Kamber[1]
I stumbled into his apartment, my eyes closed with his two hands covering them."Now will you finally let me open my eyes, Kieran?" I asked, hearing him slam the door shut with his foot.
Ever since we'd left our date, he hadn't let me open my eyes. I knew for a fact that we'd come to his apartment, after all, I'd recognized those familiar stairs I'd climbed at least a million times.
Slowly, I felt his hands open around my eyes. By the time I'd adjusted to the white light in the apartment, his arms had wrapped around my waist, and his chin rested on my shoulder.
I looked around the small living room. Normally, it was a mess, but now it was neatly cleaned. Kieran had hung a banner and flags and blown up at least a dozen balloons."I knew you'd make it," he whispered in my ear, his voice warm.
I turned around in his embrace and hooked my arms around his neck. "Then that makes one of us," I teased, giving him a quick peck.
"Of course you would! If not you, then who else?""Oh? And why am I so special, then?"
Kieran guided me slowly to the sofa, where he sat down and pulled me onto his lap."Well," he began, his fingers tracing circles on my hand, "I don't think there's anyone out there who's perfect. Except for you, of course. Or at least, even half as sweet, compassionate, friendly, kind, or hardworking as you. I could go on forever, you know. Because no one, absolutely no one, can beat my Kamber."
"Well," I scoffed, though I couldn't hide my smile, "you really are alone on that one. I was sure they wouldn't accept me. Thanks for your faith in me."
"Of course, my Little Dove," he said, planting a kiss on my cheek. "I'll always stand behind you, rooting for you, believing in you. I'll show you how much love you're worth." After I gave him another quick kiss, he added, "Always."
"Oh really?" I teased. "You talk a lot about showing me how much you love me, but you haven't really shown it yet."A playful smirk appeared on his lips.Our lips met again, this time longer, harder, more urgent."Want me to show you?""Please."
♦ ♦ ♦
"Oh. My. Gosh," Kane breathed after I told him what Kieran had done. "That's so sweet and romantic. Gosh, I can't take this. I might faint."
"What made my little brother faint this time?" I asked, turning to the source of the voice.Kane and I had been waiting for our brothers for half an hour already. They were always late.I should probably tell them to come half an hour earlier next time I plan something, maybe then they'd actually be on time.
You see, Kane and I had just graduated yesterday. And this morning, I'd received a letter in the mail: I'd been hired by one of the most important companies in my field.I couldn't believe it for a solid ten minutes, that is until Poyraz abi came downstairs and snatched the letter out of my hands.He, too, had been surprised the second he read it, and within a minute, he'd already booked dinner at my favorite restaurant.
So here we were, waiting for him and Kenji, who were late, as always."I'm delighted you finally decided to come," I greeted as they arrived. "We thought you were going to miss your own dinner party, Poyraz abi. And nice to see you too, Kenji," I added with a smile.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Poyraz abi said, smiling."He would miss it for the gym, though," Kenji teased. Moments later, he groaned in pain after Poyraz abi punched him. "Not my fault you wanted to do extra reps to look good for dinner, freak."
Kane and I laughed as Poyraz abi shot him an exasperated look.It was funny how two pairs of brothers had become best friends.
Kane and I had met in kindergarten and had been inseparable ever since we'd both been put on the naughty chair on the first day.I deserved it. I'd cut the ponytail of a bully who'd been picking on Kane for having long hair; apparently, that was "only for girls."But Kane had done nothing wrong, except look amazing with his long hair.
From that day on, we'd been best friends. That's how our brothers had met, I was pretty sure they secretly wished they had as cool of a story as we did. They didn't.
Still, they were inseparable. Kenji even studied architecture because of Poyraz abi,but he was considered the more talented one. A gifted student who made every single teacher question their own abilities.Not only a brilliant young architect, but also ridiculously good-looking. He looked like a Greek god (minus the Japanese part). Half the school had fallen for his charms.
But back to the companies that wanted to hire him: in the end, he chose Yoon's House.The same company that had just hired me.
It felt reassuring to know I'd already have at least one familiar face in the office.
"So," Poyraz abi said, glancing between us, "what were we talking about just now?""Kieran had organized a whole surprise for Kamber because he got accepted!" Kane squeaked excitedly. "Flags, balloons, cake, everything!"
"That's sweet," Poyraz abi said, smiling."Show-off," Kenji muttered, rolling his eyes.
Kenji had never liked Kieran, ever since the day we'd started dating. He was convinced Kieran was pure evil and would hurt me eventually.But I knew better. Kieran had proved his love for me time and time again. Even Poyraz abi liked him— well, "liked" might be a stretch, but at least he tolerated him.
We'd all learned to ignore Kenji's remarks about Kieran…at least when I was around. Knowing Kane and Poyraz abi, they probably scolded him for being so harsh.
So, as usual, we ignored Kenji's comment and ordered our dinner.
♦ ♦ ♦
That was all just twenty-four hours before Kane burst through my door, shouting, "I'm going to murder him!"
[1] POVs will be put at the beginning of chapters with POV change. It stays the same until another POV change is stated in bold and italic.
Xx Chu