Aoi laughs and I frown, mumbling under my breath, “It’s not funny.”
I freaking hate that man. Everything he says is unnecessarily rude and it’s always me he’s targeting. Aoi doesn’t even seem to pick up on the micro-aggressions.
“I want to order ice cream for once. Visha, wanna share one with me?”
How can I refuse him when he beams that way? “I’d love to. Which one do you want?”
“I was thinking this one.” He points at the picture of vanilla ice cream coated with chocolate and a cherry on top. “Looks super good.”
“Then let’s order that one later.”
Aoi raises his arm and calls for a waitress to order our food. For the next hour, we eat our burgers and onion rings dipped in BBQ sauce.
I munch on a mozzarella stick as Jason turns to me, promising the worst. “You’re being reunited with your dear brother, isn’t that perfect?”
“Did Aoi tell you that?”
“He tells me everything.”
Everything? Did he also tell him about my confession? About the kiss? I doubt Aoi would tell that demon about something as private.
“Whatever. It’s none of your business.”
Aoi glances at me. “Visha don’t be rude. Please.”
“I’d say that your brother’s arrival is a fantastic event. He might be able to make a man out of you.”
Someone hold me back before I jump over the table and kill him. Aoi glances between us, casually sipping on his chocolate milkshake as I frown at his uncle’s audacity.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“No need to get offended,” he retorts, rolling his eyes. “I’m just joking around.”
Like hell he is. I know damn well he wants to piss me off until I say something I’ll regret and upset Aoi. Jokes on him because I won’t let that happen.
“As if I’d get offended over a mere joke.”
He narrows his eyes on me, deviously plotting to make my evening a living hell. “Indeed.”
“Jason, cut it out. At least for tonight.” Before Jason can spout another round of concealed insults, the embodiment of kindness next to him pokes his arm. “Wanna know what Visha got me for my birthday?”
“Tell me.”
He smiles and describes the gift, “A frame with pictures of us that change every time you touch the frame. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Indeed, it is.” He cracks a smile. The kind he only offers him and no one else. “I know you’re going to squeal when you see mine.”
Jason may be a raging asshole with me, but he surely dotes on Aoi. I don’t know how someone can be that hateful and still show such softness to one distinct individual. Maybe he was dropped as a child and after seeing Aoi’s angelic halo years later, he joined the same cult as me.
“What did you get me?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Aoi scrunches his nose, and I feel like I’m melting at how adorable he is.
“I feel so old already,” he groans, slurping on his milkshake. “Most people are already married and have kids at my age,” he whines, nudging Jason’s arm. “You should be too.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re only twenty-six. Jason is basically a fossil compared to you.”
