Chapitre 8: Otherwise, Shaun Will Beat You

Ross stood up from his chair and met Yonah halfway. As the door swung open, a gentle, sweet smile adorned her face, filling him with warmth. He returned the same enthusiasm, but his smile faded upon scrutinizing her.

Yonah's familiar academy uniform surprised him. He disliked the skirt because it was too short. Although other Asian countries have this standard length, his heart protested that Yonah was wearing this kind of school outfit.

"Hi, Kuya Ross. I'm sorry I came without notice." Yonah apologized immediately the moment she saw the man.

Shaking off the lingering emotion, Ross let out a crisp chuckle that shocked Sarah, who was about to close the door. It had been two long weeks since she last saw her boss's smile; until recently, his frown was permanently plastered.

Thus, it truly surprised her to catch such a sight. If she had known this little girl had a particular spot in the boss' heart, she would have already invited her to the office and appeased the newly awakened dragon.

That's right. They recently gave their charismatic boss a new title—the "newly awakened dragon"—after he would not miss scolding every employee who makes mistakes, even the slightest ones. She still doesn't understand why he's been irritated lately.

Sarah wanted to eavesdrop by the door, excited to gossip with her colleagues. However, Ross gave her a meaningful glare. Embarrassed, she shut the door tight and kept mum when she returned to her table.

Now left alone with Yonah, he has this urge to pat her on the head upon noticing the shyness in her eyes. 'Calm down, Ross Michael.'

He scolded himself, then curled his lips into a soft smile upon replying.

"What are you talking about? Of course, you can visit anytime you want."

Yonah suddenly dashes toward him without warning, her soft arms encircling his waist. Stunned, Ross froze on the floor. Lost at the moment, his arms subconsciously wrapped Yonah's soft body.

Upon being embraced, the sweet fragrance came from her hair, and a faint perfume exuding from her body invaded his nostrils, pleasantly bringing a quiet stir into his entire being.

'Dammit! Don't do this to me, oh dear God.'

Ross prayed to the saints and angels above when his body acted up. He wants to push her away and put a distance between them, but he doesn't want to be crude when Yonah is oblivious to his lingering feelings for her, so he must initiate the control.

Ross held his breath, dazedly peering at the young girl in his arms.

"Tell me... What's the good news?" He eagerly inquired to divert his attention from his dark thoughts.

Ross was six feet and three inches tall, while Yonah was five feet and four inches. She's just sixteen, so she has plenty of years to grow taller. Right now, Ross is towering over her. With his muscular body frame, she looks like a cute kitten inside the arms of a mighty lion, who could devour her whenever he wants.

"Nana? What's wrong?"

She hadn't replied, which grew concern in Ross's heart. He furrows his brow when she pulls away, releasing him. In that instant, he feels an inexplicable feeling when his arms are empty.

Yonah, on the other hand, flushed red after realizing how tight they held each other; embarrassed, she stepped away from Ross.

To dissipate the awkward feeling boiling in her chest, Yonah calmed down her heartbeat and looked up with a broad smile, concealing her embarrassment.

"I received the package today!" She informed him, which relieved his heart when she answered with glee. She then added, "Thank you for the gift, Kuya Ross. I didn't expect it, honestly."

"I am glad it finally arrived and you like it."

"Hmm…" Yonah shook her head and exclaimed, "Not only do I like it, but I love it! That mage staff was too exquisite, so I will include it in my collections."

"Oh, you had your collections." Her statement brought happiness into his heart and prompted him to check them out.

"Yes. I place them in a glass case. Though only a few for now, I am saving up my win prize money to customize more weapons."

"Hmm, you designed them yourself. Am I correct?"

Yonah broke into a broad smile, nodding proudly.

"That's awesome! I would love to see them… Oh, they were in the States, right?" He uttered it with disappointment after he realized the Villegas family initially had no plans to stay in the country but for the patriarch to enjoy his retirement in his homeland. Thus, most of their significant possessions were left in San Francisco.

Yonah nodded in confirmation. "You're right, Kuya Ross. I'll show them to you when you vacation in the States."

"Hm, I might do that. I heard your house was atop a hill, so you have an amazing city view."

For a moment, now that he saw Yonah again, Ross had forgotten his initial plan. Hasn't he decided to stay away? Why is he making plans with her now? Ross was considering a smack to wake up.

"Well, there is plenty of time in the future," he admits to himself about how hypocritical he was.

The times he interacts with Yonah are becoming dangerous for him. Therefore, he must decide before it's too late and regrets ensue.

"Anyway, Shaun didn't tell me the package had arrived." Ross changes the course of their conversation to ease up the hidden storm of distorted emotion in his heart.

In the back of his mind, he could not stop scolding himself for being a great actor. He was pushing his brother away.

Shaun has been messaging him each day, but he has only ignored him with the excuse that he should focus on his school lessons, so they must contact each other less when he also has a lot of office work to do.

Yonah replied, "I think he was already at school when the packages arrived this morning. He probably didn't know yet."

"Right…" Ross came to his senses when Yonah spoke. He tilted his head and asked, "Did you come here alone?"

"Nah. Dad went to see Uncle Brandon, so I tagged along to thank you for your gift. Well, to be honest, I don't know how I could thank you..."

"What are you saying?" He cut Yonah halfway and subconsciously poked her in the nose. "It's only a small thing. Besides, it's a perfect gift for you since I prepared nothing."

He actually used Yonah's birthday as an excuse. Thus, with his statement, Yonah pursed her lips into a sweet, shy smile as she thanked him once again.

"Nana, you were wearing Shaun's school uniform... Does that mean that?"

"Dad planned to enroll me this morning. However, your package arrived, so we rescheduled the appointment for this afternoon." Yonah gleefully replied.

Ross was supposed to be over the moon to learn that Yonah had visited him instead of her initial plan. However, the news brought a bitter taste to his mouth, leaving him with an odd feeling about whether he would be glad when all he could think about was Shaun falling head over heels for Yonah.

"Are you planning to settle in the country?"

"Hmm, that's the plan! Once I finish senior high, I can decide to return to the States."

"I see…" Ross was occupied with his own thoughts when a knock on the door sounded. The door was pushed open, and two middle-aged men entered the office.

"Hello, Ross!"

"Hi, Uncle Tony... It's good to see you." Ross stretched his arm and shook hands with Antonio. "Allow me to welcome you, Uncle Tony."

"Thank you, Ross! But… Aren't you going to practice calling me dad? Otherwise, Shaun will beat you and take the lead… You know…"

Antonio's words are full of meaning, and Ross isn't happy about them.