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“Yeah, but I’m doing it only because my brother didn’t want to.” Her gaze drops to her cup of tea, which she holds between her fingers, then looking up at me again, she says before giving a sip, “Dad offered this internship to him, not me.”
“And yet, you are the one doing it, right?” My tone comes off more enthusiastic than I thought, but I’m just trying to cheer her up. “Look, your dad just found out that his first son wasn’t even attending business school and was lying to him since the beginning. It’s a lot to digest.” Elise remains quiet as she listens. “Give him some time, I’m sure he’s gonna figure out you are the best choice out of the bunch.”
She rubs a hand on the back of her neck, most likely soothing the building tension in that area, staring pensively at nowhere. “I don’t think my brother realizes how much Dad would have given him, if only he wanted to follow the same path.”
I scratch my stubble, ruminating for a moment at her statement, before saying, “I think your brother knows.”
She squints her eyes immediately in confusion, so I explain further. “He met your dad at his office trying to get his allowance back, but Sebastian told him he’d have to do the internship and then work at his company.” I hesitate for a moment whether or not to tell her the rest, but at the end of the day, she deserves to know the truth. “According to your brother, your dad even tried to pitch him to become the next CEO once he retires and toldhim that he could have whatever he wanted—even that he could keep seeing Roxanne if he accepted.”
Her jaw drops at the revelation, but she closes the gap just as fast. She swallows the lump in her throat, her gaze dropping to her lap as disappointment emerges on her lovely features. I know she’s always been the one aspiring to those things, which might be why Sebastian takes her loyalty for granted.
Silence fills the air between us while Elise leans back against the chair and seems to be considering everything I just told her. Suddenly, though, the ringtone of my iPhone buzzes nonstop, startling me in the process. As I take the phone to check who’s calling, my brows rise immediately in surprise. “Oh, speaking of the devil.”
I answer the call, putting the screen against my cheek.
“Hey!” Andries greets, his cheerful tone causing a sudden contrast with the sadness of his sister’s. “How was Easter?”
“It was good, and yours?” I reply, unable to match his enthusiasm. “How is Paris?”
Elise’s interest is suddenly perked, and she leans forward again to pay close attention to the discussion, even though she can’t hear from her brother’s side.
“It’s wonderful, we are loving it.” Andries seems to be on cloud nine, which is understandable when someone’s just got engaged in Paris. “Actually, after I finish my degree, we are thinking of moving here for a few months to explore more of the city. There’s so much to see and so little time.” While Andries is speaking, I can’t help but look at Elise as she frowns and tries to discern what her brother is saying.
“Well, I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.” My answer is vague and Andries surely caught how uncomfortable I’m to be talking to him with his sister in front of me.
“Is she there?”
My lips twist into a smile—he knows me so well. “Yep,” I reply with amusement, my eyes pinned on his sister.
“Can you put the phone on speaker, please?”
His request takes me off guard, and I can’t help but try to figure out what his plan of action is. “Sure,” I blurt out, before doing so and putting the phone on the table between us. “All set.”
“Elise?” Andries asks, his tone always so bubbly. “Can you hear me?”
She heaves a long sigh in displeasure, before muttering a quick, “Yep, I can.”
“Uh oh, you sound grumpy today.” His humor makes me snort, but Elise shoots me a glare right away. “Is everything okay?”
She takes a few breaths, before saying with mild annoyance, “Well, I suppose I should congratulate you for the engagement, but I'm afraid I’m just lost for words.”
“It’s hard to accept, I know.” His calm attitude radiates through the air between us.
“Is anyone else from our family aware yet?” Elise asks.
“Just Oma,” he replies. Before his sister can jump in, he adds, “Elise, look, I know you don’t approve of my engagement, but I’d truly appreciate if you could let me deliver the news to our parents.”
“Well, if Oma knows already, then Mom and Pops do too.”
“She promised me she wouldn’t say a word.”
“Yeah, right,” she mumbles, her head shaking. “As if she’s not gonna tell them while you are still in Paris.”
Her iPhone pings with a new notification and Elise wastes no time to check it.
When I see the frown forming on her forehead, I can’t help but ask, “What is it?”
Without saying anything, she turns the screen to me—it’s an SMS from her dad:Is it true that your brother is engaged? Call me now!
