A week later after the funeral we flew back home, one morning as I was preparing breakfast, I heard Hollen coming downstairs,
"Good morning" I greeted as I saw her from the kitchen door
"What are you doing?"
"Preparing breakfast, come have a seat"
"Zhan never prepare the breakfast, I do"
"Well, maybe it's time I prepare the breakfast. You're four months pregnant"
"Hey, when we're only the two of us, stop pretending as him"
I looked at her "I promised my brother that I'll be him when he died, being your husband is a part of it"
"You can't be my husband"
"Alright, then I'm preparing breakfast. Sit down"
"Geez, and I have to deal with you for seven years" she said as she sits "Pancakes?"
"Yup"
"Zhan never cooks it"
"Just try it"
She took a bite "This is delicious"
I smiled
"Zhan never cook delicious food"
"Well I am now"
There was silence when we started eating,
"So what should I call you?" she breaks
"What do you mean?"
"What's your real name?"
"Zhan"
"That's your brother's name"
"it's the same"
"How could that happen?"
"Our parents gave us the same name"
"Ridiculous"
I smiled as I sipped my coffee, then we heard a knocked on the door
"Expecting someone?" I asked
She shook "Who might it be?" she said as she walks to the door and opened it
"Welcome home couz!" The blonde lady said as she hugged Hollen
"Hey, good to see you" Hollen said
"Can I come in?"
"Yeah"
Hollen's family really are beauties, the woman who just came on the door was Hollen's cousin, Avery. I studied everyone who's closest to Hollen and Zhan. Avery's a dentist and the closest of all to Hollen. She was her bestfriend.
"Morning Zhan" Avery greeted and smiled
"Morning"
"Oh, you have pancakes." She said as she took one "This is delicious"
"Thank you" I said
Avery looked at me "You cooked this?"
"Yeah"
"Oh my God, what happened in New York that made you to cook delicious?"
"Something excited I guess" I said and smiled
"What brings you here Avery?" Hollen asked
"Well, it's been a month since I last saw you and I really missed shopping with you. Could you please, please go with me?"
"Well" Hollen looked at me "Can I go?"
"It wouldn't take long" Avery said
"Alright" I said
"Really?" Hollen said and smile "Wait for me Avery, I'll just prepare"
I looked at her as she run upstairs. She really is a brat...
"Are you finished eating?" I asked Avery
"Yeah" she answered
I took the plates and brought them to the sink, I was surprised when Avery hugged me from behind
"Avery?" I said as I looked at her and then she stole a kiss
"You never called me" she said "You said you're gonna leave her and eloped with me"
This is not good... Zhan never told me about this
"This is not right"
"Zhan?" she looked at me puzzled
"Look, if there something going on between us, forget about it"
"What?"
"Forget about everything. Hollen's my wife and she's pregnant with my child"
"I don't know what's going on with you right now but I can't forget everything about us"
"I'm sorry. I love Hollen" I said
"Love Hollen? You hate her."
"Well, my feelings changed" I said
"Who are you ha?" she whispers
"Avery I'm..." Did she find out already?
"It's just like that? Trashing everything we had."
"I'm sorry" I said as I heard Hollen coming down
"All done" Hollen said as she smiled at us
"Great, let's go" Avery said pretending that nothing happened
"I'll see you this evening" Hollen said to me
"Alright"
As I watched them leave,
Brother, this is a real mess
I've picked up the things I needed for tonight's dinner at the local grocery store. Should I tell Hollen about Avery and my brother or maybe I just leave it behind. Brother never mentioned about Avery and I thought he's crazily inlove with Hollen. That's why I hate two timing.
As I walk home, I looked at the receipt... Hollen and I should talk about finances, I should also find work. Brother quit his work as a bartender a month before they went to New York.
I've only been pretending as my brother for two days but there are a lot of problems coming my way... Will I ever keep my promise to you brother?
I looked at my watch again, it's past 10 already.
"Where did that two went?" I said to myself. I've already worried and I don't know how to contact her. I took my coat and when I was about to leave, the door opened.
"Zhan?" Hollen looked at me "Where are you going?"
"I was going to find you. I'm all worried about you" I said
"I'm sorry for bringing her late, we have a lot of things to talk about" Avery said
I looked at Avery "You know it's bad for a pregnant woman to stay late at night"
"I apologize" she said
"Don't be mad at her. She just wanted to have someone to talk too. She's heartbroken." Hollen said
"I'm sorry" I said
"It's fine. It'll be also the last time I'll take her out. I'm leaving America for good"
"What?"
"I'll be flying to Canada and probably living there" Avery said
"I see" I said. Thank goodness I felt relief.
"I'm going then." Avery said as she left
"I'm sorry if you're worried about me"
"I should have your phone number with me"
"Sure. I'll just put these things away for a minute" she said as she put down tons of paper bags
"You bought a lot" I said
"Yeah, I bought you some shirt"
"Hollen... We should talk about expenses." I said "Today forward, we should not buy useless things"
"These are not useless" Hollen said
I sigh "Look Hollen, we need to save up some money for your child birth"
"Dad can take care of all hospital bills"
"Hollen, we should not be dependent to your parents."
"You're very annoying. If Zhan is here, he wouldn't argue with me"
"I am here and I am arguing with you."
"I hate you" she said as she run upstairs
Dear brother, how can I handle such brat? Do you really love her?
I knocked on her door again. "Hollen, please open the door" I said
"Go AWAY!"
"I'm not going until we clear things"
"I'm not talking to you anymore"
"Hollen, open up please" I said calmly
She never talks back
"Hollen, please open up" I sigh "Hollen. I'm sorry. I just don't want you to be dependent to your parents. I am your husband, you are my responsibility. It hurts my ego you see."
There was still silence.
"Hollen" I called again.
I was about to give up when the door opens.
"I don't want you to argue with me again" Hollen says
I smiled at her "Alright, I promise"
"Let's talk about things tomorrow. I'm tired"
"Alright then, goodnight" I said as I kissed her forehead. Although we're living together, we never sleep together. We're still adjusting to this situation.
The next morning,
"Good Morning" I greeted as I saw Hollen "Breakfast is served. I've already eaten so can you eat by yourself?"
"Where are you going?" Hollen asked as she sees me in semi formal wear
"I'm job seeking" I said "I need a job to earn money"
"You don't need to do that"
"But..."
"I'll ask dad to let you work in the company"
"But"
"I told you no arguing" she said
I looked at her. "Alright"
She smiled "Good"
Wonder if Avery is telling the truth, that older brother really hates Hollen.