Claimed By My Brother's Best Friend Mga Nobela at Kwento

he replies with a hint of playfulness, before walking into his office. I can’t really tell if he’s joking, since I’ve never seen him laugh not even once. But the smile on Lai’s face makes me breathe a sigh of relief. If there’s anyone who understands Clark, it’d be Lai, after all they have been friends for so many years. I don’t think Clark has another friend beside my brother. “I guess that’s my signal to go” I say, grabbing my bag from the sofa. “I’ll see you at home” I say, dashing out of the room and into the hallway.

“Save the damsel in distress who doesn’t know what she’s doing. He’s using me. Really?” She pouted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way and you know it,” she said. Walking back, she locked the door and came to sit on the bed beside me. “My brother is an awesome guy and the best brother I could ever ask for, but I can’t vouch for him with other girls,” she said, like she was letting me in on a secret. “He’s good in every way, but he has a problem with women. A very serious one.”

I whispered back. “Shall we proceed now?” I answered with a nod. Then we move forward. I hold his arm so tight. He is the only person I can lean on all this time. I don’t have friends. I don’t need people whom I know someday will just leave me or worst betray me. It is rare and difficult to have real and trustworthy friends especially if you’re not related. Right? Some people say there are siblings who used to argue. Yes, I guess that’s true and unavoidable. We sometimes fight too and tease each other, but it is not like the argument that he’s going to hate me for real. He’s the only brother and best friend of mine.

Now I'm standing here like an idiot, waiting for Marcus to show up, because apparently I'm incapable of planning ahead. Why didn't I just drive myself? Right. Because Nina said she'd buy me coffee if I rode with her. And I am weak for free caffeine. So here I am. Waiting. And Marcus is probably balls deep in some blonde right now. I don't mean that as an insult. I mean it as a fact. My brother is a man whore. Always has been. Always will be. He dates women the way other people change socks, frequently and without much thought. Another reason Nina can't stand him. She calls him "emotionally constipated." I call him predictable.

“Sorry about Ava, I admit, I was jealous of her. She suddenly announced on national TV that my best friend was hers and I was so jealous and hurt, I didn’t realize that I was hurting you in the process. Astrid you and I have been friends for way too long and I love you so much as if you were my sister. Nobody has ever threatened our friendship until Ava.” I sigh, my anger dissipating. “Lily, I love you so much and you will always, always be my best friend. If you were a man I would have probably married you a long time ago.” She giggles and holds my hand. “Ava is nothing but my client and maybe, a friend but not my best friend. You will always be my best friend and I love, love, love you my

His eyes were fixed on the stranger. The stranger's lips curved into a smile. “Hello brother.” The air seemed to freeze. I stared between them, my mind scrambling. “Brother?” I asked Michael, my voice barely more than a whisper. Micheal only has one brother. Liam. Could it be… I gasped “The same Liam? Your half-brother?” Liam’s smirk deepened, his gaze locked on me. “The one and only, princess.” What the fuck is going on?

This guy had been my one true brother all throughout school. “I've missed you.” I said. “Blech, you cheesy motherfucker,” he said and I punched him in the stomach and we both burst into laughter. “I've missed you too. I want you to know that I've decided to not come between you and Steph. And I want to stay in touch with you mate. So I truly hope, you won't break my little sister's heart because that would mean I'd have to kill you.” He said and I smirked.

My brother’s name vibrates in my skull like a ghost: Damian. Vincent’s hand is in this. I can feel it. If Damian isn’t already dead, then he’s bleeding out somewhere, lost in someone else’s game. The phone vibrates in my palm, breaking the stillness. Diego. His name flashes across the screen like a dare. I answer. “We’re pledging our loyalty to you,” he says, his voice low, pleased, almost reverent. It snakes through the receiver and coils in my chest like smoke. A slow smile edges across my lips. My eyes narrow, catching my own reflection in the window dark suit, darker stare. “So it’s true then,” I say quietly. “My brother is gone.”

The father of my brother’s friend. And he was smug about it.

“You’re so dramatic. Alicia, say hi. This is Alex.” I leaned into frame and waved awkwardly. “Hi. The infamous Alex.” “Infamous?” He laughed, his dark eyes crinkling. “I’ll take it. Mirabel talks about you all the time. The bookish best friend who kept her from failing econ.” “That was all her,” I said. “I just provided snacks and threats.” “See?” Mirabel nudged me. “She’s humble too. Alex, tell her about your dad’s investment thing.”