The next two weeks are going to be the worst
days of my life, and I don't say that lightly,
because Giuliana will be joining us. Giuliana
Bord is the prettiest, most down -to -earth,
and the most curious girl I've ever met. She's
also my stepbrother's girlfriend, and soon to
be fiancé. Yes, fiancé. Just the thought of it
makes me want to punch the air. Honestly, Giuliana
should have been my fiancé. But that's a long
story. One I don't want to tell but have to anyway
At this very moment my little brother is picking
her up from the airport and bringing her here
for two weeks of summer fun Well, technically
it's for our parents anniversary. They've invited
her to celebrate with us Juliana just finished
her master's degree in civil engineering and
graduated three weeks ago. I Keep calling her
his fiance, but she doesn't know it yet After
eight years together. My brother has finally
decided to pop the question He's gonna do it
at the anniversary party. That's in approximately
two nights. I Should be glad for him for them
But I'm not Henry has been a loose cannon over
the past two years ever since she said she was
going back for her masters Despite my many attempts
to warn him about his infidelity. He never listened
When he told me he was going to propose I laughed
I laughed because I know what kind of person
my brother is. He doesn't love her. He's only
doing this because it feels like an obligation.
He said he'd stop messing around with other girls.
But I know that's a lie. He can never help himself.
And that's why it hurts. Watching the woman who
should have been mine get played by someone else.
I could easily go back to my apartment and avoid
all of this. But mom and dad want me here to
help with preparations. I live in the city. about
two hours away so it made perfect sense for me
to stay and work remotely. We're sitting in the
living room having a discussion about seat arrangements
when we hear a car door shut. Dad stands and
heads to the door. Another door slams followed
by cheerful laughter. When dad opens the front
door I stay seated not moving. Juliana greets
everyone with tight hugs and kisses on the cheek
and then finally walks over to me. Elliot she
says like a statement Julie She reaches for me
with open arms It's been a long time. I Hug her
back inhaling the light scent of her fruity perfume
She always smells fucking amazing Same here.
I pat her back. It's awkward as hell Juliana
releases me slowly and steps away her eyes meet
mine then she turns to Henry with a small smile
Thanks for having me, you guys. Alright, enough
of that. I'm sure she's tired and jet -lagged.
I'll show her to our room. Henry gives me a quick
glance and brushes past me, tugging Giuliano
along. Sometimes I wonder if he knows. If he's
figured out that I somehow caught feelings for
her. That I dangerously fell for her the moment
we first met. On that fishing trip. The evening
drags on through dinner where Giuliana catches
everyone up on her career and her future plans.
It bugs me every fucking time Henry kisses her
on the cheek. It feels like he's showing off
in front of me. And it even looks like it makes
Giuliana uncomfortable. Jesus, he can't even
read the fucking room. Eventually, when my meal
is over, I excuse myself and head to the backyard
patio. Normally, I'd take a smoke, but I promise
to quit. I've been smoke -free for two years
now. All I can do is watch the blue lighting
ripple through the pool. My parents are wealthy,
but conservative. Our five -bedroom house is
simple and homey, a far cry from what most wealthy
families purchase. My father built his insurance
company from the ground up, and it became a huge
success. That's why he hired Juliana's dad to
help run it. And now, with Henry managing the
company, Dad can finally enjoy retirement. A
cold breeze brushes my face, and suddenly Juliana
is standing next to me. She peers up at the night
sky, where stars are scattered across the darkness.
Looks like we're gonna get some rain, she says.
I doubt it. She points to the far right, where
a cluster of grey clouds is building. It'll reach
us soon. So what? You're a geologist now? I thought
you studied engineering. I tease. She smiles
and my heart fucking sings. Doesn't take a genius
to know what kind of clouds those are. Before
I can say anything else, Henry joins us, walking
right between us. He claps me on the shoulder.
Now would have been a great time for a smoke,
eh? He grins. Too bad you quit. Juliana gapes
at me, her eyes wide. You quit? Yep. Two years
ago. Juliana rubs her neck and stares back up
at the sky. Oh. Weird, huh? Who would have guessed
my big brother would stop smoking? Another clap
on my shoulder. If she wasn't standing there,
I probably would have given in and had one tonight.
Two years ago at Henry's graduation, Juliana
said smoking was bad for me, that she despised
smokers. It had been years since I'd seen her,
and that was my first impression. I quit the
next week. Henry stretches. Anyways, I'm getting
tired. And you should be too, love. Big day tomorrow.
Let's call it a night. But I'm not tired yet.
Well, I am. And you know I sleep better when
you're with me. I roll my eyes. Henry scoffs.
Don't be jealous. It's not my fault she puts
me to sleep. He grabs her hand. Let's go, love.
As she's being tugged along... Juliana glances
over her shoulder at me with a sigh of defeat.
And I'm left standing there, already exhausted.
And the night has barely begun. The next day
comes, and I feel like I haven't slept one bit.
Maybe it's because of the impending engagement.
I just can't see Henry marrying her, and it bothers
my fucking soul. Everyone is out of the house
today. Juliana and my mother are busy finalizing
the last details of the party. The men, on the
other hand, are busy doing the heavy lifting
with the event coordinator. But over the last
two hours, Henry has been acting differently.
I can't put my finger on it, but it somehow feels
like we're in game, and there are no spectators.
This comes as no surprise, because ever since
we were younger, Henry had always seen me as
competition. It was as if he had to live up to
some sort of standard. I get it. His dad married
my mom, and I was the older one. We were two
years apart, but Henry saw me as a threat. Like
I wanted to take his dad from him. When in reality,
I just wanted us to be brothers and have a father
figure around. We get home that evening, exhausted.
When we would have just sat on a couch to relax
a little, Henry went upstairs to check on Juliana.
He hadn't returned for the night, and I'm guessing
he wanted to keep her away from me. Maybe he
thinks I'll tell her about his affairs and rendezvous.
but that's not my problem. I'm just happy to
see Juliana happy. When mom and dad turn in for
the night I use the silence to get some work
done. As a game designer I'm free to take my
work anywhere I go, but it also means I have
a lot of deadlines and client edits. It's 3 a
.m. and I am almost finished with my current
project when I hear a noise from the stairway.
I crane my neck toward the sound only to find
Juliana descending the stairs. I resume my work,
but stop when I feel her presence behind me.
Juliana moves to the side of me and sips from
a mug. Can't sleep? I say, breaking the silence.
She shakes her head. Henry snores like a tuba.
I chuckle. Isn't he going to miss you? Nah. He's
definitely out cold. So, what are you doing?
Work. It's for a client. I'm almost finished.
Oh, I still can't believe you're a game designer.
I actually thought you would have studied business
and run Eric's company. Didn't you like that
sort of thing? Yeah, but my interest changed.
I lie. I did like running a business. I did want
to get a business degree, but it was easier to
go in a different direction from what Henry wanted.
And given that it's his dad who owns the company,
he's within his right to be the next CEO and
take over. I just didn't want to be in the way.
Besides, Henry seemed hell -bent on running his
father's company. Juliana sets the cup near my
computer and I eye it like it's a virus. She
gives me a smile. Relax. It's just hot water.
Just? You know it's still liquid, right? She
sighs and sets the cup a little further away
from my laptop. Am I bothering you? No. Good.
because I'm glad for the company. I start typing
again and I can feel her eyes on me. We stay
like this for the next half hour, with her asking
questions about my work, which I know she'll
forget by morning. But honestly, having her around
helped me. I felt relaxed, and I was thinking
clearly. I set my blue light glasses down and
she picks them up quickly, peeking through each
lens like a child with a new toy. I've never
bought one of these. Do they really work? I think
so. Well, my eyes don't hurt as much as before
I got them. Hmm. She tries them on. I... Juliana.
