Kiss Me Before You Go

Part Nine

"He's not coming with you," P'Finn said after Phillip asked me if I wanted to go with him to the disco.

We were all in the living room except for aunt and uncle discussing how much fruit salad and mango float are enough for tomorrow. The latter is one of my favorites so she wanted to make a lot.

Phillip was taken aback by P'Finn's declaration. I was too. Didn't he say I'm already twenty and so I could decide for myself. Not that I mind. I liked how he threw that statement out there.

"Why not, P'Bran?" France interrupted. "The twins and I can't go. We're dead tired. Go with P'Phil."

"He can bring you home. He has a car," Armina added as a tease then she winked at me. Both my sisters were lazily sprawled on the couch they were sharing.

"Yep," Aria nodded with eyes barely open. "Anytime. Or tomorrow after you two get married at the altar following the public mass in the church."

"He's not marrying anyone," P'Finn drawled cockily. "Baby Bran is gonna be my bride," he said as he touched my chin and reoriented my face to meet his.

The three girls were brought back to life, suddenly throwing a fit of laughter. France was clutching her stomach.

"Never gets old, does it? Hahahahaha!!!!" Armina was slapping the arm rest next to her.

"What doesn't get old?" Phillip asked, confused.

I was giving P'Finn a knowing look, sending a silent message to let me go. His other hand was in my backside kneading on me. Good thing we're both holding a pillow in our lap, his was blocking what his naughty hand was doing behind me.

"Oh, it's P'Finn," I heard Aria say as she tried to catch her breath. "He declares his dibs on Brandy to other people whenever he gets the chance."

"And P'Bran's cute flustered face only makes him do it more. Now he's already twenty four, I can't bekiebe he's still doing it," France added. "He's so shameless!"

"It's called being bold, kid." P'Finn calls his sister kid. I guess, given their age gap which is more or less ten years.

Uncle and Aunt had P'Finn literally when they were college students. I wish I saw his baby pictures though. He didn't have one.

"Bold, my ass."

I had the chance to slip away when P'Finn had to block a few pillows from landing on us.

"Hey, what's going on?" Uncle Draco stepped into the living room to find us squabbling over P'Finn's shamelessness. Well, except me. I was trying to leave.

"Dad! P'Finn should really stop claiming stakes on P'Bran. He can't even get a boyfriend because P'Finn is a co-- "

"She said the bad word!!!" The twins' laughter filled the room again.

"No, I didn't!"

"Yes, you did," P'Finn chuckled.

"She didn't," I butt in, defending France who was pouting at her brother.

"Yeah, she just didn't finish it." Uncle Draco approached his daughter and took her away. "As punishment, you need to keep mommy awake in the kitchen while she makes dessert."

"What? No..." France was whining as she headed to the kitchen.

"You heard her," P'Finn said before picking back in the couch. "I'm a cock-block. Right, baby?" He said as he stuck me to his side like a rib bone in in his torso.

I had to nudge him on the side to make him stop. He seemed so casual about this whole thing. And why wasn't anyone alarmed over this? Why was I the only stressing out over our relationship?

When I turned to Phillip, I saw his dejected eyes as he looked at his phone. He lifted his face and smiled at me when he saw me looking.

"I should go then," he said as he stood. "I'll just tell auntie and uncle I'll be heading home."

I felt bad about the whole thing. Maybe Phillip was really looking forward to the disco. I leaned towards P'Finn and whispered, "I'll be outside and send him out. I'll be back."

"No," he hissed as he grabbed my arm.

"Please?" I mouthed with begging eyes. I saw a glint of anger flashed his eyes before he loosened his hand on me.

"Phi," I called Phillip as I followed him outside. "I'm sorry about the disco. I was gonna say I couldn't go because I'm tired. I had a long day."

He smiled as he walked back a few steps towards me. "It's alright. I understand," he said but his voice wasn't as lively as it did earlier today or the night before.

"You know... I was hoping to confess later that I kind of like you."

"Huh?"

"You are dense, Bran," he said as he lightly tapped my cheek and then he stepped back. "Maybe I do really like you. Since I saw you last night. But I guess I'm too late to get your heart."

I was left blinking with my chest thumping hard. Does he know?

"I hope it lasts, Bran. Given your situation. Maybe I can still be a friend you can talk to if you need an ear. You have my number. Goodnight, Bran."

With that, he left through the front gate and hopped into his car.

"He knows..." I mumbled alone.

"He knows what?" P'Finn's voice startled me. Placing a hand on my shoulder then pulling me close, he asked the same question again.

"Us. He knows."

"Let him. It's better he knows. That way he won't come between us." P'Finn stepped in front of me and tapped on the tip of my nose. It's something he does a lot to me but not to anyone.

Mayhe I was really dense. Did P'Finn want to be with me before yesterday?

"I will not let anyone come between us, Bran," he said as he pulled me into his warm hug.

"Why?"

"Because you're mine.

"... And I love you."

________________tbc•Zia