Fire And Flame

Meanwhile, Lily woke up when she heard the sound of engine start. She rushed to the window to see Laura drive off the gate, Joseph sitting to her left. She was nervous as well as hungry. What happened earlier this morning, she wanted Joseph to be safe. After all, he was also like his little brother. Walking to the table, she unplugged the charger off phone and called Jacob. Jacob was in the middle of finding something when he heard his mobile ring. His face brightened up when he saw Lily's name on the screen.

"Hello?" he tried to act normal as if nothing happened.

"What do you mean by hello? Have you found something?" Lily was back to her serious mode which Jacob found very adorable.

"Yes, you don't have to worry. I did a background check on him. He can no way do anything after all the loss and dropped stock value." He assured that Joe was out of danger.

"Laura visits the seashore every year on her birthday..." Lily was worried for Laura as well.

"You don't have to worry about that either." Jacob's voice softened as he sensed the worries in Lily's voice.

"I want to meet this person a day before my birthday… can you arrange a meeting?" Lily continued, "I have to find out something till then."

"I am with you, Lily." Jacob admired how selfless Lily was.

"Bye, have a good day..." Lily smiled as he ended the call and took a deep breath.

"AH! I AM HUNGRY NOW!" she rushed to her door as she unlocked and screamed, "MOM! I AM HUNGRY!"

Eli was busy settling the main hall as her grown up kids had messed it all, especially Joe and Lily.

"What the hell!?" Eli gasped because of the sudden scream.

"What is wrong with you, Lily?" she turned to see Lily rush down the stairs.

"Laura ate lunch without me. Now give me food, mom."

"There is no food in the fridge as well. Starve. There is a cup of instant noodles kept near the counter. And, why didn't you eat your lunch?" Eli wondered if there'd be any guy who would ask her daughter's hand for marriage, handle her craziness for the rest of his life.

"Laura called me when I was about to eat. She didn't know..." Lily added warm water into the cup and started stirring it.

"When are you going to get married?" Lily wasn't ready to face his question. She walked towards her mother, stood in front of her, "How old are you?" she asked.

"..." what kind of question was that?

"Let me ask you, how old are you?" Eli gave her daughter a hollow stare.

"Twenty-eight," Lily took a spoonful of noodles and spoke.

"When are you planning to get married? You and Laura have decided to stay unmarried for the rest of your lives?" Eli was ready for the war, she will get an answer from Lily anyhow. Anyhow.

"I haven't found someone yet," Lily sat on the sofa and didn't look at Eli. why is she so persistent about marriage?

"I will talk about this with Laura." Eli was growing old, she wanted to see her grandchildren before she dies.

"Whatever, mom… I am also interested in knowing her answer." Lily laughed.

…

As the ice cream got over, Joe became sad. It was time to leave. No ice cream, no Brandon Reynolds.

"Sir, I hope I get to work under you someday… I will work hard." Joseph admired Brandon so much that he almost forgot that his sister was no less…

"I will wait for that day, Joseph." Brandon flashed his charming smile and looked at laura who was busy eating ice cream.

"Do you have any siblings? We can hang out someday, play games and eat..." Joseph was waiting for an answer when Laura suddenly said, "Don't get too personal, Joe." She already knew about Brandon's family.

"It's okay, he doesn't know, I guess. I have no family." Brandon gave a smile. Joseph was extremely sorry for being stupid.

"Ah! You have me and Laura as your family..." Joseph blurted out without even thinking which made Laura stop breathing. This guy has no sense at all.

"Yes," Laura gave an assuring smile to which Brandon smiled back at her.

"Can I have your number, Joseph?" Brandon was definitely not going to miss this chance.

"WHAT!?" Joseph gasped as if he was about to get a cardiac arrest.

"Uh..." Brandon didn't know how to respond to the reaction. He stared at his dialpad and looked at Joseph who was looking at him as if he were the only thing he wished for in his life. He was Brandon's huge fan.

"May I?" Joseph took Brandon's phone as soon as he got the permission to and saved his number as "Joe".

"Thank you so much. Oh God, I am not freaking out… haha..." Joseph was behaving as if he got his favourite candy after years of asking.

Laura giggled at how adorable her brother was behaving. Well, can't help it. He was truly a big fan of Brandon. People admire celebrities for their beauty, charm and popularity but Joseph admired Brandon for his achievement in the field of technology. Of course, Brandon's looks were of no match. Handsome.

"Now that you consider me as your family, I will message you anytime." Brandon chuckled at how Joseph was admiring him.

"I mean, WHY NOT!?" this was like a dream come true for Joseph.

Brandon was happy as well. He had already planned a lot in his mind.