Chapter 31: Don't you think you're overreacting?

After a while, everyone began to leave the club, saying their goodbyes.

"I'll drive Irene home," Brian said to Justin.

"Oh, okay," Esmeralda chimed with a teasing tone.

"See you later, bro," Justin said, leaving with Esmeralda.

Irene and Brian got into the car. The silence was comfortable, filled with unspoken warmth. She turned to him with a playful glint in her eyes and asked,

"Why do you need to tell everyone about us?"

"You don't like it?" Brian asked, glancing at her with a half-smile.

"Of course I do… just—" Irene replied, her tone teasing, her lips tugging into a soft smile.

Brian looked ahead, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "Firstly, I want you to know I'm serious about this relationship… secondly, I want others who have thought about you to back off," he said, his voice calm but layered with protectiveness.

Irene burst into laughter, her whole face lighting up. "Who are others?"

Brian went quiet, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Tell me those you're talking about," Irene pressed, laughing again, nudging his shoulder lightly.

"Forget about it," he muttered, chuckling under his breath as he started the car.

"Like seriously, you won't tell me?" Irene asked again, smiling as her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Take me to the Browns."

"Okay…" he paused, throwing her a side glance. "Don't cause trouble," he said softly.

"Are you calling your girlfriend troublesome?" she asked, feigning offense.

"Aren't you?" Brian smirked.

"Of course I'm not," she pouted, crossing her arms dramatically.

"Okay, if you say so," he teased again, a grin dancing on his lips.

"If I say so? Let's break up…" Irene challenged, raising her brow.

"I can't hear you…" Brian said with a playful tone, pretending to adjust the car stereo.

"I want to break up with you," Irene repeated, louder this time, enjoying the game.

"Sorry ma'am, you're bound to me already," Brian said with a serious expression, his voice dropping a note.

Irene glanced at him, caught off guard by the shift in his tone. Her heart skipped a beat. God must have created him on a special day, she thought, a little dazed. He looks dangerously handsome when he's serious.

"Are you done checking me out?" Brian asked, smirking without taking his eyes off the road.

"Are you complaining? Even if you do, I don't care. You're mine, so I can check you out all I want," Irene said shamelessly, flicking her hair back.

"We are here," Brian said, pulling over.

They got down from the car and Irene suddenly hugged him tightly, warmth radiating from her embrace.

"Good night," she whispered.

"Good night… see you later," Brian replied, his voice low and affectionate.

"Later when?" Irene asked, tilting her head.

"When I see you…" he said, echoing her usual line.

"Till next year then," she smiled brightly and turned away, waving dramatically. Brian watched her walk away, a smile tugging at his lips before he drove off.

Irene got in and found Victor lounging in the sitting room with a mischievous look on his face.

"You never said you were coming," Victor teased.

"Am I not welcome?" Irene teased back, dropping her bag on the couch. "Even if I'm not welcome, I don't mind."

"You're always welcome, sis. But I smell trouble," Victor said with a knowing grin.

"Why is everyone calling me trouble?" Irene pouted, slumping beside him.

"Aren't you troublesome?" Victor arched a brow.

"Whatever. I can't be absent in the drama that'll happen tomorrow," Irene said with a smirk.

"Don't cause too much trouble," Victor pleaded, rubbing the back of his neck. He already felt torn between his two sisters, and tomorrow wouldn't make things easier.

"I won't say anything… unless someone causes trouble for me," she said with a shrug, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Hmmm…" Victor hummed suspiciously.

"You don't trust me?" she asked, feigning hurt.

"When it comes to trouble? Never," Victor said, chuckling.

"I thought you were on my side," she pouted again, leaning her head on his shoulder for dramatic effect.

"Of course, you're my baby sister," Victor said with a soft smile.

"Who's your baby sister?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him in mock warning.

"An old woman called Irene," Victor said and instantly bolted from the couch.

"Come back here! Who are you calling old?!" Irene shouted as she ran after him, laughter in her voice. But he was faster. He dashed into his room and locked the door just in time.

