Chapter 188 - Hard Realization

It was already afternoon when Kane arrived at the Astera. He greeted Hardin who was frowning at him. He was confused about why Hardin was acting that way. But he went to his office to review a few of the work and glanced at Hardin who was in the field, training hard for the upcoming event. He then checked the mails from a few houses and there's another mail from Vince Belmont. He didn't want to open it but it seemed like it was already open and was read by someone else. 

Out of curiosity, he opened the letter and flowery words from Vince Belmont made his headache. 

To dearest Harriet Astera,

You were the blooming buds of flowers in the spring. I know that I am not enough for you but I wish you would give me a chance. I can't wait to see you in the Blue Empire Happy Day. 

-Love, Vince

"Asshole." He grumbled and tucked it back. He sat down and booted on his computer. He started with his work and reports around the boundary around Astera. However, the words that Vince wrote to Harriet made him completely pissed. "Blooming buds my ass." He stood and the door opened. He didn't realize that Hardin wasn't in the field anymore. 

"Lord Hardin." 

"Disregard that letter," Hardin said coldly as he removed the parts of his horse riding clothes. "And how's my sister in the Duchess's castle?" 

"She's doing fine," Kane said and took the letter as he put it on the trashcan. 

"And what is this that I heard from the maids," Hardin approached him and leaned on his desk. "Last night, were you seducing my sister?" 

He froze and stared at Hardin. He's sure that the maids didn't see them. Unless it was her handmaiden.

"Uh," 

"Kane, you better not do that to my sister." He threatened. "Do you understand me?" 

"Y-yeah. We are cool." Kane grumbled. "Hardin, we are just talking. Nothing else." 

"Hmm. I am just making sure of it."

Kane nodded his head acting cool although he was quite nervous toward Hardin. 

"Don't you want your sister to fall in love? You are too protective of her." 

"I am just cautious about assholes like Belmont." He crossed his arms. "By the way, Lady Sophia just arrived in the City." 

"I am not interested," Kane said. He didn't want to date another woman while he promised to be Harriet's escort. He understood Harriet's feelings toward him and he's not that clueless. But he knew that he didn't deserve her. 

"I was going to meet her up with the gang." Hardin shrugged it off. 

"I'm fine. You can go by yourself." Kane said, sounding a little cold toward Hardin.

It made Hardin frowned and stared at him while Kane was typing fast on the computer.

"Are you pissed at me because I won't let you touch my sister?" 

"Harriet is also my sister, Hardin. We can't fight over her because of something that you are afraid about." Kane looked up at Hardin. "I won't hurt your sister. She's like a family to me." 

"Okay," He sighed. "Then, come with me to the club tonight." 

"Dude, I just told you~~" 

"Or else I will tell dad that you are seducing Harriet." 

"I'm not seducing her." Kane exhaled frustratingly. Hardin can be an asshole and annoying at the same time. "Fine, I'll go with you." He also remembered that he will call Harriet later. 

"Good thing. I'm going to freshen up before going to work." 

Kane watched Hardin walk away. He didn't know what to do right now.

<><><><> 

Harriet kept her phone close to her and glanced at the time. It's already seven-thirty and they are done with dinner. She's waiting for him to call and so, she walks around the garden, letting her mom have an alone time with her biological daughter. She checked her phone again and he's not calling. So, she sat down on the swing and texted him. She waited for ten minutes for his answer but he didn't reply. 

"Maybe he's busy or something." 

She sighed depressingly and pouted. He may have forgotten about his promise. She felt completely an idiot for making the first move. Finally, she went back to her room and changed her clothes into something comfortable. She kept her phone beside her as she lay down and stared at it waiting for his call. Her mother and Victoria also came to her room to give her goodnight kisses and that was an hour ago. It's already nine in the evening, nearly ten but there's no sign. 

"I'm going to kill you, Kane." She curses and suddenly her phone rings. She sat up and answered Kane's call. The background was loud and she frowned a little. "Kane?" 

"Hey, sorry for calling you late," Kane grumbled. "Did you already have your dinner?" 

"I did. Where are you?" 

"In the usual Club," Kane said. 

