Hazel's POV

"Enough, guys!" I stepped in between them, trying to push my brother back, but he stood firm, glaring angrily at my friend. "Stop it, you're scaring her," I stated firmly, pushing against my brother's chest.

"This is only the beginning," my brother remarked bitterly, casting a disdainful glance at Celeste. "And why are you defending her? This girl snuck into your room," he snapped at me, shaking his head incredulously.

"In case you've forgotten," Celeste's frustration was clear in her voice as she closed the distance between her and my brother, "you're the one who barged into the room while I was half-naked."

My brother's lips curled into a cocky smirk as he leisurely checked out Celeste from head to toe. "Oh, come on now. Don't act innocent. You practically put on a show for me," he retorted, his tone full of arrogance. "Did you honestly expect me to believe your towel just happened to slip off accidentally? What were you really planning by waltzing into this room unannounced? Just so you know, my room is upstairs," he added mockingly.

"How dare you!" Celeste's voice trembled with anger, her hand ready to hit my brother, but Joshua quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"Don't even think about it! Or else..." Joshua's words cut through the tension, his grip firm, his eyes blazing with warning.

"Enough, Joshua!" Frustration bubbled up inside me, my own voice rising as I tried to pull Celeste away from him, struggling to break his grip, my fingers working hard to loosen his hold.

Celeste's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping as she took in the revelation. "What? Is he... your brother?" she stammered, glancing back and forth between me and my brother, her astonishment palpable.

I looked at Celeste's surprised eyes and nodded. "Yes, he's Joshua," I confirmed, my tone laced with concern as I shifted my attention from her to my brother. "Joshua, what's gotten into you? Are you out of your mind? Let go of Celeste's wrist this instant!" My words were firm, carrying the weight of authority.

"Celeste?" Joshua repeated, sounding puzzled as he stared blankly at my friend, as if trying to process the situation.

With a heavy sigh, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening between these two. It was like watching a bizarre soap opera happening right in front of my eyes. What in the world was going on with them? The tension in the air thickened, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"Yes, didn't you recognize her?" I asked, a mixture of frustration and disbelief lacing my tone. "She's not a stranger, she's my best friend." I shot my brother a pointed look, hoping he'd get how silly he sounded.

With a relieved sigh, I watched as my brother swiftly released Celeste's wrist, his hand instinctively reaching up to rake through his tousled hair. His furrowed brow betrayed the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"I... I have to go," he muttered, his voice strained as he glanced at Celeste with an inscrutable expression. before he hastily exited my room, the sound of his retreating footsteps echoing in the silence.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a heavy sigh, my exasperation mingling with a sense of resignation.

"Why did Joshua act so oddly towards you?" I asked, my brow furrowing with confusion as I looked at my friend.

"I..." Celeste's response was cut short as a sudden wave of dizziness overcame her, causing her to sway unsteadily.

"Celeste!" I lunged forward, instinctively catching her before she could collapse, my arms wrapping around her to steady her trembling form. "Are you alright? You're as pale as a ghost," I said, guiding her gently to sit on the edge of the bed. "It's all because of my caveman brother. I swear, I'll have a word with him," I muttered through clenched teeth, a surge of anger pulsing through me as I thought about confronting Joshua. However, Celeste's hand on my arm stopped my impulsive movement, her eyes silently pleading for restraint.

"No, really, I'm fine," Celeste insisted, her voice strained but determined.

I let out a heavy sigh, my heart sinking with guilt. "I'm so sorry, Celly. I don't understand what's gotten into him," I confessed, offering her an apologetic expression, hoping to ease the tension.

She nibbled nervously on her lower lip, refusing to meet my gaze. "You don't need to apologize, really. It's probably just a misunderstanding," she murmured softly, mustering a forced smile. "I think I'll just try to get some sleep. I'm exhausted," she added, her mind clearly elsewhere, lost in her own thoughts.

***

Alone at the breakfast table, I twirled my fork absently, the clinking of cutlery against porcelain the only sound in the room. Celeste had darted out fifteen minutes earlier, saying she had errands to run. But I knew the real reason. She was avoiding another run-in with my obnoxious brother, running away before he had a chance to spoil her morning. And who could blame her? After his antics last night, it was a miracle she even stayed this long.

The creak of footsteps on the staircase drew my attention, and I glanced up to see my brother coming down loudly, like a storm. He looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept at all. The tension radiating from him was palpable, and I braced myself for whatever storm was about to brew.

"You have to apologize to Celeste," I stated, my tone firm and unwavering, each word carrying the weight of my conviction.

"Good morning to you too," Joshua retorted sarcastically, his tone dripping with disdain as he sank into the chair. With deliberate nonchalance, he reached for the coffee pot, pouring the dark liquid into his cup with practiced nonchalance.

"Joshua!" I exclaimed sharply, my frustration simmering beneath the surface.

His brow furrowed in annoyance. "Fine, I'll talk to her. Where is she?" His words held a begrudging acceptance, tinged with the reluctance of someone facing an unpleasant task.

"She left early," I retorted bitterly, the bitterness seeping into my words, "probably because she couldn't stand the sight of you."

He shot me a disdainful glare and muttered something barely audible before letting out a heavy sigh. "Fine," he agreed, his tone heavy with irritation, "I'll talk to her later."

"Excellent, considering you both collaborate," I remarked, a smug grin tugging at the corners of my lips. My brother gave me a puzzled glance, prompting me to elaborate. "She's part of the company, the new lawyer," I clarified, watching for his reaction.

His eyes widened in shock. "What?"

Perplexed by his reaction, I furrowed my brow. "What's with the reaction? Is there something going on between you two?" I asked, suspicion tainting my tone as I furrowed my brow, searching for answers.

"Nothing," he mumbled, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. "Fine, I'll talk to her at the company tomorrow."

"Don't scare her like you did last time," I demanded firmly, my voice tinged with a hint of warning as I locked eyes with Joshua, my expression serious.

My brother shot me a glare, his expression darkening with annoyance. "I'm not some caveman," he retorted, his voice tinged with irritation.

Arching an eyebrow, I met his gaze with a smirk. "Oh, of course not," I replied sarcastically, the corner of my lips twitching with amusement.

"Hazel," he warned, full of irritation in his voice as he rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"What? Because of your reckless behavior, she nearly fainted," I spat out, my anger seething beneath the surface.

"What? Is she alright?" My brother asked, his concern evident in his voice, his brows furrowed with worry.

"Oh, now you're concerned? You should've considered the consequences before your actions," I retorted bitterly, my tone laced with frustration.

"Hazel..." He exhaled heavily, his voice trailing off before he composed himself. "She looks... different now. I didn't recognize her. So I misunderstood everything. Is she here to stay permanently?"

I arched an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "What's with the sudden interest? Do you have a crush on her? The way you were staring intensely, it's as if you were devouring her with your eyes. And who knows what mischief you were up to, making her scream like that?" I teased, a mischievous grin playing on my lips.

"Don't be ridiculous, Hazel!" His tone was sharp with irritation. "I already have a girlfriend," he snapped, his hand absently rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort.

"Yeah, unfortunately," I muttered under my breath, unable to hide my disappointment.

"I heard it," Joshua's tone was firm, his gaze piercing as he shot me a disapproving look.

I released a weary sigh, shoulders slumping. "You know I don't like her," I admitted with a shrug.

"We agreed," Joshua reminded me, his voice tinged with disappointment. "You promised to respect her and treat her well for my sake."