The Brother Who Hates Me

Sheena was out to complete her admittance documents for school. She made sure that Chad accompanied her to prevent him from bothering Raven at the apartment.

"Let's grab lunch here." Sheena said while she pulled Chad's arm inside the restaurant just beside their school.

"Is Raven busy today? I thought she'll also go with you." Chad said while Sheena looked for the menu.

"Yes, she's quite busy today so it's better not to disturb her. What would you like to have? I will treat you." Sheena answered then looked at Chad.

"Hey, what's with your face? Are you that sad being with me?" Sheena waved her hand to Chad's face that looked absent minded.

Chad smiled noticing Sheena was glaring at him.

"It's not that. It's just…" He paused and somewhat hesitated to continue.

Sheena smiled wickedly getting the idea, "What? Don't tell me you are planning to confess your feelings to Raven?"

Chad reddened with the straight forward comment from Sheena.

"How did you know I like Raven?" He asked Sheena shyly.

"Duh you were so obvious. One glance with your actions and one can easily tell you like Raven." Sheena rolled her eyes while she answered.

"So Raven also knew?" Panic can be seen on Chad's face.

"Oh that one is exempted. Haha -- you should be grateful that Raven was slow into sensing people's emotions. Or maybe she doesn't bother at all because she had a higher priority than things like that for now." Sheena explained intentionally.

She cared for their friendship and she was sure that if Chad pursues Raven right now, it will make things between them uncomfortable remembering Raven's perspective the last time she opened something like this.

"Chad, I don't think it will be good to confess right now. Unless, you are willing to take the risk or toll on your friendship with Raven then go ahead. I'm not discouraging you at all but this was just my opinion."

Sheena continued, "Besides you are still young, we all are so maybe it would be better not to rush things. But it's still up to you to decide in the end."

Sheena added jokingly as she laughed and winked at Chad, "I'm just here in case you will need a drinking buddy afterwards."

Chad just smiled and remained quiet afterwards.

--

Raven texted Jordan that dinner will be ready at 7:00 PM.

She knew Jordan was not a picky eater so basically, she can cook anything at all for him and he will eat that. The problem was she should at least make it tasty enough for him.

She doesn't know why she lacks that right balance when it comes to spices.

It was past 5:00 PM already when Raven tried to cook pan-seared pork chops with roasted fennel and tomatoes, week night lemon chicken and chicken, broccoli and brown rice casserole.

Sheena and Chad arrived at 6:00 PM and Raven was still busy cooking.

"Do you need help," Chad asked seeing how Raven was still in the kitchen.

"No I am fine, it will be done soon. Are you hungry already? Here try this one with Sheena." Raven answered as she handed a plate of two-cheese veggie nachos.

Then Jordan arrived with his business suit, greeting her and the two at the living room then he walked straight in his room to change first.

"I'll be done soon. You sit with Sheena and Chad first. I made some nachos while you wait." Raven smiled and said when she noticed Jordan sat at the chair facing her and watching her movements.

She felt uneasy with him staring at what she was doing.

Jordan got up and moved near her, "Do you need help?"

Raven just shook her head, "I'm almost done. Oh yeah Sheena told me what happened last night. Sorry about it."

"You really don't remember anything?" Jordan's eyebrow creased as he looked intently at Raven.

Raven's cheeks unconsciously turned red as she nodded and bowed her head.

"I told you not to drink anymore. You can't handle the alcohol right. You almost beat me up." Jordan said teasingly.

"Why is Raven blushing? What are they talking about?" Chad murmured while observing the two in the kitchen. Sheena saw that too but shrugged her shoulders and get up.

"Hmmm, that smells nice. Are you done? Let me help you set the table." Sheena interrupted as she moved to prepare the plates and the table.

The food looked really good so Sheena thought it taste as good as the presentation.

Well to be fair with Raven's effort it's no longer that bad but still it's not that good either.

On the contrary, the two boys were competing to finish it all up.

Sheena don't know if she will burst out into laughter seeing how the two even had a fighting gaze over the last meat in the serving bowl.

Raven at the same time can't also believe how well the two ate her recipes. Her heart was racing with joy. She sliced some fruits and gave them sodas.

After dinner, Raven's mobile phone rang and it was a video call from his father.

"How was your day my big Raven?" Senior Choi happily asked but frowned when he saw Jordan walking at Raven's back to get water.

"Is that Jordan?" Senior Choi asked.

"Yes. Don't you know about his business meetings here?" Raven asked and almost jumped off from her seat when Jordan's face suddenly popped on her phone's screen.

He was leaning his chin on her left side shoulder.

His cheek was almost touching her cheek as he spoke, "Hey dad, did you forget? You told me to stay here at Raven's apartment instead during my business meetings here."

Jordan did not even blink at his father while he uttered the words.

While Jordan and Senior Choi talked, Raven's heart was palpitating so fast right now. She quickly got up and gave her phone to Jordan instead so the two can talk.

She went near the sink where Chad and Sheena were washing the dishes to get a glass of water.

'What is wrong with me?' She asked herself but shook her head instead and brushed off the irregular feeling away.