Mixed Feelings

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**OLIVIA's POV**

I arrived home. After I parked my car in the garage, I made my way to the house. Once I was inside, I went straight to the kitchen to grab some water.

I almost choked when I felt a hand wrapping around my waist from behind, making me gulp down the water too fast. I recognized the familiar fragrance.

"Neal, I am going to kill you," I shouted at him as I tried to free myself from his grasp, but he drew me closer, intensifying the situation.

"I have warned you several times to stop hugging me from behind," I said to him.

"Does it turn you on, huh?" he said before winking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him, but I could see his expression seemed like he was hurting or maybe something wasn't right with him.

"Neal, what's wrong? Talk to me," I asked him, beginning to get anxious.

"I've missed you," he said before planting a soft kiss on my cheek, which left a tingling sensation.

"Have you been drinking?" I asked him.

"What do you mean? Of course not. Did you not miss me? I've been away for six weeks now. I only wanted to surprise you; that's why I didn't inform you of my return, love," he said.

"Well, I am surprised, all right, to the point I almost choked. See?" I said to him with a choking expression on my face.

"But you've been drinking, though," I persisted.

"Not really, maybe a little," he said before biting his lower lip.

I shifted from him, trying to create space between us because it suddenly felt hot.

"Are you avoiding me now? You're not happy to see me?" he asked.

"Why on earth would I do that? You're drunk and you're being weird," I said to him, making a joke out of it.

But he pouted his lips, acting like a baby in need of attention.

"Goodness, Neal, I don't have time for this. I'm exhausted. I want to go take a shower, so please let go before the workers see us and get the wrong idea," I cautioned him.

"We're no longer kids, Neal. Please behave," I added.

"Okay, fine," he said, retreating.

"You know I hate it when you reek of alcohol," I said to him before making my way to my room.

"This is not fair! Is this the welcome I get?" he shouted, but I simply ignored his whining.

I just lay in bed, thinking about the stranger I met. I had hoped to meet him again. Although I was too shy to look at him properly, I still managed to steal glances at him.

I couldn't stop gazing at his lips. I never knew a man could have such lovely and appealing lips. His lips were tempting, and his eyes were doing something to my body. If I were into one-night stands, maybe I would have pretended to be lost.

I couldn't believe myself when I hugged him. Oh, his body was warm and cozy. It felt like a safe haven apart from Neal.

This stranger is another man I want to be hugging. I don't know why, but it felt so right. I was in my fantasy world; I didn't realize Neal was already in my room.

"Who's occupying your thoughts?" he asked before he came to lie down next to me.

"What are you talking about, Neal?" I asked, trying to feign ignorance.

"Your face is redder than a beetroot, so tell me, who is he? And before you say it's no one, mind you, I've been standing here for a long time," he said.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to hide the obvious. "Nothing like that. Don't start putting ideas into my head," I told him off as I struck my finger on his forehead. He jolted at what I did.

"What the hell, Olivia? That hurt," he grunted.

I giggled before adjusting on the bed.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked him.

"I came to talk, but obviously, you were here getting lost thinking about someone else," he said.

I laughed as I tried to mimic his childish behavior. I mean, he is 27 years old, and he is just 4 years older than I am, but yet every time he's with me, he acts like a child. When it comes to other people, his actions are terrifying, which makes me wonder what his deal is.

Well, it is understandable for him to care so much about me. He's my half-brother, after all. But the way he goes about it sometimes makes people misunderstand the type of relationship we share.

His actions sometimes make me wonder if he likes me as a woman.

"There you go again, getting distracted," he said.

"I am not distracted, just lost in thought," I responded, taking a deep breath.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, looking somewhat distorted.

I just shook my head, not wanting my voice to betray me in hope that he'd drop it, but no.

"Is it a man?" he asked, raising his brows.

I just turned my face, trying not to look at him, but he pulled my face closer to him before saying, "Were you thinking about me then?" He didn't let go of my face, and this time, our lips were almost brushing each other.

"Neal, stop," I muttered in a shaky breath.

"You're my brother," I managed to speak.

"Half-brother," he corrected, then continued, "Would it make any difference if I was not?"

I wanted to respond, but he used his finger to cross my lips while pulling my body closer to him with his other hand. His touch was so soft that it made me let out a soft gasp.

"C'mon, you're my half-sister, mind you. So, what do you say?" he asked.

I was about to respond when I heard our help, Sofia, calling out to us. I could also hear a lady's voice

"What the hell?" Neal said. His expression changed instantly as if he knew who the voice belonged to.