Loved You Long Ago

I've been secretly in love with my neighbor's brother for a long time.

Today, he approached me, wanting to introduce me to his younger brother.

I forced a smile, knowing full well that his half-brother was the person he disliked the most.

1

On a scorching summer day, a basketball game was underway at the central court.

While everyone was focused on the game's outcome, my eyes were fixed on one person.

Maverick, wearing jersey number 7, skillfully caught the ball passed by a teammate and scored a perfect three-pointer.

He smiled, but his left hand involuntarily flicked.

Oh no, his old injury must have flared up again!

Having been his "devoted follower" for years, I could read every subtle expression of his.

I quickly rummaged through my bag for the medicine I always carried with me, anxiously hoping the game would end soon.

Finally, the whistle blew, and I was the first to rush in.

"Maverick, your personal coach has arrived."

Ignoring the teasing from his teammates, I didn't care that my crush on Maverick was already an open secret.

Unknowingly, my secret affection had turned into a boundless care for him.

"Eliana, why don't you join us for a celebration later?"

Maverick suggested, looking at my hands gently bandaging his.

"Sure."

I assumed he just needed help with the food and didn't think much of it.

After all, I had long been accustomed to being his go-to person.

Until...

"Eliana, this is my brother Xander. Do you remember him?"

A face strikingly similar to Maverick's, with an 80% resemblance, smiled at me from less than a foot away.

"Ms. Lewis, long time no see."

A few years ago, to help Maverick "be a good big brother," I volunteered to tutor his then 16-year-old brother.

Xander, Maverick's half-brother, was the product of his father's second marriage and the only child of the current Mrs. Norris.

The Norris Family was quite prominent, well-known in our area.

The typical spoiled rich kid behavior was vividly displayed in Xander.

"Long time no see."

Though puzzled inside, I greeted him. I knew Maverick always had reservations about this brother, something others might not know, but I was well aware.

He was proud and arrogant, and once he dismissed someone, it was hard for him to change his mind.

Like Xander, like me.

Maverick wasn't a fool; he knew my feelings but always "politely" played dumb.

He would proactively explain when others questioned us, never caring if I felt embarrassed.

My secret crush had long become a friendship built on self-deception.

"Ms. Lewis, do you have a boyfriend?"

Seated next to Xander, he poured me a glass of water as soon as I sat down. I shook my head politely.

"Then, what do you think of me?"

I turned my head, utterly confused.

"Xander, are you serious?"

Maverick, who had been silently sitting across from me, asked in a mock-serious tone.

"Of course, but I don't know if Ms. Lewis is willing."

"If you want to pursue her, stop calling her Ms. Lewis."

"Oh, right..."

"So, Eliana, can I pursue you?"

Watching the back-and-forth between Xander and Maverick, I seemed to understand.

Maverick was matchmaking me with his brother, wanting me to be his brother's girlfriend!

The person he looked down on the most in the world, yet he wanted me to date him?

I clenched my fists, looking at Maverick. The face I had adored for years remained calm, showing no sign of any change.

Despite my deep affection for him, he continued to manipulate me without limits.

As for Xander...

With a helpless smile, I seemed to understand something.

The "devoted follower" unworthy of him paired with the "stepbrother" he disdained-how perfect!

"Alright."

I turned to Xander, beaming brightly.

Throughout the gathering, I didn't glance at Maverick even once.

My heart, after that "alright," sank into endless darkness.

2

The next morning, I woke up with a heavy head.

"Eliana, you're awake?"

A strange male voice snapped me to attention. Xander was sitting by my bed, fully dressed and smiling.

"You were so drunk last night, I had no choice but to ask my brother for your address."

As Xander's words brought back memories, they flooded my mind.

Indeed, after realizing Maverick had "pushed me away," my emotions spiraled out of control. To avoid showing any odd behavior, I kept drinking.

"Eliana, I didn't know you could drink so much."

Xander looked at me with a curious expression, eyes full of delight.

"No, I was just a bit happy yesterday."

"Was it because of me?"

He suddenly leaned forward, his fair face smiling up at me. As I studied Xander's face, I gradually noticed the differences from Maverick.

Even when smiling, Maverick always held back, leaving me to constantly guess his true thoughts.

But Xander seemed to have no hidden emotions; I could easily catch his mood changes. He appeared simpler and more genuine than Maverick.

Perhaps that's why Maverick looked down on him.

Due to unhappy childhood memories, Maverick treaded carefully with every step, fearing mistakes.

If Xander grew up thriving in love, then Maverick was cautiously navigating through calculations and deliberations.

My feelings for Maverick were complex, filled with admiration, infatuation, and a mix of reluctance and resentment.

I had entangled myself with him for years, thinking I understood.

Until last night, I finally saw my place in his eyes.

Xander pouted slightly, listing my "offenses": "Eliana, since last night, you haven't even asked for my messaging app."

I felt a bit embarrassed. Everything happened so suddenly, and I couldn't explain why I agreed to Xander's pursuit.

Was it just a "knee-jerk reaction" after being hurt by Maverick?

