CHAPTER 5.

SUNNY

Victoria texts me: "Where are you, babe? I came over to your father's house and didn't find you there. Jessica said you left early for Mike's birthday."

I reply to her chat: "Yeah. I'm at Mike's home. Any problem?"

Victoria says: "No. The party hasn't started. Why did you go there early? I want us to spend some time together, since you haven't been around lately."

I roll my eyes reading her chat. Just then, I hear footsteps on the staircase, and I pause to see who it is.

My gaze lands on Maryann. I pause reading Victoria's chat and put my phone away into my trouser pocket.

---

MARYANN

I'm lying on my bed crying when I hear loud banging on my door, followed by my brother's loud voice.

"Maryann, what are you up to?" He pulls my door open and peeks his head into my room.

I quickly sit up and wipe my tears away.

"Are you crying?" Mike asks, stepping into my room before I can stop him.

"No, I am not. I am just about to have my bath. Mom and Dad said that I cannot join your party until they arrive," I manage to reply, keeping my head lowered as my brother towers above me.

"Maryann," Mike says, drawing closer to me. "I know Mom is protective of you. She doesn't want you to get spoiled, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun. You are eighteen already and an adult. I'm not going to stop you from joining my party. Just keep away from my friends, that's all."

"But what if they come closer to speak to me? Should I ignore them?" I ask when I see Mike rushing to the door to exit my room, like he's in a hurry to get things together before 6:00 p.m. arrives.

Mike pauses at my door, one hand holding the doorknob as he glances back at my face.

"Talking to a guy doesn't necessarily mean you should sleep with him or allow him to get into your pants. As much as I trust my friends, I cannot vouch for them when it comes to you. It's like keeping a delicious fish in front of a cat and asking the cat not to paw at it. It's impossible. So, I advise you to keep away from them. Sunny is downstairs and he's asking for you. You can say hello to him, since he's not as bad as the others might be. I want to shower. I will come join you for breakfast. The chef hasn't arrived yet."

Mike quickly pulls my door open and rushes out. My heart pounds at his words. *So I'm a delicious fish,* I think to myself, blushing as I swiftly dash into the bathroom to wash my face and rinse my mouth.

My face looks red from sobbing earlier, so I quickly turn on the tap and splash some water on my face.

Done, I brush my teeth like I intended to. I gasp, seeing my breasts are partly revealed in the short white nightdress I'm wearing.

The last time I saw Sunny here in my parents' home, I was fifteen years old. I've grown up since then. My breasts weren't as big as they are now, and I was thin back then.

Drawing a deep breath, I decide against having my bath, as I don't know how many of my brother's friends are arriving. It's best I rush to grab my breakfast now and only greet Sunny before the others arrive.

When I step out of my bathroom, I quickly pick up a white jacket and put it on. I button it to hide my breasts as I rush out of my room to grab my breakfast.

Mom and Dad only told me to stay locked up in my room. They didn't ask me to forgo what I eat. How can I starve until 6:00 p.m. when they arrive?

I wish I had gone to grab my breakfast before Sunny arrived, as my heart pounds against my rib cage seeing him sitting on the black couch. His gaze is fixed on his phone, his fingers clicking across the screen as his thin lips curl into a smile. I assume he's chatting with his girlfriend, and my heart squeezes in my chest just at the thought of who he's dating.

I used to have a crush on Sunny. Seeing that he's busy, I want to lower my head and dash to the kitchen. But just then, he raises his head and our gazes meet.

My heart races as my blue eyes lock with his green eyes. They're captivating and hold me hostage.

"Maryann," Sunny says as he rises to his feet to meet me.

My heart thunders when I hear him say my name. It's just my name, so why is my blood pumping so fast?

"Good... good morning, Sunny," I greet him, knowing he's my brother's best friend. I shouldn't think of him as anything else. I shouldn't crush on him. He's already a grown man and a professional football player. He has his own life, while I am stuck at home with my possessive mother.

"Nice to see you again. It's been long," Sunny says, watching me descend the stairs.

My skin prickles at his deep voice that sends butterflies running in my belly.

I try to steady myself and descend the stairs, but I lose my balance and miss my step, falling.

"Maryann!" Sunny gasps and quickly rushes to catch me.

I freeze.

My brother's best friend is holding me against his chest.

My chest presses against his firm one, and alarm bells ring in my head.

My mother's warning floods my brain as I recall she warned me to keep away from Sunny.

Sensing the awkward position between us, Sunny quickly steadies me on my feet as he shifts away from me.

"Are you alright?" he asks, standing a few feet away. He towers above me, and my face flushes red as heat crawls up to my head.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for catching me," I say, seeing Sunny move back to the couch.

"It's nothing," he replies with a smile, and I quickly turn away and make my way to the kitchen.

Honestly, I can feel Sunny's gaze all over my back, and I hate that I'm still in my short white nightdress. I didn't feel uncomfortable before, but now, I can still perceive his masculine scent of leather as it fills my nostrils.

I try to act normal as I slip into the kitchen to make breakfast for me and my brother.