Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 111: The Offer

Alexander’s expression shifted from soul-crushing terror to confusion, and finally to a cold, simmering realization.

"A miracle," Alexander repeated, his voice dangerously low. "You were ’unconscious’ thirty seconds ago, Nathan. And now you’re cured by the mere sight of a syringe?"

Nathan swallowed hard, looking at Nael, who was still staring at him with wide, watery eyes. The plan had completely disintegrated. "I... I think his hands helped me."

"I know how you work," Alexander countered, his voice rising. He turned to Edward. "Doctor?"

Edward began packing his bag, a small, amused smile playing on his lips. "Well, his heart rate has stabilized. Whether it was the ’miracle’ or the fear of a needle, he’s fine now. I’ll leave the ’recovery’ in your hands, Alexander."

As the doctor exited, Alexander turned back to the two youngest Salazars. The "scary" aura was back, but there was a crack in it, a lingering tremor in his hand that showed just how much they had actually scared him.

Nathan swallowed hard. His face flushed with embarrassment at being caught and worry that he might get scolded. But he had to face it.

"Ah... my stomach hurts," Nathan complained, lying down dramatically.

Malvin walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He didn’t care whether Nathan was lying or not, he just wanted to make sure his brother was okay.

"Did you eat something?" Malvin asked.

Alexander sighed. His sigh was loud enough to make Nathan and Nael alert. Malvin fell silent.

"You both think this is a game," Alexander said, his voice thick with a mix of exhaustion and fury. "You fake illnesses and run away just to spite me? Do you have any idea what would happen if you didn’t come back?"

"We didn’t do it to spite you, Alex," Nael said slowly, finding his voice again. "We did it because you won’t listen. We are just trying to make Louis come back."

Alexander looked at his two brothers, one still red-faced from a fake faint, the other shaking from real tears, and for the first time, the "King of the Salazars" had no command to give.

In his room, Alexander thought hard. Nael was very fragile and obedient, he never gave him headaches like this. Although, secretly, the boy also had a rebellious spirit.

But Nathan was different, the boy didn’t hesitate to show that he opposed him. He was very stubborn. The more he was restrained, the more violent he would become. And he made Nael rebel too.

Alexander rubbed his head. "What should I do with that boy?"

He had already thought about bringing Louis back after everything that had happened and how Huan kept pressuring him. He even called him "heartless."

But he was still reluctant to admit that he had to retract his order.

His ego and pride were too high. However, for several days, Nathan and Nael showed their seriousness in protesting.

They would leave without Lorenzo as soon as they had the chance. Nathan spent more time with Zane, especially since they had lessons together after school. Meanwhile, Nael spent more time playing with Hale.

Even though he could monitor them and Alexander knew how to track them both, it was still exhausting.

On Thursday afternoon, Alexander made his decision.

"Huan, ask Louis back," he said suddenly, when they had just discussed a new project.

"If he’s still interested," he added.

Huan was silent for a moment before his brain kicked in. "Ah, yes. I will ask him."

He wasted no time and contacted Louis.

But after a while, Louis’s reply made Huan fall silent. He typed for quite a long time.

Alexander didn’t want to appear hopeful or nosy, but he was curious. Why did Huan need so long?

"What is it? He doesn’t want to come back?" he asked.

Huan sighed, looking at Alexander. "He got an offer from Argonne. He’s still thinking about it."

Alexander gaped in disbelief. "What? He needs to think about coming back or accepting Argonne’s offer? How much are they offering that he has to think about it?"

"Well, they pay him double."

Alexander fell silent, throwing his pen hard onto the table.

"And I thought he was just being polite to think about it. I think he’ll definitely accept Argonne’s offer, since they pay double, and considering how you fired him," Huan said. As a man, he was sure Louis still had his dignity.

Alexander tapped his fingers on the table. "Argonne... What the hell do they want? Can’t they find another guard? Do they have to steal?"

Huan cleared his throat. "Technically, they’re not stealing Louis."

Before he could continue, Alexander cut him off. "Bring him back. I’ll give him the same amount. If he refuses, just tell him I’ll kill him myself. How dare he refuse me."

"You’re not serious, right?"

Alexander stared at Huan. "You won’t believe what I can do. Bring him back."

But, contrary to Alexander’s expectations, Louis refused.

***

That Friday afternoon, the sky was gray. So was the hospital.

The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the air as Louis sat on a plastic chair, his head in his hands. The red "In Surgery" light above the double doors was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.

Then the silence was shattered by the rhythmic, heavy click of leather soles against the linoleum.

Louis tensed. He was all too familiar with the sound of those footsteps.

