Chapter 27:We are family

"Probably Dad and her mom don't know the meaning. They just want to name their daughter beautifully... because I don't know why someone whose name literally means Peace could cause so much trouble," Daniel said annoyingly.

"That's enough," Rosalyn said, still laughing before going to meet her husband in the room.

—

"Thanks for driving me home," Irene said, stepping out of the car with a soft sigh.

"It's no problem. You're my sister," Victor replied, giving her a warm, reassuring smile.

Irene scoffed lightly, folding her arms.

"Sorry to burst your bubble— I don't consider you one," she said with a teasing smile.

Victor chuckled, unbothered.

"With time, you will," he said, his tone calm and optimistic.

"Will you come in to greet my friends before going?" Irene asked, her voice a little more relaxed.

"I don't mind," Victor replied, following her inside.

---

"Hey! Can you stop doing that?"

Esmeralda shouted, glaring at Justin as another pillow flew past her.

"Are you deaf? I said stop it!"

She snapped again, clearly irritated.

Justin rolled his eyes and finally stopped, lazily tossing the pillow aside.

"Is Irene coming home today?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Esmeralda crossed her arms, still fuming.

"Have you ever known Irene's movements before? She comes and goes anytime she likes."

"Hellooo! The Queen is here!"

Irene announced dramatically, striking a silly pose with a big grin as she walked in with Victor beside her.

"Where were you all day? Hi, Victor!" Justin called out, leaning against the couch with a smirk as Victor looked around the space.

"Hi, Justin. I must say you've got a beautiful apartment here," Victor said, genuinely impressed, nodding as he observed the simple yet classy decor.

Irene's apartment wasn't as grand as the Brown's Mansion, but it had its charm. Four master bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and a spacious sitting room painted in pure white. The simplicity of the interior design made it feel both elegant and welcoming.

"Someone said giving water to visitors is the best welcoming gift,"

Esmeralda said sweetly, handing a glass to Victor with a charming smile and a subtle flirt in her eyes.

Victor took the water and flashed a grin.

"Thank you. I appreciate a cup of water more than anything— especially water from a beautiful woman," he flirted, taking a sip with ease.

Just then, Irene emerged from the kitchen, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"What's going on here?" she asked, tilting her head mischievously.

"What does it look like?"

Justin replied with a smirk.

"Nothing is happening, thanks for asking,"

Esmeralda said, shooting a side-eye at both of them as Victor chuckled.

"I'll be on my way now. Thanks… and sorry for today," Victor said sincerely, turning to leave.

"It's no problem," Irene replied with a soft smile.

"Bye," Victor said as he walked out.

"Byeeeeee," Esmeralda echoed in a sing-song voice, waving flirtatiously.

"Enough, he's gone,"

Irene said, rolling her eyes as Victor left. Justin, lounging on the couch, burst into laughter, clutching a pillow.

"I don't have a plan to have you as a sister-in-law,"

Irene added with a mischievous smirk, throwing a teasing glance at Esmeralda.

"I don't want to be your sister-in-law either,"

Esmeralda shot back with mock offense, flipping her hair dramatically. The room erupted in laughter, the tension from earlier completely melted away.

---

Brian's Office

The large office was filled with silence, only the sound of flipping documents echoing off the walls. Brian sat behind his massive mahogany desk, lost in thoughts.

"Brian, this is the file you requested for,"

Richard said curtly, placing the folder on the desk and turning to leave without a second glance.

"Erm… Richard?"

Brian called, lifting his head.

"Yes?"

Richard replied, pausing near the door.

Brian frowned slightly.

"Why are you being cold to me?"

Richard exhaled sharply, not facing him.

"Nothing… I just… I'm not interested in talking to you,"

he said flatly and began walking away again.

Brian's voice grew firmer.

"Wait, I'm talking to you."

There was always a soft spot Brian reserved for his younger brother. Since their mother's death, Brian had gone to lengths to protect Richard. He never liked seeing him upset—especially not because of him. Their bond had always been one where they watched each other's backs in silence.

