Chapter 73: Melissa’s Brother is Here!

Chapter 73: Melissa’s Brother is Here! Author’s POV "Damn, Melissa! Your brother is such a hottie," one of the girls squealed as her eyes were glued to the phone screen. "And instead of having a girlfriend, he’s out here loving you like crazy!" "I know, right?" another girl chimed in with a deep sigh. "He’s so freaking handsome, and literally every girl on the internet is obsessed with him, but he only talks about you... You’re so lucky!" Melissa gave a fake smile, just as she had always done. Compliments like these were nothing new to her; she’d heard them a thousand times before. Being Lancaster was already such a big deal, and then... Having three doting brothers... who were crazy for you, had made them the celebrity siblings, and they were always the talk of the town. Since all three Lancaster Brothers were an internet sensation! However, it was fine before, but now... Things seemed different to Melissa. She could tell that something had changed. The past few weeks, Asher hadn’t spoken a word to her. He’d been cold toward her, didn’t even call her, and moreover, when she called, he didn’t pick up the call, let alone leave a text. And now suddenly, he was posting such posts with loving captions as if nothing ever happened? Melissa couldn’t tell if he had forgiven her... or if he was only trying to maintain his public image, after all... He was trying to start a music career out of the blue! Melissa’s fingers clenched the edge of her skirt, and for a second, her smile faltered. "Melissa, why didn’t you go pick him up at the airport?" one of the girls asked curiously, taking her out of her daze. Melissa blinked, then forced a chuckle, trying to hide the unease in her heart. "I wanted to... but you know how Brother is. He loves surprises. I guess he didn’t want me to know he was coming. By the time he posted, I was already at school." She played cool and shrugged off the question with a short answer, not revealing the mess she was having in her mind. If he really wanted to surprise me... why didn’t he tell me anything? Why do I feel like those posts... weren’t meant for me at all? She thought, still maintaining her fake smile on her face, not letting anyone know what she was feeling in her heart. "See, this is Melissa for you! A successful sister of doting brothers," the girl rolled her eyes with a mocking tone, "And then look at Seraphina! That bitch had the nerve to talk back to a teacher." "I know, right? How can the Lancasters even stand her?" "Lis, you’re too kind," another one joined in. "If it were me, I wouldn’t even breathe the same air as her, let alone live in the same house!" Melissa’s lips twitched slightly. She bit down on her lips to contain the smile that was threatening to curl up at the corner of her mouth. Exactly... say it louder, she thought to herself. But unlike her inner self, she acted all coy and kind on the surface. "Please don’t say that," Melissa said, lowering her gaze in her usual innocent way. "Sera... she’s not that bad. I’m sure there must be a reason behind what happened today... We don’t know the full matter yet, right?" "Aww, see! That’s why I always say Melissa is too pure for this world!" "Lis, you are way too forgiving, honestly," another girl pouted. "Lis, don’t let her take advantage of your kindness." Melissa only shook her head gently, letting them see her as the purest person in the world. But couldn’t contain that look for long; her act crumbled the moment one girl screamed. "Hey, let’s not talk about her anymore and—Wait! Look at the gate!" she shouted, pointing toward the window. "Oh my god—!" All the girls rushed toward the window, their phones nearly slipping out of their hands. "No way—isn’t that...?" "That’s Asher Lancaster!" "Oh My God! He came straight to school? Is this a dream?!" "No—look, he’s actually walking in! Someone record this!" Melissa froze. Her eyes widened, and this time, her smile vanished completely. She hadn’t expected him to show up at school suddenly. And judging from the direction he was heading toward... Don’t tell me... he’s here for Seraphina. Her heart sank at the possibility. Melissa was still caught in her thoughts when all the girls suddenly rushed to the window, leaving her alone, all screaming and going crazy. "What?! No way!" "OMG! Am I dreaming?! He’s actually here?!" "Damn, he’s even hotter in real life than in his posts!" Melissa blinked, startled, as the classroom stirred into chaos. "He must be here for Melissa!" "Look—he’s holding chocolates!" "Melissa, look! He must’ve brought them for you!" For a moment, Melissa stood frozen. Her heart jumped at the mention of his name. "Brother Asher?" she whispered under her breath and turned to look outside the window once again. Asher looked tall, commanding, dressed in black, and walking like a King. His expression was unreadable, but in his hands were chocolates, which were unlike his image. He even had a wrapped box, which wasn’t too extravagant, but the way he carefully held it... It seemed it was something important. Melissa’s eyes lit up. Without another second to waste, she rushed out of the class, ignoring her classmates calling out for her. She didn’t care about what she had in her mind and what Asher was thinking; all that mattered was getting to him before he found Seraphina. She rushed out of the class. "Brother Asher!" she called out sweetly, her voice pitched just loud enough to draw his attention. "You didn’t tell me you were coming! What a surprise!" Asher turned. But instead of smiling... his eyes narrowed. "Where is Seraphina?" he asked, skipping past her, not even sparing a glance at the chocolates in his own hand. Melissa’s smile faltered. ===== How’s the Chapter? Don’t forget to comment!