Julian's follow request was followed by a message to which I chose not to reply. I can understand wanting to be closer to your brother and showing interest in his life, but this was shady. Julian puts too much effort and is too insistent on establishing some form of contact with me. I already feel like I've done too much and I don't want to make Adrian mad.

I've been thinking to call him and tell him everything but he said he will be back earlier than planned so I decided to leave it for when he comes.

The night at the club passed as usual but Tom wasn't back yet. He will be back in the morning, the same time as Adrian. Ellen took every opportunity to check her phone because Julian kept texting her. I didn't mention that he messaged me too. It's unclear to me why he's doing this and trying to make friends with two pole dancers. He certainly doesn't need us in his life, he is rich and probably has many friends. He must be doing it for a reason.

My thoughts were only more confirmed when I saw him entering the club. Ellen and I both danced on two different stages and exchanged glances. She couldn't hide her excitement. I wanted to be happy for her, I really did, but all this seemed wrong to me. I felt like I needed to talk to Adrian about this. He should understand it more since Julian is his brother.

He approached Ellen's stage and gave her a couple of smiles, getting her all confused and making her dancing look clumsy. I couldn't help but notice the couple of glances he threw my way. They made me uncomfortable and I couldn't wait for the song to finish in order to take my break.

Since Tom was away and he didn't find a new barman, it was us girls who shifted between bartending and dancing. I decided to take care of the bar once the song finished and the other girl went on stage. Immediately pouring myself a drink, I noticed Julian coming towards me. As expected.

"Hi Lana, you look great!" He started off with small talk to which I felt like rolling my eyes. But I must admit that he looked great himself. His black shirt suited his pale complexion and his dark hair was nicely done with a few strands falling down his forehead. It didn't come as a surprise why Ellen and other girls at the club gave him all their attention.

"Thank you." His compliment didn't flatter me but made me uncomfortable considering he is my boyfriend's (or whatever Adrian is to me) brother and I was half naked. "What brings you here?" I questioned.

"Ellen. We texted a little and I got curious to see you girls dance. You are both very seductive." I felt like to vomit.

"Would you like a drink?" Despite dying to tell him off I kept my temper in check and changed the subject. This guy is irritating but he did nothing wrong for me to be a bitch.

"Sure. Double scotch please, and pour yourself something." Well at least he has manners.

"Thanks but I already had a drink. Don't want to overdo it." I fake smiled and passed him his whiskey.

"Well aren't you a good girl?" He smiled with his perfect white teeth. Somehow the fact that they are rich showed a lot more on him than on Adrian. Perhaps it's due to his choice of clothing and not so subtle high fashion brands he opted for. Adrian showed it more through the way he holds himself and his manner of talking.

Unsure of what to reply to his remark, I ignored it. He noticed that he made me uncomfortable and lucky for me, he excused himself saying that he wanted to speak some more to Ellen. I wondered whether he was flirting with me or it is just the way he is. Maybe he is a little more relaxed than other people. But the tone and the way in which he said it made it seem more like flirting despite his attempt to camouflage it. Maybe he is just manipulating me?

'I need to tell you something when you come back.'

I messaged Adrian even though I wanted to wait for him to return before I tell him anything. And I will wait, but it puts me at ease bringing it up in advance.

Ellen and Julian wondered off which meant I had to walk home. As I passed next to that alley road where that man once jumped me, chills went through my body. Not wanting to think about it, I gripped my bag and rushed home.

___

In the morning I put extra effort for my hair to look nice and my skin to appear fresh. I applied some makeup and chose a nice comfy outfit because Adrian could arrive any minute. Knowing that we would soon talk relaxed me.

The knock on the door brought a smile to my face and I quickly went to open it. But to my disappointment it was Julian. I've seen too much of this guy lately.

"Good morning!" He smiled from ear to ear and I wondered whether he was aware of what a pest he is.

"Um hi." I didn't bother smiling back. I questioned how he knew where I live.

"I came with Ellen last night." He began explaining, implying where he spent the night. "She mentioned you live opposite so I thought to come say hello since you didn't reply to my message." He pointed out reminding me of the text I received from him when I came home.

"I wasn't on my phone." I replied shortly but instead of taking the hint and leaving, he stepped inside.

I was thinking what to tell him. Popping to my house just like that was annoying. Simply saying hello is a kind gesture but added to his nosiness and the fact that he entered uninvited, it's not kind it's irritating. Thinking about it provoked me so I couldn't help myself.

"Julian I don't mean anything bad, but your sudden interest in my life and finding you everywhere I go, now also in my own house, makes me feel like you have some other intentions. Explain it please." My tone showed irritation but my words were carefully chosen. I didn't want to take it too far but still showed him that I can sense something is going on. I just don't have anything to prove it but relied solely on my instincts.

Not having expected for me to confront him like that, he was caught by surprise. Technically there wasn't much to confront him for as he didn't do anything. I watched him with curiosity, impatient to hear his answer. Just as he was about to say something we were both stopped by the voice that came from the door which slammed shut. Turning to look, we found Adrian.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He shouted not even looking at me but having his eyes fixed on Julian. This is why I should have told him earlier...

Based on his messy blonde hair was and casual clothing I could tell he just arrived from his trip.

"Hello brother." Julian smiled and Adrian finally turned to me.

"What's this about Lana?" I was hoping you could tell me that.

"I've become friends with your little girlfriend here." Julian smirked and spoke in a mocking way, emphasis on the word 'little'.

"Who are you to say I'm little?!" I fired the moment I heard him say it, but both men ignored me as though I was invisible. They stared at each other's eyes, Adrian's face portraying anger and Julian's holding a teasing smirk.

"Oh come on Adrian, I'm just being friendly." He continued teasing but Adrian wasn't having it. I felt that I was out of place not knowing what to say or do. So I opted for nothing.

"I know what your friendly means. Get out and stay away!" Raising his tone of voice, Adrian commanded. He was furious.

"So now I am the bad one?" Julian persisted but all three of us were stopped when another sound came from the door, this time a knock.

I went to open.

Just like the cherry on top, Tom's happy face popped behind a huge bouquet of roses and I could tell there were probably hundred of them. Due to its size he couldn't see Julian and Adrian.

"I saw these in a really nice flower shop while I was driving back. I remembered you how much you love white roses." He explained cheerfully and placed them on the coffee table, finally noticing the two of them.

Adrian looked at me in disbelief while Julian seemed amused by the whole situation. I on the other hand, wasn't sure whether to laugh or to cry.

"Thank you Tom, they are beautiful." It was all I could say. I wanted to see the roses and smell them but Adrian's look scared me.

"Can I ever leave you alone without men trying to take you?!" He said it in desperation but he didn't appear mad.

With no one saying anything else, the three of us just stood silently and stared awkwardly. The only one who wasn't awkward but seemed to be enjoying it was Julian. Fortunately, Tom decided to break the silence.

"Is this a bad time?" He looked at me and asked. I nodded.

"Yes, I'm sorry. But thank you for the roses, I do love them." I said gently, truly appreciating his gesture. Although, I don't see why he would get me flowers if we decided to just be friends. Not that a friend can't get you flowers but still, with him it was different.

He understood and didn't object or try to complicate things further. He just left followed by Julian who was practically kicked out by his brother who kept insisting for him to leave. The two of them argued the whole time I spoke to Tom.

Left alone with Adrian, I sighed ready to talk.