Third Brother

"Hey, newbie, how was your first day at work?" Someone asked Lorenzo as he entered the elevator. It was a man with golden hair and grey-green eyes.

Lorenzo recognized him as Jonah, one of the employees in his department. Following him was a woman in a black suit and three-inch heels. Her black hair was braided and it hung across her shoulders.

"It was alright. I missed working with gadgets," Lorenzo answered. It had been a very time since he worked with gadgets. He sold the ones he previously owned to pay some of his bills.

"How about your interview? Was it tough?" Jonah asked.

"Not as difficult as I expected but I was pressured by the interviewer," he answered honestly.

"I know right? I was sweating buckets during mine. It was worse during the practical interview. My hands were shaking. I thought I'd be disqualified." Jonah said.

"We know your interview was tougher than anyone else's, Jonah," Lilian, the lady said rolling her eyes.

"I'm not talking to you. Hmph," Jonah said. "So, newbie, wanna come with us to the bar?" The elevator doors opened and they walked out.

"No, I'll pass," Lorenzo shook his head. "I have to go home to my wife."

"You're married?" Lilian and Jonah asked simultaneously.

"Yes. I'll be going. Bye." Lorenzo walked home.

The house was empty when he got there. Ava wasn't there to welcome him as he thought she would.

On the kitchen counter, he saw the lunchbox and beside it was a note:

Sorry I couldn't welcome you, hubby. I'm having a get-together with my friends. I'm not sure if I'll be back early but I'll try. Your dinner is in the lunchbox. I've had mine.

Love from Ava.

Lorenzo stared at her beautiful writing for a while before he tore out the closing "Love from Ava" and kept it in a book.

***

"Where's Third Brother?" Ava entered a private VIP room of the club. Her first and second brothers were there but Calvin wasn't.

"He's coming," Damien answered and just as Ava took a seat, the door opened, and in walked Calvin.

"Third Brother!" Ava exclaimed and ran to hug her. He was closer to her than all her brothers and he was the one who spoilt her.

"Fourth Sister. I missed you so much." He hugged her back and pecked her forehead.

"How much?" Ava said.

"So much that I couldn't stop thinking about you. Even in my sleep," He said not noticing the glare Vincent shot him.

"Aww." Ava hugged him again. "I missed you too."

"Ahem," Vincent coughed to get their attention.

"Welcome back Calvin," he said. "We missed you."

"Of course you did. Your life would be boring without me." He said and whispered something in Ava's ear to which she smiled and hugged him before she sat on the sofa.

"So, how was your movie shoot?" Damien asked.

Calvin was one of the most popular actors in their country. He was the one who didn't have the privilege of coming from a wealthy family. He worked hard since young and rose to fame without the help of anyone. Till he met Damien and Vincent when he was in the university and they became friends since then.

"My shoot went well but it was tiring. Especially the fight scenes." He poured himself some alcohol. "But, its box office ratings were high."

"I'm so proud of you," Ava said. "Let's get drunk and celebrate your success." She poured herself a glass of alcohol.

"Ava," Her three brothers called. She knew that they wouldn't allow her to drink alcohol but she pretended she didn't know what they were calling her for. She took a sip.

"Another sip and I won't give it to you anymore," Calvin threatened. He promised to give her the box of eclairs he bought for her. The brand rarely sold to customers and he had continuously placed orders before he could purchase it.

Ava looked at him and pouted her lips before she reluctantly placed the glass back on the table. Calvin patted her head. "That's a good girl."

Ava put out her hand. "I'll give it to you tomorrow," Calvin said and Ava harrumphed and folded her arms.

"Okay down to business," Damien said and they all entered their serious mode.

"They've been following you, Ava. How could you not notice? What had you been doing? Do you know you lost eleven of your guards?" Damien asked with a harsh tone that had a hint of worry.