Lahat ng Kabanata ng IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

ANDREA The photoshoot started off really well. I’d already changed into three different outfits, a light yellow sundress that flowed beautifully when the wind caught it, a crisp linen jumpsuit that gave off an elegant vibe, and a floral skirt with a sun hat that made me feel like I’d just stepped out of a summer postcard. The photographer kept calling out, “Perfect! Hold that pose! That’s it, Andrea, just like that!” and I couldn’t help but laugh in between shots. Christian stood a few feet away, watching with that calm, reassuring smile of his. “You’re doing great,” he said once, and I felt my nerves melt a little. By the time we finished the third outfit, I was actually enjoying myself. Everyone on the team was kind and encouraging, and it felt nice to just do something light for once...something that didn’t carry the weight of everything that had happened before. Then one of the assistants came over, holding a small pile of fabric in her hands. “Andrea,” she said bright

ALEXANDER The next day, I sat in my office, staring out the window as the city buzzed below. My coffee had gone cold, but I barely noticed. My father’s elder brother had always been a thorn in our family’s side. When my grandfather was still alive, there had been constant tension over who would take over Cromwell Corporation. My uncle believed that as the eldest son, it should’ve been his automatically. But my grandfather didn’t care about age...he cared about capability. He gave the company to my father because he was the only one who truly understood how to run it. He built it even stronger, expanded it, and made Cromwell what it is today. That decision humiliated my uncle. He never got over it. He’s been trying to undermine my father for years, spreading rumors, stirring trouble, doing whatever he could to drag our name down. And now, his son...my cousin...has picked up right where he left off. When I took over some of the company’s operations four years ago, my cousin

ANDREA The air between us grew heavy after that. I didn’t know what to say, and Lucas didn’t seem in a hurry to fill the silence either. He sipped his coffee, watching me with that unreadable look, while I stirred mine just to have something to do with my hands. “So,” I finally said, forcing a small smile, “how’s work at the Korean branch?” He shrugged. “Busy. But not as interesting as being here. You know how it is. Everyone wants a piece of Cromwell Industries.” I nodded quietly, not knowing what else to add. Every topic we touched seemed to circle back to something uncomfortable. He tried to make small talk after that, asking about my designs, the photoshoot, and how I’d been. I answered politely, but the whole conversation felt stiff, like we were both pretending it was normal to sit here after what he had just said. When the bill came, I was relieved. He insisted on paying, and I didn’t argue. As we stood to leave, he smiled again, softer this time. “It was nice seein

ALEXANDER I didn't have to knock, I already knew the password for the front door. "Andrea?" I called, but there was no reply. The apartment was quiet, too quiet. Only a faint light from the hallway broke the darkness. My head felt heavy from all the scotch as I walked inside, my shoes making soft sounds against the floor. The living room was empty. Everything was neat and in place, which made it feel even lonelier. “Andrea,” I said once more, but silence answered me. I sighed and went up the stairs, holding the railing to steady myself. My vision was a little blurry, but I kept moving. When I reached her door, I saw it was slightly open. I pushed it gently and stepped inside. Her scent still filled the air. The bed was unmade, and her shoes were beside it. She had been here not too long ago. I looked around slowly, my chest tightening. The alcohol made my thoughts messy, I really needed to see her. "Alex?" I heard her soft voice behind me as she walked out of a door,

ANDREA The next morning, I got dressed and left early to meet Andrew. I had the necklace carefully tucked into my bag, still unsure of how to tell him about it. The sky was bright, the city already busy, and I tried to focus on the drive instead of the uneasy feeling sitting in my stomach. Halfway there, my phone started ringing. I glanced at the screen and froze. It was my stepmother. For a moment, I considered ignoring it, but I knew that would only make things worse. Taking a deep breath, I answered. “Hello?” "Hello, Andrea. How are you doing?" She asked calmly, her voice soft and kind. "I'm fine. how have you been, mom?" I asked, steading my voice. "I'm fine..." There was a long pause, like she was contemplating saying something. “Andrea,” her voice came through suddenly, calm but cold. “Did you take something from my room?” My fingers tightened on the steering wheel. I had been expecting this, but not this soon. “No,” I said quickly, trying to sound normal. “I didn’t take