Chapter 103: Chapter 103

Andrea had her head relaxed on her aunt's thighs as they watched TV when the realization suddenly hit her: "May,  why are you here so early in the morning?" She demanded, stroking her hair gingerly.

"Because I miss you very much and I only get to see you during the weekends." Andrea replied as she focused all her attention on the TV without making eye contact with her aunt.

"Good morning, Mom. Hi, sis." Jasmine greeted her as she descended the stairs. She thought for a second and said, "What are you doing here so early in the morning?" She eyed Andrea suspiciously.

With an eye roll, Andrea straightened up from her aunt's embrace. "If you guys don't want me here, I will take my kids and leave. Since now, I get questioned about visiting my aunt and sister."

"That's not what I meant. This is also your house; regardless of everything, we are still a family. It's just that this has never happened, and it came to us by surprise," Jasmine quickly countered.

"It's fine, Jasm."

Andrea didn't take their words to heart; instead, she was feeling extremely horrible deep down for accusing Sean of having dinner with Carmen, whereas it was all her fault that she forgot about their dinner date.

Her phone began ringing; she brought it out of her bag, and Jacob's name shone as the caller ID. "Hey, sis, I just wanted to check up on you. Did you get home safely?" Jacob's voice reverberated at the other end of the line.

Andrea was surprised by his unexpected choice of appellation: "Yes, I did. Thank you so much for last night and this morning too. It was quite amazing spending time with the family," she sincerely expressed her gratitude towards him after overcoming her shock.

"It's my responsibility as your big brother. You don't have to thank me. Although I want you to do me a favor, you should try to spend some time with Mom one of these days, okay? That will make her very happy."

"Mhm. Sure."

"Okay, bye. Take care," Jacob replied in satisfaction before hanging up.

...

" Really? Big brother?" Tyler, who was playing with his cellphone, couldn't help but burst into laughter as he glanced over at his friend.

"What is funny? Isn't she my little sister?" He rolled his eyes and set his phone back on his desk before continuing with his work.

"I mean, are you trying to convince yourself that you no longer have a thing for her? Not bad, my dear friend; although I find it unbelievable, some time back you almost kissed her in your car.

"Just shut your fucking mouth. If you came here to irritate me as usual, then you should fuck off. What type of doctor abandons his duty and sits his ass in his friend's office?

"A doctor who owns a hospital." He retorted and then added, "There's nothing to be ashamed of; I don't expect you to throw away your feelings for her immediately."

Listening to him, Jacob relaxed and finally let his guard down. "I mean, why the fuck does she have to be my sister? To sum it up, she's Sean Wilson's wife and mother to his kids. It's best I get rid of my feelings for her; that's the only way I can view her as my little sister."

Tyler suddenly snapped his fingers. ''Perhaps you should consider going on a blind date. I believe it's one of the most effective ways to overcome your forbidden feelings," he suggested thoughtfully.

"I'm not doing that shit. I will find some other way you don't have to worry about me," Jacob smiled reassuringly.

Before Tyler could reply, a knock was heard on the door. Without waiting for consent, the door burst open, revealing Dollface, who held a charming smile on her face. She was dressed in a casual, multi-colored floral dress, highlighting her flawless skin.

"Long time, no see! Jacob," she said, placing a little gift bag containing a tie on his desk. "Hello, Mr. Ryder; good to see you here again." Dollface beams a smile at Tyler, sitting on the couch.

"Are you kidding me right now, Lilly? How many times do I have to tell you to wait for my approval before barging into my office? Don't ever call me by my name; I'm your boss'" he reminded her sternly.

"I'm sorry, my bad," she said awkwardly, clearing her throat slightly. "I'm back from my vacation, and I thought I should get you a little gift, you know, to express my earnest gratitude towards you." She gestured in the direction of the small gift bag on his table.

"You are welcome, but you shouldn't have bothered. I don't think it's cool for an employee to gift her boss when it's not even his birthday."

"I already told you it's just an appreciation gift and nothing more. You can stop saying it is unnecessary. Her eyes softened, and her voice turned tender as she said, "Please just take it; I won't bother you anymore."

"Fine. You can leave now." Jacob managed to spare her a look before lowering his gaze back to his laptop.

Immediately, Doll Face left, Tyler moved his butt to the edge of his seat. "Is she in love with you?" He questioned, his voice merely above a whisper.

"Yeah, obviously. Anyone with eyes can see it," Jacob boastfully replied.

"Why don't you go out with her? Maybe take her out on a date or spend some time with her; it might help you move on."

"Hell, no way. Mom isn't in support of me dating ladies from the entertainment industry; besides, she's my employee. If words get out, what will the other employees think of me? That I made her my girlfriend so I could bag deals for her?" The more Jacob spoke, the more he quickly shook the thoughts away.

**

"Andrea, we need to talk," Sean said as he walked into the nursery and stood in front of his wife, who seemed engrossed in reading a novel.

Andrea set the book aside and met Sean's gaze steadily, her eyes conveying a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

"Why have you been ignoring me and my calls all day? Did I do something you don't like?" Sean asked, concern etched on his face.

Andrea sighed deeply and admitted, "Sean, it's not about you, and of course you didn't do anything."

She paused for a moment, gathering her courage, before confessing her guilt. "I am the one who is the problem. I'm sorry I doubted you and accused you of betraying me when it was clearly my fault. I was consumed by feelings of guilt and shame; that's why I've been trying to ignore you. Andrea lowered her gaze as the room fell silent.

Sean lifted her chin slightly; his eyes softened fondly as he winked at her, his lips curling into a small smile that sent her heart fluttering.

"How can I get mad at my baby? I understand your jealousy got the best of you, which led to your irational actions.

"I wasn't jealous." Andrea pouted as she smacked him on the arm playfully. "I just thought that you were having dinner with the woman I dislike, and I'm really sorry for failing to remember our dinner date."

"It's fine. We can always have another one." He held her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"Andrea, no matter what happens in the future, always remember that I love you and I can never get mad at you, so please don't dare ignore me again. I was crazily worried all day, and I couldn't think of anything other than you."

"If so, why didn't you come home to me?" Andrea narrowed her eyes skeptically as she demanded. Her heart beat picked up its pace as she awaited his reply patiently.

"I was scared that you might leave me or refuse to talk to me ever again. I can't watch you walk out of my life while taking my heart along."

Staring into his eyes, Andrea could see a mixture of fear and loneliness. It was as if she could see every one of his emotions laid bare, like pages in an open book.

"I understand now that you will never do anything to hurt me. I love you too, Sean." She leaned closer and kissed him on the lips.

She paused in her movement when her ringtone disturbed the sentimental moment. "Hold on a sec." She grabbed her phone and answered the call.

Andrea smiled sweetly. "Hey little brother, How have you been? I'm sorry, I haven't contacted you all this time".

"I just wanted to inform you that my dad passed away, and we are making funeral arrangements. Lisa says it's best we do it immediately."

As Andrea pondered over her memories of Lachlan, she remained silent for a moment. All the way from their first encounter to the last, her thoughts flooded her mind.

"Sis? Are you there?" Jace's puzzled voice interrupted her reverie.

"Yes," Andrea replied softly.

" The priest has arrived so I must go now" Jace said before hanging up.