Semua Bab My Best Friend's Brother: Bab 11 - Bab 20

CHAPTER TWELVE: The capsule sat on the dining table like a ticking bomb. Maya’s fingers tightened around the mug of tea in her hand as she watched Ethan drop the dusty container between them. His eyes met hers briefly, unreadable, before he looked away to answer Lily’s chattering. “Found it under the old oak tree, just like you said,” Nathaniel announced proudly as he flopped into the seat beside Ethan. “Wasn’t easy though. Had to fight off a tribe of ants and Ethan’s grumbling.” “I did not grumble,” Ethan muttered, brushing imaginary dirt off his jeans. Maya didn't smile. Not really. She was too focused on Ethan. There was a pause—a flicker in his gaze—as if he was keeping something buried just beneath the surface. Did he read it? She swallowed hard, shifting her attention to the capsule. Her letter was still inside. The one she had written to her future self… or maybe to him. The one that said too much. Far too much. She barely heard Lily rummaging through the cap

CHAPTER FOURTEEN; Ethan’s POV The gala had always been a distraction—glimmering chandeliers, murmurs of prestige, strings humming softly in the background. But tonight, all of it melted into a blur. All he saw was Maya. From the moment she walked in, the world paused. She was in a pale lavender dress that shimmered softly with each step, the neckline modest but the curve of her shoulders striking. Her hair was swept up with wisps falling by her cheekbones. She looked like she belonged in a dream—and Ethan hadn’t even realized he was holding his breath. He had known she was coming with Ryan, but he hadn’t expected this reaction in his chest. It wasn't just admiration. It was a slow, burning awareness that she wasn't his to admire at all. He watched as she moved through the crowd, a polite smile on her face, occasionally nodding to those who greeted her. His gaze lingered too long, until two girls approached him, laughing a little too brightly. "Ethan, right? We met at Mr

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Ethan leaned against the balcony, holding a small wooden frame while Nathaniel hammered nails into the wall. “Pass me the longer screw,” Nathaniel said, wiping sweat from his forehead. Ethan handed it over. “You could’ve just hired someone, you know.” “Why would I do that,” Nathaniel smirked, “when I have a perfectly good best friend with muscles and zero weekend plans?” Ethan rolled his eyes. “Wow. Using my heartbreak as manual labor.” Nathaniel laughed. “Heartbreak? Is that what this is now?” Ethan didn’t answer. “So… how’s Maya?” Nathaniel asked. Ethan paused slightly before answering. “She’s okay.” Nathaniel leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “You know… maybe if you had told her how you felt earlier, Ryan wouldn’t have gotten in the picture.” Ethan finally looked up. “I know.” “How much longer are you planning on hiding your feelings for her? ” Nathaniel said casually. Ethan sighed. " I kissed her" Nathaniel nearly dropped the hammer he w

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Daniella arrived late in the afternoon. She stepped out of the car looking like she had walked out of a fashion magazine. Her skin glowed, her long black hair flowed smoothly down her back, and her dress hugged her curves in a way that made people turn. Ethan had driven her, and Nathaniel was with them too. As Daniella walked into the house alone, Ethan and Nathaniel remained by the car. Ethan leaned on the hood, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the door she just disappeared through. You could’ve told me she was calling you," Ethan said. Nathaniel gave a tired sigh. "It wasn’t important. She wanted to talk to you. Said she was sorry. But honestly, I didn’t see the point, it wouldn't have changed anything," "You know… I always knew. From the beginning.” Nathaniel continued. "That the real reason you ended things with Daniella wasn’t only because you two weren’t ‘aligned,’ like you told everyone, or because of she cheated on you. It was because of her. Maya.” Ethan si

CHAPTER TWENTY She jumped at the knock. Her heart started racing. She knew that knock. It was Ethan. Without thinking too much, she grabbed her comb, did one last fix of her hair, then opened the door. Her eyes didn’t meet his. “I..I just needed some air,” she muttered quickly, brushing past him. Her voice was low, and she didn’t stop walking. Ethan blinked. “Maya—” he tried to say something. But she was already down the hallway. She didn’t want to hear his voice. Not now. Not when she felt like this. Not when she felt like a shadow. A shadow beside Daniella. Ethan probably didn’t even notice her leaving. Not when a goddess like Daniella was in the house. ---- When Maya arrived in the dining room, the table was already half full. Mr. Bennett sat at the head, looking sharp in his clean white shirt. Mrs. Bennett was to his right, smiling sweetly as always, and Daniella sat beside her like a doll on display—her red lips curled in a polite smile, her blond hair shini