Alex POV:
I was engrossed in my work when a knock at the door broke the silence. "Who's that?" I asked, my voice firm but curious.
"It's me, big bro," Annie replied, her voice muffled through the door.
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her unexpected visit. "Annie, what are you doing here? You should be at home," I said, standing up to open the door.
As I swung the door open, I was greeted by Annie's worried face. "I know, but I got scared, so I came to stay with you," she explained, her eyes wide with concern.
I nodded understandingly and stepped aside to let her in. "Hmm, are you hungry?" I asked, noticing her rumpled clothes and messy hair.
"Yes, big bro," she replied, her stomach growling in agreement.
As we walked to the kitchen, she asked, "What about Jenny? Is she at home?"
"She's here," I explained. "Her gate was locked, so I decided to bring her here."
Annie's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Where is she?"
"At the second floor, the first room. Make sure to eat," I instructed, handing her a sandwich and a glass of milk.
After Annie left, I returned to work, but my focus was soon disrupted by another knock at the door. "Annie, what do you want? Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" I asked, slightly irritated.
"I don't feel like sleeping. Come downstairs," she said, her voice firm but playful. I could hear her footsteps fading as she walked away.
Curious, I left my work and came downstairs to find Jenny seated in the living room. "You're still up, Jenny," I said, surprised.
"Yes, your sis refused to let me sleep and told me to come downstairs, so here I am," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Annie emerged from the kitchen with a bowl of chips and sat down beside Jenny. "Why I called everyone here is because I wanted us to play a game before we sleep. It's called the Big Bro and Annie game."
Jenny POV:
As we played the game, I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and connection with Alex and his sister. Annie's infectious laughter and Alex's rare smiles made me feel like I was part of something special. I wrote down my questions and options, and Annie and Alex took turns guessing. It was amazing to see Alex's serious face light up with a smile, and I found myself feeling drawn to him.
After the game, we decided to watch a movie together. Annie was the first to fall asleep, leaving Alex and me alone. I couldn't believe we were having our first real conversation. It felt nice and sweet, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.
"What do you wish for?" Alex asked, his voice low and gentle.
"True love," I replied, my heart skipping a beat.
"You'll find it, and you'll be incredibly happy," Alex said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"What about you?" I asked.
"A peaceful life," Alex said, his voice tinged with sadness.
"You'll find that too," I said. "I'm sure of it."
As I held his hands and we stared into each other's eyes, I felt a spark of connection. I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling safe and protected. We continued watching the movie, and I eventually drifted off to sleep.
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Alex POV:
Seeing Jenny sleep in my arms made me forget all my worries and think about this beautiful girl who could steal my heart in just a day or two. Her gentle breathing and peaceful face made me feel a sense of calm I had never experienced before.
I gently put her down on the couch and carried my sister to her room, making sure she was safe and sound. As I returned downstairs to carry Jenny, my subconscious whispered a harsh reminder: "Don't get too close, Alex. You can't afford to lose control. Remember your secrets, remember your past. You can't let anyone in, no matter how much you want to."