Ross stared at his brother. Lately, he found him irritating when he actually did nothing wrong for him to get angry.
Shaun is eight years younger than him because his mom has difficulty with pregnancy. She only conceived successfully after attempting countless times with medical help; therefore, Shaun is the indulged scion of the family, and his behavior directly results from his upbringing.
Hence, Shaun developed such a personality because of Ross as well. The latter pampered him the most, as it became his practice not to say no to his requests but to be patient with his obstinacy.
That is why it was odd that Ross felt a strong sense of bitterness in his chest. To be precise, he isn't sure where the hatred came from. He felt as though his dear brother had taken something away from him.
For eighteen years, he gave everything to Shaun. But at this moment, an inexplicable emotion grew in his heart, which he didn't like.
And before this emotion consumed him, he smacked his brother in the head as a way to calm down.
"Ouch! What is that for?"
"If you didn't know yet, Shenna had attended a seminar, so I don't want to disturb her." His inadequate explanation was half true. The whole truth is that the guilt in his chest is unbearable to the point he wants to cool off with Shenna. However, he can't bring himself to ask her about it.
"Then is it necessary for you to hit me in the head?" Shaun wailed, rubbing the part of his head where Ross knocked his knuckles. He wondered if it was only his way of interacting with him, but Ross exerted force, which was excruciating. If his brother wasn't aware of his strength, that was actually a solid knock rather than a playful gesture. "It hurts, you know?"
Ross was momentarily lost in contemplation until Shaun's continues whine jolted him back to the present moment.
"Tsk. If I don't do that, you won't learn from your mistake," he said. Seeing Shaun look puzzled, he points out why he smacked his head. "How could you let Yonah remain standing and not offer her any seats?"
After saying that, Ross strode to the young lady and gently held her on the back.
"Come and have a seat, Yonah."
Ross led Yonah onto the sofa. When she settled comfortably, he turned around, walked toward his younger brother, and pulled him in the ear.
"Ouch! What are you doing, brother?" Shaun was embarrassed to be treated like a little kid around Yonah. He wondered why Ross had been giving him too much physical abuse lately, which could no longer be called playful interactions. He had lavished him with attention his entire life, so it was bizarre on his part to see this change all of a sudden.
"Is this how a gentleman should behave?" said Ross.
Shaun was stunned for a moment. After he regained his composure, he rolled his eyes and said, "Fine."
He chose not to argue with his older brother. He dropped his a*s on the sofa and sat leisurely across from Yonah.
"Why are you here, by the way? If I remember correctly, you would only take time to visit my office when you wanted something from me." Ross, glancing at his brother sidelong, is talking facts.
Shaun laughs awkwardly. He did, in fact, need something from him, and that was why he stopped by the office.
Therefore, he behaved and chose not to confront his brother when he was getting physical with him.
Now that his brother has mentioned it, he links his arm around him. He moistens his eyes and makes a face like his Cavalier pet, his typical demeanor when he needs something from his brother.
"Brother, can I borrow some grand? Please, please, please?"
"You..." Ross looks at Shaun with a questioning glare. He inquired, "And how will you pay me in return?"
"Well, once I win the cosplay contest, of course!" Shaun grinned, fluttering his eyelashes as he pleaded, which disgusted Ross.
"Stop that!" Ross attempts to release his brother's hand on his elbow when Yonah's soft chuckle reaches his ears. It sounded like a melody, immediately warming his heart.
Jonah, observing their interactions, sweetly smiles. But that slowly faded after the brothers stared at her with such interest.
"Erm, please excuse me. I need to use the restroom." Yonah stood up from the sofa. Before she could take another step, Shaun and Ross spoke at the same time.
"There is a door in the left corner; you can use the toilet room inside."
The door the two brothers talk about is on the left side of the vice president's desk. It is a secret room hidden from guests, and only a few executives and employees know about it—mainly those working for the president and vice president's offices.
"Ah, thank you." Yonah lowered her head to hide the blush on her cheeks, which she still failed to conceal from the brothers' scrutiny.
She was unaware of her impact on their hearts, and just then, it settled when she disappeared from their line of sight.
When she is gone, Ross continues to interrogate his brother. Looking at him suspiciously, he asked, "And where is your allowance? Did I raise it recently? Is it still not enough? Besides, what got into you, and you suddenly want to join this cosplay thing?"
Ross knew how addicted his brother was to anime, and Shaun's allowance just went to his collections. He wasn't against it because he had his own collections, too. But this was the first time his brother wanted to join a cosplay contest.
"Well, I paid for Yonah's purchase the other day as my late birthday present. She was making her own costume for the anime festival, and it is how I learned she plans to join a cosplay festival next month, and I want to accompany her." Hesitant, Shaun is forced to explain to convince his brother.
"As you can see, Yonah has been taking part in an anime festival for a couple of years back in the US and will join the local Japanese Festival soon. So I want to make my debut!" He added, excitedly exclaiming that last sentence.
"And then?" Ross already knew Yonah was cosplaying through Shenna, but it still surprised him that his brother suddenly wanted to get involved in this thing.
"Please, Kuya Ross..." Shaun begs him once more. "I already spent my extra allowance from Mom and Dad, so I don't have any budget for my costume and weapons."
"Is that so? And what are you trying to pose as?" asked Ross.
"I initially wanted Cloud Strife, but I am eyeing Long Haochen's costume!"
"Long Haochen? Who's character is that?"
"Brother, Long Haochen is the main protagonist of the series Throne of Seal. His sword and shield were awesome! Yonah told me there will be a WORLD COSPLAY SUMMIT in a month, and Singapore will host this year's festival. That is why I want to experience it firsthand locally before I join the bigger events." Shaun cried excitedly. "Please, brother!"
Ross fell into deep thought. Darren Kim, his newest investor, who delayed signing the contract after the recent incident during the dinner with the Villegas, will make a stop in Singapore next month.
Darren Kim was on a cruise with his wife to celebrate their honeymoon and agreed to meet in Singapore next month to sign the contract; thus, he made arrangements to send a representative.
However, at that moment, Ross decided.
'What a coincidence... Yes, it was only a fortunate coincidence!'
Ross wants to convince himself that there is nothing wrong if he will accompany his brother and Yonah to Singapore when he has some business to attend to.
"Okay…"