Diana sipped on her tea.

Her jade eyes watching the man typing away on the silver MAC. The white light of it illuminating his side profile and Diana knew. .she knew he was in pissed off mood but she didn't dare ask him anything.

His long fingers clicked clacked on the keypad furiously, his jaw taut like a bowstring. Dark eyebrows slashed in concentration.

Today , she had been up quite early in the morning. Earlier than Emma's arrival and had stumbled upon her brother occupying the lounge.

Seeing his rigid figure, she knew something was up.

So she made some coffee for the both of them and he didn't touch the cup laying beside the laptop, the steam rising up from it in puffs.

"What?" His annoyed voice made her smile.

"Nothing. Just looking at a pissed off version of you. Nice to meet you after so long." She teased. He huffed with an air of indifference. Well, he did kinda provided loads of chances for her to rile him.

He opened his mouth to retort back when—

Diana heard the distinct noise of wheels. .being dragged across the wooden floor. A clash—some colorful curses and then she emerged on the second floor.

Right outside of the door.

First the luggage and then. . .

Her hand on the handle of her suitcase, blonde hair tumbling out of the bun as she shut the door loud enough for the whole universe to hear.

Muttering darkly with herself, she turned around and dragged the four wheeled Dior suitcase behind.

"What. .the. .hell. ." Diana let out a breath, watching the young fiery woman trudging down the stairs. Her pink lips pursed in a harsh line.

Struggling with the luggage, Luara landed on the marble floor and then stiffened. . just realizing she wasn't alone.

Her delicate neck whipped towards the duo and instantly her face turned sour. . two pink blotches streaking across her cheeks.

Diana stood up, not quite surprised because she knew her brother. Anything could happen anytime.

"What's. .up?" Diana said sounding unsure.

Laura's blue eyes were fixed on the man busy on the laptop.

"Why don't you ask your dear brother?" Her icy voice made Diana raise up a brow.

She did sound. . hostile.

"Max?"

He didn't respond.

Diana called on her patience and turned at her brother.

"Max?"

"I asked her to get out." He said in a casual voice like it was no big deal asking people to leave anytime he wanted.

Laura physically bristled.

"In the middle of the night! He asked me to leave! What kind of asshole does this to a girl?! What kind of—"

She bit her lower lip hard, her eyes tearing up at seeing him being so closed off. Like they never shared a bed . Never had been intimate. .

Diana seemed helpless.

"I hate you, Maximum Santos. I wish to see the day you being trampled on by the person you love!" She spat , struggling with herself.

"It's going to be okay, Laura. ." Diana's heart tugged at the sight of her. No matter how ditzy she was, Laura was a good person.

She didn't say anything.

Just cast a hurt look at Maximus and turned her neck back. .her heels clicking loudly on the marble floor as she left for out.

Watching her disappear, Diana glanced at her cup of coffee. Well , there went her coffee and now she understood why Maximus didn't touch his coffee.

Because he knew it was going to be ruined.

Exhausted with her brother's behavior, she walked towards him and sat down right beside him on the couch.

There was a few moments of silence and then she sighed. .

"You can't keep letting go of people, Max." She said softly.

"I'm not. I didn't let go of you." He smirked , cracking a joke.

She rolled her eyes.

"That's different. .sometimes I feel so helpless at seeing you like this—unattached and just . ." She struggled to find the right word and her shoulders slumped ." I wish mom was here. ."

His hands stilled.

"How many times do I need to remind you?" He glanced at her, his eyes cold enough to cut. "She left Dad for another man. Dad died because of her. I don't ," he rubbed his hand down his face ," I don't want to hear a repeat of her name."

Diana's hands went around his bicep as she placed her head again his shoulder.

"Also if Laura ruined your mood, talk to your idiot of a boyfriend. He might help you out with it." He tried to lift up her mood.

"Why did you let her go?"

He let out a deep breath.

"She reminds me of her. ."

Diana could say nothing to that. She knew mother had ruined his image of woman. .maybe one day , a woman will change that.

He knew she was upset.

It was a chain reaction. Seeing her sad or close enough to sad. .his heart snivelled inside his chest. Something died in him each time she got upset. .he felt like a failure.

"I don't need a mom when I have you." He reminded her her gently.

She hmmmd in response.

It was true. If it hadn't been for his sister , he would never have reclaimed the house they grew up in. The Santos mansion that his father blew up in gambling. They were thrown on to the streets. She had worked day and night , went as far as to having four part time jobs . .just so he could continue his education. And he didn't disappoint her either.

Maximus wanted to tell her he remembers. Remembered all those days when she would lift his soul up while hers would be crumbling . He remembered all the sacrifices she made for him.

Not buying enough dresses.

Not going on dates.

Not letting a man enter her life.

And worst of all, crying at nights when she thought he was asleep.

She didn't know every time she cried , a tear escaped his young eyes too, absorbing in the pillow. Every night he would vow to drag every joy on earth and place it down her feet.

That day was etched on his soul. .when he took his first step inside the mansion. As if the walls recognized him, he was flooded with memories.

Each morning ,dad left for office. .mother would hand him his wallet and cellphone. Telling him ," I love you, John."

He had shut his eyes.

I love you, John echoed around the mansion in vicious circles. What lies. .what blatant lies had been uttered under this roof.

Mother didn't share one bed.

She warmed two beds.

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