48. I invited him wife.

When Briella was assuredly asleep, he slowly got out of bed. It was early morning, but he still couldn't succumb to sleep, knowing he wouldn't be able to until he did something to ease the anger he felt. Listening to everything Briella went through at the hands of Xander wasn't easy for him. Every tear shed by his wife felt like a dagger repeatedly piercing her chest. He didn't want to stop her from narrating because he knew how difficult it was for her to carry such a heavy burden of memories. Briella was brave strong, but still a woman who would cry on the side when the intense pain became unbearable. When he entered his office just next door, he immediately turned on the large TV and set it to the CCTV connected to their bedroom. This way, he could know if Briella woke up and was looking for him. As he sat on his swivel chair, he immediately called Janice to check what happened with the pest that bit Briella. He frowned when he realized Janice didn't pick up even after several rings. 'What is that woman doing again, not realizing I'm calling!" he muttered irritably. Braun redialed the number, and on the third ring, he heard Janice's voice. 'Hello, jerk," Janice greeted him immediately. He sighed, knowing Janice was probably drunk again and in the middle of her escapades with her women. 'Get a hold of yourself, Ortega. I need to ask where is—" 'Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about her, and she's in good hands," Janice interrupted, chuckling on the other end. 'Good. Have you done anything to clear Briella's name? Don't forget that video spread by that pest might still be circulating in the media," she reminded sternly. Janice let out a loud sigh on the other end. 'Come on, El Cueva! Don't be so ridiculous. I'm in the middle of the fun!" she complained. 'Do you want me to call Luigi instead?" he threatened. 'Damn you! Stop blackmailing me, and I swear I'll skin you alive the next time we meet!" Janice snapped back. 'I don't want to see any news about that video tomorrow. Do what you need to do, Ortega, or else I'll call Luigi and ask him to do everything you can't—" 'Fine, I'll do it! Does Briella know about your attitude?" Janice retorted sharply, her voice becoming clearer as the noise from her companions subsided. 'Yes, she knew," he answered. He turned to his laptop and logged into one of the dummy accounts he used to transact with reporters and other underground figures. 'And she still loves you?" Janice questioned. 'Uh-huh," he replied as she typed a message. 'Weh? I don't believe you," Janice said sceptically. 'Shut up and do your part, Ortega," he instructed, then hung up his phone. His correspondent reporter replied, so he focused his attention there, occasionally glancing at the large TV monitor to check if Briella was still asleep. He gave all the details he wanted to be in the news as soon as the day broke. It's easy to cover up a story when there's a bigger headline to overshadow it; everything can be manipulated. You can easily convince netizens if you report with evidence supporting what you want to convey; they won't bother to inquire about the whole story, especially if even the reporters are singing the same tune. There are reporters easily swayed by money; once you show it, they'll do whatever you want, even if it ruins others' lives. In their world, judgment always precedes public support; whatever is trending becomes the topic, and various speculations spread. You won't hear anything good from them; some even turn it into ridicule and vulgarity. And when that controversy suddenly disappears, others will seek to spread it again and make it viral. That's always the cycle in the showbiz world. Braun knows this well because even before he became CEO of Crown Star, he went through all of that better to understand the true meaning of responsibility and dignity. Without those two traits, one cannot succeed in facing life's challenges. Braun stretched his arms as he sent the last details to the reporter he wanted to hear from the next morning. He spoke to them for a few minutes before logging out of the dummy account he used and closing his laptop. Looking at the time, it was exactly three in the morning. He reluctantly stood up and, after turning off the TV, left his office and went downstairs to prepare food. At five o'clock, Briella needed to take her medicine, and she had to eat before taking it. He opened the refrigerator and looked for something quick to cook for breakfast. He took out four eggs, some sausages, and hotdogs. He also cooked rice using the rice cooker and carefully monitored it to avoid burning. When the rice was done, he let it cool slightly and then fried it with plenty of garlic. It took him over thirty minutes to prepare Briella's breakfast. He also brewed two cups of their favourite coffee and orange juice and sliced a plate of apples. He carefully carried the large tray of food to their room. Upon entering, he saw that Briella was still asleep, so he carefully walked to the table and placed the food there. He approached Briella and gently brushed aside the hair scattered on her face, causing her to wake up. 