"If you don't tell me what I've done wrong, how will I know why you're mad at me?"

Brian asked, eyes genuinely searching for an answer.

Richard finally turned around, irritation flickering in his eyes.

"You know what… sometimes I wonder what you need all those IQ for?"

he said with a sigh, his voice filled with frustration as Brian gave him a confused and slightly hurt look.

Richard shook his head slowly, his tone turning more serious.

"What's your plan about Irene? Are you going to do nothing till Edward takes her away?"

"Is Irene a thing that can be taken away? And I can't believe you were angry at me because of Irene?"

Brian said, eyebrows raised in disbelief, dropping his pen and pushing back slightly in his chair. A trace of confusion danced in his eyes as he tried to read Richard's expression.

"Do you think it's not worth it? Irene is such a goddess and this is the first time you're interested in a lady. Should I fold my arms and let her be taken away from you… don't tell me you want her to pursue you? She's a lady, she will go for someone who shows her more sincerity,"

Richard said, throwing his hands in the air with frustration. He shook his head like he was questioning whether his brother had any game at all.

Brian stopped flipping through the file and looked up at his brother, this time his eyes calm but thoughtful.

"Am just taking my time,"

he said with a sigh, almost like he was trying to convince himself too.

"For what reason?"

Richard pressed, narrowing his eyes, stepping closer with arms crossed.

"I want to be sure I really like her,"

Brian replied, voice a bit softer, as if he was revealing a vulnerable piece of himself.

"You need to be closer to her for you to know. How will you know when you don't even try getting to know her?"

Richard said, tone almost fatherly now, like he was offering ancient romantic wisdom. He leaned on the desk, studying Brian's conflicted expression.

Brian sat there, silent for a few seconds, then nodded slowly.

"Okay, I will try. You can go."

His voice was quiet but certain.

Richard grinned, clearly pleased. He gave a thumbs up like he'd just scored a goal in a relationship match and turned to leave. But then he paused.

"Do you even have her number?"

he asked, brow raised, halfway through the door.

"...No I don't." Brian replied like the matter is nothing

For real? How will you woo a woman you don't have her number?

Richard exclaimed with mock horror. He walked back with purpose, picked up Brian's phone, and held it out.

"Unlock it."

Brian did, handing the phone over.

Richard quickly copied Irene's number from his own phone to Brian's.

"Take, make sure you give her a call. Bye!"

He gave a mischievous grin and darted out of the office like he'd just pulled off a heist.

Brian smirked faintly, shaking his head as he looked at his phone, before calmly returning to his files—though now with a slightly distracted air.

---

Irene's Villa

"Irene, you got a call!" Justin called out from the dining area, his voice echoing into the kitchen as he dished the steaming food Esmeralda had just finished preparing.

"Who's that?" Irene asked, wiping her hands on a towel, her nose catching the scent of the food as her stomach growled a little.

"The man that born you," Justin joked with a teasing grin.

"Okay, coming," she replied with a huff, rolling her eyes at the joke as she jogged lightly out of the kitchen to grab her phone.

"Hello Mr. Brown, what do I owe this pleasure?" she said coolly, her voice laced with just the right amount of sarcasm.

"Darling, how are you? How are you faring?" Roland's voice came through warm but cautious, like he was tiptoeing through the conversation.

"Faring better than you expected. You gat anything to say?" Irene asked, pacing slowly in front of the couch, her tone dry but her curiosity piqued.

"The Blacks invited us to their place for dinner," Roland finally said, getting to the point.

"Does that have anything to do with me?"

Irene asked, blinking in disbelief, clearly not seeing how she fit into this sudden family invitation.

"We are family," Roland said with a sigh, almost as if the words were forced out of him, like he was reminding himself just as much as her.

"When?" Irene asked, brows furrowed like she was trying to remember when that family status came into effect.

Roland sighed again, heavier this time.

"Please, let's go together. Tomorrow, 6 PM,"

he said, then ended the call abruptly.