Chapter 57 - Are They Flirting?

"… I prefer men like my friend." Devon nodded, convinced she wouldn't settle for less. Unbeknownst to her, Lewis was just standing not so far away behind her, frozen on the spot. 

Dion cleared his throat as he glanced at Lewis, then back to Devon. "What do you mean by that, sis? Do you need him to be your friend first?"

Devon frowned, disappointed at Dion's stupid question. 

"Are you not asking me about my preference for men and not friends? So, I'm telling you how I see my friend as a woman." She paused, lightly shaking her head as her head hurt just talking to Dion. 

"My friend for me is a gentleman, dashing even in his bedhead, and regaled me with his uniqueness. I don't see any reason I should settle for less."

"Then, say less." Devon jumped when Lewis suddenly chimed in, her eyes following his figure as he sat down on the armchair. "If you revered me that much, why don't you date your friend, then? I can't bear the guilt if you grew old without getting married just because you set the bar too high."

A sly smirk turned up on the corner of his lips, cocking his head as he was in a good mood to humor her. Devon pursed her lips and let out a faint sigh.

"Oh, please, I appreciate your concern, alas, I do not mind spending the rest of my days in the convent." Devon smiled kindly, but obviously, humoring him back.

Lewis raised a brow, rocking his head lightly. "Pray, do you abhor the thought of marrying your friend that much? It breaks my heart."

"I do not, my friend. However, it is I who wouldn't bear the guilt if I tied you down because you feel responsible," she replied, still smiling. "Also, I had no plans on being romantically associated with anyone right now."

"Oh, why so?"

Devon glanced at him, seeing his amusement brimming in his heart. She could not help but bite her inner lip, resisting herself from smiling.

"Should I tell you? But, I'm concerned with your frail heart, it might break again." 

Lewis's eyes dilated, stunned, before he chuckled, closed-lipped. It amused him how quick-witted she was in their brief banter. She just didn't realize she was giving him more reason to woo her.

'She actually rendered me speechless,' he thought, shaking his head as he let out a faint sigh. 

"Oh! It's starting!" Devon quickly shifted her attention and quickly got engrossed with the drama airing.

Meanwhile, as the two watched the drama she had been following, Dion closed his open mouth.

'Just what the hell was that?' Dion gasped internally, darting his gaze from Lewis to Devon. 'Were they flirting? Or arguing?' but it didn't seem that they were displeased. If anything, they seemed to enjoy their brief conversation.

'Big brother, I don't think this way of flirting is the best method,' he muttered inwardly, shaking his head. 

As a witness, he thought that flirting that way was not the right way to Devon's heart. After all, it reminded him how people in historical dramas clash with flowery words. 

'This… I never thought I would doubt my skills. Both of them are my problems.' Dion slumped back as he didn't have the energy to watch with the matters at hand.

The day had passed like the past two days, with them just spending watching dramas until it was time for Dion to leave. Dion dragged his feet towards the main door before he turned around with a dull expression.

"Brother," Dion murmured, gazing at Lewis, who leaned in his side, crossed arms. "Is this your new way to punish me?" 

Dion couldn't think of otherwise. He had been very excited to help his big brother in his dilemma, but it was just too much! Both of them were not normal!

Lewis chuckled. "To be frank, I didn't intend to do that, but I appreciate your hard work." 

Although Dion hadn't done much, Lewis knew his little brother well. Dion was the type of person who wouldn't strain himself if he wasn't concerned, and even if he was, he wouldn't care. His gaunt expression told Lewis that Dion had taken something serious for the first time. 

"Brother…" Dion bit his lower lip, teary-eyed like a child getting praised. When was it since the last time Lewis smiled gently? There's none in Dion's memory. This was the first.

Lewis jerked his chin towards the door behind Dion. "Go now." 

Dion nodded as he swallowed down the air clogging in his throat. But just as he turned around, his hand halted on the doorknob as Lewis said, "Take care on your way, and visit again."

"Big Brother!" Dion croaked as he spun around, tearing up. "I will do my best to resolve your problem! Leave it to me!" His eyes glinting with determination, nodding encouragingly.

Although baffled at his brother's sudden resolution, Lewis nodded. They stared at each other, enough for Lewis to feel a little discomfort.

"Big brother, I will surely do my best! Goodnight!" Dion asserted before leaving with invisible fire exuding from his back. 

Lewis tilted his head to the side, furrowing his brows. "He's so hyped, I wonder if that's a good thing?" he murmured, shaking his head as he walked back languidly. "I guess it is."

"My friend, did you send your brother off?" Lewis turned his head in her direction who came from the kitchen. He replied, "Yes, did you finish the dishes? Should we watch more?"

Lewis made his way towards her, shoving his hands inside his pocket as he stood before her. Devon puffed her cheek, averting her eyes from his towering figure.

"No," she answered, making him furrow his brows. Devon cleared her throat before she raised her brows and shifted her eyes back to him.

"I want to taste the wine you always drink and I thought we haven't had the time to get to know each other. So…" 

"An invitation?" his brows quirked, surprised as he was still not used to how unpredictable she was. Drinking wine together and getting to know each other… Lewis never thought about that, although it was a nice idea to enjoy something he enjoyed with someone he might enjoy later. 

Devon just pursed her lips and nodded. Lewis had always accompanied her to watch dramas, so she wanted to accompany him on something he enjoyed as well.

"Will you accept my invitation?" she asked, her eyes brimming with expectations.

"How can I refuse a date with my friend?" he dawdled as he bent over. 

She smiled brightly and clapped her hands together. "I'll prepare everything! Stay there!" and then she dashed towards the kitchen.

"I'd like to suggest we have wine in the living area!" 

"Yes!" Devon shouted back, making him chuckle. Lewis shook his head as he strutted towards the couch, plopping down as he tilted his head back.

His eyes glinted. "If only I don't know her, I'd think she is seducing me, and I'll happily oblige." He sighed, closing his eyes as he listened to the faint sound of her footsteps.

Weird, he thought, that sensing her presence around just gave him inexplicable peace.