"Are you drunk?" Harriet pouted and thinking of other girls in his arms made her mad. 

"I'm not. Your brother is drunk." Kane chuckled. "So, how's the horse riding?" 

"It's great. Victoria is a fast learner. Also, the Duke is great at it too. I think he can match up with you and Hardin." 

Kane laughed from the other line that made her smile. 

"I think that's possible," Kane said. 

"How about you? I'm glad that you arrived safely." 

"Y-yeah," Kane answered. "Aren't you going to sleep?" 

"I was waiting for your call." She mumbled. "I thought you forgot what you said to me." 

"I didn't forget it. I was just a little occupied." 

Harriet nodded and hummed. 

"Can you go somewhere not crowded or noisy?" 

"Yeah, sure. I'll go to the terrace. Just a moment." 

She heard the crazy background noise and then a girl calling Kane. 

"Kane!" Somehow, the accent and flirtatious tone were oddly familiar. "Kane," The woman seemed to catch her breath. "Where are you going? We haven't started yet and I missed you." 

Harriet frowned and she glared at her phone. Her head just boiled up to her head. She knew that voice. Lady Sophia Andres. She doesn't like how this sounds. He came to the club to meet Sophia Andres, that's why he couldn't call her. 

"Lady Sophia," Kane said and there's a rustling sound. "I'm sorry, but I have to take this call." 

"It's fine, Kane. Just go with her if you want." Harriet said and she hung up. She knew well that Kane was still in love with Sophia and she's so mad right now that she threw her phone across the wall. The reason why he's only approaching her is that they are friends. She is a virgin and he probably doesn't like anyone who doesn't have a sexual experience. Sophia was known to have lovers and every man would want to marry her because of that skill she had. 

She lay down and covered the duvet over her head. 

<><><><> 

The time that Kane heard that the call had ended. He quickly brushed off Sophia and he rushed to the terrace and tried to dial her number. However, he couldn't get through Harriet's number. Did she perhaps block him? He frowned and used his other number to call her but he couldn't get through to her. 

"Fuck." He grumbled and a hand that tapped him at the back made him almost jump. He turned around to see Hardin. 

"Why did you push Sophia away?" He asked. "Are you supposed to be in love with her?" 

"Stop annoying me, okay?" Kane exhaled frustratingly. Hardin's sister made him frustrated. He was never frustrated in his life like this. So, he called Harriet's telephone number in the guest room of Thunder Lily Castle. It was ringing and she answered it. 

"Hello?" 

"Where's your phone?" He asked and turned back from Hardin. 

"Stop calling me!" 

"Let me explain, okay?" Kane leaned on the rail and glanced at Hardin as he waved him off. Hardin shrugged and left. 

"You don't need to explain and I broke my phone." She hung up and he didn't think twice about calling the number again. She answered it again. 

"I'll bring you another one." 

"You don't need to!" She exclaimed. "I hate you!" 

"Fuck," he grumbled and she hung up again. He checked the time and usually the mall closes at then. He quickly left the club as Hardin called him. 

"Dude, where are you going?" Hardin asked and grabbed his arm. 

"I have to buy something fast. Stay here and I'll pick you up." 

"O-okay." 

Kane quickly hopped in his car and rushed to the store nearby. He bought a phone that is the same as his. He even has both new pink armored cases so even if she throws it, there will be a chance that the phone would survive. He will drive there early this morning just to give it to her too. He didn't mind not getting enough sleep. He drove back to the club and went inside where Hardin looked drunk. 

He quickly grabbed him as Hardin hugged Kane. He glared at the people who made Hardin drunk in just a few minutes. 

"What did you put on his drink?" he grumbled. 

"I'm fine," Hardin mumbled. "Don't take me home." 

"We are just having fun, Kane," Sophia said, who has that blond curly hair and a silver tiara over her head. "Come on, join us." 

Kane grabbed Hardin's jacket and he dragged Hardin out of the club. He put him on the backseat and he moaned like he's in pain. 

"What the hell did you drink?" Kane exclaimed to him. 

"Don't tell mom. Don't tell dad." He mumbled. "I accidentally drank something that isn't mine." 

These siblings surely know how to frustrate him.