Chapter 6

{Maryann's POV}

I'm standing in the kitchen, turning a plate of hot custard after finishing frying eggs for breakfast.

I prepare Mike's breakfast too, my mind racing and wondering if his best friend will join us.

Just as I turn off the gas cooker, the kitchen door swings open gently. Mike enters, walking up to me with a bright smile on his face. He's wearing a yellow top that hugs his chest, paired with black jeans and slippers, since he's already had his bath.

"Wow, sis. I don't think I should have hired a chef since your food is aromatic and smells delicious," Mike grins, strolling up to the cooker to meet me.

I smile at his words, shifting his plate of custard and milk to his view as I pass him a plate of fried eggs too.

"It's just simple frying of eggs. What's so hard in it?" I ask him, blushing as I meet his gaze while he towers above me.

"Hmm. It's not easy to fry eggs as delicious as yours. The last time I tried frying eggs, they got burnt, and I ended up throwing them away," Mike says, his face darkening with rage at the recollection of his inability to cook.

"You don't like cooking. Besides, cooking is for girls," I reply, grinning at his inability.

"It's fine. Men don't have to worry about cooking. Your wife will take care of that," I add, as I finish pouring fresh liquid milk into the custard and peer at his face.

"You're right. So, that reminds me. Sunny told me that he skipped breakfast with Jessica at his house, because he doesn't want her to follow him here. So, you have to make his own portion," Mike says apologetically.

"Oh!" I pout, not wanting to cook for anyone.

"I cannot cook for your friend," I complain, even when my heart swells with joy at the prospect of cooking for Sunny.

Will he like my cooking? What if he rates me badly?

I don't want to hear Sunny bad mouthing my cooking. But remembering that I caught him smiling and chatting with someone, I frown and don't want to waste my energy on him. He has a girlfriend.

"Please…" Mike begs, and I roll my eyes.

"Fine. I hope Sunny is the only one I get to make breakfast for. If another of your friends is coming here to eat breakfast, then you will be the one to cook for them," I mutter, glaring at my brother's face.

He grins and carries the two plates of custard that I prepared for myself and him.

"None of them will be here until 6pm. Sunny and I have some work to do on my laptop. That's why I called him over. One more thing, my two girlfriends will be here at noon. So get prepared to welcome them. I will take this meal for Sunny and I," Mike says. His hands quickly carry the two plates away as he steps away from the island.

"Hey, that's my own food," I call after him, but he's already rushed out of the kitchen door.

"Make another breakfast. Please," Mike begs, bobbing his head in before shutting the door, leaving me alone.

"Fine," I grumble and reach for the frying pan to make another plate of eggs, before preparing another hot custard for myself.

After I finish cooking my breakfast, I want to step out to the dining room, but I think Mike and his friend are there, and I don't want to hear any teasing.

I don't think my heart can stand it if Sunny doesn't like the food. It's just custard? It's not like it's a heavy meal.

I move to the kitchen dining table to have my breakfast alone. My mind replays the moment I crashed into Sunny at the stairs. Did he tell Mike about it? There's no way I will join Mike and his friends at the dining room table.

They're discussing soccer, as I hear Mike complaining about the referee who cheated during a last match. Their argument gets so serious that you'd think they're quarrelling.

Shaking my head, I quickly finish my breakfast and clean up the kitchen.

When I step out, Mike and Sunny are still eating the bread and eggs, as they're done with their custards.

Sunny's gaze locks with mine and my cheeks flush, but I try to stay calm and act like I'm not affected by him.

"Maryann, where's your own breakfast?" Mike calls out to me when he sees me striding away to the stairs.

I'm consciously aware of Sunny's gaze on me and don't want to turn and meet his eyes. But when I hear Mike's question, I know I can't avoid him.

"I am done. I will be in my room."

"Are you sure?" Mike asks, standing up to meet me.

I take a step back as I reply, "Yeah. I ate in the kitchen."

"Are you avoiding Sunny? He won't do anything to you. You should see him as your brother and not allow what Mom says to affect your reasoning, alright?" Mike says with a smile, and I can't believe he's bringing that up.

"Sure," I reply, casting a glance at Sunny as I see him frown.

Why is he frowning? Does he think my brother is wrong?

Anyway, I don't ask him as I quickly climb the stairs and rush back to my room.

Once I enter my room, I hear my phone ringing on the shelf.

When I rush to pick it up, I see it's Ruth Clement on the line.

Taking a seat on my bed, I quickly answer her.

"Hello, Ruth. What's up?"

"I'm at your house. Since you invited me on time, I'm bored and I don't have anything doing. Can you come over and ask the security man to let me in? He says it's your mom's order and no one is allowed into the house until six in the evening."

I roll my eyes at her words, unable to believe that my mother already banned females too from coming to our home.

"Fine. I will be there. Just give me a moment," I reply, because I wasn't expecting her to show up early at my home.

The thought of meeting Sunny again in the living room makes me uncomfortable.

"Fine. I'm waiting," Ruth says patiently. I quickly rush to the door to exit the room.

However, I meet Sunny and Mike ascending the stairs to the top floor.