After Mariana had finished her work, she rushed back home to get the cake. She didn't want to be too late to get to Micah but she hoped that he will be at home one she got there.

She brought it out of the fridge and removed the cover. On the plate was her triple-layered chocolate cake, silently calling her name with its alluring malty glaze.

Her mouth watered as she licked her lips. The fruity scent of the red-ripe strawberries tempted her to take a bite but she quickly put the cover back to hide its appealing appearance.

She carried it carefully like a baby in her arms while trying to avoid Rio's little paws stepping around. His tail brushed against her legs which tickled her a little, but she managed to keep the cake in her grip.

When she got outside, she placed the cake in the trunk and made sure it was secure. She gave it one last dreamy look before closing it off and getting inside her car. She turned the key into the ignition and drove off.

She was feeling quite refreshed today. She was wearing an off-shoulder white top with jeans, and her hair flaring out with some strands tickling her peachy cheeks. Her hands were steady on the steering wheel.

When she got to the mansion, she parked near a patch of grass and got out her cake. Fortunately, it was in one piece and still looked fabulous.

She had it firmly in her hands as she approached the entrance. Water sprayed out from the fountain of frozen dolphins and gleamed out a rainbow. Tiny droplets fell onto her white nails like pearls.

She went to the transparent doors and gently tapped on them. Luckily, she was under the shade as she eagerly waited for the door to open.

She eventually saw a faded hand pull it open and she was greeted with the golden scenery of the main hall.

She saw him standing a few meters away and ran towards him. "Micah!"

Micah turned towards her direction and then caught her in a hug. "Hey."

He was a bit surprised to see her but he was happy anyway.

"I made you a cake!" She exclaimed and unveiled it in front of his eyes. His jaw dropped as well as his eyes being dazzled by the blushing strawberries and chocolate drizzles.

"Oh Mariana," he said softly as she slowly laid the plate into his hands, "thank you so much..." He hugged her tightly with one arm, burying his face into her neck. He was in awe at how she made an effort to make him a chocolate cake. Even though it was very unexpected, he appreciated it so much, especially after yesterday.

"So what made you want to make this cake?" He asked as they went into the living room.

"Well I got your message that you were upset, and since it was getting late for me to come yesterday, I decided that I'll bring you this today, I hope it's okay."

"What?" He blinked in confusion as he couldn't remember ever telling her about what had happened.

"You texted me saying that you were upset."

"Huh?" He looked at his phone and then went through his messages. His eyes slowly blinked at the message that was sent to her yesterday. With a burning grip on his phone, he realized that Mason probably got to his phone and typed it, even though he wanted to leave her be.

"Did you try and come yesterday?" He asked her more slowly, his tone darkened from his glow of thankfulness.

"No."

"Okay, that's good." He was relieved that she decided to come today, but he was certainly going to talk to Mason about it later.

They went into the living room where Mason and Mylah were seated on the couches.

"Hi guys," Mariana greeted meekly.

"Hey," they replied while preoccupied with their phones.

She sat down next to Mylah's legs while Micah took the cake into the kitchen to get some ice cream.

"Hi!" Mylah sat up and hugged her. Her body was soaking warm as her hair slightly tickled Mariana's face. She rubbed her small round head against her shoulder.

"How have you been Mylah?" Mariana returned her hug.

"I'm good, I recently downloaded this game and I can't stop playing it,"

Oh, can I try it?"

"Sure." Mylah handed her rose gold iPhone 8+ over to her. Mariana held it delicately in her arms, and Mylah showed her the game until Micah came back with a bowl and a tub of ice cream.

"Thanks again for the cake Mariana," he said as he sat down and started eating.

"It's no problem," she said but kept her eyes on the screen.

"There's cake?" Mylah's eyes wandered onto the table. She soon caught sight of the chocolate dessert and rushed to go get a bowl.

"Oh this is so nice," Micah said to himself as he quickly devoured his cake. Mariana was happy to see him enjoying himself.

When he felt the need to get a drink, he didn't feel comfortable leaving Mariana alone with his brother, even though their sister was now with them.

"I'm just going to get some juice," he announced and got up. He turned to face them before leaving. "Mariana, can you come with me?"

"Why?" She asked in confusion. She was quite comfortable where she was and didn't feel like getting up.

"Can you just come?"

"But why?"

"I just want you to come."

"Um...alright then."  She shrugged and got up. She slowly followed Micah into the kitchen, even though she was still a bit confused and didn't see the need for her to be tagging along with him.

When they reached the pearly white tiles of the spotless kitchen, Mariana hopped onto the marble black counter while Micah refilled his bowl. She just watched him as his face looked slightly uncomfortable. She wondered why he was acting weird because ever since she got there, there did seem to be an uneasy atmosphere around her.

She then turned her attention to the maid and cook that were sat around a table, chatting amongst themselves.

Her eyes prickled at their murmuring but it sounded like something was going to happen in the coming weeks. She wondered what it was,  so she leaned more forward to eavesdrop but Micah was finished getting his ice cream.

"Come on Mari, let's go back to the others." He held out his hand which Mariana grabbed and hopped off the counter.

They returned to his siblings and continued eating, while Micah was thinking of what he was going to say to his brother once Mariana left.

****

When the time came for Mariana to leave, Micah kissed her goodbye and thanked her again. He enjoyed the cake and the thought of her taking the time to make it, made it even better. The only part of Mason's text he didn't mind, is that Mariana really was the only person who could turn his frown upside down.

"Bye Mari, I love you so much," he said as he let go of her.

"Bye Micah, see you tomorrow!" She blew him a kiss before walking out with her hairs swaying behind.

Once she was out of his sight, Micah closed the door and began to look for Mason.

He saw him about to go upstairs but called him down.

"Mason!" He shouted.

Mason stopped and turned back to his little brother who was on the ground. He wondered why Micah was calling him at this time but decided to go back down to find out the problem.

"What's up little bro," he said, walking back to him.

"Why did you send a text to Mariana even though I said not to? Why did you tell her to come here?" He demanded with subtle aggression. Even though he didn't mind Mariana coming, he didn't like the fact that his brother went behind his back.

"Woah relax, I just did it to cheer you up, I know how much she means to you."

"True." His expression softened because thinking about her made him so happy, but he still glared at his brother in suspicion. He didn't trust his brother one bit around Mariana. "What would you have done if she came yesterday..."

"Wait for you to come back, obviously."

"Really?"

"Yes." He came beside him and patted him on the back. "Micah stop thinking I want your girl,  nobody is taking her from you," he said in assurance and walked some steps away.

"Hm sure you don't..." he murmured in disbelief.

Mason stopped in his tracks and turned to face him. He couldn't believe what he was wearing as he thought that Micah had left that situation in the past.

"Micah, I'm your brother, why would you think I'll do that?"

"Are you seriously asking me that question?" With the way that his brother would flirt with any random girl on the street that he sees, and then throw them in the trash when he's done with them as if they were nothing, he shouldn't be surprised that Micah would be suspicious, but Micah had a bigger issue in mind.

He shrugged and went up the staircase. Micah sighed and went into the dim-lighted living room that was perfect for his cloud of thoughts. He laid down on the couch, exhausted physically and mentally.

He glanced over at the framed picture of him and Mason when they were younger. They were holding up a certificate for a competition they did. But when they got back home, their dad paid more attention to Mason, leaving him out.

He didn't like the fact that his brother always took everything from him. Their father's love, him achieving higher than him, and things that were dear to his heart.

Was Mariana next? The very thought pinched his heart as he couldn't let a thing like that happen a second time.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

I find it funny that Mariana has no idea what's going on😭she's like the piggy in the middle.