Chapter 39

FIRST REJECTION

Liam’s P.O.V.

Being unsuccessful in getting Diane’s sweetest ‘yes’ for tonight, I must admit that she was my first rejection. But it was fine—I still liked her.

In fact, I loved everything about her: her simplicity, her beauty, her talent, everything. Even with her head down, she still drove me crazy. There was nothing like her. No one could surpass her uniqueness, and her rejection would not make me stop pursuing her.

I should have taken her to an Italian or French fine-dining restaurant because I was craving for *Coq au vin, but I followed my instinct that she would prefer Filipino delicacies. Her simplicity made her even more classy. Besides, I could always order for delivery.

Diane’s choice was what mattered to me now, and seeing her ogling her eyes over a sisig made me want to order for more. I would probably ask her to dine-in at other restaurants next time when she already became mine.

Honestly, I was afraid of rejections. That was the main reason why I always used that scheme with my former girlfriends. I didn’t know how to court, and I only trusted my charming looks. It was only now or never… or take it or leave it! Leandro and I were just the same when it came to women, but what he didn’t acquire was respect.

And for the first time in history, I couldn’t believe that my tactic didn’t work out well, knowing that we had already kissed. Not to mention the fact that we even made out, and if only Diane didn’t push me away from her, I might have ravaged her body inside my car.

Being so close to her while inhaling her fresh scent could easily make me turn into a monster. How much more when I felt her skin brushing against mine? I must admit that I lost my sanity and stupidly touched her. Fortunately, she was not turned off and still hugged me despite what I did tonight.

That made me like Diane a lot because she was different from any other woman. I was positive that she would soon give me a chance. I could tell based on how she eagerly returned my kisses during our making out. I couldn’t help but smile after remembering her round and innocent eyes while looking at my abs.

When I went back to the mansion, and after I placed the buttered shrimps inside the refrigerator, I was surprised to find Leandro still in the living room… drinking. With his current state, he was already tipsy. His head tilted towards the edge of the couch, and I guessed that his position could overtake his drunkenness.

Various chips and pillows were spread all over the floor, including the trash bin contents and a splash of red wine in the white wall. The center glass table got broken too, as its shards were completely scattered across the whole living room.

It would be unfair for Nana Lydia to clean all of this mess caused by my brother. I wondered what was happening to him, but I knew for sure that I would never want to hear the answer.

“Bro, what’s the matter?” I greeted him, but he ended up snubbing me like I was only an apparition to him. He just kept on gripping the neck of the wine bottle, drinking and swallowing the contents of it that he seemed to be endlessly pouring into his mouth. “Okay, if you don’t want us to talk… I’ll go ahead then.”

When it came to tantrums, I better knew Leandro more than anyone—even more than our parents. I just had to ignore his grumpiness for now because tomorrow would be a new day for him.

I had to give him more time before he opened up and wait until everything became normal. Tomorrow, he would be fine like nothing had ever happened, and he would be ready to speak on what his problem was all about.

But this was the very first time Leandro broke things. Does he already know what was happening between Diane and me?

Unbreaking my steps to climb to the stairs, I set aside my thoughts. I would have gone straight up to my bedroom when suddenly…

“I saw the two of you together. From the club where you gave her a huge bouquet of roses, to the restaurant where you had the nerve to h-hold her hand, and to the outside of their house where you—damn, fuck you! Your windows are tinted, but I was freaking sure that you two were m-making the hell out. She is mine, so spare Diane, bro! Don’t you ever show again yourself to her,” Leandro hoarsely voiced out, but he was firmly emphasizing each word.

Actually, he wasn’t even telling me. He was undoubtedly commanding me. Like the old times, he was still the same Leandro when it came to women. He was possessive and obsessed—someone who used to get whoever he wanted. I could feel the anger in his voice, and it showed that he was clearly manipulating me to follow his dominating request.

Stopping myself from taking another stride, I warily looked at him. He wasn’t looking at me at this time, but the rage was evident in his eyes while mindlessly looking at his wine bottle. I knew it.

I would not be surprised if he now knew how Diane and I were doing together. I would no longer be surprised if he already knew that I would be courting her soon. Of all the people I knew, it was Leandro who could definitely replace **Sherlock Holmes.

If he wasn’t only drunk right now, this would be the perfect time to talk about Diane. I ended up climbing down the stairs to approach him. I scrunched my nose because of his foul stench—he reeked of alcohol, and never even once in my life that I liked its smell.

“Bro, you are just drunk. You don’t know what you are talking about, okay? Now, give me this bottle and rest…” I instructed while trying my best to take the wine bottle away from him. I hesitated at first as I could feel my fingers were slightly trembling, but I had to do it.

However, Leandro was stubborn enough not to give me that thing as he smiled foolishly.

“I know what I am t-talking about, Liam! I saw everything, and don’t you fucking lie to me because I wasn’t stupid anymore to b-believe your lies, and most especially, I am not blind. Do you hear me? I can see things clearly, and I can perceive that you are t-taking her away from me! Spare Diane, or else I will forget that you’re my b-brother. Don’t make me a k-killer, Liam! Diane is mine. She’s only mine! Do you understand?” He roared. It was the first time he never called me ‘bro.’

At some point, I was hurt by how Leandro was treating me right now. But at the same time, I had to analyze where his emotions were coming from. I hurt him by liking the same woman and how I wished that we could simply go back to our childhood years, where understandings could easily be fixed. But everything was different now—most especially since it involved Diane.

After that, he placed the wine bottle on the floor, and agitatedly stood up. He approached me with his troubled and unbalanced steps, while his face was covered by a dark expression. Leandro was so wasted as he attempted to punch me, but I immediately dodged it. As a result, he fell right in front of me.

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Coq au vin* is a French dish of chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, salty pork or bacon (lardons), onions, garlic, and sometimes, even a drop of brandy. Although the name translates as ‘rooster in wine,’ the braising is ideal for tougher birds—the recipe usually uses chicken or capon. The wine is typically Burgundy, although regional variations of the dish exist across France that use local wines.

Sherlock Holmes** is a fictional character created by Scottish Author and Physician, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School.

He is a London-based “consulting detective” whose abilities border on the fantastic. Holmes is known for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to adapt almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science to solve difficult cases.