Something about a moon stone....

CORBAN'S POV

Makena... I've met her three times and she had managed to make me laugh all three of those times.

If I thought the popcorn incident was funny, boy was I wrong.

"You know her?" Jotham scrutinizingly stared me down, watching me laugh to myself.

"Not really." I allowed the lie to roll off my tongue easily. "I met her at the parking lot earlier. Her box made me trip."

Technically, it was only a half-lie. Although, I don't know why I didn't mention to Jotham that I had met Makena before. Just a few minutes before I had dinner with him some weeks ago.

Perhaps, it was because she didn't remember me. I guess that's a good thing. I suspect she'd have died from mortification if she had remembered.

His eyes lingered on me when asking, "How did that happen?"

I wonder if he knew I was telling a lie. I doubt that, I am considered a pretty good liar.

"I don't know." Shrugging, "I was too focused on my phone to realize there was a box in front of me." That wasn't a lie. I didn't expect a box to be lying in the middle of the parking lot. I also lied to Makena, I think I heard some bones crack.

"So it's your fault?" He cocked his head to the side, trying to sound convincing. Why would he be convincing me to be at fault?

Also cocking my head to the side, "You sound like you want it to be." Even though in all technicalities, it is my fault.

"I'm just trying to make sure she's blameless."

Noticing my mimicking gesture, his posture was adjusted as he shrugged off my accusation.

Hmmm "You like her?" My stomach churned as soon as the words left my mouth. I don't know much about Jotham's life but I know he is usually quick to refute any possible love interest.

As he furrowed his brows deep in thoughts, it made my insides churn even more.

"I like her designs." He finally spoke much to my relief, a few seconds later. "I like how she doesn't use leather." Jotham is a strict vegan. "I like her fighting spirit. I like how she came back to defend her business before I made a decision."

To say I was perplexed at Makena barging in would be an understatement. Although, by the time she was done speaking, I was astonished. She's something to look out for and it appears Jotham can see that too.

"Isn't she a bit unconventional?" I inquired, noticing that my stomach was no longer leaving me unpleasant.

"Yes," His brows furrowed even more as he added, "But I don't mind."

For some reason, the sides of my mouth twitched to form an involuntary smirk. "Hmmm. So we're hiring her?"

"Yes, it seems so."

If Makena never came back to give that speech, I don't know if Jotham would have considered hiring her after all. Her designs are unique, but Jennie Lawson would always be available on speed dial.

"I'll be working with her right?" Even when asking more questions, I still had that smirk plastered on my face.

"Yes, closely."

More smirking. If I'm still smirking, then seeing more of Makena surely isn't a bad idea.

"Okay."

"I think she gave our receptionist a jump scare."

"Second time this week!!!" Cackling to myself, I remembered the incident I had with her this week. "Poor woman. Give her a raise."

"Because she didn't rat out that you are Corban Wright?" Yes, so far so good, nobody has found that I am a Wright. "Or because Makena barged in?"

"Both." With me, she wanted to crawl into a hole but Makena made her want to quit on the spot. What a terrible way to feel.

Although, there was no ounce of guilt residing inside me. Things like these were bound to happen.

"Haha." Unconsciously tapping the surface of the table with his index finger, "What was that about your screen?" He arched his brows in questioning.

Jotham is the kind of person who will ask as many questions as possible regarding just one incident.

"After I tripped, my phone fell." Quite frankly, I was more concerned about my phone than I was about the possibility of my bones breaking. "I saw her discreetly check whether it was broken." She wasn't really doing a good job of being discreet.

"But...?"

"I shoved it into my pocket without checking and she literally released a sigh of relief."

With worry flashing across his eyes "Is it really broken?"

"No." I said shaking my head in the negative, "I just told her that to see her response."

"Something about a moonstone..." He trailed off, puckering his lips.

Shrugging it off, "I wouldn't bother about it if I were you.

"What do you want to talk about?"

How could I forget? Before Makena barged in, I was about to give Jotham a chunky piece of my mind.

Firstly, "Can't I just decide to spend some time with my brother?" My lashes batted with a mixture of innocence and mischief, "I can't do that?"

"Of course, you can. But that's not why you're here." It appears that Jotham could see the `mischiefʼ part because his eyes sized me up, as he leaned forward and rested both arms on the table.

"That's true. You donated to the library. Why?"

The same way he sized me up, I did to him, even with my eyes narrowed into a glare and my fists clenched by my side.

"I don't know what you're saying", Was what he said, and it looked believable..... for someone who doesn't know the truth.

"A ridiculously large amount of money was sent under your name."

"My name?"

"Jojo W. Seriously? You can do better than that."

"You are certain it's me because?"

"Because that happened less than 24 hours after I informed everybody that the dinner table about the renovations." And also because Jojo W is obviously Jotham Wright. How old does he think I am? Three?

Of course, he refused to admit instead, he huffed, "That's still not enough proof." And crossing his arms like the three-year-old that he thinks I am.

"Really, Jotham?" My gaze remained focused on his profile, with only my mouth moving as I gritted my teeth. "You want to do this?"

"Fine, it was me."

"I already knew that." Even though I didn't have the proof he asked for, I am not dumb. "But, why? I asked all of you to stay out of my business." No Wright is allowed to interfere with my life. Jotham broke that rule.

"I know you don't ever want us to get involved with anything about you. But, I thought a donation would be nice." I could tell the sincerity in his voice. Anybody could. Especially with the way his eyes softened.

Sincere or not sincere, I remained greatly pissed.

With my teeth still being gritted, "I specifically asked that no Wright makes any donations."

"C'mon, look at this way." He continued, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, "I'm donating to the service of humanity."

Take deep breaths, Corban. Count from 1-10.

"You wouldn't have done that if I don't work there. That's my problem." A defining `bangʼ could be heard as my fists came in contact with the plywood office desk. "Don't do things like that simply because I work there. Do it because it's the right and nice thing to do!!! " To him, it might just be something petty, but it means a lot to me. It's not right to throw money around for the wrong reasons.

"Fine, I donated because it's the right and nice thing to do."

You know how I talked about a smirk I had earlier? That was exactly the same one that Jotham also had on now. Except, his own was mocking me openly with jest and teases.

"Stay out of my business and far away from the library!!!" Rather than lashing out at him, I opted for pinching the bridge of my nose.

"What if I want to read a book in the library?"

"You can't read any book to save your life."

"Good point."

When we were younger, Jotham loathed school libraries. So I turned into my favorite spot. Smart right?

"Don't interfere in the renovations again. It's biased if your sole reason is that I work there." Narrowing my eyes, "Very biased." I can decide to narrow my eyes, scowl at him, or clench my fists but Jotham would do whatever Jotham wants.

"Yes, boss. I've heard you." He dramatically saluted, and it was enough for me to know I just wasted my time trying to stop him.

Regardless, I said "Good."

And that brought us to the end of the conversation. Just so you know, I am more than 2 decades older than 3.