"No worries, Ms. Eliana. Please allow me to formally introduce myself. I'm Xander, a sophomore at Golden Coast University, 20 years old."

Xander's slightly flushed lips moved like a cheerful bird chirping. His happiness couldn't infect me; my mind was still a mess.

So, from now on, I'm the girlfriend of Maverick's brother?

It seemed he truly wanted to crush all my naive dreams.

"You're not even listening."

Unlike my habitual feigned ignorance, Xander ruthlessly exposed my "nonchalance."

Only then did I realize how different Xander was from Maverick.

"Are you mad?"

"Yes."

Compared to Maverick's caution, Xander was willing to show his true emotions.

This carefree freedom, without the need for guessing, was something I experienced for the first time.

"Then, should I apologize?

Next time, I'll listen carefully to what you say, I promise."

I reached out and hugged the big boy in front of me.

In the mirror, I saw my face and the broad arms holding me tightly.

Xander had an indescribable freshness about him, completely different from Maverick's ever-present distinctive cologne scent.

Perhaps my world needed a new fragrance.

3

"Eliana, are you free tonight? I want to take you to a new Thai restaurant."

"Eliana, I got tickets to an art exhibition. When are you available?"

"Eliana, I scratched your bag last time, so I bought you a new one."

"Eliana..."

Xander, like a burst of sunshine, suddenly brightened my world.

He began to "fit in seamlessly," integrating himself into my life as much as possible.

Under his "strong recommendation," I finally agreed to rent his senior's apartment when my lease expired.

"Great, let's celebrate."

After signing the contract, Xander took it upon himself to occupy the rest of my day.

This boy, who had been at odds with me a few years ago, had unknowingly become the person I saw most in a day.

In the upscale restaurant, Xander dressed smartly, sat across from me.

"Eliana, are you planning to pursue a PhD or start working?"

I'm in my second year of graduate school, so it's indeed time to start planning.

"I'd like to continue my studies. After all, as art students, we should go abroad to gain some experience."

I'm majoring in oil painting, always dreaming of studying in Stuorhiel. Unfortunately, my family is just middle-class, and self-funding is out of the question. As for scholarships, they're a distant dream.

"Actually, if not pursuing a PhD, getting a master's in arts separately is also an option."

Maverick handed me a file folder, and I saw the enrollment documents inside.

"These schools may not match up to Parsons School of Design, but they're quite friendly to Asian students, and the scholarship applications are relatively easy."

I opened the folder, and each enrollment brochure was meticulously annotated in Chinese. There was even a detailed comparison chart summarizing the pros and cons of each school. The handwriting was unmistakably from one person.

"Did you do all this?"

Upon closer inspection, I realized there were many schools, and the brochures included not only English but also French and Italian introductions.

"Yeah, I figured you were busy with your department assignments and wouldn't have time to handle this."

As he spoke, he handed me a plate of sliced steak, carefully preparing the sauce for me.

I still remember when I tutored him back in the day; I was a sophomore, and he was a freshman in high school.

Back then, Xander couldn't even write a complete relative clause, and his vocabulary was shockingly limited.

Has this kid suddenly become a genius?

"Your translation skills are impressive."

"Would your boyfriend be anything less? I won't embarrass you."

Xander's tone carried a hint of pride and smugness.

In just a short month, I had grown accustomed to his temperament.

In truth, he had given me many pleasant surprises.

From Maverick, I only heard about how Xander was "unworthy" and "riding on his parents' coattails."

This younger brother, six years my junior, was supposedly just lucky and didn't deserve to stand alongside Maverick in the Norris Family.

However, through our interactions, I found Xander to be far from useless.

At the very least, I understood and appreciated his kindness towards me.

He remembered my preferences and cheered me up when I was down.

He followed all my social media platforms, always being the first to like my posts.

Maverick never did any of that.

I recall playing little tricks in my youth, posting updates only visible to him, hoping for his exclusive response.

Alas, it was all just wishful thinking on my part.

"When did you start liking me?"

I once asked Xander, curious about when his feelings for me began.

"From the moment you pulled me off the basketball court and took me home."

Xander was always so candid, never afraid to share his feelings with me.

Perhaps his love for me was just a fleeting impulse or a way to satisfy the "unattainable love" of his youth.

But at this moment, his affection warmed me.

Seeing Maverick, I was genuinely surprised.

"Why didn't you tell me you were moving?"

He wore a light gray shirt, his posture still upright, and the high-quality fabric accentuated his well-defined muscles. Even from a slight distance, they were clearly visible.

"I sent you a message."

Seeing my silence, Maverick continued to press, his eyes full of dissatisfaction.

"My phone ran out of battery."

I tried to come up with an official excuse, but Maverick mercilessly exposed my lie.

"Don't you always carry a power bank with you? Can't you charge it yourself?"

I inwardly mocked myself, realizing I had indeed spoiled him.

"My new bag is too small to fit it, and besides, there's usually nothing urgent that requires my attention."

I replied nonchalantly, causing Maverick to frown immediately. "Yao Yao, something's off with you."

