BROTHER'S FONDNESS

FUNNY HOW HIS words can easily make her whole and at the same time break her heart.

She signed up for this. There's nothing she can do but accept all the hate from him. She was ready for this, but it was still too much for her heart to handle.

"Mami..."

A little voice behind her spoke while tugging her other hand. Zoe composed herself and faced the little guy, Phoenix.

"Yes little Phoenix?" She crouched down.

Phoenix wrapped his short arms around Zoe's neck and hugged her.

"Mami, I don't want you to be sad."

Zoe smiled and hugged the child back, "Mami is not sad."

"You told us not to lie, Mami. I know you are sad," the little guy mumbled while hugging her.

"Yeah. I'm sorry," Zoe shyly admitted.

"I love you, Mami."

"You are so sweet, baby Phoenix," Zoe chuckled.

"Mami, I'm already big. And I will protect you from Mr. Hans if he'll hurt you again," Phoenix said seriously.

Hearing the child's words, Zoe was speechless. She doesn't know how to respond. Phoenix might have heard her talking to Hans in the phone that's why he had said those words.

"Phoenix!" Vegas voice suddenly came out, "how could you hug Mami without us?"

"No fair, Phoenix!" Denyse pouted.

Then within a second, the kids were already around Zoe, wrapping their tiny arms around her.

This scene made her laugh. Zoe can say that these kids were obsessed with her and she doesn't mind at all. She loves them all and she's very grateful for having these angels being part of her life. Their hugs can send her tiredness and heartache away.

She cherishes each one of them.

"Can I join?"

Their attention was caught by the person who just arrived at the shelter.

"Brother Zeke!" The kids exclaimed as they ran to him.

Zoe just chuckled when all the kids that were hugging her just a moment ago were now clinging to Zeke. She takes back what she said earlier that they were obsessed with her.

Her brother, Zeke, was the most favorite person of these kids.

The reason? Just because he spoils them with toys and foods!

She approached them with a smile and watched how the kids excitedly greeted Zeke.

"Brother Zeke! We finished the 500 puzzle pieces you gave us!"

"Yes! Yes! Where's our reward?"

"You promised us, Brother Zeke!"

Zeke messed their hair and said in a gentle voice, "Easy, young men and women. I know you will finish the puzzle so I won't break my promise. Your reward is waiting at your playroom."

Upon hearing it, the kids ran excitedly to their playroom. Zoe and Zeke were forgotten by them.

"Hey." Zeke approached Zoe and hugged her, "are you hungry?"

"Yes. Very. How'd you know?"

Zeke broke the hug and flicked her forehead.

"Awww." Zoe reacted while rubbing her forehead.

"Of course I will know just by the look of your face. I'll tell mom to cook your favorites," Zeke smiled and took out his phone.

"Hehe thanks, bro!"

"Anything for my dummy sister."

"Wow. That's kinda harsh."

As Zeke composed a message for their mother, Zoe could hear the little gasps of excitement from the playroom. She knew it was something about the reward from Zeke that made the children be thrilled in that room.

"What exactly did you bought for them again?" Zoe asked.

The last toys Zeke had given to the children were a castle dollhouse for the girls and a set of remote controlled cars for the boys.

She's a little suspicious now.

Zeke put his phone back to his pocket and drape an arm over her shoulders as they walked to follow the children, "Hmmm just some playsets for them to enjoy."

"You should not spoil them with too much expensive toys, Zeke."

"Yes, ma'am."

Zoe snorted, "Good."

When the two of them stepped inside the playroom, Zoe couldn't believe her eyes. She faced Zeke who has a casual expression.

"Zeke? Really?"

"What's wrong?"

"Another arcade machines? And who installedit here?"

"Well, I thought they already got bored with the first two so I bought new ones," Zeke smiled, "I was here earlier than you thought."

"Zeke! This shelter will soon turn into an arcade because you kept on buying these stuffs."

"Yes, that's my plan."

"What? You're crazy."

"I mean the other room was already full of books that I bought, then the art materials were also on the artroom. The kids' closet were also full and I almost bought all learning materials and board games available in the country. So maybe it's time to make this playroom to an arcade room?"

Zoe's mind can't seem to comprehend what her brother said.

"Is this some kind of addiction, Zeke? Just buy them foods!"

"Food will not last long. And what can I do? See those excited eyes in their faces? I just want to keep it from there and even make their smiles even bigger."

Zoe glanced at the kids who were taking turns to play at the new arcade machine with big smiles.

"Fine, but next time just give them like normal toys. I'm sure they will still be happy."

Zeke nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

Knowing Zeke, he will still buy expensive gifts for the children. She will not be surprised if one day the shelter will truly have an arcade room.

That would be insane.

He is the type of person who likes to pamper someone special to him. And growing up, Zoe has been overindulged by her brother and even until now.

When they were younger, everytime he caught her looking at things she wanted, he won't hesitate to buy and gift it to her and it always made Zoe feel delighted.

Their dad already scolded him for spoiling Zoe too much, saying that she will grow up as a spoilt child. Sometimes, it's already going overboard but Zeke won't just listen. He is an obedient child but not when it comes to this.

Their parents have tried all means to stop it but Zeke had his ways. So they resort to their last option. It was telling their daughter to be mindful and not abuse Zeke's pampering.

