Chapter 14 - The Watchful Brothers
814 Words
“I know who the anonymous is!” Lara said with excitement.
“Who?” Kate asked, wide-eyed.
“Henry.”
“Richard’s classmate?”
“Yeah. He’s not that bad, is he?”
Kate smiled, surprised but curious. “No... Let’s go meet him.”
“You serious?”
“Yeah!”
As they were heading to his class, Alex saw them and followed quietly, staying a few steps behind.
“He’s not in the class,” Lara said, peeking inside.
Just then, Richard appeared walking toward them.
“Hey Kate, what are you doing here?” He asked.
“Hey Richard,” Lara greeted, her voice suddenly soft with a blush all over her face.
“I’m looking for you,” Kate said quickly.
“For me? Why?”
“It’s Lara. She wants to see you,” Kate replied, turning to Lara and winking playfully before walking away with a smirk.
Lara glared at Kate’s retreating back, then faced Richard.
“Are you really looking for me?” Richard asked, amused.
“Yeah,” Lara nodded taking the chance. “Let’s talk after school?”
“Okay.”
---
“Hey Richard,” Lara said as she approached.
“What’s up?” Richard responded warmly.
“Did I keep you waiting?” she asked.
“Nope.” Richard replied calmly.
“Let’s go to the coffee center.”
They walked side by side to the small center near school and found a seat.
“So, what do you want to see me for?” Richard asked, taking a sip of his drink.
“I heard about your mom’s appearance… Are you going with her?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Okay. How’s Mrs. Williams?”
“She’s fine,” Richard said, then paused thoughtfully. “Erm… actually, she’s been looking so worried lately. Whenever my name comes up, she looks… troubled. And she’s been working late a lot, I don't know why.”
“That’s normal, Richard. She’s a good mother. She must be worried about losing you to your biological mom.”
Richard looked down, nodding. “So what can I do to make her happy?”
“Help her out. Be funny around her, make her laugh. And maybe… buy her something thoughtful.”
“Thanks,” he said with a smile. “Oh, and do you know about the gift Kate received?”
Lara blinked. “How did you know?”
“Don’t worry about that,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “But do you know who the anonymous sender is?”
“Ermm…”
“You do know?” he leaned closer. “Who is he?”
“Promise you won’t tell Kate I told you?”
“I promise.”
“It’s Henry. Your classmate.”
“Henry?” Richard frowned slightly.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for the info. I have to go now,” he said, already pulling out his phone to call Alex.
---
“Hey, I know who the anonymous is,” Richard said.
“Who is it?” Alex asked on the other end.
“Henry.”
“That must be the doctor boy,” Alex muttered.
“Yeah. Should we talk to him now?”
“Yeah. Where is he?”
“Probably on his way home by now.”
“The highway, right?”
“Yep. Meet you there.”
---
“Henry!” Richard called.
“Hey Richs, what’s up?”
“I’m good. What’s your relationship with my sister?”
“Kate? Nothing yet,” Henry answered casually.
Alex had arrived by then, arms crossed.
“What do you want from her?” Alex asked, voice firm.
“I like her, that’s all. If she’d give me a chance, I’d be grateful.”
A tense silence hung in the air. The brothers exchanged a quick glance.
“Listen,” Richard said calmly, “we just want what’s best for her. No games.”
“Exactly,” Alex added. “Kate’s not just any girl to us. She’s family.”
“I understand,” Henry said seriously.
“Good,” Richard replied. “We’re watching.”
---
At home…
Richard and Alex arrived together, finding Mrs. Williams still at the restaurant.
“Good evening, Mom,” they chorused.
“Hey, my sons,” she smiled warmly, pulling them into a hug.
“You should be home by now,” Richard said, concerned.
“Today’s been a busy day,” she replied with a tired smile.
“Mom, you’ve been working really late these days,” Alex added.
“It’s not me—it’s the busy days,” she joked.
They all laughed together.
“Okay, let me help,” Richard offered.
“Me too,” Alex added. “Where’s Kate?”
“She went to buy something for me.”
“Ohh… okay,” Alex said.
- Writer
