STEFAN POV
I arrived at the bar, and there she was, sitting in front of the bartender, looking forlorn.
She was sipping on her drink looking sad.
I walked up to her and whispered in her ear.
"Hey, little one."
She turns to look at me.
"Hey, wise one."
"Are you okay?" l ask her.
She shook her head.
I stroked her hair gently.
"Tell me what's wrong."
"It's nothing important, just a silly matter."
"Well if it's silly, you won't look so sad. Tell me."
She looks down and doesn't say a thing.
I look at the bartender.
"Hey bud, give me a glass."
"Coming right up."
"What's your name?" I ask the bartender.
"Will you tell me your name?" he asks with a wink.
"I get your point. Anonymity is best."
"Always the best," he replied as he handed me a glass.
"So what do you say we go to a private booth?" I ask her.
"Okay," she replied morosely.
I helped her stand up and we went to one of the private booths.
"So tell me what happened" I ask her.
"Well, it's my big brother."
"and what did he do?"
"He yelled at me, he has never done so before."
I smile at her pouting face, she was a spoilt brat.
I open my arms and she looks at me curiously.
"Come here."
She is a little hesitant and relaxes against me.
"Now, what did you do?"
"nothing."
"What's your name?"
She seems reluctant to tell me her name.
"Come on tell me, we are friends now, aren't we?"
She nodded.
"So? Your name?"
"Lily."
"Hi, Lily, I am Stefan."
She gives me a little smile.
"Now Lily, I assume your brother loves you, doesn't he?"
"I used to think so. Now I am not sure."
I smile.
"Lily, he does love you; I am not sure yelling is going to make him stop or make you doubt his love for you."
"You should have seen him, he has never been so angry with me," she complained.
"What did you do?"
"I fought with his ex, why would he be angry over that?"
"Maybe he still loves her?"
She shook her head again, "But that's impossible, she hurt him."
"Love doesn't work like that; at times, we love those who hurt us."
"That doesn't make sense, how can you still love someone who hurt you?"
"Well, love doesn't make sense, little one; I have a sister; she is just a little older than you. She was hurt by this asshole, but she still loves him. She can deny it all she wants but I know it."
She looks up at me, those pretty eyes staring at me intently.
"It seems weird to me that love works like that."
"Have you ever been in love?" I asked her.
"No, you?"
"No, I haven't"
"Really? A handsome man like you?"
I smiled, "So you think I am handsome?"
"You are, you don't need to act like you don't know it."
Somehow we had gone from an entirely innocent conversation to a flirty one.
I couldn't resist the urge to trace her jawline.
"And you are beautiful. Why haven't you found love yet?"
"I am not beautiful." she protested.
"Now, who is being bashful?"
"I am not. You are just being nice."
"Why do you think you aren't beautiful Lily?"
"Well, boys don't notice me; they only notice Stella."
It's like I am drawn to her. Like a moth to a flame.
"I notice you," I whisper.
Everything I had told Daisy was a lie. I didn't see her as a sister, I never had.
It was a lie, I had told myself.
"You do?" she whispers.
I nodded, and I leaned down slowly.
"More drinks?" the voice of the bartender brings us back to reality.
"Yes, thank you," she replied and moved away from my arms.
I resisted the urge to curse at the man just doing his job.
She sipped her second drink silently.
"So tell me about you, what do you?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" I asked surprised.
"Yes, my brother takes care of everything I want. There is no need for me to work."
"That isn't a nice mentality to have. Everyone should have something to do, no matter how small."
"But I can't do anything."
"Why do you say that?"
"I am not smart. I couldn't even pass my first year in college so I dropped out. Compared to my genius brother, I am just dull. I wanted to study something related to his work so I could help him with work but I couldn't."
"Maybe it's because you wanted to study something for him instead of yourself. I will give you an assignment. Write down all the things you have an interest in, and we will figure out something for you to do."
"And when do I submit this assignment, oh Wise one!"
"Tomorrow night, will you be free?"
"I have nothing doing remember?"
"Then I will see you tomorrow?"
"Of course."
I escorted her to her car.
"Bye Stefan, thanks for coming out for me tonight."
"You are welcome, Lily; see you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," I replied, and then I kissed her on the cheek.
She looked down and blushed lightly.
"bye." She ducks into her car quickly.
I shut the door gently and waved as she drove off.
When I got home, my siblings were in the living room.
"Where are you coming from Stefan?" Axel asks.
I looked at Daisy, had she told them? I had wanted it to be a secret.
She shook her head subtly. She hadn't told them.
"I just went drinking with friends."
"Okay," Axel replied.
Jamie is not interested in whatever we are talking about and is interested in his phone.
"Stefan, I was waiting up for you," Daisy said in a cute voice.
"Oh, thank you dearest sister."
She stands up and comes to hold my arm.
"Goodnight guys," I tell my brothers. I get mumbles from them as replies.
I shake my head and leave with Daisy.