He looked up, and his heart stopped.

Alexander Salazar.

That man walked toward him, flanked by Huan and Jack. In the dim, flickering light of the hospital, Alexander looked like a harbinger of death.

"Alexander—Boss... Alex." Louis stammered. His legs turned to jelly, thinking Alexander had come to settle the score for his refusal. He was going to die!

Louis stumbled, his knees hitting the cold floor with a dull thud. "Please... please don’t kill me. My sister... she’s inside. She needs me!"

Alexander looked down at him. Usually, he would find such a display of weakness irritating, but today his eyes narrowed as he took in Louis’s appearance. The man was a ghost, pale, gaunt, and vibrating with pure exhaustion.

"You have time to talk, or should I just shoot you right now?" Alexander’s voice was like ice, though his hand remained casually in his coat pocket.

"Don’t scare him, oh God," Huan sighed, rubbing his temples. "He’s already half-dead."

Alexander’s expression didn’t soften, but he didn’t reach for a weapon. "He was brave enough to refuse me for a pittance from Argonne. That takes a certain kind of idiocy."

Louis looked up from the floor, trembling. "I couldn’t... I already took the money from them. For the surgery. I couldn’t go back on my word to them. They’d kill her."

Alexander knew. That’s why he came.

He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a crisp white envelope. He flicked it toward Louis. "Open it."

With shaking fingers, Louis tore it open. Inside was a check. His eyes widened, his breath hitching as he counted the zeros.

One million euros.

"Give back the money you got from that woman," Alexander commanded. "And come back to me. I’m not giving you a choice this time."

Louis stared at the paper, then at Alexander’s polished shoes.

"I don’t believe you turned down my offer just because of fifty thousand."

Louis swallowed hard. He was still too shocked. He stared intently at the check again.

Then he realized. "You will kill me? Am I going to die for this?"

That was the only thing he could think of to get that much money from Alexander. The man would kill him, and the money would be compensation.

"I hope you would die for me," Alexander countered sharply. He looked at the closed surgery doors and then back at Louis.

His voice dropped an octave, losing some of its serrated edge. "I’m sorry. I didn’t know your sister’s condition was this grave. You said she was alive, I assumed she was recovering. I didn’t know it was this bad."

Louis remained frozen, the check fluttering in his hand.

"Get up," Alexander ordered, gesturing to the seat. "Sit down. Sign your contract with me again. Consider this an advance. I’ll ensure she has the best specialists, and I’ll hire someone to watch her so you can actually do your job."

Alexander cleared his throat, looking away toward the end of the hallway to avoid Louis’s wet eyes. "It’s for the kids. Nathan and Nael are giving me a massive headache. They won’t stop until you’re back. Just... come back."

***Saturday Morning***

For the past few days, the dining room felt more like a morgue. Nathan and Nael made sure to bring a grave vibe every time they ate.

But Saturday morning felt different.

Alexander, Malvin, Leo, Roger, and Lucas were already there. They glanced at each other while getting their coffee.

Nael came down, his eyes still slightly puffy.

"Good morning," he said lazily. He dragged his feet toward his chair, but stopped dead in his tracks three steps away from the table.

Standing by the sideboard, adjusting a stack of napkins with the same quiet, meticulous focus as always, was a man in a sharp black suit.

"L-Louis?" Nael whispered, his voice cracking.

Louis turned. Dark circles still shadowed his eyes, but he smiled.

"Good morning, Nael," Louis said softly. "Long time no see."

Nael didn’t answer. He launched himself across the room, nearly knocking Louis over as he buried his face in the man’s chest, sobbing with relief.

"You came back!" Nael screamed, looking up repeatedly to make sure it was really Louis.

Louis chuckled softly. "I think I have to."

Malvin chuckled too, seeing his brother happy. "Nael, you’re making it hard for him to breathe."

A moment later, Nathan shuffled in. His face was already twisted from hearing the commotion in the room.

But when he walked in, before he could even say hello, he stopped.

He froze. His jaw dropped. He stood perfectly straight, his eyes wide.

"Louis!" Nathan shouted, his face lighting up with a bright grin. He sprinted over, joining Nael in a crushing group hug. "You’re back!"

"Careful, Nathan," Louis chuckled, though his own eyes were shimmering.

Alexander cleared his throat. "I hope I won’t get any bad news after this. If both of you keep making me worried, I will lock you both in your room. I don’t care."

Nael and Nathan were too happy to take Alexander’s threat seriously.

"Thank you, Alex!" Nathan exclaimed without thinking.

Alexander cleared his throat, hiding his surprise at the remark.

"Thank you, Alex!!" Nael shouted just as loudly.