He’s My Mother

CHAPTER 4: Awestruck

Shania's POV

"Shan...what's the score between you and my brother?" Caelen smiled teasingly as she passed in front of me while I am seated in front of my table touching my hair. I smiled back at her. I badly love the thought of Duke, finally confessing his hidden feelings for me. I can feel it deep within me.

"I honestly don't know, Caelen. I just enjoy whatever we have right now." I am sipping a cup of coffee. I can see Caelen pulled one of the chairs and sat in front of me. She had no class at this time of the day. It's already given that if she'll get bored, I will always expect her to be here in my place. Anyway, I love to love those people that are very much related to Duke. I want to get close to them to know more about the man that I learn to love.

"Really? He's too old to hide his feelings for you, my goodness!" Caelen can't help but laugh a little as she shook her head out of amusement.

"Maybe you should ask your brother about that, not me." I bit my lip a little. I can see that Caelen is enjoying my reaction, too.

"I hate him. He's too unpredictable. I don't like talking to him because he's a man full of restrictions." She confessed, half-frowning as she folded her arms, facing me.

"It's all for you, dear. I think he's thinking what's best for you." I consoled her.

"But he never asked if I like what he's doing for me. It's suffocating and it sucks.." She stood up, walking towards the fridge of my kitchen. She's searching for something to eat. I told her to get the remaining roasted chicken that I cooked last night. She gave me a thankful look.

"Believe me. He does care for you. I can feel it." I smiled, a reassuring one.

"Yeah, that's already given. After all, he's my brother and that's his job. But the thing that I can't understand is that he's only good at pointing out my mistakes and stuff like that." She grabbed a roasted chicken leg part on the bowl placed on the center table after she reheated it.

"Psh, he can't even be a man himself, telling you about his feelings." She added as she started to eat the food placed in front of us. I can feel that my cheeks are becoming warm all of a sudden. Does Caelen really think so?

"I really like you for my brother. I am always full every time I pay a visit here." She managed to add between munches. I feel so happy deep down. That's already something that I could be happy about. Duke's sister likes me. Maybe his parents will like me more because I can cook for him.

"Oh, I should bribe you with more food for you to like me more." I laughed between my joke and she replied this one with a giggling sound. She's enjoying the chicken. This girl must be very hungry.

I watched her finished eating. She was able to put the bowl on the sink and wash it as quick as possible. I smiled. I guess she noticed how we cleaned her room last time. It could be the reason why I can see her being responsible right now.

"I love the idea! But seriously, I honestly wanted you for my brother. Even though I hate him so much, I also think about his happiness, too.." She wiped her hands with a clean towel that I usually placed near my sink. She stood from my back and hugged me from behind.

"You're like your brother. Unpredictable yet very sweet." I touched both of her arms that is hugging me and smiled.

If I will be a part of their family someday, I think I will be the happiest girl alive. I hope that he will confess sooner than I expect him to be. Well, I have the right to think about it because his actions are clearly showing that he's really into me.

_________

Duke's POV

I am walking in the hallway of our office going to the elevator when I received a message coming from George. My heart suddenly leaped as I stopped walking. I can't help but smile. It was only a reminder that we should be early for tomorrow's activity and yet as a personal message, I really value it as I value the person who sent it to me.

I replied with a "like" emoji and "wink".

"Hi, are you free tonight? Let's hangout somewhere I'm bored rn." My eyes grew bigger when he replied to my emojis. I almost dropped my phone.

"Oh, I'm sorry dude. I'm going out with Shania tonight. Maybe we'll hang out some other time." After a thousand attempts of me, typing, deleting, typing again, that's the craziest message I was able to finally send him.

"Ok." He quickly replied back. I felt so relieved. If I can't able to control myself from being so tense.

"DUKE! THAT'S ONLY A CHAT MESSAGE! DON'T BE A JERK AND ACT AS IF IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME RECEIVING ONE!"

I wanted to regret rejecting his offer because it made saddened me but, as much as possible, I don't want to see him again after that encounter last time.

He teased me as hell I can't escape his gaze. It's like he's about to eat me whole. I am not really comfortable about it. I don't want him to do it again. It's too awkward I can't handle it.

I guess not this time. I am not prepared for this and I don't want to be prepared for it. I really want to clear things out to what I really feel about someone. As much as possible, no hurting other people in the process.

I looked at my phone again, this time, frowning. I was the one who rejected the invitation but why is it that I am the one that's feeling so bad?

Yes, I can see him every day but he's always busy. The only gesture that we can exchange with is our "hi's and hellos" every time our shift will start and that invitation is one of the chances to talk to him longer, which I just avoided.

Now, that sucks.

How I wish I was able to think of it over a millionth time before I reasoned out that I will go out with Shania. I hate myself. Now I have to invite Shania that we'll really go out for dinner before everyone noticed that I am intentionally avoiding George.