That was Zoe did, although she knew Zeke was always dependable, she still tried to be someone who's independent in life. She will gladly accept gifts from his brother but remind herself to not take advantage of it. Though sometimes, she still ask help from Zeke.

After all, they were partners in crime.

"Earth to Zoe Abigail!" Zeke snapped his fingers in front of Zoe's face.

"You're saying something?" Zoe asked still in trance.

"What's going on inside your little dummy head?"

"Just thinking about the dummy idea of having an arcade in a shelter for sick children."

"No way it's a dummy idea."

"As you wish. So what are you saying again?"

"Let's say goodbye to the kids now and go home. Mom and Dad were waiting."

Zoe nodded, "Yes. Let's."

"Kids. Come over here, please." Zoe requested which the children also obliged, "Mami and Brother Zeke will go home first."

"Already, Mami?" Denyse asked.

"Yup. I'll see you again next time. And you can only play here up to five pm. Understood?"

The kids nodded obediently, "Yes, Mami."

"Good. And little Marcus, I want you to have a good rest so that tomorrow you will be in a very good condition, okay?"

"Yes Mami, I will sleep early."

"Good. Now give Mami one last hug before we go home."

They immediately ran to Zoe and hugged her.

Such a warm feeling.

"Bye Mami! Bye Brother Zeke! Thank you for the reward," the kids said in unison.

"I will give you more if you keep making yourselves healthy," Zeke said and the kids celebrated.

Zoe just let them since she can't do anything about it. After that, they took their leave and left the kids under Nurse Wendy's care.

"So how was your married life, princess?" Zeke asked while driving on their way home.

"It's fine," she mumbled.

"Fine? I doubt that. Is Donovan giving you a hard time?"

"I am the one giving him a hard time, Zeke. He was so busy and I feel like I'm just bothering him."

"He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Zoe was caught off guard, she think for a moment before answering, "Actually Hans is very thoughtful."

"That isn't my question. I want to know if he is hurting you, emotionally and physically." Zeke uttered firmly.

"No no! Of course not," Zoe denied.

With her overprotective brother, she knew it's not a good idea telling him what's really happening.

"By any means, do you like Donovan even before your marriage?"

"Umm, y-yes. He was the one I'm telling you I have interest of," Zoe admitted shyly.

"I see. That's explains why you looked like you married the person you love during your wedding."

Zoe faced her brother, "I looked like what?"

"I know you heard me right and clear."

"Was it really obvious that time? Arghhh! I just can't hide how happy I was during the wedding."

"But I can't see that happiness already," Zeke took a glance at her and she suddenly felt so exposed, "You know that I hate it when someone has the nerves to hurt the precious people in my life, right?"

Zoe nodded, looking away, "Mhm.."

"If ever I see you cry because of that man, I will not think twice to take you away from him and I can literally end your marriage within a day. Even if you refuse."

"Zeke... you won't see me cry."

'because I will only cry when I'm alone.'

She couldn't voice it out. No one knows what will happen if she does, Zeke is serious.

"Anyways, have you already decided about the project I told you?" Zeke changed the topic, making Zoe breathe in relief.

He meant the launching of a new sportscar in his own company.

As far as Zoe understands, Quinn family, basically her parents were the owner of Quinn Group of Companies in Texas. There were several business units focused on engineering under the Quinn Group and one of it is automotive industry.

The Quinn, their automobile company, was transferred by her father under Zeke, which makes him the owner of it but it still operate under the Quinn Group.

"Oh Zeke, I would definitely go."

"You sure?"

"Very sure. I want to be the first ambassadress of the first sports car that you designed!"

"As if I want others rather than my dummy sister and take note, WE designed it. Remember?"

Zoe chuckled, "Yes, but I didn't think that you will bring it to reality."

"Sis, I do what I say."

Back when they were little kids, Zeke and Zoe were often left in the house with their babysitters. Their parents were very busy in their newly developed company. It was the start of their booming business and they worked all day and night.

After school, the two would finish their homeworks and they already have nothing to do after that. So out of boredom, they would usually sketch something on a paper.

Zeke was the one who had the talent in drawing and Zoe, well, she just cheered for her brother and suggest designs in his sketches.

"You really kept the design? It was almost past fifteen years," Zoe asked as she recalled their sketched sports car.

"Yes, and who would have thought that your dummy suggestions that time would actually look good. And I think the name you gave wasn't lame after all."

"That's a proof that those aren't just dummy designs and Z&Z Speed is the best name for it," Zoe frowned and looked at her brother, "I noticed that you kept on bullying me today, brother."

Zeke shrugged, "I just miss you."

"Haha! I know!"

"I remembered that we haven't done shopping together for a while. How about I pick you up the day after tomorrow? You have no schedule for that day?"

"I'm free and we can go shopping. But Zeke, I will be the one to buy my own stuffs!" Zoe reminded her brother.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Promise me."

"I do."

"Say the word."

Zeke sighed, "Yes, I promise."

"Okay. I don't like broken promises," Zoe secretely grinned in triumph.

If she hadn't done this, for sure, she wouldn't be able to spend a single penny because Zeke will pay for all.

Zoe and Zeke talked more as they drove back home. After ten more minutes they reached the Quinn's residence.

As soon as Zeke turn off the car's engine, Zoe stepped out and was greeted by the cold night breeze. She looked around the place and felt her heart in comfort.

"I'm home."