My eyes fell on the 'The Silent Patient' on my bookshelf and I remembered that Harper was reading it and definitely didn't finish it because of my obsession.

Sighing, I picked it off my bookshelf and walked out of the study not before removing the warning that I pasted on the door.

It was late in the evening and Harper was downstairs, going inside our bedroom, I placed the book on the nightstand for her to read.

I went out of the room and walked downstairs to the kitchen for dinner. I hope Diana doesn't break any more plates or glasses.

"So in love." I remembered her words.

I sighed remembering that.

Do I love her?

If I do...then wouldn't it be too early for it?

It's never too early to fall in love.

A random thought popped up in my mind and shook my head in efforts to clear my head.

Entering the kitchen, I saw Harper sitting there and talking to someone on a video call. It felt good to see a smile on her face after her breakdown this evening.

I went past her to Diana who was preparing something on the stove.

"What are you making?" I asked looking over her shoulder.

"Chicken Alfredo." She answered.

I hummed in response and she said in a whisper. "You better make a move if you don't wanna lose her."

I frowned. "What do you mean?" I whispered back.

"She's talking to Archie and he's been flirting with her since they started talking and either she's too innocent to realise that or she is enjoying it."

My jaw clenched and I glanced back at her to see her giggling at something he said. My jaw clenching even further.

"He's her best friend...she can do whatever she want. Why should I care?"

Diana pressed her lips in a thin line and smacked my shoulder. "You and I both know that it's affecting you. And you care for her a lot. And would you like if she starts dating someone else?"

"It's okay if she...d-dates... someone..." Diana gave me a deathly glare and I finally admitted. "Fine! Of course I won't like her dating someone."

"Then do something!"

"But do what?"

"You think about it. How can I know everything?" She said focusing her attention back on the sauce.

I sighed and looked at Harper who was still talking to that Archie.

I didn't like that man at all. He ate my bread butter sandwich! And he tried stealing my Harper.

Wait...

Did I just call her mine?

Great! I am officially going crazy now.

"So...where will you be going after you give birth?" I heard him ask her.

"Umm..." She hesitated. "I haven't decided yet."

"Oh. You can come stay with me in Irvine..."

Harper smiled. "I'll see."

Like hell I am letting her go anywhere!

"Dinner is ready, Harper!" Diana announced cutting her conversation with Archie.

She bid him goodbye before hanging up the call.

I sighed in relief and sat down opposite to her and Diana placed the plates of pasta infront of us and I dig in immediately since I was really hungry.

My thoughts wandering to what Diana just said.

How am I supposed to make a move?

Does she even feel something for me?

I have been an asshole to her.

If I kiss her, will she kiss me back?

No. She allowed me to touch her that doesn't mean I can start kissing her.

Have some control.

What if that Archie steals her away from me?

My grip on the fork tightened on that thought.

"Gareth...why are you looking so angry?" Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Y-yeah?"

"What happened?"

Your fucking best friend happened! Who the fuck asked him to come back?!

"Nothing." I gave her tight smile.

"Then why aren't you eating?"

"Sure." I said as I started eating and I heard a low chuckle from Diana coming from behind me.

The rest of the dinner was spent in silence and I ate quickly than usually and washing my plate, kept it away before walking away from the kitchen.

Am I trying to avoid her? Maybe...

Aargh! Somebody help me!

I don't why but Eve's name came in my mind. I picked my car's key and was about to move out but Harper stopped me. "You going somewhere?"

"Um...yeah...I am going to meet Eve. Wanna come?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes. Just give me a minute." She ran back upstairs.

She came back a few seconds later after tying her hair in a ponytail. "Let's go."

We walked outside to my Mercedes and sat inside before I revved the engine and drove away.

.

.

.

"Brother!" I dramatically fell down at his feet in his study. "Help me!"

Startled by my actions, he took a step back, his eyes widening in surprise.

"What the hell are you doing?" He questioned.

I kneeled infront of him and joined both my palms together. "Help me. Do something. I don't wanna lose her. Please."

"Help you in what? And lose who? And first of all get up!" He ordered.

I got up with a sad pout on my face and wiped away the fake tears that I formed in my eyes.

Eve leaned against his desk and folded his arms. "What happened exactly?"

I sighed. "I don't know myself."

He gave me a blank stare making me chuckle sheepishly. "I mean...I...Harper...she...umm..."

He yawned. "Are you going to say it or not?"

"I don't wanna lose Harper." I stated.

"Who says you are losing her?"

"There's a guy best friend of hers and he keeps flirting with her. I think he likes her...and he might take her away too."

"Take her away where?"

I groaned. "Take her away in the sense make her fall for him and then she will leave me..."

He hummed in response. "What do you want me to do?"

"Aargh! Are you taking a revenge on me for all the times I annoyed you?" I groaned again in desperation.

He chuckled and shook his head. "For the first time I'm seeing you so confused. It's amusing."

I frowned. "Stop making fun of me. It's not at all funny."

He chuckled again. "Of course."

I tried bribing him. "If you help me, I'll send you on a vacation. You and Aeryn, all the expenses will be on me and I won't annoy you for a whole month."

"Bribing me won't work." He stated.

I whined. "Please, help me!"

"You are not telling me what you want exactly!" He raised his voice in frustration.

"Make Harper fall for me..."

He raised a brow at me. "What happened to the playboy now?"

"He died a long time back."

"Did you sleep with anyone while Harper was staying at your home?"

"No." I answered honestly.

"Is it so?"

"Yes." I gritted my teeth. "I swear I didn't."

He nodded. "Good."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, brushing it back. "I think...um...I...I think...I am falling in...love...with her." I shut my eyes tightly and rubbed my temples realising that I finally admitted my feelings.

"Tell me something I don't know." I expected him to be surprised but...he already knew it?

"What?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's obvious you love her, Gareth."

"Oh..." I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

It's so weird...this feeling settling inside me. Falling in love. It's so foreign.

What if she never reciprocates my feelings? What if she leaves me? What if I fuck up really bad and she starts to hate me?

I slumped down on the chair infront of the desk and placing my head in my hands.

"Are you seriously crying?" Eve spoke.

"No." I mumbled. "I'm just scared."

He removed my head from my hands made me look at him. "Stop being so scared. Trust yourself. And if she even leaves you we will kidnap her and make her marry you, okay?"

I chuckled and smacked his hand. "I'm not forcing her to marry me or something."

He smiled and ruffled my hair. "I trust you, brother. She won't be able to resist your charms...unless you start acting like an asshole. Like you did the day she told you about her pregnancy." He rolled his eyes.

"Oh for God's sake, I freaked out!" I argued. "And you even slapped me."

"You deserved it."

"Yeah... whatever..."

I got up to leave and he said. "Just be yourself, brother. Don't be scared."

Smiling, I hugged him taking him by surprise and before he could react, I pulled back and lightly pecked his cheek and his nose scrunched up in disgust. "Eww..." He wiped his cheek though there was a small smile playing on his lips.

Chuckling, I bid him goodbye and left.