The way he called me "Yao Yao" made my heart skip a beat.

Maverick dropped his earlier tone of displeasure and adopted a different approach. "Lately, have you been doing well?"

His words were loaded, and I caught on instantly.

"Are you asking about how things are with your brother and me? We're doing well. He's someone who knows how to make people happy."

To my surprise, I was so clear-headed, thinking my intelligence had long been taken by Maverick!

My answer clearly didn't satisfy Maverick. He furrowed his brows and stepped closer to me. "Yao Yao, do you know that you always give yourself away with your eyes when you lie?"

His index finger gently touched my right eye, and like an electric shock, I quickly stepped back.

Wow, I really have grown.

"Maverick, you were the one who set us up."

I was stating a fact and had no intention of getting entangled with Maverick.

His gaze was unusually complex, as if trying to see another face through mine. After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly, "Perhaps I shouldn't have introduced you to Xander."

I laughed. "Four years ago, you already linked us together, didn't you?"

For the first time, I found the courage to voice the grievances buried in my heart.

"Maverick, those meant to be together will always find their way, regardless of your introduction. Just like what you can't have, you won't ever share an official family record with her!"

I struck a nerve this time, hitting Maverick where it hurt the most.

Yes, he knew exactly who I was talking about.

Kathleen, the kind of woman he couldn't resist, while I was out in the pouring rain searching for him, worried sick. Meanwhile, he was enjoying his last moments of pleasure with her.

Even someone as proud as Maverick had a woman he couldn't have.

The day Kathleen told him she was getting married, I witnessed the only time Maverick's pride was truly shattered.

"I swear, I will defeat Xander and become the sole heir of the Norris Family!" he declared, reeking of alcohol, gritting his teeth at me, his eyes so red they seemed to bleed.

I used to fool myself with these memories that only I had witnessed.

I naively believed that I was always different in Maverick's eyes.

Until reality shattered my illusions completely.

"Eliana..."

I expected Maverick to explode in anger, but instead, his expression was complex.

"I have something to do, I need to go."

I turned away and entered the elevator. It was always Maverick who turned away from me, but this time, I didn't give him the chance.

I never looked back.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, Maverick's handsome face gradually disappeared.

I saw the reflection of my shadow on the elevator doors.

"Eliana, well done."

My smile was bitter, but the thumbs-up was high and proud.

5

Stepping back into the familiar basketball court, my identity had completely changed.

"There's a match in the city this weekend, it's me against my brother.

Come cheer for me, okay?"

Xander asked, and after a moment's hesitation, I agreed. I stood by the court like any normal girlfriend, handing out water and towels. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Maverick's teammates across the court constantly glancing at me.

"Did I play well? Isn't your boyfriend the most handsome on the court?"

Xander beamed, as happy as a child, eagerly seeking praise.

"Yes, you were amazing, the MVP of the game," I replied with a smile, handing him a cold drink.

"Having you here really boosts my game."

"Alright, then score a few more three-pointers for me!"

Over time, I got used to Xander's straightforward sweet talk, and even found it a bit endearing.

"As you command."

Xander promised before his teammates pulled him away to discuss the second-half strategy.

When I looked up, my gaze met Maverick's.

Even with his hair soaked in sweat, his eyes remained piercing, betraying no hint of fatigue.

Once, I mistook his cautious demeanor for maturity and restraint, and loved him deeply for it.

But now, I sensed a shadow of melancholy in his eyes.

A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly looked away.

The whistle for the second half blew right on time, and both Xander and Maverick entered the court.

Compared to the first half, the second half was noticeably more intense. Xander and Maverick were both key players for their teams, and their skills were evenly matched.

Having watched Maverick play for so long, I could tell something was off. Their collisions seemed normal, but there was an underlying tension.

Especially Maverick, who started making unsportsmanlike moves against Xander!

I couldn't believe he would stoop so low.

I stood up involuntarily, my eyes fixed on their confrontation on the court.

As the game neared its climax, Xander was about to grab a rebound when Maverick suddenly charged at him, and they both fell to the ground.

"Oh my God!"

The audience gasped, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Ignoring the crowd, I rushed over. They had fallen on opposite sides, both looking pained. Almost instinctively, I knelt beside Xander.

"Can you move? Did you hurt any bones?

Really, you should be more careful, you're all scraped up."

I habitually took out the spray and bandages, but this time the focus had shifted.

"Xander, your girlfriend could be an assistant for the team with skills like that," joked the on-court doctor, and everyone started teasing us about our "lovey-dovey" behavior. Meanwhile, someone noticed Maverick.

"Maverick, why are you standing up? Let us help you."

"No need, I'm not dying."

It was the first time I heard Maverick speak so curtly in public.

"Are you okay?"

He limped over to Xander and me, asking indifferently.

"I'm fine...

Don't worry, bro, Eliana's got me covered."

Xander was still smiling, but he pulled me close, resting his head on my shoulder.

Maverick's gaze shot towards me again, with a look I had seen before, but never directed at me.

His disappointment was so evident, it couldn't be hidden.

Even I could see it.