"Hmm? Mr. Protagonist? What are you doing here?"

Rhianne was surprised when she saw Keith sitting in their living room. Rhianne wanted to get a plate of assorted cookies in their kitchen and share it with Candice inside her room while they are finishing their small project so she goes downstairs. She was confused when she saw him staring seriously at the glass of juice placed on the table. She quickly approached Keith and sit beside him.

"What's the problem? Did my brother bully you again?" Rhianne asked. Her voice is full of concern. "Do not worry, Mr. Protagonist. If my brother is always bothering you, I will surely protect you from him."

When Keith heard those words, he can't help but look at Rhianne with squinted eyes.

"...Do I look like someone that can be bullied easily?"

"I do not mean it like that."

"Then what?"

"Just... It is obvious that you do not like meeting my brother though." Rhianne explained. "After all, my brother obviously does not like you. Tell me. Did you made a mistake or try to prank him that's why he does not like you?"

"Do I look like I am similar to my childish brother?" Keith asked her back.

"Hmm... Fair point."

Keith looked at Rhianne with a complicated look before resting his back on the sofa. It is true that he does not want to meet Rhianne's brother every time he visits their mansion. If possible, he only wants to meet Francis once a month. Or maybe once a year. But of course, that is only his wishful thinking.

Rhianne and Francis have a good sibling relationship. If Rhianne will fall in a trouble, Francis will surely come to her rescue without any hesitation. Keith also heard from Rhianne that Francis will be staying in their city again because of their family business so it is really impossible for Keith to avoid him.

The mini big boss is always guarding Rhianne against him. Then what will happen if the time comes when he needs to meet and talk with the final boss? Does he need to prepare for the worst?

But of course, that is only an exaggeration. Uncle Tim is a good man. Keith had met him a lot of times before and he is always treating him well. But when he confessed to Rhianne, Keith surely noticed that Uncle Tim is giving him a scrutinizing look every time they meet. Surely, Uncle Tim is not willing to give his daughter even to him that easily.

So what will he do? Of course, he will face them. Since he already started taking good care of his girl, then he already told himself not to lose this precious girl no matter what happens. And to make it happen, Keith needs to deal with Rhianne's family. They will become his in-laws in the future anyway. Fortunately, Auntie Carmie likes him to be with Rhianne. It really gives Keith a lot of courage to continue courting the girl he likes.

Keith's family is naturally aware of what he is currently doing. And it is all thanks to his blabbermouth brother. It was Calvin who told their parents about his confession to Rhianne during his birthday. When Keith asked him how did he discover it, Calvin said he personally heard it from Rhianne when he asked her.

His father told him that his path to pursue Rhianne will be full of obstacles since he knows the Cartel couple adores their daughter so much while his mother asked him to invite Rhianne to their house once he succeeds in making her his girlfriend. Of course, Calvin did not miss the opportunity and pestered him all the time. Tired of dealing with his childish brother, Keith just lets him do whatever he wants. Keith knows that Calvin will surely stop if he will not give any reaction to his teasings.

"...Ah. The things I will do just to be with you." Keith murmured to himself.

"Hmm? Are you saying something?" Rhianne asked.

"Nothing. I just said I like you. That's all."

"That's..."

"What's wrong, Rhia? Do you have a fever?" Keith asked before moving closer to her.

"Hey!" Rhianne reacted before pushing Keith away from her. "Stop teasing me!"

"What? I am just concerned about your health." Keith said as he looked straight into Rhianne's eyes.

The courage of this man is getting bigger. Rhianne hated herself for blushing too much whenever Keith tried to flirt with her. Although she is a novice when it comes to a romantic relationship, it does not mean Rhianne wanted to act like a teenager in love every time Keith caught him off-guard. But what can she do in this situation? The charm of this male lead is too much for her heart.

'The shy boy I raised was totally gone! He is now a young man who knows how to use his charms for his advantage.'

Look! He now even use his attractiveness to tease her. Keith knows so well that Rhianne likes his eyes very much. So after his confession in the Ferris wheel, Keith uses every resource that he has to tease her with every chance he finds. Most of the time, Keith will stare at her as if she is the only girl he cares about a lot.

"Oh, look. Your cheeks are so red now. Do you think it will burst if I poke it now?" Keith said before poking his finger on her cheek. "Oh. I guess not."

"You brat! You really dare to tease me in my own house!" Rhianne complained as she threw a pillow at Keith.

"What? You are accusing me, Your Highness. I am just really concerned about your health." Keith answered while laughing.

"What are you? A doctor like your brother?"

"Sadly, I am not a doctor. But I am your boyfriend-to-be."

"Y-You! You are so—!"

"Yes? What is it, future girlfriend?"

"..."

"Hmm?"

"...Stop it."

"Oh. Okay."

Though he is enjoying it, Keith did not try to tease Rhianne too much. He does not want to stress her a lot. And besides, he has a lot of time to tease her in the future.

"So Rhianne, do you have any schedule for tonight?"

"Well, no."

"Good. Then do you want to have dinner with me?" Keith asked. This time, he was just casually asking her. "Remember when I told you that my brother asked me to deliver you something?"

"Tonight? But why—Oh."

Then Rhianne finally remembered her short conversation with Andrew the other day. He totally told her that Keith plans to surprise her. Mr. Protagonist is probably using his brother just to cover up his surprise for her. Rhianne also remembered that Andrew gave her the details that Keith bought a gift for her.

Andrew really ruined Keith's surprise to her. She is now really wondering what did Keith had done to Andrew that forced him to take revenge and ruin his plans.

"Rhianne?"

"Huh? Ah."

Rhianne blinked her eyes and stares at Keith's face.

"So are you coming with me tonight?" Keith asked again.

"...Can we bring Candice with us?" Rhianne asked with a smile.

"No." Keith quickly answered.

'I planned everything just to surprise you, so why should I let your clingy friend join us?'

"No? How about my brother?" Rhianne asked again with a smile.

"...No."

When Rhianne saw Keith's flattened lips, she can't help but laugh at his reactions. She is just teasing him, but Keith surely showed on his face that he does not want anyone to join them, especially her brother. But knowing her brother, of course, Rhianne does not want him to join them. If she really did bring Francis with them, he will just surely roast Keith alive all night.

"Alright. I will come with you."

"Good. Then—"

"Oh. A date?"

Turning their heads, they saw Candice standing on the stairs and looking at them with a raised brow. Or it is better to say that she is glaring at Keith as if he owed her a lot of money.

"You heard it. We have a date. So what?" Keith asked her back.

"Why so aggressive? I am just asking." Candice answered with a smirk.

"You're wrong. How can I be so aggressive with my girl's friend?"

"My girl? Wow. That was a fast development. I just changed my clothes and when I go downstairs, my sister is already 'your' girl?"

Three pairs of eyes looked up and saw Francis on top of the stairs while fixing his collar. He may have a chill stance, but Rhianne can see the menacing look behind his eyes. Not only her but even Keith saw it.

"Rhianne, when is your next check-up with Calvin?" Francis asked.

"Well... Next week. Why do you asking me about it?"

"You see, I think I also need to see Calvin again. I suddenly have the urge to throw a complaint in his stupid face. He is not taking good care of his brother. Just look at Keith. He is still hallucinating in a broad daylight."

'Brother, your hostility towards Mr. Protagonist is showing too much.'

"Am I right, brat?" Francis asked with a smile.

"..."