TOXIC OBSESSION

CHAPTER 10: CHOOSE THE ONE

July 15th 2019

Lucas made his way towards Gavin's house, he was invited for the house warming party.

He went with a bouquet of flowers and a bag filled with drinks his sister's favorite, upon opening the door she couldn't help but feel pleased to see her elder brother.

"Lucas!" she screamed as she reached out to him for a hug, her brother was someone she didn't get to see too often due to the nature of her work and also because she was trying to take care of herself and her three months old baby with Gavin, Cherry.

"I missed you so much, why on earth did it take you this long to come visit?" she asked, since she moved in with Gavin she rarely saw him.

"We see each other when we get the chance, we even saw last week, why are you acting like it's been ages?" her brother pointed out while handling the flowers over to her.

"I don't mean seeing you at the cafe or outside, I mean you coming to my house; I still want to see you every day and I think Cherry misses her uncle too" she replied, after taking in the flowers "And thank you, they are beautiful" she said before looking outside like she was expecting more.

"Are you expecting someone else?" Lucas was forced to ask as he turned around too not sure what they were looking for.

"Yes; Gavin! you didn't tell him?” she yelled from the door.

“Tell him what?” Gavin asked rushing outside from the kitchen.

“Tell him about bringing Lian" she reminded as her attention was channelled to her husband who was trying to figure out where to keep the dishes she served out awhile ago, Gavin could tell that he was in big trouble because his wife anger was about to burst.

"I think I must have forgotten, we had a full house today and I couldn't remember" he said scratching the back of his head, hoping she would let it slide just this once.

"What? I made sure to remind you this morning before leaving" she said closing the door after Lucas had walked in.

"Don't mad at him, he's actually right, we were really busy today plus Lian didn't stay long either, he wasn't supposed to come to work today but he just came anyways; he thought we needed the help" Lucas tried explaining to his sister, he knew he had to save his best friend or he wouldn't hear the end of it at work.

"I'll try to understand your reason this once but next time I wouldn't be this understanding" she said pointing towards her husband.

"I'm sorry it wouldn't happen again" he said with a never-ending smile.

"Where is my little niece?" Lucas asked not seeing her anywhere close,

"She's sleeping in her new room, come I'll take you" she said happily.

Lucas followed his sister into the room that was painted in pink and purple, there was a bed in the middle where Cherry was.

"This is beautiful" he complimented looking at the details

"Gavin did it all by himself, he kept saying he wanted the baby to feel comfortable that her dad could do anything for her" she said feeling proud.

"Wow, she looks just like Gavin, her little nose" Lucas voiced out as he got closer to the sleeping beauty in front of him eyes.

"That's because he's her father, very annoying. I carried her for 9 months and only took after him" she giggled in response to Lucas.

He still couldn't have thought that his best friend and sister would have ended up dating, getting married and now starting a family, he was really impressed.

He could remember the day he found out that they were dating, he almost killed Gavin but then he wouldn't have had anyone more suitable for her, his sister was a nutcase and Gavin made her complete..

"I envy you and Gavin" Lucas voiced his opinion while they stared at Cherry who was unaware of their presence.

"And why is that, do you know how hard it is to deal with Gavin sometimes, plus your life is just as perfect as ours" she replied

"No it's not, you are finally making your own family" he pointed out

"I have always had my family with me; that's you and Gavin. You are my family and now Cherry just joined that little circle" she added.

"Mum and Dad will be very happy to have you as their daughter, you made their dreams come true, I only wish they were here to see it" he voiced feeling his eyes water.

"What are you talking about? Where is all this coming from. You are the best son and brother in the whole wide world unlike me I rarely go home, when I do she keeps nagging that I should leave her house, she loves me but with you it's a different situation, you're actually the apple of her eyes; she sees you more than she sees me" she explained with a smile.

Lucas was aware that his sister was stubborn and that could not be changed. He recalled a number of times he had to beg his mom so they allowed her into the house.

Those little memories brought smiles to his face " I can't believe you are now finally a mother" he spoke.

"I'm starting to feel you want a child, Lucas do you want a baby? you could adopt one you know" she informed, she actually thought of it, her brother was going to look really good as a father.

"What? No they wouldn't grants it"

"And who told you that? have you tried?" She asked

"Of course not"

"Then why are you saying they wouldn't grant it to you? you're working and you're living well, you are good at heart. of course you're going to get one" she explained trying to encourage the idea.

"I work all day, who's going to take care of the baby?" he asked finally airing out his concerns.

"Oh now I understand it, you want a partner first" she said turning towards his direction.

"That's not what I meant"

"What is it then, I certainly know you are someone who doesn't just confess their feelings of love to another" she spoke as they both got up walking away from the baby in order not to wake her up with their little discussion

"Can we not discuss about this today" he said not wanting to talk about his love life.

"Why Lucas? that's how you keep shying away from it and before you know it you're 50 and wondering where the time went"

"I'm not shying away from it. it's just...." He paused looking for the right word "I am scared, what if he doesn't like me back" he finally let it out.

"Who on earth wouldn't like you back? And what if he does like you back? It's not the end of the world, believe me"

"Why would he like me in the first place?"

"Lucas stop it, you are handsome, kind, thoughtful and those qualities are hard to find nowadays but if you don't make a move you wouldn't know for sure if he likes you or not. Just look at me and Gavin" she said as they walked back to the living room

"if I didn't ask him out, we wouldn't be together" she explained comparing her situations to his.

"That's not true, I would have asked you out either ways" Gavin defended himself

"You can't be serious, you were so scared the day I confessed to you. you kept on saying Lucas wouldn't be comfortable with us being together and you turned me down a couple of times but I continued asking" she reminded.

"I would have....." He spoke before thinking "well eventually asked you out" he added

"I am in no position to argue with you because I don't have the strength for it" she said as she pulled out the chicken from the oven.

"Let's eat" she announced

"I thought this was a party" Lucas asked a bit confused.

"Yes, it's a party of three, three most important people in my life and that's all the party I need" she answered which made Lucas laugh a bit before taking his seat, been with her was one of the most heartwarming things.

"I'm not done with you Lucas, if he's worth it then go for it, you can't keep hiding forever" she added before digging into her food.

**** **** ***

"Yes! You are finally going out on a date" Nick voiced almost screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Would you shut it, everyone can hear you" Lian said getting red, he was very excited, he wasn't just going on a date with just any guy but someone he like a lot.

"What do you mean, we need to celebrate this, go out and have a drink." He joke standing on his feet, Lian couldn't help but smile a bit, his best friend seemed more excited for his relationship more than he was.

"You make it a big deal it ju..." His words were cut short as his phone vibrated.

"Is that him?" Nick asked ready to scream into the phone like a little girl.

"No" Lian lied racing into his room and shutting the door, he knew Nick more than he knew himself.

"I'm going to wait right here till the call is finished." He yelled.