'Are you still awake?" she asked in a hoarse voice. 'I made your meal. You need to eat before you take your medicine," he replied gently. She opened her eyes and looked at the large digital clock hanging on the wall. 'It's only four, Braun. Are you really still awake?" she asked, furrowing her brow. He shook his head. 'I just finished some documents and cooked for you. It's only an hour left, and you'll be taking your medicine," he replied. She stared at him for a long time, then smiled and kissed him before rearranging the small table and placing it on Briella's lap. Because Briella's hands were still bandaged and she couldn't move, he took over and served her food on the plate and fed her. 'Will you eat with me?" she asked tenderly. He nodded, and after feeding her again, he ate himself. He handed her the coffee, and they drank together. 'Don't you have work later? You've been staying up late because of me, Braun," Briella said. 'I already told Luigi I won't be coming in for a few days. He'll take care of explaining everything why I'm absent," he said, feeding her again. 'You're more important than them, so I'll stay with you at home until your hand heals." 'I'm fine, and I'll just call Chelsey here. You can't always rely on your Assistant; is he even resting?" she expressed her concern about Luigi. 'Don't worry about him; he knows what to do. Besides, if I'm not at work, he gets more tasks. He's the only one I trust," he explained. 'But—" 'No, but's, wife. I will take care of you. I am your husband, and one of my duties is to take care of you," he interrupted her. She could only agree with what he said. They finished the food he cooked, and then he took her medicine and gave it to her. They spent a moment on the veranda to digest their meal before returning to their bed and falling asleep in each other's arms. He let her sleep again before closing his eyes. He could finally rest and let his mind relax; he had taken the first step to express his anger towards the people who hurt the only woman important to him, the woman he devoted his world to. ----- Xander broke out in a cold sweat as he watched the news about him and his company. A reporter kept replaying a video where his coercion of a talent to sign a contract different from the legitimate one was evident. How did this happen? No one knew about this except him and Matilda?! He wondered, repeatedly swallowing hard. It was only seven in the morning, but he had woken up early because Matilda hadn't returned since last night. He worried about his partner; it wasn't like her to stay out late, and she always informed him whenever she planned to stay out or spend the night with acquaintances. He had been trying to call her but couldn't reach her. He wanted to suspect Matilda of everything, but he couldn't see any reason why she would do such a thing. Just yesterday, they finally planned to bring down Briella, and they were going to announce their engagement next month. They also planned to get married and vacation in America for a few months due to her pregnancy. So, he couldn't suspect her. Is it Briella? Apart from Matilda, she was the only one who had access to his office. His eyes narrowed, and he quickly grabbed his cell phone to call her. He rang several times before she answered. 'Hello, Briella?" he said, receiving no response, which only increased his agitation. 'What the hell did you do? Do you really have such a narrow mind that you'd stoop to slandering me? Do you think anyone would believe a filthy, worthless woman like you?" he insulted one after another, almost resorting to cursing due to his overwhelming anger. He received no answer from her, so he spoke again. 'If you're just doing this to get back at me, then let me tell you. You can't bring me down this way! Even if you ask for help from your lesbian lover, you'll never win against me! My team works below the belt! You'll pay for what you've done, you worthless bitch!" 'Are you done?" he was interrupted by a deep, baritone voice from the other end. He checked the name registered on his phone to make sure he was calling Briella and raised an eyebrow when he saw he hadn't made a mistake. 'Who the hell are you?" he asked, then sighed and spoke again. 'Never mind, I'm not interested in you. Where is Briella? I want to talk to that bitch!" 'She's still sleeping, and I don't want any pest to disturb her," came the reply from the other end. 'Pest?!" his face darkened, and all his blood rushed to his head. 'Are you saying that I'm—" 'Did I?" the voice asked provocatively. 