A date with oliver

In the evening, as Alex and Lily returned from their respective endeavors, Lily, full of energy, decided it was the perfect time to play with Alex.

Just as they were getting into the swing of their playful activities, Alex's phone buzzed with a call from Issable.

"Hey, Issy! What's up?" Alex answered with a cheerful tone.

"Brother, I have some small work to attend after class. I might be late getting home," Issable explained.

"Alright, sis! Take your time, and be safe," Alex replied, ending the call. Shortly after, a message from Emma popped up on his screen.

"Hey, Alex! I have a meeting right now. Could you take care of Lily for me?" Emma inquired.

"To the rescue!" Alex playfully teased in his response.

Emma, with a keen sense of Alex's friendly teasing, playfully chimed in, "And to express my gratitude, I solemnly pledge to treat you to an entire case of beer."

"Deal sealed!" Alex responded with a grin.

Turning to Lily, Alex called out, "Hey, Lily!"

Lily, responding with eager anticipation, answered, "Yes, Alex?"

Alex proposed, "How about indulging in some dessert?"

"Dessert?" Lily exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Absolutely! Let's head to a cozy café now," Alex suggested.

"Yay!" Lily exclaimed, her enthusiasm matching the prospect of a delightful dessert outing.

The enchanting aroma of freshly baked treats welcomed Alex and Lily as they stepped into the cozy café. The display of delectable desserts beckoned, and the duo found themselves immersed in a delightful dilemma of choices.

"So, what do you want, Lily?" Alex inquired, a playful smile on his face.

"I want a chocolate pastry," Lily replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Alright!" Alex nodded, glancing at the menu to finalize his own sweet indulgence.

While engrossed in the menu, Lily's keen eyes spotted familiar figures at a corner table. Excitement bubbled within her, and she eagerly exclaimed, "Alex, see over there! It's Issy!" She pointed animatedly towards the corner.

Curious, Alex shifted his gaze towards the indicated table. There, engaged in animated conversation, sat Issable and their neighbor Oliver. A warm smile crept across Alex's face as he observed the camaraderie between them.

With their dessert choices settled, Lily and Alex quietly made their way to a table behind Issable and Oliver's, eager to catch snippets of their conversation.

As they settled in, Alex subtly adjusted his chair to better hear what Issable and Oliver were discussing.

As Issable shared the intricacies of her college experiences and the ups and downs of her senior year, Oliver found himself captivated by her lively storytelling. Intrigued, he couldn't help but inquire about her relationship with her brother.

"You and your brother seem very close?" Oliver asked, his genuine curiosity evident.

Issable, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, took a moment to reflect on her evolving bond with Alex. "My brother! Not three months ago," she began, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Oliver, slightly puzzled, sought clarification. "What do you mean?"

"Ya! My brother used to run away from me," she explained, a playful smile gracing her lips. "I'd always approach him, but he had a talent for evading my attempts to spend time with him. It was like a game of catch, and for a while, I couldn't catch him at all." She chuckled at the memory. "But finally, I managed to catch him. Now, he can't escape my company."

I love my brother. I want to stay with him always. Thats why I lives with him now so I can fullfill my siblings relation which we didn't do in our childhood.

Alex, absorbing his sister's heartfelt words, fell into a reflective silence. The sweetness of his ice cream seemed to amplify the tender sentiments shared by Issable. Lily, ever the playful observer, couldn't resist adding a lighthearted touch to the moment.

"Seems someone gets emotional," Lily teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Attempting to deflect the growing emotional atmosphere, Alex chuckled softly. "No," he replied with a gentle smile, though the warmth in his eyes betrayed the depth of his feelings.

As the heartfelt conversation continued, Oliver noticed the shift in Issable's mood.

"Hey, I have tickets for a movie. How about we check it out next time?" he suggested, trying to lift her spirits.

Just as Issable was about to respond, a bustling waitress accidentally knocked into Alex while serving coffee at the neighboring table. Startled by the sudden collision, Alex let out an unintentional shout in a comically high-pitched tone.

"Whoa, watch out there!" he exclaimed, his voice reaching an octave higher than usual. Lily burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by her brother's unexpected reaction.

"Bro?" Issable immediately turned to see what was happening and spotted Alex.

"What are you doing here?" she added, her surprise evident.

"Looks like we got caught!" Lily chimed in, giggling at the turn of events.

After the laughter-filled moment, they all returned to the apartment. Outside Alex's flat, Isabelle mentioned, "Uhm, about that movie. I will join you."

"Okay! Tomorrow evening. Let's meet there!" Oliver said with a casual smile as he left.

As the trio of Issable, Alex, and Lily stepped into the apartment, there was a noticeable shift in dynamics. Alex, opting for a quiet entrance, made a beeline for his room, hoping to escape any attention. However, Issable, ever the observant and mischievous sibling, couldn't let the opportunity pass.

"Brother!" she called out, a playful yet slightly frustrated grin on her face.

Turning around with a resigned smile, Alex responded, "Yes, my little sister?"

With a mock stern expression, Issable declared, "You ruined my time with Oliver. So, today, the duty of cleaning the dishes is entirely yours."

Spotting Lily inching away in an attempt to avoid being roped into the situation, Issable swiftly added, "And you too!"

A few minutes later, the apartment door swung open, revealing Emma with a case of beer in hand.

"Hey Alex, here's the beer I promised," Emma announced, stepping into the apartment. To her surprise, she found Lily perched on a stool and Alex diligently engaged in dishwashing duties.

Curiosity evident in her expression, Emma inquired, "What happened here?"

With a nonchalant air, Issable, comfortably settled on the sofa, replied, "Just a small punishment."