You're Mine

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Sebastian

I sent that handsome drunkard to the address I found on his shirt before I took the same taxi and went home. I know I shouldn't feel embarrassed for asking money for fare at that man who opened the gate of a big house last night but I couldn't help it.

If I wasn't tight in my finances, I would have just shrugged it off. But I would have been so broke if a fifty dollar cab fare didn't get reimbursed. Thank god, there was someone.

I didn't get much sleep this morning when I came home. My head was full of thoughts, one of which is how and where to find my next work. It was luck that I got that waiting job at the club after I looked for one for more than two weeks since Bran and I moved here.

This is frustrating.

I scratched the back of my head, irritated and desperate, as I stared at the newspaper in front of me. I've already called more than half of the numbers on the classified ads but I failed miserably to get an appointment. Either I'm too young, don't have a college degree, or I don't have the necessary experience.

I sighed heavily when my phone screen flashed and registered a low battery.

"Sebby?”

I turned around and saw my brother getting off the bed, rubbing his eyes, and walking towards me. "Come here, buddy." I scooped him off the floor and made him sit on my lap.

Bran buried face on the side of my neck. "You okay?" He nodded and looked up.

"I dreamed of Ma and Pa. They told me to give you lots of hugs and make you smile." Bran said as he played with the neckline of my white T-shirt.

I smiled wistfully while hugging my baby brother. "Hugs are good, buddy. Thank you." I put Bran on the chair across mine and got his breakfast.

Nowadays, I don't even remember having dreams. If I do have them, I don't remember because the minute I get up, my mind goes straight to what I can do to survive the next days ahead. I feel tired most of the time. But when I see Bran happy, that's enough for me.

"Thanks for the meal, Seb." Bran smiled at me after finishing his rice, scrambled egg and fried fish. I ruffled his hair and told him to go brush his teeth.

We live in a studio apartment which I regret having because this isn't what Bran deserves. But I'll work harder until we can get a better place. I cursed at myself for punching that guy last night. If only I handled myself better, I could still be receiving a constant flow of income plus the generous tips.

I know I f****d up but I can't even tell Brad about it. I can't even share a single problem to anyone. I lost my friends when I dropped out of college to start working and take care of my brother. We don't have any relative either.

Later in the afternoon, I took Bran to an ice cream shop where we had a little play date with his friend, Justine. Good thing my old landlady was willing to drive her son to hang out with my brother.

Jean asked me at one point if everything was okay with my brother and I, I said it was. For six months that we lived at their building, I've known how caring she is and her husband. But I didn't want to share problems I was having. It was my own burden to bear.

Bran and I went back home using my bike which I was able to retrieve before lunch at the club today. I was putting the chains on it when Bran suddenly ran towards a sedan parked by the sidewalk. He was already saying something to the driver before I could successfully lock my bike in place. "Bran!"

I'm sure he was telling the driver not to park there. The towing fee is expensive and my little brother is too kindhearted to see another car get towed. We've seen quite a few when him and I leave the building to go to his school or when we come back.

Bran came to me and I hugged him close. "Please, don't do that again." He nodded to me and smiled. I smiled back. "You sure you're okay?"

"Sebby... I'm okay. Stop checking." He giggled as I made him turn around and check on him. I know I look so overprotective of him. He's all I have. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy, give a roof on his head, keep him fed, and keep him safe.

I stood up and took Bran's hand so we could get inside the apartment building. My brother glanced behind us one more time and he let out a disappointed groan seeing the sedan get towed.

"I told him he couldn't park there!"

I chuckled at Bran's irritated voice. We stood there looking at the confused man as he watched his gray sedan get towed away. He looked familiar. Without thinking much, I quickly pulled Bran to get inside the building.

It's the same man I sent home last night!

Wait. Is he here to take the money I asked from his colleague last night?

Shit.

"Sebby? Why were we running inside?" Bran asked me as we took the elevator.

"Huh? Um...because... I uh... I forgot to do something. Come on. Let's go back inside."

Why am I even nervous? I totally deserved to take that taxi fare. If anything, I should be compensated for taking him home. That was like an hour and a half of my time. Give or take.

Bran and I were already inside our room when I heard knocking at our door. My brother was looking at me funny as I stood frozen. "P? Somebody's at the door."

"Huh? Uh, yeah." I turned around and slowly opened the door. I cursed at myself mentally for forgetting to look at the peephole first.

It was too late.

After I opened the door, in front of me stood the handsome drunkard from last night. I blinked seeing him this close and… with better clothes. If he was looking fine when he was dead drunk and reeked of alcohol, what he is now can make anyone drool on him.

Me included.

"Hi! I know it's kinda odd and sudden, weird even... But..."

"Here! Take it!" I was too nervous not only from his handsome looks but also from the realization that hit me. Maybe he was in a bind too, to go as far as coming here and getting his money back. I fished what I had in my pocket and handed it to him, eyes closed and head bowed down.

I felt a hand lower my arms from extending, my hands holding the cash out. I slowly lifted my head and was met by the smirk of the man in front of me. I could see the amused look on his face, with the twinkle of his brown eyes and slight curve of his lips. "Why are you giving me money?"

"Huh? Y-You're not here for—"

He chuckled and with a gummy grin, he shook his head. "I assume you recognize me but... Why did it seem like you were running away?" God, why is his voice so calming?

I was blinking as I tried to process what the hell was going on. "Um... I thought you were outside to take the money I got—"

He laughed this time.

"Hey. This isn't funny." I said as I watched him laugh in front of me. Just then my brother walked and stood next to me, pulling my arm around his neck and hiding under my armpit.

"Hello, Mr. I told you, you couldn't park there." Bran told the man in front of us.

He must be in his late twenties; if older I would be surprised. He crouched down to greet my brother. "Hi! Thanks for the heads up earlier. Speaking of which..."

He gave my brother a smile and got up to turn to me. "...I actually ran after you because I wanted to thank you for bringing me home last night."

This time, his smile was soft. Not smirking, not laughing. Not amused looking. Just genuinely smiling, thankful for what he said I did.

"I'm Theodore. But Teddy is fine." He gave his hand out but I was frozen where I stood.

I felt Bran's tugging on my shirt before he whispered. "The stranger just told you his name, Sebby."

"Huh? Uh, yeah. I'm Sebastian. This is my brother, Bran." I shook his hand and I swear it felt electrifying. My heart skipped a beat when he gently pressed on my palm. For a working man, his hand was soft.

"It's very nice to meet you, Sebastian." He said before pressing on my palm again. Oddly, I felt tingly sensation ran from chest straight to my groin.

What the hell is this?!

I heard my brother giggle next to me. "Sebby. Why is your face red?"

Shit.

To be continued...