Light showered through the window and illuminated Jeanette’s profile.It shrouded her in its marigold hue as the color of the sun reflected off her cheeks like an aureole. She had a sharp, delicate chin—it was as chiseled as her tall, defined nose. Her snow-fair skin was so lustrous that at times, one might mistake it as being transparent altogether, especially since one could also peer a little into the vague, rosy bloodstreams hiding coyly under her skin when the light was just right. When sh
Damon nodded and replied softly, “Promise.”Their fingers slipped into each other’s spaces, their eyes linked. Happy. Contented.The door suddenly swung open.Every ounce of rosy sweetness was chased away by the arrival of an uninvited guest.Damon raised his head in palpable annoyance to meet whoever this savage, who did not even knock, was.Xavier strutted into the room with his hands in his pockets and his gait animated by an unapologetic swagger. He had put on a leather shirt and combed
Xavier crossed his arms and thinned his lips. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. It’s been years, Damon. Why do I feel like you’ve never outgrown your emo, b*tchy phase, huh? Since when is it a problem when a dude visits his brother who’s about to be discharged? Besides, Jeanette’s just turned into the CEO of the Godfrey Group, man! Of course I’m gonna come congratulate y’all. It’s what gentlemen do. We’re not savages, are we?”Damon’s mien remained stubbornly stoic.“I’m good, your visit is unnecessary. And mis
As the brothers bickered, Jeanette watched helplessly, finding no space to squeeze any word edgewise. She felt like this was how the brothers had always been since she joined the family. She had never seen the two calling a truce, even for a day. Damon never liked his little brother, while Xavier never stopped provoking the former for his own amusement.What a weird pair of siblings.Damon had made his desire obvious, but his brother showed no sign of leaving. Instead, he moaned. “You can’t ev
Damon’s face was a terrifying sight as he stood behind her.Jeanette was staring blankly at Xavier as he walked out of the door. Then, she felt her face turn by force. Damon was holding her cheeks in his hands, forcing her to look at him.Only then did Jeanette see the ashen look on Damon’s face. He looked very angry.“What are you staring at? Stop staring!” His tone was extremely stern, while his voice was full of rage.Jeanette shrunk her neck. “Damon, he’s your brother. Can’t you just get along with him?”Damon’s hands remained on her cheeks. Her question infuriated him even more, causing him to pinch her cheeks, hard.“Ow! That hurt.” She pursed her lips and massaged her cheeks grievously.“It’s your fault for saying stupid things like that. From now on, you’re not allowed to mention Xavier in front of me anymore and stay away from him. You are to keep a one-kilometer radius of distance from wherever he is. Do you understand?” Damon ordered. Jeanette widened her eyes dazed
Warm sunlight poured in from the window. Its golden light looked especially bright but could not melt Jeanette’s nervousness away. The secretary walked in and placed her fresh cup of coffee on the table.“Miss Leighton, Mr. Godfrey ordered this. He knows your tastes. This coffee isn’t bitter, I’ve added sugar.” Damon had personally selected this secretary to assist Jeanette in her work. Anyone approved by Damon would certainly be top-notch.The secretary placed the coffee on the table, allowing its fragrant aroma to waft into the air, placating Jeanette’s nervousness.She calmed down and smiled, feeling a sweetness in her heart.Even though Damon could not really be there at the office to keep her company at work, he would always support her behind the scenes and be with her. Jeanette’s nervousness greatly diminished when she understood this. She felt as if her heart had been filled with strength.She took a deep breath and tried her best to steady her emotions, then lifted her
Jeanette awkwardly waved her hand to stop the conversation. “Okay, okay. I need to get ready. You should leave. You’re going to disturb me if you stay here.”Xavier crossed his arms, refusing to leave.“Why are you always asking me to leave? Am I some kind of dreadful monster? I’m not leaving, sis. I’m going to sit on your office couch, and I won’t disturb you.”Xavier sat on the couch and stared at her. Jeanette shrugged. He had actually stopped talking, and she couldn’t be bothered to be concerned with him. She lowered her head and focused on her documents.Unbeknownst to Jeanette, as Xavier sat on the couch, he took out his phone and secretly took a picture of her, diligently at work, and set it as his phone’s screensaver.…The first meeting went very well. When Jeanette walked out of the meeting room, she felt extremely tense.She had been too nervous as many people had been watching her in the meeting room. Her palms had been sweating throughout the meeting. She had been m
Xavier put his cutlery down and sighed. “I know, sis. You hate me, just like my brother does. You don’t say it, but deep down, you don’t actually like me. Otherwise, why would you be so reluctant to have a simple meal with me?”“No, Xavier, I’ve never thought of it that way. I don’t…” Jeanette quickly said, guiltily, “I’m just in a rush to get back to the office…”Xavier waved his hand in grief. “You don’t have to comfort me, sis. I know I’ve never been likeable. My parents may act like they treasure me, but deep down, they like my older brother. I’m used to it.”Jeanette felt even more guilty. She suddenly felt as if she had hurt him.“Don’t be like this, Xavier. No one hates you. Oh, alright… I’ll stay here and eat with you until you’re done, okay?” Jeanette compromised, left with no choice.Xavier’s eyes lit up. “Really?”Jeanette nodded helplessly. “Yes, enjoy your meal.”“Oh, this is wonderful, sis. I knew it. You’re the nicest one to me, out of all the Godfreys.” Xavier se