"Don't come out of that room… unless you want to die!" Irene yelled, grinning as she turned to head for her own room—completely unaware that Daniel had witnessed the entire scene from the shadows.

---

The Brown's Dining

Everyone was settled at the dining table, except for Irene and Victoria.

Rosalyn glanced around, her brow furrowed with concern. "Where is Victoria?" she asked, a tight edge in her voice. It was rare for Victoria to miss family meals.

"In her room?" Victor replied nonchalantly, not even looking up from his plate.

Daniel pushed his chair back, about to rise. "Let me go check on her—"

Before he could stand, Victoria appeared at the entrance. Her steps were slow, hesitant. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her face looked pale and swollen.

"How are you?" Daniel asked softly, his voice laced with worry.

Rosalyn stood quickly, alarmed. "What's wrong with you, darling? Why is your face so puffy… have you been crying?"

Roland leaned forward, concerned. "Sweetheart, what's wrong? Do you need anything?"

Before Victoria could respond, Irene walked into the dining room with an airy stride, her tone too casual. "Good morning, guys…"

Roland blinked at her sudden appearance. "You came home?"

"Yes… I'm here to see your faces," Irene said with a sly lift of her brows.

Daniel's expression darkened. "Or you're here to mock someone?"

Irene feigned innocence. "Why would you think of me in that manner?"

"What are you guys saying?" Roland asked, confusion rising.

"Can everyone just keep their mouth shut?" Rosalyn snapped, her voice sharp with rising frustration. She turned to Victoria again, her tone softening. "Darling, talk to me… did anyone bully you? Tell mom—I'll fight for you."

"Wow, it's so good to have a mom," Irene muttered in a solemn voice, eyes lowered, as if she was missing someone too.

"Can you just shut that crap?" Daniel shot back, his voice loud and sharp. Irene swallowed hard and returned to her food in silence.

Rosalyn's eyes filled with unshed tears as she stared at Victoria. "Can someone please tell me what's wrong with her…"

Victor looked up and said flatly, "Brian and Irene are dating."

The words struck like lightning.

"That's why she's crying… I can't believe it," Irene said, feigning shock with wide eyes and a falsely innocent tone.

"Irene, please shut your mouth," Roland pleaded, his voice strained.

Rosalyn's hands trembled as she turned to Irene. "So that's why you're home? For a good show, right? Are you even human?"

"Do I look human?" Irene raised a brow, sarcastic and unbothered.

"At least you know," Daniel muttered, barely containing his anger.

Victoria's voice cracked as she spoke, looking directly at Irene through watery eyes. "You know I like Brian. That's why you went after him, right? Can't you just leave him for me?" Her tears began to fall, silent and heavy.

"I don't think we're that close for me to give what I like to you," Irene replied, unbothered and unapologetic.

"I liked him first…" Victoria sniffed, choking on her words.

"Instead of crying over a man who doesn't even like you, shouldn't you do something meaningful with your life?"

"Irene!!" Daniel's voice thundered.

"What?" Irene said, setting her spoon down with a dramatic clink. "When I speak, I'm a disgrace to the family, but her crying like a baby is okay? Mrs. Brown, shouldn't you teach your daughter not to hold on to a fruitless tree? If Brian was ever going to love her, he would have by now. That's a sign he never will—just accept it." She picked her food back up and continued eating.

"Victoria…" Victor whispered, guilt creeping into his tone.

"Don't call me. I'm your sister but you're siding with an outsider," she said, her voice trembling.

"She's not an outsider."

"If you don't know what to say, just shut it," Daniel echoed firmly. "Victoria, calm down. It's going to be alright."

"It's not going to be alright!" she suddenly yelled, tears pouring freely now. "Will he date me now that he's dating this mistress? I lost everything—my years of waiting—and he still chose her over me? Why?! Am I not beautiful enough?! Tell me!"

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" Irene said with cold detachment. "And if you want to hate someone, it shouldn't be me—it should be Brian. He's the one ruining the peace of your family."

That was the last straw for Victoria. She turned and ran, sobbing loudly as her footsteps echoed up the stairs.

"Victoria! Victoria!" they all called, except Irene, who continued eating calmly.