Expectation-1

　　BASH

　　My head snaps to Lizzy’s boyfriend, Dean. I don’t like him so much, but who am I to judge, and he seems to make my sister happy. But if he ever hurts my sister, I won’t hesitate to break his face. 

　　Dean marches in my direction. As a golden boy, I give him a smile that I mastered since I was a kid.

　　“Good to see you again, man.” I extend my hand, and he grips it tightly with a manly hug.

　　“Welcome back, Bash.”

　　“Thanks, Dean. So, how’s the new lawyer?” 

　　His face lights up. Honestly, he’s perfect for my sister. He gets the look that can be the future senator, built like a soccer player, and a brain that could pass laws for the country’s future.

　　“Thanks for asking, Bash. Just got a case yesterday. A company files a lawsuit against your dad’s company. I shouldn’t be discussing this with you, but I know Liz is filling you somehow. It’s not a big deal. Your company will surely win this case. It’s nonsense. They’re wasting their money and time.” He seems so confident about what he does for a living. Being graduated as magna cum laude at Harvard Law School, he has the privilege. “So, are you going to start your masters here?” he asks.

　　I take a breath. “That’s the plan. Mom won’t let me go back again. Dad wants me to start working with him. So, I guess I don’t have an escape plan this time.”

　　Lizzy marches in. She grabs Dean’s head and kisses him like I’m not around. I’m not used to seeing my sister locking lips with her boyfriend. 

　　I fake a cough.

　　“What? Can’t I kiss my boyfriend?” she asks mischievously. 

　　I roll my eyes that makes Dean chuckle and lick his lips. “It’s really not my business, but that’s my sister who just kissed in front of me. Gross.” I wrinkle my nose.

　　“I think I need to set you up for a date.” Her eyes glint.

　　I shake my head. “Not happening, Lizzy. I didn’t come back to date.”

　　She rolls her eyes. “You’re no fun. You can’t just lock up yourself in your penthouse after your classes and your training in the company.” 

　　“Lizzy, I’ll date when I want to, and don’t worry, I just came out from a relationship.”

　　She snorts. “I told you I don’t like that slag.”

　　I groan. “Liz, stop it, and we’re over.” I throw her a warning look.

　　She shrugs. “Fine.”

　　She doesn’t like Dana at all. I dated Dana for a year, but Lizzy never even talked to her or said hi. I can’t blame my sister though, Dana and I may be dated, but it didn’t get to a point of going into a deeper relationship. The sex is good, but the longer we were together, the sex was just like part of the routines every night. She didn’t even mention coming here with me. So our relationship ended up in London.

　　“Mom, I got to get going. It’s almost six in the morning.” I yawn as I rub mom’s back. 

　　She is sitting on the barstool while I’m still standing in front of her. 

　　“Can I come and see you?” she asks, running her fingers on my black hair that I got from dad. 

　　I laugh. “Of course. I know you’ve got my penthouse keys. You don’t have to ask me, you know.”

　　She looks at my gray eyes longer, which makes me feel uneasy. 

　　“What?” I stare back at her beautiful green one.

　　“Are you happy to be back?”

　　I nod, releasing a sigh. I can’t help but run my fingers through my hair. My heart still is broken, and I don’t know how to fix it. The scars are still fresh, a constant reminder that I had never moved on.

　　“Bash, did you expect her to be here tonight?” 

　　I look away, shrugging my shoulders. I take a deep breath when my eyes start to sting. I bite my lip and nod slowly. “I didn’t expect her to be here, but I was hoping that maybe, she would be here.” My voice is low, but Mom can feel my emotion in those words. 

　　Mom holds my hands and squeezed them. “You two need to talk. You both need closure.” 

　　I shake my head. “Got to go, mom. Where’s dad?”

　　“Here, son.” Dad raises his hand. He’s sitting with Lizzy and Dean. 

　　I get in the car waiting for me after bidding goodbye to my family. Edmund quickly closes the door after me and runs towards the driver’s seat. He starts the engine without a word when he notices the expression on my face.

　　He plays another song. This time it’s from Lifehouse.