Filed to story: Dumped by Scumbag Adored by Billionaire
“He isn’t nice to you? I’ve always known Neon as the pleasant one compared to Allen,” she muttered.
“Well,” Theodore pulsed his lips, “He’s quite polite to me when he’s not glaring at me. I wonder what I did wrong?” he chuckled as if it was funny.
“Probably because you’re interested in me,” Ailee answered for him, “You’re the only guy who survived long enough to go on a date with me,”
“Oh, I see,” Theodore was surprisingly consoled by the news. For someone as beautiful and popular as her, he had thought she would have had her share of men already.
For some reason, he was thankful her brothers were overprotective of her because they preserved her for him. And now, he would make sure he does everything possible to make her his.
Ailee and Theodore didn’t say anything much afterward, they just observed the photoshoot that had begun just like the other staff members doing the same.
“He’s good,” Theodore said, watching as Neon posed with fellow male models by the beach while Micheal captured their moves.
“Yeah, Neon has always been a fast learner. But then, it would shock you to know that he wasn’t always this smart, no, he was the dumbest of us all. That time, we used to play a lot of pranks on him – Allen especially. It was quite fun while it lasted. It felt surreal when he picked up so quickly on his learning. It was as if one day, he was dumb and the next, as if a spell was cast on him, he changed thoroughly, ” Ailee sighed,” I miss those days, “
Theodore didn’t say anything, rather smiled in understanding. But then, he couldn’t help but wonder if Ailee knew she had said more about Neon than him since they were on a date. Well, it must be because she was working and things would change when they go for dinner later.
The only reminder to Ailee that she was on a date with Theodore was him holding her hands. However, that intimacy was often cut short with her trying to help Neon change into his next outfit in a timely fashion.
“So, I’m trying to understand something here. How are you and Allen twins and Neon isn’t? Was he born a year later or months after? How are both of your siblings? I’m a bit confused here,”
But Ailee answered, laughing, “We aren’t related at all,”
“What?”
The third point of view :
Theodore’s jaw dropped open at that sudden revelation.
“Why are you so shocked, don’t tell me you never looked up our surnames,” Ailee found his expression silly.
He never did, no, he didn’t have the time to check it up. Also, why would he do so when he was more interested in Ailee. The truth is that Theodore indeed found Neon strange since he looked so different from the twins, but he guessed he was a relative or a younger sibling who was smart enough to skip classes and catch up to them. Kids were so smart these days.
“So he’s adopted?” Theodore unconsciously wished so because he suddenly felt threatened.
“I wish,” Ailee sighed, “Bring up matters of adoption with Neon and he’d punch the daylight out of you. Although I wonder why he wouldn’t want to be my real brother when he’d lived half his life as one? Does he know how many people would kill to be in his spot,” Ailee rambled on without noticing the change in Theodore’s demeanor.
“So your family just picked him up from the streets or something and raised him?” he inquired with a narrowed gaze.
“Something like that but it’s kind of complicated. You see my father then was engaged to Neon’s mother however he had no idea of my mother having us and then when he found out finally, you can guess what happened,” Ailee didn’t go much into details, uncomfortable with the past.
“So your father took him in out of guilt for disappointing his mother? What about his mother? What kind of mother would allow that?” Theodore was hungry for more details. It just didn’t make sense to him that Niles would take in a child out of guilt. Disappointing a marriage partner was an everyday occurrence, why would Niles take it hard? Something seemed off.
Ailee was startled by that question, even Neon hardly talked about his past, no, he never talked about it and it made her wonder if he still remembered his birth mother. He never even visited her in the mental hospital. Perhaps, she would convince him to visit Jennifer one of these days. No matter what happened, she was still his mother.
“Of course his mother took the break up hard even though she saw it coming. So in return, she attempted murder on my mother which almost took her life. Unfortunately, the court of appeal found her unfit to stand trial, so she was sent to a mental hospital instead.?Poor Neon was left all by himself since he had no family members and my father had no choice but to take him in and my mom was good with it as well. In a way, I think she felt guilty for what happened,”
Ailee turned to him, “And now, you know his secret, you’re entitled to keep it. If I ever find this piece of news on other people’s lips, I’ll kill you,” She said with a cold, firm voice.
Theodore gulped, she really looked scary right now. However, to his surprise, a smile spread across her face and she hit him on the chest playfully, “Of course, I was joking. But I mean it, keep it a secret,”
“The secret is safe with me. Moreover, what would I gain from spreading such a sensitive matter? I’m not a jerk, Ailee,”
“I know,” She said, “Else I wouldn’t have accepted your offer of a date,”
For some reason, that comment warmed his heart and he had to let go of his fears. What was he thinking? That would never happen. He heard her, they lived the whole of their lives as siblings.?Sometimes families were not formed by blood but bond, moreover, she choose to date him, not Neon.
The both of them didn’t say anything afterward and just kept to their thoughts until Theodore asked, “Are they couples?”
“What?” Ailee was confused and then followed Theo’s line of sight only to fall upon Neon and Makenzie. They had begun the duo shots and Mackenzie was not holding back in showing off her closeness to Neon.
Ailee clenched her fists and didn’t even know when she said out loud, “That little witch!”
“Witch? Who?”
“Who do you think if not that material woman throwing herself on him?!” Ailee said through gritted teeth, “She thinks I don’t know what she’s planning. She wants to date Neon because of what she could gain from him,”
“How do you know that?” Theodore asked.
“I know women like her! Why do you think Neon hasn’t dated anyone so far?”
“Neon hasn’t dated anyone so far?” Theodore was not comfortable with that piece of news. Call it men’s instinct but he was not comfortable with the vibe Neon was giving off especially when around Allen.
Although both of them – Allen and Neon – were protective of Ailee, unlike Allen, Neon was territorial, almost like an alpha wolf trying to keep off his mate from other males. At first, he had not given it much thought until Ailee just confessed he was not her biological brother nor had he dated anyone. The warning flags were there and it made him extremely uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that Ailee was ignorant and completely trusted him – Neon. Or was he thinking too much?
“Your brother doesn’t seem to be complaining and he’s smart and old enough to make his decision,” Theodore said a bit too firmly.
Ailee frowned at him, “Just because he’s smart doesn’t mean he has a high EQ. Moreover, old enough or not, I’m his sibling and should help him make the right choice,”
“Or maybe you’re just jealous of the attention he’s giving…..” Theodore trailed off because he realized he just ruined everything. Wonderful.
“I didn’t… it isn’t what you…” He failed miserably trying to explain himself.
“Maybe, this date was a bad idea after all,” Ailee was quick to conclude, already turning to leave.
“Ailee,” He grabbed onto her arm but her intense gaze was all the warning he needed to let go.
“Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put it that way but I’m just saying you’re making a huge deal out of something so insignificant,” He said, hoping she understood him.
“Of course, I understand you but this would be all for today,” Ailee said sternly and left.