Kiss Me Not

"Oh my God!!! He is Gavin's replica! Absolutely identical! You're so freaking right baby!" Luo burst with her eyes rounded and filled with shock as she stared intently at Cedric, scrutinizing him from head to toe. She was not satisfied with just that and she circled him to look at him from all sides.

Realizing she had voiced out her thoughts out loud and was rudely checking out the man, she covered her mouth and looked apologetically at Brione, and quickly stopped what she was doing. She turned to face her husband and elbowed the latter to help her out with the awkward situation that she created.

Noah heaved a deep sigh as an answer. Her husband Noah had already met Cedric in person. Her husband too had been shocked by the meeting and he had not stopped talking about the similarities between Cedric and Gavin to her for almost that whole day upon his return from Perdu Island, where he had gone to get Cedric's sample for DNA testing.

Noah's face was dark as he whispered, "When did he come, Brione? Did you two sleep together?"

It was way too early in the day for Cedric to come to visit Brione unless he had spent the night at the penthouse, which Noah judged from the simple daywear Cedric was wearing.

Brione bit her lip because her brother was not aware of her set-up with Cedric yet and even worse, he was also not aware of her relationship with him, though she had heard from Mitch and Berry that they had already informed her brother that Cedric was pursuing her.

Brione wore a conflicted expression, when it came to her big brother, it was just too hard to feign ignorance. She looked at Luo for help. She told Luo everything last night but had begged her sister-in-law to keep it a secret so Brione would tell her brother herself once she was ready.

Luo nodded at her, signaling her to just tell her brother everything.

"It's my fault. I arrived unannounced to surprise Brione. I have no bad intentions, I just want to see Brione and be with her whenever I can," Cedric said apologetically, making Brione bite her inner cheek, seeing her brother's face crumple. She could tell that her brother was not liking what was happening.

"And why would he arrive unannounced, Brione? Did you give him access to your penthouse? Are you in a relationship with him?" Noah burst with snapped eyebrows. 

Cedric's words and his presence in his sister's penthouse so early in the morning had taken him off guard! He was aware that the Prince was pursuing Brione but he thought Brione could handle the situation and would not make any impulsive decisions. Brione had assured him of that before he left the island. So how come the Prince who looked exactly like Gavin was now in his sister's house!?

Cedric was about to answer but Brione quickly replied, "Yes big bro, I gave him access. I planned to tell you about this but I didn't expect you to come to visit me this soon. I mean, I wanted to formally introduce Cedric to you as my boyfriend but I was surprised too that he arrived at my penthouse unannounced."

Noah exhaled loudly and barked, "Do you know what you're getting yourself into, huh? We already talked about this! And I thought you well understood the consequences of your impulsive actions and decisions involved in this matter! For goodness sake Brione! The man has Gavin's face!!!"

Luo quickly held her husband's arm and said, "Shhh, calm down baby, and don't overreact. Let's go out for a while."

She looked at Brione and Cedric then said in a low tone, "Oh wait, we'll just go to the balcony to cool your brother down. I will talk to him for a minute. He's in a bit of shock."

"Cool me down?!" Noah grunted before his gaze dragged towards Cedric and said, "You, come with me to the balcony, the two of us need to talk."

Then Noah looked at Luo and Brione and said, "You two… Stay here and don't interfere!"

Brione looked at Cedric who stood up to follow Noah. She was worried for Cedric who only gave her a wink, as his lips synced, "Chill. I'll handle this, Sweetheart."

Brione looked at Luo next and asked, "Sis, how come you and brother are here so early without calling me first?"

Luo chuckled and said, "Your brother was worried for you and wanted me to convince you to stay in our house while you're here or you let Berry and Mitch come live with you in the penthouse. Well, we wanted to have breakfast with you so we came early. It was more like we wanted to surprise you, haha."

Brione sighed and asked, "Where is Calvin?"

"Ah, we dropped him off at his grandparents who have been bugging me for some time about wanting to spend more time with their grandson. Ah, I still can't believe it. The similarities, I mean he really looks exactly like Gavin," Luo commented, her gaze still at Cedric who was walking towards the balcony.

Then she looked at Brione, grabbed her hands, and lightly squeezed them as she said, "Don't worry. Your brother will just ask some questions as he wants to make sure that Cedric's intention towards you is pure. Ah, now that I have seen him… I'm a bit worried myself. I'm sure you will face a lot of setbacks when you come out in public with him. People here will think that Gavin is alive. 

And the worst-case scenario is that, if he's not Gavin, he will be labeled a rebound as you openly told the whole country, in your latest interview, that you love Gavin, your childhood sweetheart, and best friend. I'm sure it will come between your relationship with Cedric. He will be hurt though he might try to hide it and you too will be hurt seeing him sad.

It would be easier if you are just a normal person but you're in the limelight, popular not only here in the country but also around the world. The Prince is a bit private but once he becomes King, he has no choice but to show himself to the world. He is staking a lot in keeping you by his side. I think he will suffer the most in this situation. Are you prepared for it, Brione?"