Vince: My Dangerous Mafia Brother

CHAPTER 3

07:23 PM

A smile wouldn't leave my lips as I sat inside Bro Vince's running car; we were both seated in the front seat, with him behind the wheel. He invited me to dinner outside instead of staying at the mansion. After so many years, I finally got to dine out with him again. And I'm so happy; I can't explain the joy I feel right now. I really missed him.

Bro wore a black long-sleeved polo shirt, folded up to his elbows with two buttons undone, paired with black pants and black leather shoes. And I opted for a simple royal blue dress paired with two-inch white stilettos.

As we arrived at a fancy restaurant, I still clung to one of Bro’s arms as we entered. A waitress immediately approached us and handed us the menu to choose our orders, but I let Bro do the ordering for us because he knew what I didn't like and what my favorite dishes were.

"I might melt under your gaze, sweetheart," Bro said as we ate, noticing my stare at him even though he wasn't looking at me.

I haven't taken my eyes off him since earlier.

"I just don't want to lose sight of you, Bro, because I know it'll be a long time again before I get to be with you; I'll have to wait another year," I replied, looking at him while we continued eating.

Bro paused in chewing and looked at me. And I gave him a sweet smile.

"I love you, my dear brother."

Bro smiled at what I said, and then he put down his utensils and took a tissue, gently wiping the corner of my lips. But after he wiped me, I didn't expect him to suddenly pinch my cheek playfully, not too hard but teasingly.

"I missed your cuteness, my sweetheart!"

I couldn't help but grimace, especially when he chuckled lightly after pinching my cheek.

"You're turning eighteen in a few days, but in my eyes, you still look like a one-year-old who's fun to tease."

I just grinned at his words. "You're really something, Bro. I'm already a young lady, you know. You might even realize one day that someone's courting me."

And his smile suddenly vanished. His face turned serious, as if he didn't like what he heard from me.

"Tell me if any guy dares to court you. You're still too young to entertain suitors."

I chuckled. "You're too serious, Bro. Of course, I won't entertain suitors yet. Because, as you said, I need to finish my studies first. And once I've graduated, I can be with you. So you're really my first priority; that's why I'm studying hard."

Finally, his beautiful smile returned.

"Good," he replied and resumed eating. I continued with my meal.

"How about you, Bro? Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I haven't thought about it," he shrugged.

"Haven't thought about it?" I furrowed my brow and looked at him again. "But you're getting older, Bro; you'll be thirty-one in a few months. You should already be married. I'm excited to have cute nieces and nephews."

And he sighed. "You're really something; just eat."

I just shrugged and focused on my food.

It's also puzzling with Bro, nearing thirty-one but still without a girlfriend. I couldn't help but wonder if he's into men. But whatever it is, I'll still support him as long as he's happy.

I paused from eating when I noticed two women at the adjacent table glancing over at us, or specifically at Bro, whispering to each other with apparent excitement. And they are both beautiful; I think they're not far from Bro’s age.

Their gazes suddenly shifted to me, and I smiled at them, a friendly gesture. One of the women smiled back at me and mouthed, 'Hi.'

She seems nice. I like her.

"Look, Bro, there's a pretty lady looking at you right now. Looks like she really likes you," I whispered playfully with a mischievous smile.

I suddenly got excited. Maybe this is the chance for my brother to have a girlfriend!

Bro Vince paused from eating and followed my gaze.

When he turned to look, the two women quickly averted their eyes from our table. But one of them tucked her hair behind her ear as if trying to look cute, pretending not to look.

"She's not my type."

My beautiful smile faded at Bro’s response. For a moment, my lips parted in disbelief. What?! She's still not his type? How come? She's really beautiful, looks like a model, even.

"You're too picky, Bro. So, what's your type of girl?" I asked, frowning while looking at him, who now returned his attention to his food. It seemed like the woman didn't matter to him at all, as if her beauty didn't affect him.

"I prefer someone like my sweetheart, diligent in her studies and incredibly cute, someone I never tire of looking at and teasing."

"Really. You might grow old alone, with no one to take care of you when you're old."

And because of what I said, he quickly glanced back at me, his eyebrow automatically raising.

"Why won't you take care of me?"

I pouted. "Of course, I will take care of you; you're my sibling. But it's still better if you have kids and a spouse."

But he just shrugged, not answering me further.

After we finished dinner, we left the restaurant immediately. It seemed like the two women wanted to approach us, but Bro pulled me out of the restaurant, ignoring the attention of the two women. I knew he noticed, but he still didn't care. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the woman; when I looked back at her, a sudden sadness appeared on her beautiful face.

Before going home, Bro and I stopped by a bakery shop, where he bought me my favorite strawberry cake.

"Bro, how many days will you be staying here?" I asked as we drove home.

"After your birthday, I'll leave immediately. You know how busy I am," he replied.

I sighed deeply at his answer. "You always leave me. It's starting to hurt," I whispered softly. I knew he heard me, but he didn't acknowledge it and just focused on driving.

It really hurts; he only visits me here in the Philippines on my birthday. When I ask him to take me with him to another country and study there, he refuses, saying I can focus better on my studies here in the Philippines than in another country. It's just really sad; I want us to be together. He's the only family I have, but he's always away. But nevertheless, I still understand him; hopefully, I'll be with him when I finish my studies as he promised. I never forget that.

When we arrived at the mansion, I went straight to my room, changed into my pajamas, grabbed my pillow and blanket, and then went to Bro’s room at the far end.

"Bro, I want to sleep next to you!" I exclaimed cheerfully as I opened the door.

Bro was standing by the window, seemingly on a call, but he quickly turned to me upon hearing my words.

"I'll call you later," he bid farewell to the caller and put down his phone, looking at me in disbelief. He briefly glanced at the blanket and pillow I was holding before returning his gaze to my face, chuckling softly.

"Sweetheart, you're too old to sleep next to your brother."

I frowned and playfully rolled my eyes at him before approaching his bed and climbing up.

"What's wrong with that? I may be a young lady now, but you're still my sibling. Besides, I missed sleeping next to you; it's been five years since the last time I slept beside you."

I heard him sigh, but he didn't respond to me.

I lay on his bed, covered myself with the blanket, and then looked at him again. He was still standing there, looking at me emotionlessly.

"Why are you so serious, Bro? Don't tell me you don't want me to sleep next to you?"

He seemed to snap out of his thoughts and quickly smirked, avoiding eye contact with me. But still, he didn't respond; instead, he turned his attention back to his phone and typed away on the keyboard.

I felt even more offended. Why was he reacting like that? It was clear he didn't want me to sleep beside him.

So I got up again, grabbed my pillow and blanket, and prepared to leave.

"Fine, I'll just go then. It looks like you don't want me here anyway!" I huffed, about to turn the doorknob.

But he stopped me, grabbing my arm.

"No, stay here. Bro prefers having you sleep beside him."

A wide grin spread across my lips, and I smiled brightly as I turned back to him.

"I love you, Bro! Goodnight!" I exclaimed cheerfully, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing back to his bed.

When I glanced back at him, he was smiling too, but I noticed a subtle tilt of his head as he smiled, and he looked back at his phone as it rang again.