My Sister's Boyfriend

Chapter 9: Background Check

I had just arrived home from school, and my mom was getting ready to leave town for a few weeks for a business trip. It meant that it would be just Chloe and me in our spacious house.

"Mum, can I have a sleepover at Rose's house tonight? We're planning a study session, and it would be easier if I stayed over," I asked as I lounged in the living room with my milk shake, while my mom wrapped up her lunch before her trip.

"Of course, honey. Just remember to behave and take care, okay?"

"Thanks, Mom," I replied, as she planted a kiss on my forehead, putting my hair on my face messing with me with a smile on her face as I giggled.

"Honey, you should learn how to drive quickly, It would be helpful, especially when I need to get to the airport."

"I'm trying my best," I said, taking the last sip of my drink.

"Goodbye, darling. We'll stay in touch. Be a good girl."

Returning my attention to my TV show, I received a text from Rose: "Change of plans. We're moving the study session to Jason's house. He has an interesting information for us."

I wasn't thrilled with the idea of going to Jason's place. He had a tendency to gossip and talk endlessly, until he bores us to sleep and we would end up not studying. I read the message but didn't reply.

"What do we have here?" I asked as I opened the refrigerator, searching for a quick snack to satisfy my craving.

"Hmm, some ice cream," I said, pulling it out to eat, even though it wasn't mine. I didn't care, It was Chloe's, and I hoped she wouldn't get mad at me for devouring her ice cream.

"Where could she be?" I mused as I went upstairs with the bowl of ice cream, a spoon in my mouth, and my phone in my other hand. I dialed Chloe's number, but she didn't pick up. It rang and went to voicemail.

"What should I do, what should I do?" I asked myself repeatedly eager to entertain myself. I sat down on my bed with my legs crossed, my mind wandered with flashbacks of yesterday, I remember Lucas, his face, his mouth as the word " I really really like you" exited his mouth. I remembered everything clearly. The confession, the kiss, the fun I had, Liam holding my hands and it immediately struck me.

"What was he eager to tell me?"

Curiosity overtook me as I contemplated to text him, I picked up my phone, to text Liam, but I stopped myself, fearing I might come across as desperate.

I dropped my phone fighting the urge to text Liam. I stood up and approached my wardrobe to get rid of my old childish clothes, prioritizing the ones Chloe and mum bought me in the last few months because I wanted to appear more sexy and attractive, I crave to be seen, to be asked out just like yesterday.

As I busily purged my wardrobe of outdated clothes, my phone chimed with a new notification. I jumped on to my bed stretched my hands to grab my phone, I looked at the screen and was Liam who texted.

L❤️>

"Is Chloe home?", I've been tryna reach her"

Without much thought, I replied, "Yes."

Instantly, I regretted my response, anxiety gnawing at me. I hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard to correct my mistake. Before I could click send another text arrived.

"I'm outside"

"I meant no, she's not home."

"I'm outside, I need to see you," he responded.

Nervousness crept in, but I managed to compose myself.

I dressed up to impress him, I also gathered my study materials to maintain the pretense that I wasn't dressing to impress him.

"If he says, 'You look so good,'" I reminded myself, "I'll reply with, 'Thanks, I was about to go out before you texted.'" I said to myself standing Infront of my mirror memorizing my excuses.

With a touch of makeup applied, my backpack secured, I left, descending the stairs with a spring in my step. I paused at my door, taking a deep breath, and rehearsed my explanation once more: "If he asks, you say you were already going for your study session before he texted."

Stepping outside, I scanned my surroundings but saw no one. I glanced at my phone, searching for a message indicating he has left but there was none.

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out:

"Ann, over here!"

I followed the direction of the voice and spotted Liam's car parked a distance from my house. He leaned casually against it, a smile on his face as he waved.

I walked toward him, and he greeted me with a friendly hug. "Hi."

"Hey, Ann," he replied, "You look good. Were you going somewhere?"

With a bit of hesitation, I responded, "Yeah, study session and sleepover, you know, teen things."

Liam nodded, understanding, "Yeah, school things."

I kept my gaze on the ground, unsure of what to say or do.

"Are you nervous?" Liam asked gently, reaching for my hands and holding them. "Don't be, okay? You're safe with me," he added before planting a kiss on my cheek.

I stood there, feeling like a shy, newly adopted puppy unsure of how to engage with its owner.

Liam broke the silence, suggesting, "Let's get inside the car; I need to tell you something."

He took my hands, opened the front passenger door for me, and waited until I had settled inside before closing it with a warm smile. I returned the smile as he made his way to the driver's seat and started the engine.

I couldn't help but wonder where we were heading, though I was too timid to ask. Liam looked at me with that warm smile.

"Do you want anything?" he inquired, "Like snacks or a drink, especially for your friends too."

With a shake of my head, I replied, "Oh, nothing really. I'm good."

His hand reached for my hand resting on my lap, and he caressed it. His touch was warm and gentle, making my bare leg tingle.

"I don't bite, Ann," he assured me.

Unsure of how to say, I finally spoke up. "Could you drop me off at Jason's house?".

"Who's Jason?" Liam inquired.

I fumbled with my response. "Uhh... my friend, you know, for the study session."

"A boy?"

"Yeah, but they'll be bunch of girls too" I said anxiously wondering why he's so interested in my whereabout.

"Okay, cool," Liam responded with a casual shrug, and his warm smile remained. "Jason's house we go," he declared, and we shared a brief sweet moment while locking eyes. His hand remained intertwined with mine.

Unsure about what Liam wanted to tell me, I refrained from asking. Instead, I believed that if it was truly important, he would reveal it at his own pace when he felt comfortable.

As we arrived at Jason's house, Liam dropped me off, and we exchanged warm goodbyes.

Look at her!! What's she smiling about?"

Rose's playful remark made me laugh, and she pointed at my smile with a grin on her own face.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked again.

"Who did you dress to impress?" Rose teased.

"Me, of course," Jason teased, joining us with a bowl of popcorn and a smile on his face.

"I thought we were going to study," I said, genuinely curious about the change in plans.

"Of course, we'll wait for Violet and Lily to arrive. But in the meantime, Jason has something to tell us," Rose explained.

I watched as Rose spoke, wondering if Jason had something genuinely important to share or if it was merely gossips.

Jason carried the popcorn and led us to his computer room.

With a mischievous giggle, he began, "So, Rose made me an offer in place you'll agree to be my girlfriend."

Rose playfully patted him on the head, "That wasn't what I said."

"Yes, it was."

"No, it wasn't. I said if you help me get information about Liam, then we'll have the sleepover at your place."

Jason and Rose engaged in a playful, brief skirmish, tossing things at each other.

Confused, I asked, "What do you mean, information about Liam?" I was genuinely curious.

Ignoring my question, Rose prompted Jason, "Show us what you've got."

"Okay, okay... here we go." Jason logged into the computer, explaining what he had uncovered.

"Liam Alexander Davis, 21 years old, son of Gabriello Alexander Hugh, the owner of the Alpha Hotel in Vegas. His parents are separated, with no official divorce filed. They had two daughters and one son."

I couldn't help but interject, "Who gave you all this information?"

"I did my investigations," Jason replied.

"Investigations?" I questioned. "Who gave you the right to-"

"Easy, Hannah," Rose interrupted, "I was just curious about how wealthy they are, so I asked Jason to look into their family, it's nothing personal"

"Well, I'm not in for all this nonsense," I declared.

"Nonsense?" Rose retorted. "Please, come off it. We all know you have a crush on your sister's boyfriend. He dropped you off, right after you kissed his cousin yesterday."

Rose's words shocked me. I can't believe she said that.

"How could you, how dare you make up nonsense accusations about me, Rose? How dare you?" Tears welled up in my eyes, and I considered leaving, but I had no one to take me home.

"Hannah, I'm sorry. I overreacted. Please forgive me," Rose pleaded.

A knock on the main door downstairs interrupts us.

"I will get the door" Jason leaves to downstairs.

"You shouldn't have, at least not Infront of Jason"

"I'm sorry"

I nodded, and we reconciled, hugging each other.

"It's Violet and Lily," Jason shouted from downstairs.

"We're coming," we both echoed, heading downstairs to begin our study session.