You don't understand what I'm saying… If Brian knows you're with me right now, you'll see his reaction. He'll say anything just to make me look bad," Edward said, his voice filled with frustration, his eyes flickering with a mix of irritation and doubt.
"Just like you're saying stuff to make him look bad," Irene replied, her voice sharp with defiance, challenging his words with a confident gaze.
"Should we go to his office right now and confirm my claims?" Edward asked, his tone filled with an edge of challenge, his eyes searching hers.
"Should we?" Irene replied, her lips curling into a playful yet knowing smile. Her eyes sparkled, the tension hanging between them palpable.
"Let's go," Edward said, though a flicker of doubt crossed his expression. He was expecting her to hesitate, but to his surprise, Irene stood up immediately and led the way.
His plan was to paint Brian as the villain, but as she confidently walked ahead, he realized his carefully constructed facade might be crumbling. He needed to push forward, but the uncertainty in the air hung thick.
---
"Sir, Mr. Edward and Miss Irene are here to see you," Julius reported, but before Brian could say anything, Richard expressed his shock.
"Together?"
"Yes, they are together," Julius replied.
"Let them in," Brian replied, and Julius left to call them in.
"How could they be together?" Richard asked, no one in particular.
"What are you doing here?" Brian asked as they entered.
"Obviously, I'm working," Richard replied.
"What's wrong with your office?" Brian asked.
"I love being with you," Richard replied with a grin, but then added more seriously, "but that's not the problem right now. Irene can't fall for Edward."
"Hello, Mr. Brian," Irene greeted, smiling as she entered. "You're here too," she said, turning to Richard.
"He's Brian's lap dog. He's always with him," Edward mockingly added.
"Don't talk like that about my friend," Irene defended, her tone playful but with a subtle edge. She shot Edward a teasing smile, though her eyes glinted with a hint of seriousness. "I might not want to pick sides, but I'll still speak my mind." She leaned back slightly, the warmth in her expression making it clear she wasn't intending to be confrontational, but she wouldn't let anyone disrespect Richard either.
"Why are you guys here together?" Brian asked, clearly surprised.
"I'm here to check something," Irene said casually.
"What's that?" Brian asked, still confused.
"I was told, some days ago, I was the main topic of the Black family. So you guys were debating about who would make me fall in love first, is that right?" Irene asked, shocking everyone, including Edward.
"That was not what happened," Edward tried to explain quickly.
She faced Brian now, her voice shifting to one of quiet frustration. "If your younger brother likes me, why did you decide to chime in and turn me into a game?" Irene said, her eyes narrowing just slightly.
"That was not it, Irene. We talked about you, yes, but not in that manner," Richard quickly interjected.
"Then in what manner?" Irene pressed, her tone rising with a hint of impatience.
"That's not what I told you, Irene," Edward said, still trying to spin the situation back into his favor. "I told you I like you first and told Dad about you, so Brian decided to steal you from me."
"What am I to be stolen from you?" Irene asked, her gaze sweeping across all of them. She raised an eyebrow, her playful smirk never leaving her face. "Look here, guys, I don't like hypocrisy. That's why I'm here." She then turned her focus to Brian, her eyes narrowing slightly, challenging him. "Mr. Brian, is what your brother saying true? Are you showing interest or trying to show interest just because your brother likes me?"
Brian's eyes met hers, a hint of tension in his gaze. "Are you saying that if he's interested in you, I can't also be interested in you?"
Irene tucked her hair behind her ear casually, her expression thoughtful, though her words were clear and firm. "Not exactly," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I don't want to be the reason why brothers would fight, or be some trophy that's expected to be won."
Richard, trying to suppress his frustration, couldn't take the fact that Irene kept misunderstanding Brian's intentions. His voice carried an edge of irritation, but he wasn't about to back down. "Nobody sees you like a trophy or a game aside from him," he said, pointing directly at Edward.
Edward, never one to back down, smiled and stepped closer to Irene. He placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to act as if they were already close. "Irene, I brought you here so you can make your decision. I liked you first. From what I saw some days ago, you guys must've known each other. Why hasn't he shown interest in you? Why wait until I come into the picture?"
Richard let out a sarcastic laugh, a sharp edge to his voice. "Are you even in the picture?" he mocked.
Irene, pretending to ponder deeply, finally responded. "If what you're saying is true, Mr… wait, what's your name again?" She asked, feigning innocence and confusion.
Edward, a little flustered but trying to remain composed, replied, "My name is Edward." He quickly withdrew his hand from her shoulder, trying to hide his frustration.
"Edward. Such a nice name," Irene said off-topic, before returning to the heart of the matter. "Okay, Mr. Edward, if everything you're saying is true, and Brian hasn't even started showing interest in me, does that mean you're in a hurry to prove your point, or are you just lying?"
Irene then casually moved to sit in the visitor's chair in Brian's office, making herself at ease, as though this whole situation was no more than a lighthearted chat for her.
Edward, now visibly frustrated by Irene's unbothered attitude, threw his hands up in exasperation. "Irene, what are you saying? I'm not lying to you!" His voice was tight with impatience.
Irene gave him a mock expression of understanding, playing the role of an intermediary between the brothers, though her tone was sarcastic. "If you're not lying to me, then you clearly don't know how to play your cards. Tell me, Edward, do you even have a girlfriend—past or present?"
Edward shook his head, his embarrassment plain as day.
Irene raised an eyebrow, her voice light and teasing. "Then maybe you should learn how to handle your cards better, huh?" She then casually picked up the water flask in front of Brian and poured herself a cup. As she twirled it in her hand, Brian spoke up.
"You don't even know what's inside," he remarked, his tone playful yet guarded.
"Not water?" Irene asked, feigning surprise. "Then is Mr. Brian involved in hard drugs?" she joked, her tone light, but her eyes scanning them both curiously.
Brian smiled and leaned forward, teasing, "Are you scared to check it out?"
Irene dropped the water flask, her smirk still intact, though she was ready to continue her speech. "Are you scared?" Brian pressed again, clearly enjoying the playful banter.
"I'm not scared," Irene replied, her voice teasing. "But I don't have balls." She winked at him, and Richard couldn't help but chuckle, though Edward clearly didn't find it amusing.
"Irene, let's talk about why we're here," Edward said, clearly tired of the back-and-forth banter and the suspense.
Irene shrugged and leaned back in her chair, still with that playful glint in her eye. "Let's not talk too much, Mr. Edward. Mr. Brian, are you both saying you're interested in me?" She turned her focus fully on them now, her voice holding a challenge.
Edward, not missing a beat, responded confidently, "Yes, I am interested in you."
Irene turned her attention to Brian, waiting for his answer, her gaze steady. "What about you, Mr. Brian? Are you?"
The room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with anticipation. Brian's response was quiet but firm. "I'm not interested in you," he said, emphasizing each word as if to make sure it landed.
Leaving Irene and other surprised
"Brian, what are you saying?" Richard asked, his voice tinged with confusion and a hint of irritation.
Brian smiled and continued, clearly teasing them.
"Maybe I like you or maybe I'm interested to know more about you... that's it." His grin was playful, but there was something almost challenging in his tone.
Irene blushed, but she wasn't about to back down. "All this love talk doesn't work on me. What matters to me is money—the one who's richer." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, a sly smile tugging at her lips. She said it in jest, but there was a certain boldness behind it, daring anyone to challenge her.
"Then place your bet on Brian, he's richer than the two of us combined," Richard said, his grin widening. He couldn't resist teasing her a bit, but there was a subtle edge to his words, a recognition that she had a point.