Chapter 3: Chapter three: Unspoken Tensions
Laroi's POV
It was mid-December, and the cold had wrapped its icy fingers around the mansion. I lay in bed, vowing not to face the biting chill outside my warm cocoon, my fluffy and cozy duvet. Winter's grip was relentless, and my defiance against its intrusion continued from beneath the covers.
In an attempt to conjure warmth, my thoughts drifted towards the new young maid, Nana – or at least, I believed that was her name. She looked my age though. She was still a mystery, a face without a story, yet there was a certain allure in her appearance. As I battled the cold, her image became a welcomed distraction, a flicker of warmth in the midst of winter's frosty assault.
After acknowledging defeat against the relentless weather, I decided to seek solace in extra socks from the closet. That's when the bedroom door creaked open. No surprises there; it was simply my big brother, Lee, making his entrance.
We exchanged a silent nod, the unspoken understanding that came with being brothers. The night was cold, secrets lingered in the air, and there stood Lee, framed in the doorway. Our eyes met, and for that brief moment, the chill outside seemed a bit less daunting.
After Lee's entrance into the room, I couldn't help but question his unexpected visit. "What do you want?" I inquired, curiosity lacing my words.
Lee's response cut through the cold air, a matter-of-fact statement about the unforgiving temperature outside. "It's 16 degrees below 0, and the Laroi I know would be having a cold. I can get someone to make us some hot cocoa," he suggested, a hint of concern beneath his stoic exterior.
"I'm not a baby anymore, okay? I'm a man," I boasted, asserting my independence. "A nineteen-year-old man," we both chuckled, sharing a moment of camaraderie.
In that laughter, I remembered how Lee was always tough and cold faced towards other people but the warmth that he showed me made the chill of the December night at least bearable. He cared for me as his little brother, and beneath the icy façade, I hated to admit it, but I was happy, but there was a flicker of warmth and care. It was a sentiment that, despite his stoicism, spoke volumes about the connection that bound us as brothers.
Seated in the opulent confines of the luxuriously furnished parlor in the main wing of the mansion, Lee and I found ourselves engaged in a moment of respite. I was engrossed in scrolling through the screen of my phone, a subtle smirk playing on my lips.
Observing my apparent amusement, Lee turned towards me, his characteristic stoicism intact. "What's got you so happy?" he inquired, a measured curiosity in his tone. The ambient light from the intricately designed chandelier cast a gentle glow, illuminating the elegance that surrounded us in that small yet lavishly adorned space.
Startled by Lee's sudden inquiry, I looked up from my phone, the smirk still lingering on my face. "Oh, just some new girl I found online. She's really cute, man," I replied, my tone carrying a hint of playful enthusiasm.
"Of course, every girl you flirt with is cute.", Lee raised an eyebrow, a subtle shift in his usually composed demeanor. "Anyone I know?" he asked, interest piqued.
"Nah, just someone," I shrugged, deliberately keeping the details vague. "Why? You planning to play matchmaker, big brother?" I added with a teasing grin.
Lee chuckled, a rare display of amusement. "Just curious. You seem unusually happy about it," he remarked, a quiet acknowledgment of the subtle changes in my mood. "But what can I say, you're every lady's Romeo.", he added.
"Are you still mad about what happened with Venetia in Shanghai. Hey, she didn't deserve you, okay bruh.", I tried. Ever since Lee broke up with his first girlfriend two years ago, he hadn't been able to get over it and despises relationships. He only focused on the family business, Bahati Dynamics Corp. My parents were quite delighted with him and are very proud of him as their first born and my big bro.
"You really need to consider breaking up with Venetia, Lee," I suggested, changing from my 'there is more fish in the water' statement to that, words carrying a mix of concern and a desire for my brother's happiness.
Lee's frown deepened, and for a moment, a shadow of vulnerability crossed his stoic features he went quiet for a while. "Let's not dwell on that now."
As the conversation continued, Lee disclosed a desire that hinted at a longing for solitude. "I'm thinking about moving to my private house in another city," he revealed, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"Sure.", I replied, I always knew how Lee went about his decisions and never changed his mind. But it hurt me how he always didn't want to celebrate the holidays with us, his family. I didn't show him though.
"And I know what you're thinking. I'll...uh..be back for Christmas when mom and dad return from Prague.", Lee remarked.
"Hey, don't hold your breath. I understand that you need your own space.", LITERALLY, I said. So I went back to looking through Nana's Facebook and boy was she allure. I wanted to talk to her but didn't want it to seem complicated especially since she was a maid, So I had to play it cool, Lee style.
I went to my favorite hiding spot, the rooftop, unexpectedly finding Nana there added a touch of chaos to the night draped over the place. The cool breeze played with her hair as she gazed at the stars, seeking solace in their silent dance, she held her fur coat as the snow lightly fell, gosh even in moonlight, she was still beautiful but she didn't notice me there, the distant city hum provided a sounding close by.
When I questioned her presence, I didn't hold back. My voice cut through the night air, cold and commanding. That was my move right, Lee style. Startled, she turned to face me, and in that moment, she bowed her head immediately. Despite the dim moonlight, there was an undeniable beauty about her, I noticed that since.
"I...I just needed some fresh air," she stammered, her eyes searching for understanding.
"Fresh air," I echoed, skepticism lacing my tone. "This is not a place for the likes of you."
I could sense the weight of my disapproval, "sorry babe.", I thought, and she bit her lip. "I didn't mean to intrude. I'll leave."
But something made me relent. With an almost imperceptible nod, "Stay, but don't make it a habit.", The rooftop, usually my haven, now accommodated me and this delicate looking girl, my maid seeking solace and me, her master, reluctantly granting a moment of respite.
As I resumed contemplating the night sky, my thoughts lingered on Nana. I wanted to talk to her so badly. Yet, I had to play it cool, professionally.
I sat on my bed in my blue bathroom robe, the cold I had was killing me. My face bones ached and my nose was blocked. I looked at the table next to my bed, I became terrified and shocked, the gem on my bracelet kept glowing red, that wasn't happening. I grabbed it immediately and ran to Lee's room where he was seated with his pendant on his neck glowing, "Is yours acting up too?", he asked me with a knowing tone. I was horrified what was happening.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone