he disappears beyond the front door.

Maxwell finally figured out, Richmond didn't want Maxwell to back down. He came in here to make a declaration of war. And freeing Hopkins was just a demonstration of force, of what he can do.

____ End of Chapter 32 ___