Chapter 6

Because Freya had a long rest in Kenneth's office, she couldn't sleep just yet. After changing into comfortable sleepwear, she went out to the kitchen, and when she found wine, her eyes gleamed.

"Just the perfect remedy I need," Freya said.

Seeing a costly bottle, she remarked, "Of course, he has my favorite wine! The guy has great taste!"

She still wasn't comfortable walking around Kenneth's penthouse, so she took a bottle and indulged in her room.

Setting her laptop in the study area of the room, Freya checked her emails, all while drinking wine. Then, finally, she messaged her younger sister: [You might still be up. I'm hopeful. How are the kids? Have you heard? I got temporarily evicted.]

Charlie: [Freya! Sorry. I had a long day.]

[I just landed in Halliport. I brought the kids with me. Taylor's away on an endorsement deal, but I heard. I meant to call you, but I wasn't sure what time you'd land.]

[So, you are in Freedonia?]

Instead of answering, Freya called her sister. "Yes, I am in Freedonia."

She began telling Charlie what their father had done to force her into this foreign land.

"Seriously?" Charlie asked. "Haha! At first, he wanted us to date when we turned twenty-five, and now he is forcing you to find a man?"

"I know, right? There are still many single women out there at thirty-one! Hello!" Freya defended herself.

There was silence on the other line until Charlie said, "But… they're probably not a virgin—"

"Excuse me! I'm sure there are!" Freya objected. "I'm not giving my first to someone who isn't perfect!"

"My first has to be cinematic!" she added.

Inner Devil 2: 'Cinematic? With fog machine?'

"A romantic kind. You know, like Rose-and-Jack, but without the freezing water," Freya added.

Charlie laughed. She said, "Right. Got it. You are right. I'm sorry, Sis. I did marry my first."

Soon, they covered Freya's situation in Freedonia. Charlie fell silent again for a moment. "Wait. You are living with Brother Kenneth?"

"Yes, but I don't know. It feels awkward. I will probably look for another place to stay while I am here," Freya said.

"You know, I heard our parents casually wondering if you'd end up with Kenneth. I just thought they were bluffing, whatnot, but now, I think they totally ship you with Brother Kenneth!" Charlie declared.

"You think?" Freya asked, rolling her eyes. "Maybe. Or they're just desperate for us because we're both single and in our thirties. However, the contract for the share transfer doesn't stipulate that I have to end up with Kenneth. He's just holding the shares temporarily until I get married."

"Wow! It's like one of those K-dramas that require the heir to get married before inheriting the company!" Charlie described. "That's fun—"

"It's not fun at all!" Freya objected.

Inner Devil: 'Is that Charlie? Say hi to Charlie for us!'

Inner Devil 2: 'Kisses to Charlie!'

Freya ignored her inner thoughts. She fortified the barriers in her imaginary cage and continued talking to her sister. "It's crazy for our parents to even think of Kenneth that way."

"You are right. We look up to Brother Kenneth like a brother!" Charlie suggested.

When Freya hesitated, Charlie asked, "Don't you?"

"I guess? It's just that when we were kids, he was like this thin boy whom I often urged to eat more. I scolded him for not finishing his plate and for not mingling with other kids. God! I don't know where I got the confidence to say that to him back then, but now, as an adult, he is the more dominant one," Freya described. "And we rarely see him."

"So, to answer your question, I guess I never saw him as an older brother. He was more like a friend who was difficult to reach. It's not like Graham or Kylee or Gale," Freya explained, referring to Kenneth's siblings.

"I guess you are right, Freya. Since Kenneth lived in Freedonia, we don't interact with him that often," Charlie said. "But when we do need his help, he is there."

"Yes," Freya acknowledged.

"So, wait. You are planning to date others, in the hopes of meeting the perfect one?" Charlie questioned.

"The one that could make my heart flutter," Freya said. "And for now, let's just call it socializing. You know, for dignity's sake. In any case, I don't have a deadline. I just need to force myself if I really don't like them."

"You are right, Freya. And stop ghosting men after two dinners. That's not enough time to get to know them. I didn't fall in love with Taylor after just two encounters. I told you, remember? I used to hate him," Charlie reminded, referring to her husband, Taylor West.

Inner Devil: 'And while you're at it, enjoy! Have some abs and maybe a dick! Life is short! You don't want to die a virgin!'

Inner Devil 2: 'If you don't like them, just use them!'

Freya gasped, hearing her voice.

'You! How did you get out of your cage?!' she screamed in her head. Freya mentally blocked her thoughts, panting as she did so.

"Are you okay?" Charlie asked.

"Um. I'm fine," Freya said, biting her lip.

She would never tell her sister that she was having naughty thoughts. No way!

"Just—um." She faked a yawn, saying, "I think I'm sleepy already."

Charlie chuckled. "Then get some rest. You must be tired from a long flight."

"Oh, and since you are on leave, try not to work," Charlie suggested.

"You know that's difficult, but at least I have spare time to check the competition," Freya muttered.

"That's still working," Charlie scolded. "Don't worry about the company. Mom is going to take care of it. Before you, remember, she used to be ADLEY & Co.'s CEO."

"Okay. Okay," Freya muttered. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight. Love you, Sis," Charlie said.

"Love you too, and love the kids. Don't tell our brothers I love them," Freya said, making Charlie laugh. "Because I'm pretty sure, they are the ones who are mocking me right now."

Freya drank another glass of wine before lying down in bed. Before she closed her eyes, she whispered, "God, I hope this forced vacation is worth it, and I meet someone I actually like—really like."

"He better be perfect as hell," she added, yawning. "Super perfect."

***

At the far end of the hallway, Kenneth closed his laptop and leaned back, staring out the window.

He stepped onto the balcony, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of untouched wine.

The wind tousled his hair, but his expression didn't change.

He stared into the distance for a long while, then muttered under his breath, "Some things never change."

He walked back in, closed the balcony doors, and lay in bed, eyes wide open in the dark.

But he didn't sleep right away. His mind was drifting.

And whatever he was thinking, he kept it to himself.