Babushka ✔, Valkyrae

15. he hummed

A/N I changed the last part of the last chapter. It was Sykkuno who texted Rae, not James.

15. he hummed

'Alex, you look more fresh and happier than Imane, here.'

'Well, Janet, I know I'm more beautiful than Imane.'

'There's not a single flicker of doubt upon that.' Rae seconded as Imane narrowed her gaze at the lot.

They were all tired from streaming, especially Janet and Rae and hence decided to dine in. Alex was a good looking and always smiling 26 year old who always brought a fresh breath of life whenever he was around and moreover, Imane was more happier with him nearby.

Rae only noticed how Imane's smile never really fades whenever Alex was around and she hoped it would always remain.

'I bought some chocobars for my favorite Janet.' He said, winking at Janet as he handed her the carton of chocobars and to Imane he forwarded the strawberry glaze ice-cream. The chocolate one was Rae's, but before handing her the dish, he paused.

'I'm sorry Rae.' He said, making a sad face. 'They had no beans flavored ones, you gotta settle for chocolate chips.'

Imane chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand and Rae narrowed her gaze at him. He shrugged, 'What? I'm just being a good guy.'

They all had Thai for dinner and were now peacefully eating the ice cream by the balcony of their living room. The discussions were focused on the upcoming engagement party and weekend getaway at Barbados. They were leaving by Thursday night, have a chill time on Friday, attend the party at Saturday night and then leave by Sunday morning.

'Everything is set, sweetie.' Alex said planting a kiss at Imane's temple. 'You're worrying for nothing.'

'I know.' She replied while Janet and Rae shared a smile.

'Also, it's a small affair. Just your few friends, mine and our families.' Alex said, eating a bite from his ice-cream. 'Even if things don't fair well, they wouldn't mind.'

Janet and Imane agreed instantly, as Rae wondered how she should frame her next question. But she had to.

'Say, Alex?' She said, furrowing her brows, 'How close is James Tran to you?'

Imane shook her head in dismay while Janet sighed, as Alex laughed. 'I'm sorry Rae, but J is a very close friend.' He said as he sympathized with Rae's frown. 'I know him since three years now. He's literally the Head of my Department and more than that a really good friend.' Alex said with a smile and a shrug.

Rae rolled her eyes, 'More good friend than me?'

'Rae!' Imane said but Alex only laughed.

'He is a good person, Rae.' Alex said, wrapping his hand around Imane. 'And I admit he comes off to be a bit rude and obnoxious but he's a great guy, Rae. And honestly, I kinda hoped that I could set you two up, you know.'

Janet choked on her ice-cream, unable to contain her laughter while Rae literally gasped, her mouth ajar. Imane chuckled, rubbing Janet's back.

'Are you out of your mind? Alex?' Rae scoffed, finishing her ice-cream scoop. 'He's literally the last thing on my mind.'

'Well, Rae.' Alex said winking at her. 'If J was the first thing you asked me about this party then he's not the last thing on your mind for sure.'

And Rae just grunted.

_

'Sykkuno, I didn't mean that you know.' Rae said over the call. 'I just said it. It just happened.'

'I get it, Rae.'

'No no no Sykkuno.' She said sweetly, applying polish on her toes as she balanced her phone on her shoulder. 'Please, I really didn't mean it that way you know.' She said, her soft voice was pleading tone was funny for Sykkuno who actually wasn't that bothered by Rae's comment on his brother.

But Rae being Rae had just been apologizing since the start of the call, without letting Sykkuno say anything.

'But Rae...'

'No, Sykkuno. I swear I didn't mean it as a rude thing.' She paused, 'Okay maybe it was meant to be a rude thing. But not spiteful, I swear.'

'Rae!' Sykkuno almost yelled, while Rae was amused at his higher tone.

'What?'

'It's okay, Rae.' He switched back to his spot tone. 'I know how your quick instincts are and honestly, J is away from this streaming world so he'll never know.' He said, as Rae nodded. 'And, J is kinda like sour patch gummies to everyone else, so it's okay. He'll probably just shrug if you do tell him this.'

'Tell me what?' James cold voice was heard as Rae sat back, Sykkuno cleared his throat as he answered.

'Nothing, J, just talking to my friend Rachel.' He said, clearly bad at lying in real life.

'Who?'

Rae rolled her eyes, of course he wouldn't know her name.

'Rae? Valkyrae? The one who came that day?' Sykkuno clarified.

All Rae heard was a small slight hum and Sykkuno took over. James didn't sound too happy to know it was her on the other end. But then, she would've have reacted way worse.

Rae smiled, 'Sykkuno. You're like the bestest.' She cooed, making Sykkuno chuckle nervously. 'No you are. Don't be modest Sykkuno, I'll kill you.'

'No. I guess. But you're best too, Rae.'

'Yea I know.' Rae chuckled, as she heard a knock on the door and Alex entered in with a smile, signalling for a lotion and Rae pointed at the left drawer of her dresser. 'Okay Sykkuno, I'll see you later at the stream okay? Byeeee.'

'Was it Sykkuno on the call?' Alex enquired, as he applied the moisturiser on his palms.

'Yes.' Rae beamed, sitting back, 'Sykkuno's kinda like a homie now.'

'That's strange.' Alex said, shaking his head. 'You hate J, but you love his twin?'

Rae rolled her eyes, 'First. I don't love Sykkuno that way. He's more sibling to me than a romantic interest.' Rae clarified as Alex chuckled, 'And secondly, I don't hate his twin.' She shrugged, 'I just don't like him.' She then tilted her head at Alex. 'And why is this strange?'

Alex shrugged, 'I mean it's not my place to tell. But J and his twin, Sykkuno, were really close to each other once upon a time. And from what I know, Sykkuno didn't do him good cause of which there was a rift in the family and J had to separate.'

Rae furrowed her brows again, 'What?'

'I don't know the entire story.' Alex said, as he placed the moisturiser back in her drawer. 'J didn't share a lot about his past. But once when we were a little too high at a club, he did mention about his twin and how he separated from the family cause of him. That's all I know, I could be wrong though but from what J did say, it sounded like Sykkuno betrayed him.'

Alex then left as Rae sat back, completely baffled. She closed the polish lid and placed it on the dresser as she sat back in her streaming chair.

There was no way that Sykkuno could ever betray anyone, forget his twin. He was the nicest guy out there and she was pretty sure he'd break his own heart than anyone else's.

That made her think how James had been bad mouthing his own brother! She wasn't too sure about the story because Alex did mention they were drunk but she also knew that Alex never lied. Plus, why would Sykkuno out his own twin? That didn't sound like him at all.

There's only two way about this.

One, James was actually an arrogant rude guy.

Second, the twins were going to kill her with their silent feud.

_

A/N

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