My Adopted Brother and I

Khaelus and Khaelles

"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is growing up."

– James Baldwin

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Khaelus Cross lounged on the couch, engrossed in a novel with an unconventional plot, while the lively tune of Jason Derulo's "It Girl" blared from his phone. Although he found himself drawn to such stories, he couldn't shake off the feeling of connection, despite not harboring any inappropriate desires toward family members.

Occasionally, he'd belt out the lyrics while seamlessly continuing to absorb the book's narrative. It seemed like a peculiar talent, but one he had grown accustomed to through repetition.

"Hey, I'm home," a voice broke his concentration, accompanied by a tap on his shoulder.

"Back from work, huh?" Khaelus inquired, turning to face his adopted brother.

"Yeah, just finished," came the response, prompting a chuckle from Khaelus.

His brother, the embodiment of self-reliance and hard work, stood in stark contrast to his own laid-back demeanor. Despite their differences, they shared a bond forged through shared experiences.

"You ever think about getting a job? You're not getting any younger, you know," his brother remarked, taking a sip of water.

Khaelus shrugged off the suggestion. "Mom and Dad said they can handle things for now. Besides, I've got plans to take over the family business once Dad retires. Remember, I did finish my business management degree."

"I finished mine too, you know," his brother retorted. "I'm still the heir to West Corporations."

Their banter continued as Khaelus turned the final page of his book, signaling the end of another chapter.

"Hey, mind if I borrow some of your clothes? I've got nothing formal to wear," his brother asked, already heading towards the stairs.

"Sure, help yourself," Khaelus replied absentmindedly.

It wasn't the first time his brother had raided his closet, preferring thriftiness over extravagance—a trait Khaelus couldn't relate to, considering his penchant for luxury brands and fine spirits.

As his brother prepared for work, their mother burst into the room, eager to whisk him away on a shopping spree.

"Where are you off to, dressed like that?" she exclaimed, enveloping him in a hug.

"Work, Mom," he replied with a sheepish smile.

But their mother had other plans, her persuasive tactics leaving him with no choice but to acquiesce.

Khaelus couldn't help but smirk at the scene unfolding before him, knowing all too well the theatrics his mother was capable of.

With their plans for the day suddenly shifted, Khaelus resigned himself to the inevitable shopping trip, already plotting his escape to the nearest bookstore.

As they prepared to leave, Khaelus couldn't resist teasing his brother, who wore a petulant expression.

"No getting out of this one, bro. You know how Mom is," he remarked, earning a groan in response.

Together, they joined their lively mother, ready to embark on yet another adventure as a family.

—

"Mamá... Let me go home, I don't have anything to buy. You know me, I don't like buying things I won't even use," I called out for the fiftieth time, but to no avail. Mamá didn't even bother to acknowledge my plea.

Guess where we are...

Nothing special, just jetting off to Hong Kong for one thing or two. Even Khaelus seems okay with it, as long as we stop by a bookstore. I don't even know why mamá wants me to come along.

"Mamá..." I called her again, but she didn't look back.

"You doing okay back there?" Khaelus asked, and I shot him a look that clearly said, 'What do you think?' He smirked in response.

"Ugh... Can't believe I get to see Hong Kong just for these," I mumbled, trailing along behind them.

We've visited nearly every shop here, and they don't seem to notice the time. I'm starving, I was supposed to eat dinner at 6, but because of this, I haven't eaten anything. It's already 9 o'clock, if you're wondering.

"Ahhh... I'm hungry," I whispered, and thankfully mamá stopped walking.

I thought she heard me, but I guess I was wrong.

"Eeeeekkkk, that bag is so pretty. Let's buy it, come on mis hijos," she excitedly said, rushing over to a shop approximately 10 meters away from us.

How'd she spot the bag? I don't know either.

"Are you that hungry?" Khaelus asked, and I nodded.

I feel as empty as a bottle.

"I'll tell mom," he said, following mamá into the shop, while I... I stayed put until I saw them walking out, of course, holding the bag she fancied.

"Oh my gosh mi hijo, let's go and eat. I didn't notice the time," she said, taking my hand and dragging me out of there, instructing our Hong Kong-based driver to take us to the nearest restaurant.

After a minute or so, we finally found a decent restaurant where I could finally fill my empty stomach.

Ahhh... I'm so freakin' tired and hungry at the same time.

I let them choose the food while I just sat there waiting for it to arrive.

"You okay, bro? You seem pale," Khaelus said, making mamá look at my face.

"Are you that hungry, mi hijo? Forgive me, I lost track of time," mamá said, and I just smiled at her to stop her from worrying.

"I'm okay, mamá," I said, and she nodded.

"I think you're exhausted... You look worn out," Khaelus said, in his usual emotionless manner.

"Shut up, Hiro. Don't bother your brother," mamá said, making me chuckle, especially when I saw Khaelus' what-the-f*ck expression.

"Here's your food, madam and sirs," the waiter said, placing the trays of food on our table carefully.

I immediately dug in and ate my food. Even though I'm hungry, I don't eat a lot because I always keep my figure in check.

"Slow down, Hiro, mi hijo," mamá said, as I looked up and saw how Khaelus was eating.

He stopped and looked at mamá.

"You mean Khaelles," he exclaimed, and mamá raised one of her brows.

"I said Hiro, didn't I? So that means I'm talking about you. Eat gracefully, mi hijo, it's not like I'm going to eat your food," mamá said, making me chuckle.

Khaelus gave me a death stare, but I didn't stop laughing.

There's nothing wrong with what I'm doing.

"If you laugh again, I'm going to make you swallow the fork and the plate," he threatened, but that didn't stop me.

After a minute of joy, I sobered up and started eating the dessert mamá ordered. I would chuckle from time to time, and of course, Khaelus being Khaelus, he would also give me a death stare and would sometimes point his fork at me, which only made me laugh more.

"You two, stop joking around and finish your food. We're going to book a room in a hotel so we could rest, then we'll head home tomorrow at three o'clock in the afternoon," mamá said, and we nodded.

As you can see, we always fight, but hey, we're partners in crime, and Khaelus' friends always misunderstand us, but I don't care. Him and I, we're like real siblings who would sometimes curse at each other, then make up afterward.

"We should plan a vacation," Khaelus said, and my brow furrowed.

"What do you mean? We are already in a vacation, you airhead," I exclaimed, and he looked at me flatly.

"But you don't go out that much, you're always busy with work, so maybe we should plan a trip together." he explained, and I nodded.

"Ok. I can clear up my schedule, just tell me when" I briefly said, and Khaelus gasped before smiling widely.

"Anyway, I'm going to borrow your earphones. I forgot to bring mine," I said, and he stopped talking and looked at me like he was saying, 'Seriously?'

"You didn't bring yours? That's new. Here, catch," he said, throwing his earphones at me, which caught me off guard.

"F*ck," I unconsciously said."Ohhhh... Mi hijo knows how to cuss like a fckin' badss," mamá chirped, and I mentally facepalmed.Why did I forget that mamá is a weird piece of sh*t?