Author's POV

“Do you really have to leave?” You muttered sadly as you handed your brother a small drawer.

He took it and carefully set it down in the moving truck. “Noona, stop it already. You know I have to dorm there. It’s the school’s policy.”

Next, he hopped down and brushed his pants.

You frowned at him and hung your head low. “I know but we’ve never been apart before.”

Tao softened as he enveloped you into a warm embrace. “We’re less than thirty minutes from each other, Lei. If you ever miss me, call. I can come back or you can stop by.”

You couldn’t help but smile sweetly as you wrapped your arms around him and nodded. “That’s right. You’re a big boy now. This is for your future.”

“God, I never realized how much of a sap you are.” Tao drew his head back and scrunched his nose judgingly at you.

You playfully scowled as you rolled your eyes. “Don’t act like you’re not sad about leaving me either.”

He showed you a toothy smile as he dragged you back in to prolong the hug. “I didn’t say I wasn’t.”

“Ara, ara. Now let’s get going so we can see what your new house will look like.” You beamed as you went over to the passenger’s seat.

You expected Tao to climb into the driver’s side but he came in behind you and made you scoot over. This truck didn’t have a divider in the middle, instead it was just one long seat able to fit three, maybe even four bodies.

“What are you doing?” You sent him a quizzical look to which he shrugged.

“Kris ge said he was driving.”

Immediately your face turned stale as you pushed away from your brother. Next you crossed your arms against your chest and narrowed your eyes at him.

“And who invited him?”

Tao groaned and banged his head against the window pane. “Are you seriously still upset with him because he hired a new secretary?”

You huffed in irritation while your chest caved in. “No, I’m not upset with him because he hired a new secretary.”

Your voice dropped a few octaves.  “I’m just disappointed that he would doubt my abilities. Plus what gave him the right to fire me? I’ve been the perfect assistant even with my second job.”

“He’s not doubting your abilities, Lei. He’s just trying to watch out for you and to be honest, I’m glad he fired you. I was never pleased with your job at the nightclub.” Tao bluntly remarked as he looked at you.

“But that job brought us money, Tao.” You defended.

“And now we don’t need to worry about it. Ge said he’d take care of us, so why can’t you let him?” He countered.

You wanted to reply but you didn’t know how. The silence was deadly and Tao took the liberty to speak again.

“Lei, growing up you were the one always catering and nurturing me. But you never had anyone to care for you and now you do. So why can’t you just let your husband do his job and let someone, besides me, watch over you for once in your life?”

“You know why,” you answered brokenly.

Tao moved closer to you and coiled an arm around your shoulders. “He’s nothing like them, noona. He won’t abandon us. He won’t abandon you.”

“And how do you know?” You could feel your heart being squeezed as you tried to suppress the miserable memories.

Your brother kissed your temple and let you cuddle into his chest. “I just know, okay? Ge isn’t one to show affection very often but I can tell he has his own ways in proving that he cares. So will you stop being mad at him?”

“I don’t know.” You whispered.

Then there was a tap and both of you looked over to find Kris looking in. He pointed to the lock down below but you refused to let him in.

You felt the disdain suddenly resurfacing as you extracted yourself from Tao. “I guess you’re not going to listen then.” He sighed as he leaned over and opened the door for his brother-in-law.

“Thanks didi,” Kris nodded appreciatively.

You scoffed at the way he addressed Tao.

Just as Kris hopped in, you opened the passenger’s door and shoved Tao out so you could exit.

“What are you doing, noona?” He hissed as he watched you come out.

You didn’t say a word as you went behind and pushed him back in.

Kris knew what you were doing and just clucked his tongue. Childish.

You slammed the door shut, folded your arms against your chest, closed your eyes and rested your head against the window pane. It was clear you didn’t want to be disturbed.

“Is it me or does it feel cold in here?” Kris asked, looking at you while he was talking to Tao.

The younger boy figured he was referring to your icy attitude and couldn’t help but chuckle. “It does feel like it’s winter, doesn’t it ge?”

You groaned and quickly snapped your eyes open and rifled through your bag. Next, you plugged your headphones into your ears and blasted the music.

“Is she always this stubborn?” Kris questioned as he turned the key in the slot.

Tao his teeth and snorted, “Lei is the definition of stubborn.”

~*~

“Alright. My schedule says my room is some where located in the east w