Richard is only a year older than me, but he has always used his status as my older brother to pressure me. When we were kids, he would scold me for skipping class, and as we grew up, he would still interfere in my love life. My friends joked, "Your brother can't possibly like you, right? You two aren't even real siblings." Since then, I deliberately distanced myself from him, but during the New Year, he suddenly brought home a girl. "Tricia, call her sister-in-law." That night, I locked myself in my room and cried uncontrollably. He pulled me out from under the covers and gently wiped away my tears. "You're allowed to make me mad by dating a boyfriend, but I can't be upset with you?"
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Richard was only a year older than me, but he always felt that it was his duty to control me. When I skipped school as a kid, he'd intervene. When I started dating, he had to meddle too.
One day, my friend asked, "Do you think Richard likes you? After all, you're not really siblings."
From that moment, I distanced myself from him. However, during the New Year, he brought a girl home.
"Tricia, introduce her as your sister-in-law," he said.
That night, I locked myself in my room and cried until I was exhausted. He entered quietly, wiped away my tears, and said, "You can date to annoy me, but I can't do the same to you?"
Lately, I'd been going through a rough patch. Every boyfriend I dated was somehow driven away by Richard. I vented to my friends, saying he was more old-fashioned than my mom. Sandra handed me a bag of chips and mused, "Do you think your brother might have feelings for you? After all, you aren't actually related."
Yes, our dads were old friends. After my dad's accident, Richard's family took care of us. My mom always told me to treat Richard as if he were my real brother. Even though we weren't related by blood, he acted more like a concerned sibling than any real brother could. He helped me with my homework, stopped me from skipping classes, and watched over me constantly. Despite being just a year older, he always acted so mature.
"Tricia, that's impolite."
"Tricia, don't talk behind people's backs."
The thought that he might have feelings for me made me shiver.
"Stop it! I'll have nightmares tonight!"
Sandra's words echoed in my mind as I left her house like a spell. That night, I dreamed Richard cornered me in the stairwell, grabbed my chin, and kissed me forcefully.
"Who said you could have a boyfriend?"
I woke up in a fright and immediately blocked Richard on Whatsapp. Luckily, I was about to start my internship and wouldn't be home much.
When I opened my door one day, Richard happened to be walking by. Instinctively, I stepped back and shut the door quickly. His cold, piercing gaze lingered in my mind, sending chills down my spine.
That evening, we had dinner at his house. In front of everyone, he asked why I'd blocked him. I stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse, and reluctantly unblocked him.
"I clicked the wrong button. Whatsapp's been acting up lately."
I offered him a piece of chicken, trying to appease him with a forced smile.
"Richard, you look so thin! Eat more, to build up your strength."
For some reason, this seemed to upset him even more, and he moved his bowl away.
"Don't call me brother."
I had found my internship on my own, despite Richard's strong opposition and insistence that I work at his company. But this time, I stood my ground. I was afraid that spending every day with him would lead to complications.
My apartment was rented by Richard. He had planned for me to work at his company so we could commute together. Once I started working, I rented a new place to avoid him.
My mom sent me messages every day, asking what I wanted to eat so the servant could prepare it and she could bring it over. I provided a list of dishes, but it was always Richard who delivered them. I nearly slammed the door in his face again. But seeing his angry gaze, I slowly relented.
I plastered a smile on my face and took the thermal container from his hands.
"Richard, I missed you so much."
He walked past me, surveying the apartment.
"Tricia, I give you so much money each month, and you live in this place? Where is all your money going?"
I hadn't touched the money he gave me. I didn't want to owe his family too much. But I didn't dare tell him that, or he'd accuse me of treating him like an outsider. My mom also gave me a decent amount each month, but being a fan of celebrities ate up a lot of my savings.
"I'm investing it, high-yield investments."
Being a fan of celebrities was an investment, especially with someone like Lanny, a top-tier star whose merchandise was incredibly popular.
After sending this imposing presence away, I breathed a sigh of relief. I promised myself I wouldn't overindulge again!
Starting my new job, I often joined my colleagues for meals to blend in quickly. Running low on funds, I called my mom. She transferred some money to me but warned me sternly.
"If you waste this money on another boyfriend, I won't give you another cent."