Both our heads whip around toward the stairway.
Henry is standing at the foot of the stairs,
scowling. God, don't you sleep? She stands. I
can't when you're snoring all the time. Henry
rakes his fingers through his brown hair. Come.
Let's get back to bed. I'll just wait for you
to fall asleep before I sleep. All this time
I've found something else to do on my laptop.
I don't want to get caught up in their couple
drama, especially when Henry is involved. When
Henry stretches his hand out for her, Juliana
glances over her shoulder at me. Good night,
Elliot. I give her a silent salute before Henry
whispers something in her ear. She nods, then
disappears upstairs. Henry rushes toward me and
flops into the chair beside me. The one Juliana
had just occupied, still warm and scented like
sweet mangoes. What's your angle? I'm sorry,
what? What are you trying to do with her? What
were you two talking about? I shrug. Nothing
of importance. Stay the fuck away from Juliana.
The last thing I need is for you to be giving
her any ideas and fucking up tomorrow. I am a
changed man now. That was my past. Got it, dude.
Now chill. I won't fuck up anything for you.
If he remains the same as today, he might just
do that all by himself. I love her. I'm sure
you do. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?
Nothing. I shake my head. Your fiance to be is
waiting on you. Anything to end this dumb conversation.
Henry stands and squeezes my shoulder. I bet
she is. I shut my laptop and stretch my arms
above me. It's been a long night. I think I'll
head in too. We have a busy day tomorrow. See
you in the morning, brother. It's the day of
our parents' anniversary, and we're three hours
in when Henry stands and taps his glass for his
second speech of the night. No one but Mom and
I knows what he's about to say. First, he starts
off talking about love and devotion, then references
Juliana, calls her a queen, someone he adores
and respects. I have to stifle a few too many
huffs. I really don't want to ruin the moment.
Suddenly, Henry is in front of Juliana, down
on one knee. She says yes, and the crowd cheers.
But I didn't ignore the way she glanced at me
before answering. There was a flicker of sadness
or disappointment in her eyes. I don't know.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it. The night
carries on. And after everything he just said,
Henry still decides to go out with his friends
to celebrate his engagement. Juliana doesn't
even protest. She just lets him go. Had I been
the one who proposed, we would have spent the
entire night together, whether wrapped in sheets
or sharing dinner. My fiance would have been
by my side. I would have not been out with the
boys. It's after midnight, and I'm listening
to a podcast when Juliana appears wrapped in
a duvet Cold I ask she shakes her head then nods
kind of I Pat the empty space beside me Juliana
sinks into the seat, but keeps a reasonable distance
Am I bothering you again? Never you shouldn't
have to ask that I Set the phone on the coffee
table and lean back into the couch So what's
got you up at this hour? I know it's not Henry
snoring. So what is it then? wedding jitters
She scoffs what? Nothing can we watch a movie
or something? Whatever you're up for I'm down
as long as it helps your mood. I Hand her the
remote after a while. She finally chooses something.
It's a romance We sit in silence watching the
screen If anyone asked me what the movie was
about, I couldn't say. My mind keeps drifting
down the worst paths. I want to say Henry isn't
the one she should be marrying. That he's a cheater,
and he's probably cheating right now. But I shake
it off. It's not my place. I'll be damned if
I get blamed for ruining their relationship.
Juliana yawns. Though her voice is heavy with
sleep. I know she's tired. So am I. But her presence
always brings a strange sort of peace. Ten minutes.
She murmurs. Then you can send me to bed. I let
out a soft laugh. Alright, ten minutes. I'm just
gonna lay my head here. She tilts her body until
her head rests on my shoulder. Her eyes are still
open but heavy. I allow it. Ten minutes. Juliana
lets out a soft sigh. This is what I like. This
is what I can get used to. But I can't. Not with
Henry's existence. I just have to enjoy this
moment since it may never happen again. What
the fuck is going on here? Stay tuned for part
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