Pregnant By My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 7

MARYANN'S POV:

"Where are you rushing to, sis?" Mike asks, stopping me before I can rush past him on the stairs. He stands in front of me while his best friend stands aside, watching us.

I'm aware of Sunny's gaze on my face, but I don't spare him a glance.

"I invited my best friend too. Do you think you're the only one with best friends?" I respond, my lips curling into a smile as I meet Mike's gaze.

"No… but who did you invite? Is it a boy?" Mike's expression darkens at the thought of my boyfriend coming over.

When I glance at Sunny's face, he's frowning, not liking the thought of me having a boyfriend.

"It's not my boyfriend. I don't have a boyfriend. It's my best friend from high school, Ruth Clement. What if I had a boyfriend? Can't I bring him over? Besides, I'm 18 now," I say firmly.

Mike frowns before responding with a stern voice. "You can't bring your boyfriend here. You're still young, and I'm not saying you can't have a boyfriend—but not under my watch. Wait for Mom and Dad to be around before you invite him. I can't take the blame for that."

Mike taps my shoulder gently as he smiles at me.

I frown, knowing I wouldn't dare. My mother would arrest any boy who happens to be my boyfriend, and I can't begin to imagine what she'd do to him.

"You should go bring your best friend. Come on, Sunny." Mike steps past me on the balcony with his best friend.

I try not to look at Sunny's face as I rush downstairs to welcome my friend. Though I don't have a boyfriend yet, why can't I have a free life like my brother?

After Mike turned 18, he officially had a girlfriend, and our parents turned a blind eye to his activities—even online. They don't care. But they monitor everything about me. Can't a girl child have a free life?

I sigh and rush out of the house to tell Jasper to let Ruth in.

Jasper hesitates but goes to pull the huge black gate open. The sun is blazing hot as Ruth makes her way into my parents' house. She doesn't have a car.

"Hey, girlfriend!" Ruth exclaims as she rushes to me, and we hug. I haven't seen her in a while, though we often chat online.

Ruth is tall, fair-skinned, and slender. She's wearing a red top, blue bum shorts, and red canvas shoes. Her long blonde hair is tied in a bun, falling freely behind her back. She's holding her phone and carrying a black school bag on her shoulder. She brings out a wrapped gift and hands it to me.

"Maryann, I brought this for your brother. It's his birthday, and I thought of bringing a present. It's a canned drink, so I just wrapped it up," she says, chuckling, and I smile, accepting her generous gift.

"Thanks. I'm sure Mike will appreciate it. Come in." I lead Ruth to the magnificent white mansion.

"Wow! Your home is beautiful. You have a swimming pool, and the fountain and statue are gorgeous," Ruth glances around the yard, admiring the setting of my parents' home.

"Yeah. It's a nice home," I reply, smiling.

"Alright. I assume your brother is hosting a big party. Where are the arrangements?" She pauses at the front of the house to ask.

"The pool. What else? Mike loves to swim, unlike me."

"Aw. I didn't bring a swimsuit," Ruth says pitifully.

"I'm not joining the party until 6 p.m. So you can go get your swimwear if you're interested. Let's go in." I gently pull her along, and she sighs and follows me into the silent living room.

As we stride in, I notice Sunny and Mike standing at the stairs, watching us.

"Mike. What are you both doing there?" I ask, my cheeks heating up as I watch my brother descend the stairs to meet us.

"I came out to see if it's a girl or a boy you brought home. I can't be comfortable in my room while my little sister smuggles a boy into our parents' house," Mike says, taunting me as he approaches.

"Fine. This is Ruth, my high school friend. Ruth, this is my brother, Mike." I introduce them, seeing Mike waiting for it.

"Hi, Mike. I've heard about you from Maryann," Ruth says, laughing bashfully.

"I'm sure she doesn't speak badly of me," Mike says proudly, looking between Ruth and me.

"No. She speaks well of you. This is my gift for you." Ruth points at the gift in my hand, and Mike's gaze lands on it.

"That's very thoughtful. You're welcome," he says, reaching for the gift in my hand and taking it.

Mike doesn't open it. Instead, he turns and makes his way back to the top floor. I see Sunny standing there, peering at me intently.

When Mike reaches the second floor, he says to Sunny, "Let's go."

I watch my brother and Sunny walk away, and I sigh.

"Who's that hot guy, Maryann?" Ruth asks as we begin climbing the stairs to my room.

"Shush. Before he hears you. That's my brother's best friend," I reply, sighing in frustration. I don't like that Sunny is here.

"He's so hot. I was waiting for you to introduce me. I thought he was your brother too," Ruth says disappointedly, but I roll my eyes.

"Nope. He's not. Guess whose brother he is?" I ask softly as I reach the top of the stairs with Ruth.

"I don't know. Wait, I think I've seen him before. He's Jessica's brother!" Ruth gasps, and I place my palm over her mouth.

"Shush. The house is silent, and they might hear you. Come with me." I grasp Ruth's hand and lead her into my room. I sigh heavily and shut the door behind me.