Chapter 65

SIBLING’S PROBLEM

Diane’s P.O.V.

For five months, I must admit that lovemaking had always been present in our relationship. It was like icing over the cupcake. A spark in our relationship. Well, it was a month after the first when we decided to do that again until it continued like it became normal for us to make love every once in a week.

Completely drawn to Liam, I couldn’t help but be addicted to him. Whenever we were completely alone with each other, our bodies would always scream for sex. We could not get enough of each other that we would even reach up to five rounds on the same day.

It was a good thing that my nightmares didn’t bother me much anymore, and I knew that Liam’s love had helped me a lot in that case. He was my human dream catcher.

He was also the first person I would run into every time I got scared with my delayed menstruation period. My monthly period had always been regular before, which could only be delayed for a day or two. After engaging in sexual contact with him, it was getting delayed by one week, and I couldn’t be more nervous, knowing that Liam doesn’t even use condoms.

Actually, he tried it one time, but I wasn’t comfortable when he shoved his crotch into my gem. Liam also doesn’t like to wear it because he couldn’t sensually feel the natural heat inside me.

He would only do withdrawal a few times, but oftentimes, he would pour all his seeds within me because he couldn’t help it. What we were doing was so delicious to the point that I always screamed his name while he was sexily pounding on top of me. I would always love the ecstatic feeling every time his body would rest on top of me while waiting for our breathing to get steady.

Liam had bought me almost a hundred pregnancy test kits that I kept hidden inside my room. Gladly, all tests that I took before came out negative. We might be doing it, but we knew for sure that we were not yet ready to become parents. I just familiarized myself with the calendar method as we continued to enjoy ourselves.

So, that was how we maintained our relationship with balanced lovemaking. I couldn’t believe that sex could even make my skin glow better than before, but I was loving it.

We continued to tease each other in front of the food when Mom interceded. “Diane, Liam, let’s eat first. Whatever it is, just continue it in the house,” Mom bantered with a smile.

“Sorry, Mom.” Liam and I both apologized. Afterwards, we all made a sign of the cross, prayed, and began eating our food. Denise was so happy while chewing some potatoes.

While eating, I noticed David’s silence and lack of appetite, even though we also ordered one of his favorites—a salad made up of salty eggs. Earlier, he already looked so sullen and drained even though he was the one capturing the images. He was asking us to smile in the photos when he could not even smile himself.

My brother was not like that, most especially when there was a special family event, and the mere fact that I graduated today, he should be happy for me. I guessed that there was something wrong with him. A sister’s instinct.

“Dave, is something wrong? Can you cheer up, huh? I’m not used to you being like that,” I told him calmly. I was sure that light frowns could be seen on my forehead.

But David ignored me. He was just quietly eating a portion of meager food as if he didn’t even hear of anything that I said because he was lost in his own thoughts and clearly gone in his own world.

“Dave?” This time, I raised my voice as I reached out for his left hand.

“Oh, s-sis? Sorry, are you saying something?” he asked in shock as if I just dragged him out from his trance.

“Look at you. You were so drowned with how deep your thoughts were. You didn’t even hear your sister. I said, is there anything wrong? You can tell us here. We’re all ears,” I emphasized. Concern was evident in my voice. I knew that my brother was carrying a burden he didn’t want us to know.

He fell silent before heaving a deep sigh. Then, his eyes looked at us with great sorrow.

“Mom, sis… I’m sorry. It’s because… hmm, I would n-no longer be the class v-valedictorian. I—I don’t think I can still get a full-scholarship grant in college. I ruined your expectation of me, I’m really sorry.” David was distinctly embarrassed to inform us, as he even bowed his head.

My brother used to talk with so much pride while his head was held up high. He was a little conceited too, so I knew for a fact that he was ashamed and disappointed with what happened. His voice was even showing sadness and regrets.

“Then? So what, Dave? It doesn’t matter, so don’t sulk yourself here, okay? It was only an award, and your life doesn’t depend on it. Today’s my graduation day, so we should be all celebrating… right, Mom?” I was beatifically smiling because I wanted to show my brother that he must still think positive whatever life threw at him.

“Your sister is right, Dave. It doesn’t matter if you will get the award or not. I know you are smart, not to mention that you also have a good heart. There are so many opportunities that are waiting for you, son. For us, you are still the class valedictorian…” Mom advised him with a smile.

However, David was still reluctant. “But how about the full-scholarship grant, Mom? If I can get it, big sis won’t have to work harder for me. It would lessen her burden because she would only think about Denise. I’m sorry, sis. I let my guard down, and I wasn’t able to pay all your efforts for me.” He still bowed his head on us, avoiding for eye contact.

“Hey, Dave! Look at me,” I sternly instructed him, and that was what he did. “Do I look like I’m asking in return for all of my hard work, huh? Cheer up! I’m just fine to work for you, guys.” I looked and smiled at Denise.

Then I continued, “I’m okay, and never did you ruin any of my expectations! No matter what, I will support you and Denise until the two of you will graduate from college. I’m just here, and I will never leave you alone even after you both graduated. So, don’t worry about it, okay?”

David just nodded at me, but he was still as low-spirited as he could be.

“Hmm, excuse me…” Liam cleared his throat before we all looked at him. He was at my left side, who was in front of David. Mom was at my right, seated at the head of the table while I was in front of Denise, who was seated in between Mom and David.

“You know what, Dave? If you are only thinking about the scholarship, then I can give you that—a five-year full-scholarship grant. But as a return of investment, I will require you to maintain high grades, and you will work for my company after you graduated, for five years too. I told you before that you already have a slot in my company, right? And I always keep my word. Do you still remember?” Liam was quite serious.

All of a sudden, my brother’s face lit up as if his hopes soared up high. He quickly forgot about the valedictorian award because what he was thinking about was not the title itself but the full-scholarship grant in college. My heart was melting, knowing that my brother was too concerned to think about me.

Quite surprised with what Liam said, my heart swiftly jumped. I never thought that even with my brother’s scholarship and future employment, my boyfriend would still lend a hand to help us.

“Really, big bro?” David asked incredulously, with his eyes glinting with so much willingness.

Liam nodded and smiled. “So, is it a deal?”

“Wow, of course! It’s a deal, big bro. How could I say no? Thank you! There would be no problem even if I stay in your company forever. I will always do my best! Promise, you will never regret that you gave me this kind of opportunity. I will study hard in college!” From what Liam did, my brother’s earlier gloomy eyes now became full of life again.

“Tsk, you’re closer to David than I, Liam, huh? So, I guessed that it was only you who can convince my brother here. For that, I’m quite hurt. It looks like you two were real brothers, and I didn’t even exist here!” I pretended to fuss over their closeness as I pouted my lips on them.

“Don’t wor-ry, big sis… we are closer than what you think. But that would depend on big bro too—if he would not bribe me with lots of choco-lates and po-tatoes!” Denise intervened when she could barely speak with the excessive amounts of food in her mouth.

We all just laughed and continued our meal together. For some time, Liam and I stared at each other, so I was able to tell him the words, “Thank you.”

He firmly held my left hand before he replied, “Anything for you.”