Return of the supreme Consortium heir

Chapter 5

"I think I inputted the wrong pin or something. Is it okay to try again?" Brandley asked trying to convince himself that he had probably made a mistake to receive the notification that his card had been blocked.

With a skeptical look in her eyes, the cashier gave him the machine to input his pin once again. She was already getting annoyed as there were other customers waiting in line.

With shaky hands, Brandley inputted his pin again hoping against hope that he had really inputted the wrong pin the first time but to his outmost dismay, the same notification popped up.

"Hello, sir, you're wasting my time." The lady in collared blouse blurted out.

Brandley felt ashamed. Via wasn't looking. The customers behind him were becoming impatient.

He took his debit card and wiped it clean with a handkerchief.

"I think it's dirt or something. Please let's try it one more time." Brandley requested offering a tender apology to the customers behind him.

Reluctantly, the cashier tried it one more time and when the same result popped up again, she flared up in anger.

"Excuse me sir, you're wasting my time. I'll be forced to call the security." She threatened.

Brandley furrowed his brow trying to make sense of what was happening. "I'm sorry. Let me call someone."

He stepped out of the line and dailed Stella's number hoping she'd pick so he could ask her if she was the one that blocked his card. He tried several times and even though the phone at the other end was ringing, Stella wasn't answering.

Via just stood by nodding her head in disappointment. She wished she had listened to her friends and didn't come in the first place. Everyone present in the boutique was looking at them and she felt really embarrassed.

Brandley was still frantically looking for a way to reach his mother when a handsome looking fellow walked into the boutique. Immediately the young man stepped in, Brandley recognised him. It was his half brother Alex. He had no idea he had returned from his vocation in Monaco where he had spent most of the watching the F1 sports car racing competition.

Brandley left with no choice but to salvage the situation at hand decided to greet him and possibly ask for his help. Even if his relationship with Alex was no different from that with his step father Jacob, Brandley felt it was worth trying out and who knows, perhaps Alex's time away from home would have made him change.

Walking towards him, he greeted him. Alex was surprised to see him at the boutique. 

"Hey Alex," Brandley greeted. "When did you arrive from Monaco?"

"Hey Brandley. I got home a couple of hours ago. What are you doing here?" Alex asked.

"Came with my girlfriend on a shopping spree and I'm in a kinda difficult situation." Brandley explained.

"What's that?" Alex asked.

"I just attempted paying with my card after buying all that we needed only to find out that my card has been blocked."

"Huh.."

"Yes Alex."

"So what do you intend to do now?"

"I was hoping you could help me to avoid this embarrassment. Once I get out of here and sort out the issue, I'll give it back." Brandley explained.

Alex shook his head. He couldn't have been more surprised than he was at that moment. With a sarcastic smile, he brushed past Brandley, "come on Brandley, you and I know you don't have money in your account. You're just saying this so I'll be moved. I'm sorry." 

"I'm damn serious. I had the money."

"Then pay your bills." Alex blurted out.

"Who's that beautiful lady over there?" Alex inquired upon spotting Via who was really becoming angry at the whole embarrassment stuff. 

"That's my girlfriend." Brandley replied.

"She's beautiful. I'll go talk to her." Alex said pretending not to have heard what Brandley had said that Via was his girlfriend.

The cashier was done attending to the other customers and was about attacking Via when Alex walked up to them.

"Where's your boyfriend ma'am? I'll call security now." The cashier threatened as she picked up the landline telephone.

"What's going on here and why is a pretty lady like you looking so distressed?" Alex asked, his voice sounding flirtious. 

Via was too angry to reply him at first until the lady in coloured blouse told Alex about it.

"Just $145,000?" Alex asked bringing out his debit card. Via was unable to hide her surprise as she turned to Alex who was now instructing the cashier to carry out the debit transaction.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?" Via asked.

"Helping a damsel in distress. My name is Alex, what's your name?" 

Via observed had to pause and observe him very well and  she couldn't help but sense his wealth and status. His designer attire and luxury accessories spoke volumes, and she saw an opportunity to escape the embarrassment of Brandley's shopping spree.

With a playful tone in her voice, Via introduced herself as she flirtatiously scanned Alex from head to toe.

"I'm Via. Via Turkey," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation.

Alex, reveling in the chance to flaunt his wealth and status, offered to cover any additional purchases Via wished to make. His intention was clear—to assert his superiority over Brandley and indulge in a bit of one-upmanship.

"Yes, there is," Via replied eagerly, her eyes alight with excitement at the prospect of unlimited shopping. The possibility of getting back the items she had dropped earlier because of Brandley's limited budget made her accept Alex's offer without thinking twice. She didn't care if Brandley would be hurt by her actions.

With a smirk, Alex assured her that all bills were on him, delighting in the chance to assert his dominance over Brandley.

"Really?" Via exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she prepared to make her selections.

"Yes, sweetheart, anything," Alex replied smoothly, turning to Brandley with a smug smile.