Chapter 45

"Lip, are you okay?"

Mandy noticed Lip staring at her blankly and shook his hand, pouting playfully.

"Yeah, I'm fine—it's all up to you!"

Lip snapped out of his daze, gazing at Mandy with tenderness. He placed both hands on her shoulders.

"Hehe, I'm so happy!" Mandy said, hugging Lip tightly.

"Alright, alright, let's get home quickly," Lip urged.

"Yo, it seems you're eager!"

"What kind of international joke is that? How can I feel at ease with such a beautiful and delicious girlfriend by my side?"

"Then let's go wild!" Mandy teased, holding Lip's right hand as she carried the bag containing her old clothes. Together, they strolled home cheerfully.

Under the setting sun, their shadows stretched long across the road.

Pedestrians couldn't help but glance at them as they passed by. Mandy's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Lip, why are all these people staring at us?"

"Maybe they think you're a celebrity," Lip replied with a smirk.

"Are you sure it's not because I'm wearing sunglasses in winter?"

"Could be that too," Lip admitted.

"Hehe, it's my first time experiencing this kind of attention!"

The two chatted and laughed as they continued their walk.

Half an hour later, they arrived on the street leading to Gallagher's house.

Knock, knock, knock!

Lip knocked on the door. Recently, he had been so focused on Mandy that he kept forgetting his house keys.

"I'm coming!" Ian's voice called out.

Creak! The door opened.

"Bro, who's this beauty?" Ian asked, eyes wide.

"Take a guess!" Lip grinned.

"Hmm… I can't guess." Ian shook his head.

"Hahaha, you don't even recognize me?" Mandy's voice rang out like a sweet silver bell.

"Man… Mandy?"

"Hehe, that's me!" Mandy said, taking off her sunglasses.

"Wow, Mandy, you look stunning!"

"Thanks! It's all because of Lip," Mandy replied with a giggle.

"Huh?"

"He's the one who picked everything for me, from head to toe!" Mandy explained proudly.

"You two are so sweet it's sickening," Ian said, shaking his head. "I'm convinced."

"Don't worry, Ian—you'll be dishing out the same level of sweetness soon enough," Lip teased, patting Ian on the shoulder as they all entered the house.

"Wow, it smells amazing!" Lip exclaimed, sniffing the air. "What's for dinner?"

"Grilled chicken and steak," Fiona called from the kitchen.

"Awesome! I haven't had that in ages!"

Lip, Mandy, and Ian made their way to the kitchen.

"Hi! Are you a celebrity?" Fiona asked, taken aback by Mandy's beauty.

"Uh… no," Mandy answered shyly.

"She's my classmate, Mandy," Ian clarified.

"Mandy, you're gorgeous!" Fiona exclaimed.

"Thank you!" Mandy said with a smile.

"She's also my new girlfriend—Mandy Milkovich," Lip declared confidently.

"What?" Fiona froze, knife in hand.

"Lip, what's going on with you lately?"

"Don't worry, Fiona. I'm doing what's best for myself and the Gallagher family," Lip replied nonchalantly.

"But… what about Karen?" Fiona asked, glancing at Mandy.

"Karen is still my girlfriend," Lip explained. "And Mandy is also my girlfriend."

"What? Are you joking?"

"Nope," Mandy interjected with a smile. "I know about Karen, but I'm fine being Lip's second girlfriend."

"Oh my God, what kind of magical world are you young people living in?" Fiona sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Lip and Mandy exchanged amused smiles. Ian rolled his eyes, frustrated that his attempt to deflect attention had failed.

"Lip, just to be clear—this family can't handle another child," Fiona warned.

Lip didn't answer, just nodded with a small sigh, glancing at Mandy.

A moment later, Carl and Debbie came downstairs, Liam in tow. Their eyes immediately locked on Mandy.

"Wow, what a babe!" Carl exclaimed, his jaw dropping.

"Fiona, is this your sister?" Debbie asked, wide-eyed.

Fiona rolled her eyes but didn't respond.

"This is Mandy, my girlfriend," Lip explained proudly.

"Oh my God!" Debbie and Carl gasped in unison, giving Lip enthusiastic thumbs-ups.

Lip smirked and flashed them a victorious hand gesture.

Knock, knock, knock!

Steve entered the house, his expression one of exaggerated curiosity.

"Alright, who's hosting their friends tonight?" Steve teased.

Fiona rolled her eyes so hard they practically disappeared.

"Steve, my brother brought his new girlfriend over," Carl announced excitedly.

"Wait—what? Didn't you just bring Karen here for dinner yesterday? Did you two break up already?" Steve asked, throwing his hands up in mock confusion.

"Karen and I didn't break up," Lip said casually. "But Mandy is definitely my girlfriend too."

Steve stared at them in shock before silently giving Lip a thumbs-up. His face practically screamed, Brother, you're a legend.

Lip couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, a vanity greater than earning $10,000 in one go.

Meanwhile, Mandy's face was burning red, her ears just as flushed.

"Alright, alright, let's eat!" Fiona said, trying to steer the conversation back to dinner.

The family gathered at the table, still in a mix of shock and awe. All eyes kept darting between Lip and Mandy as they shared their meal in stunned silence.

4o