'You son of a bitch! Do you know me? Give that damn phone to Briella, I don't want to talk to one of her fck buddies!" he shouted at him. He heard nothing from the other end, and he chuckled. It seemed whoever the woman's lover was, he was afraid of him, bringing out his dirty side. Now, the woman's dirty nature was becoming apparent. He was glad Matilda had discovered the woman's stench, or else he might still be in her clutches. He reluctantly let Briella announce their engagement, which meant he no longer owed her anything. It didn't matter if he couldn't marry her; his company was thriving, and he had amassed enough money for Matilda's childbirth. He could plan other things after Matt's pregnancy. 'Hello? Are you still there?" he asked after a few moments but still heard no voice from Briella. 'I have enough of your bullshits; this will be the last time you'll be talking like that to my wife," said the voice on the other end. He was stunned. Wife? She's married?! When? How? Numerous questions flooded his mind because of what the caller said. 'Let's end it here; meet me at the Glamour Hotel at noon. I will gladly meet you there." He couldn't speak again as the call was abruptly ended. He was left in a daze, unable to believe that Briella was married. When did this happen? That was what he didn't know and needed to find out! Once he learned that the woman had deceived him for so long, she would pay, and she would sink even deeper into the mud! He forgot his worries about Matilda and prepared to meet the man who introduced himself as Briella's husband. He was curious about what the man looked like and why his promiscuous ex-fiancée had married her. He felt like he might vomit at having loved such a woman! Her parents should be ashamed of her promiscuity, and that was probably why she didn't want anything to happen to them because she knew he would discover her secret of being a dirty woman! Damn that bitch! How long had she been playing him in her hands? As soon as he learned that she had been deceiving him for a long time, he would make sure she paid and sank even deeper into the mud! He didn't go to his office today because he was sure many reporters were waiting to ambush him for an interview about the spreading rumours. He talked to Jovert and asked him to report on any possible developments in the office while he was away. Like him, Jovert was also looking for Matilda because she hadn't been answering his calls either. He would worry about his girlfriend later. It was more important for him to know who the man he had talked to and who had introduced himself as Briella's husband was, as whatever happened now would surely be used as evidence to clear his name. He didn't care if the man was rich; what good was his wealth if he couldn't control the news? He could use that to his advantage! Maybe the man didn't even know that Briella had another lover and that she was using him to make money! Now that the woman's name was tarnished, she would surely cling to other wealthy fish to live and live luxuriously. He smirked, feeling even more disgusted with Briella. He regretted having a relationship with the woman; she was so good at manipulating men! By noon, he had prepared to go to the Glamour Hotel. He wore formal attire to show his power. He couldn't let anyone he met today outdo him. We both have money; I'm just better because I control the media! He drove to the Glamour Hotel, which was only a few minutes away. When he parked his car, he quickly entered the famous and exclusive hotel to avoid the reporters who were surely waiting for an opportunity to ambush him for an interview. As he entered the hotel lobby, he looked around, searching for a short, bald man alone, but he couldn't find anyone like that among the men there who seemed to be waiting for someone. He was about to take out his phone and call Briella when a man in a uniform approached him. 'Mr. Xander Madrigal?" the man asked with a smile. He nodded and stood up straight, keeping a formal expression and not smiling. He followed the man, and they got into the elevator. He saw the man press the blue button marked P1. Penthouse? He inwardly gasped but remained silent. There were only two of them in the elevator, so they reached their destination quickly. When the elevator opened, they faced a door, and the man pressed the doorbell. 'I'll leave you here, Sir. Have a good day," the man said with a smile before leaving and getting back into the elevator. He was left alone and waited for the door to open. It slowly opened, revealing a tall and imposing man. He furrowed his brows because the man seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't remember him. The man formally let him in, and after seating him in the spacious living room, he left without a word, leaving him alone again. He wanted to envy the grandeur and vastness of the place; everything there screamed luxury. 'What are you doing here?" he heard Briella's voice from a door. He sighed and looked at her with disgust from head to toe, noticing an object in one of her hands. He was about to speak when a powerful voice came from another part of the house. 'I invited him, wife," he turned to where the voice came from and was startled to recognize the dangerous and powerful voice. P-President Braun El Cueva?!